You should consider seeing the Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres whale sharks on your next vacation. Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres are two very beautiful islands you should check out.  They are perfect escapes from that hectic and stressful lifestyle of yours. Communing with nature is the best way to rejuvenate and reset your mind and body. Take a moment and plan your next Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres adventures.

Isla Contoy Facts

Here are some facts to remember about Isla Contoy:

  • It is situated just off the Yucatan Peninsula
  • It is seventeen miles north of Isla Mujeres
  • It is twenty-two miles to the north of Cancun
  • It is where the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea merge
  • It was declared a protected island in 1961
  • It became a national park in 1998
  • Seventy percent of the island is covered with mangrove forests
  • Its avian population can reach 10,000 during winter
  • About 173 species of birds reside on the island
  • Ixlanche is a small coral reef found at its southern pointt (Ixlanche is the first part of the Mesoamerican reef—the second longest barrier reef in the world)

You can enjoy a wonderful breakfast, snorkeling in the Ixlanche, walk through its mangrove forest, a museum tour, a visit to the freshwater lagoon, and a hearty lunch before you go to Isla Mujeres.

Swim with the Isla Mujeres Whale Sharks

You can experience seeing and swimming with the island’s whale sharks right in their natural habitat. From June to September, the whale shark population takes advantage of the large amounts of plankton in the water. Whale sharks are usually solitary creatures but they socialize off the Island of Women in groups of twenty or so. Before you swim with these enormous animals, make sure you understand the rules set by the tour operators. Doing so ensures your safety and the safety of the whale sharks.

It is truly refreshing to know that there are places like Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres to visit with the intention of relaxing and communing with Mother Nature. Learn to appreciate the simple, beautiful things around you, whether it’s just touring Isla Contoy or spending time with the Isla Mujeres Whale Sharks.