Isla Mujeres Activities
Relaxing on the Beach!
Isla Mujeres beaches were awarded among "The Top 25 Beaches in the World" according to TripAdvisor '2011 Traveler Choice Awards'.
The most popular beach in town, and the best for swimming, is Playa Norte. It's a long stretch of beach extending around the northern tip of the island. This is perhaps one of the world's best beach -- awarded with -- a wide swath of fine white sand and calm, translucent, turquoise-blue water. Other options include the public beaches just north of the ferry terminal.
Experience Wonderful Restaurants
Isla Mujeres boasts well over 100 restaurants offering a multitude of choices and cuisines. You will find a large concentration on Hidalgo Street in the downtown area of the island as well as other gems scattered throughout Isla. Seafood is predominate throughout the menus of varied ethnicity. One of the biggest challenges visitors to Isla have is sample the numerous quality food establishments! See Trip Adviser's restaurant ratings here.
Fishing
Isla Mujeres is world renowned for its exceptional Sailfish population. “Isla” is located alongside this sought after billfish migration route and many are caught just offshore!
During winter months Jan- March, the sails are concentrated around the “Bait Balls” of sardines. It is not unusual to catch and release 30- 40 sailfish per day and as many as 70 in one day have been reported. On a “Bad Day” you may catch only 5-10 sails. During the spring months, the sailfish are not as concentrated near the “Bait Balls” and can be caught within sight of Isla Mujeres. Late May and June brings the migration of white marlin, along with the sails. Blue Marlin and huge dolphin (Mahi Mahi) are added to the mix. June is a very good month to try to catch a billfish “Grand Slam”; which is landing a sailfish, white marlin and blue marlin in the same day!
Isla Mujeres also has fantastic year round fishing for grouper, red snapper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, (all fantastic table fare) on the nearby reefs. Big, bruising Amberjacks are also available year round.
There are a variety of charter services on Isla Mujeres. One we have had excellent experience with is Keen M International.
If you want to “hone” angling skills or just want to catch a sailfish, Isla Mujeres is the place you want to go!!!
Viewing Whale Sharks
Between the months of June and September, large numbers of whale sharks concentrate off the waters of Isla Mujeres. Not a true whale, this docile fish feeds mainly on plankton, algae and krill, filtering food through the gills. This is the largest member of the shark and fish family and hundreds gather off the coast to take advantage of the rich food supplies found in the Caribbean. Additionally the waters of Isla are home to large Manta Rays.
There are many charter boats that offer guided trips to view these beautiful specimens. Again, Keen M International is a company we are familiar with and can highly recommend. To learn more about Whale Sharks, please visit this National Geographic web page.
Snorkeling in Isla Mujeres
One of the most popular places to snorkel is Garrafón Natural Reef Park. Manchones Reef, off the southeastern coast, is also good. It's just offshore and accessible by boat. You can snorkel around el faro (the lighthouse) in the Bahía de Mujeres at the southern tip of the island. The water is about 2m (6 1/2 ft.) deep.
Scuba Diving in Isla Mujeres
Cuevas de los Tiburones (Caves of the Sleeping Sharks) is Isla's most renowned dive site -- but the name is slightly misleading, as shark sightings are rare these days. Two sites where you could traditionally see the sleeping shark are the Cuevas de Tiburones and La Punta, but the sharks have mostly been driven off, and a storm collapsed the arch featured in a Jacques Cousteau film showing them, but the caves survive. Other dive sites include a wreck 15km (9 1/4 miles) offshore; Banderas reef, between Isla Mujeres and Cancún, where there's always a strong current; Tabos reef on the eastern shore; and Manchones reef, 1km (a half-mile) off the southeastern tip of the island, where the water is 4.5 to 11m (15-36 ft.) deep. The Cross of the Bay is close to Manchones reef. A bronze cross, weighing 1 ton and standing 12m (39 ft.) high, was placed in the water between Manchones and Isla in 1994, as a memorial to those who have lost their lives at sea.
Exploring the Island by Golf Cart, Motor Scooter or Bicycle
A great way to see the island is to rent one of the above forms of transportation. Exploring Isla at a slower pace allows visitors to experience the natural and cultural resources that define the island. Popular destinations include Punta Sur (South Point), Tortugranja (turtle farm) and the Dolphin Discovery. Rentals for the above can be found in the downtown area of Isla.
Photo by Denny Motsko
