Catamaran to Palancar, Colombia and El Cielo — Cozumel

Departs from the dock on Avenida Melgar and runs south along the leeward coast toward the southern tip of the island — the calm side, which is why the snorkelling here works on days when the east coast does not.

The reefs are the reason to go. Palancar and Colombia are the two most photographed on the island and both are shallow enough to snorkel rather than dive. After the water stops the boat moves inshore to El Cielo, the sandbar where the water is waist-deep over white sand.

Lunch is served aboard — fresh fruit, ceviche and hot food — with an open bar including beer, margaritas and soft drinks. The return runs back up the coast in the late afternoon, which puts the sunset on your side of the boat.