Two reefs, no fuss, right off Cozumel. On Chivis del Mar’s small-group snorkel, you get to the water fast at Dzul-Ha and Paraiso, and Barbara and Captain Jose keep things calm while they point out fish and even take GoPro shots underwater. One heads-up: sunscreen isn’t allowed and you’ll pay small pesos fees for facilities.

The whole outing runs about 1 hour 30 minutes once you’re aboard, with a short prep period before each reef stop. Snorkel equipment (mask, life jacket, and snorkel tube) is provided, and you’ll have drinks on board plus fresh fruit; two beers per adult come after the snorkeling (18+).

Key highlights before you go

• Two reef stops close to the marina: Paraiso Reef plus Dzul-Ha Reef for coral formations and photo-friendly views
• Small group size: up to 12 travelers, which often means a calmer pace than the big boats
• First-timer friendly support: safety prep and gear fitting help you get comfortable quickly
• Underwater spotting and photos: Barbara is known for fish-spotting and GoPro underwater photos
• Drinks and fruit included: soda/pop with water and refresco, plus fruit as a snack between swims
• Plan for tiny pesos extras: facilities fee ($15 pesos) and bathroom fee ($5 pesos) are separate

Chivis del Mar at a glance: a simple Cozumel reef day

This is a straight-shooting snorkel outing in Cozumel. You’re not stuck on a full-day bus tour, and you’re not trying to coordinate a crowd. It’s built around time in the water and quick stops on two reef areas.

The price is $35.85 per person, and what you get here matters: snorkel equipment, a bilingual guide, and drinks/fruit tied to the trip. The “cheaper than cruise options” feeling shows up in the way people describe it—especially because you’re not paying extra just to get basic gear and guide attention.

Main vibe: friendly, practical, and not party-boat loud. If you want a peaceful reef swim with help staying safe, this style fits.

Price and logistics: what you pay (and what you’ll pay in pesos)

Let’s talk real costs so you’re not surprised mid-trip.

Your ticket covers snorkel gear use, guide time, and the included drinks/snacks. But there are two separate on-site fees in pesos you should plan for:

• $15 pesos per person for use of facilities (pay at the entrance with the security man)
• $5 pesos for use of the bathroom

Also, souvenir photos are available to purchase, but they aren’t included. And while you’ll get underwater picture help with the GoPro, you should still assume you’ll pay extra if you want the final printed or downloaded photos.

One more rule that affects comfort: sunscreen isn’t allowed in this activity due to reef protection. That means your sun strategy needs to be clothing-first (an extra T-shirt to protect yourself while swimming is recommended).

Getting to the marina: finding Chivis del mar without a headache

Your meeting point is the marina dock at Glass bottom boat – Chivis del mar, Caleta 77600, Marina, 77688 Q.R., Mexico. The good news is the area is easy enough to reach from most cruise terminals with a short drive.

From Puerta Maya and/or SSA MEXICO, you’re looking at about 2 km—roughly 5 minutes by car, or 20–25 minutes walking. Punta Langosta is the one I’d treat differently: walking from there is not recommended, and it can take around 25 minutes by car.

If you’re arriving from the mainland (via Playa del Carmen ferry), build in time. You’ll take a taxi about 25 minutes to Marina Caleta, and if you’re late, they won’t be able to help or issue a refund.

Practical tip: arrive 15 minutes early and watch for the boat name—there are lots of boats at marinas, so confirm you’re at Chivis del mar before you board.

The 90-minute rhythm: when you get in the water and when you rest

Your tour time is about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.). But here’s the catch: transportation time isn’t included, so plan your day so you’re not rushing from your ship or parking spot.

Once aboard, expect a simple rhythm:

• At each reef stop, it takes about 15 minutes to get ready to enter the water
• Each reef session is about 30 minutes
• There’s a coast stop period (about 30 minutes) that works as a break and snack time while you transition between locations

If you’re the type who hates feeling rushed, this schedule is actually kind. Short setups reduce stress, and the reef swims are long enough to see fish and coral details without turning into a marathon.

Also, a glass-bottom boat is part of the experience. Even if you’re easing into snorkeling, you can still get plenty of glimpses of what’s below from the boat.

Dzul-Ha Reef: coral formations and photo moments you can manage

One of your reef stops is Dzul-Ha Reef. This is the kind of snorkeling stop that rewards relaxed swimming. You’re looking at coral formations, and it’s set up so you can stop, float, and take photos without constantly battling open-water currents.

What makes Dzul-Ha a good match for many people is how close it feels to the action. You’re not far from where you board, so you’re in snorkeling mode quickly. That matters for first-timers—less time waiting around means less time getting nervous.

You’ll likely want to keep your eyes on:

• brighter coral patches and edges
• small fish that dart in and out of coral structure
• any larger shapes that hang near the reef

And yes, you’ll have souvenir photo opportunities. If you’re hoping for underwater shots, Barbara is known for helping with GoPro-style photos while you’re in the water.

Centro stop: drinks, fruit, and a real breather

Between reef swims, there’s a coast stop period labeled Centro. Think of it as the reset button. You get drinks on board and fruit as an appetizer, and you also get that small pause where you can adjust your snorkel setup and catch your breath.

