Anchorage· Isla Contoy· Mexico

Isla Contoy Anchorage (Playa Tortugas Visitor Dock)

21° 28.4′ N · 86° 47.6′ W · approximate

The only place a private yacht may stop at Isla Contoy: off the visitor-center dock at Playa Tortugas, on the island's sheltered west (leeward) side. Visits need park permission, and the guard staff assign the anchoring spot.

Practical

Coordinate is approximate: plotted about 250 m west of the end of the visitor-center pier, which OpenStreetMap places at 21.4719-21.4726, -86.7897 to -86.7900 next to the observation tower (way 542998867). Anchoring rules come from the Programa de Manejo (INE/SEMARNAP, 1997). All visitors must report at the visitor-center dock at Playa Tortugas (Art. 2). Anchoring is prohibited in the park's restricted marine zone except by research vessels; that polygon runs about 1.5 km off the east and west coasts, 1.5 km off the north point and 4 km off the south point. Local visitors with their own boat must request a permit from the park office at least two days ahead (Art. 41). Foreign-flag boats may arrive directly and ask the guard staff for access, which is granted at their discretion and for non-commercial visits only. With prior authorization from the park director, visitors may stay aboard overnight for up to three days. Guards indicate where to anchor and when you may land (Art. 42). Any boat may shelter in bad weather at a mooring or anchoring spot the guards designate, but no repairs are allowed inside the park (Art. 43). Tour hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the island and 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Ixlaché reef. Visits outside these hours must be requested in writing two days ahead (Art. 21). Scuba and night diving need a specific permit (Art. 33). No fishing; no jet skis or towing. Newer limits override parts of the 1997 rules: 200 visitors a day, tours only with CONANP-authorized operators, no overnight stays for tourists (Riviera Maya News, May 2025; Por Esto, Oct 2023). Confirm with CONANP Cancún or Isla Mujeres before you sail. No published depths were found: approach by eye in good light.

Best for

A permitted day stop or a rare overnight at Mexico's premier seabird island

Season

Nov–Apr calms; untenable in nortes

Nearby