This is useful if you’re traveling with kids, older folks, or anyone who needs a slower pace. It also helps if you’re not sure about water conditions—short breaks keep the outing comfortable.

You’ll still want to hydrate, especially since snorkeling plus sun is a tough combo. The trip includes water and refresco, and the soda/pop setup continues as part of the day’s flow.

Paraiso Reef: coral plus statues for easy, scenic snorkeling

The other reef stop is Paraiso (Paradise) Reef. This is the part where people often smile because the views are built for photos. Along with coral formations, there are statues to look for while you’re snorkeling.

Statues are more than decoration. They give you fixed points to aim for, so your brain isn’t just scanning for random fish. You can orient yourself, hover safely, and get the kind of “I see it clearly” photos that feel worth the effort.

If you’re a first-time snorkeler, Paraiso-style snorkeling is usually the sweet spot: not too complicated, but visually interesting enough that you’ll come away feeling like you did more than just put your face in water.

Gear, safety, and how the crew helps you feel ready

This is the part where Chivis del Mar wins points. You’re not just given a mask and told good luck.

You get snorkel equipment: mask and life jacket, plus a snorkel tube. That combo helps you stay afloat without fighting your breathing all the time. The crew also provides a bilingual guide, and they do a safety prep before you enter the water.

From the way people describe the experience, Barbara and Captain Jose focus on comfort and safety, especially for travelers who are anxious or don’t snorkel often. People also mention being fitted with gear properly and getting help with confidence—exactly what you want when you’re not trying to look cool, you’re trying to stay relaxed.

One extra perk: if the crew spots something interesting, they’ll help you find it. More than one account highlights fish-spotting, with guidance on what you’re seeing. That turns the snorkeling from random viewing into a guided nature show.

Reef rules and photo extras: sunscreen, bathrooms, and souvenir costs

Two things here can trip people up: reef protection rules and on-site expenses.

Sunscreen isn’t allowed during the activity because it’s part of reef protection rules. Plan for sun protection that doesn’t rely on lotion—wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring an extra T-shirt for sun coverage while swimming, and use clothing and shade when you can.

Bathrooms and facilities aren’t included in your ticket price:

• facilities fee is $15 pesos per person
• bathroom use is $5 pesos

Bring pesos so you’re not searching for a money exchange while everyone is waiting to depart. Also note that souvenir photos are available to buy, so decide before you go whether you want that add-on.

How good is the value at $35.85?

For $35.85, you’re getting a guided snorkel with two reef stops, plus actual included items that make the day easier:

• snorkel gear use
• bilingual guide support
• drinks/snacks during the outing
• fruit and soda/pop, with beer after snorkeling (18+)

What you don’t get: lunch and private transportation. But that’s usually true for short, focused excursions. The value here comes from what’s included for a relatively short time commitment.

People also note that this kind of shore excursion can cost a lot more through cruise lines. Even if cruise pricing varies, the general logic holds: when gear and guiding are included and you’re not paying for a huge group, you often end up with better value per hour.

For me, the “real value” factor is this: you’re paying for a calm, small operation rather than joining a packed cattle-call. With a max group size of 12, you get more attention and a smoother pace.

Who should book Chivis del Mar, and who should think twice

This is a strong pick for:

• first-time snorkelers who want safety coaching and gear fitting
• families with kids who do better with shorter, structured swims
• couples who want a quieter boat than the big party-style excursions
• anyone who cares about fish spotting and photo chances, not just getting wet

You might want to think twice if:

• you need sunscreen for your routine (it’s not allowed here, so you’ll rely on clothing shade instead)
• you’re traveling only with a tight schedule and hate paying extra in pesos for facilities
• you’re considering a major plan change at the last minute (this booking style doesn’t support changes well)

The best approach is simple: lock in your time, arrive early, bring pesos, and treat the snorkel as a short reef day, not a long beach holiday.

Should you book this Cozumel snorkeling tour?

Yes—if your goal is two reef swims with real guidance in a small-group setting. The combination of provided gear, safety prep, and hosts like Barbara and Captain Jose makes it feel manageable, even when you’re new to snorkeling.

Book it especially if you want a calmer vibe than the big cruise boats and you care about seeing fish with help, not just floating and hoping. Just plan your sun protection without sunscreen, and bring the pesos for facilities so you can focus on the water and not the wallet.

FAQ

Which reefs does this snorkeling trip visit?

You’ll snorkel at Paraiso Reef and Dzul-Ha Reef during the activity, with a coast stop in between.

How long is the experience once you’re at the marina?

The tour duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.). Transportation time is not included, and you’ll also have time to get ready (about 15 minutes to enter the water at each stop).

What’s included in the ticket price?

Snorkeling gear use is included (mask and life jacket, plus a snorkel tube) along with a bilingual guide. Drinks are provided, including water/refresco/soda, and beer for adults after snorkeling, plus fruit as an appetizer.

Is sunscreen allowed?

No. Sunscreen is not allowed in this activity due to reef protection rules.

Are there extra fees when you arrive at the water/facilities?

Yes. There’s a $15 pesos per person facilities fee to pay at the entrance, and there’s also a $5 pesos charge for the bathroom.

What happens if weather isn’t good?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.