Tours Aloha Cozumel — Local services in Isla Cozumel

The best experience in Cozumel for snorkeling enthusiasts!

We booked a private boat through Aloha which was NOT one of the small boats you usually see on these excursions. This boat was a proper (speed)boat with a powerful engine and lots of space (they said they can comfortably fit 8 passengers, but I would think 5 is pushing it). Since it was only a friend and I, we were very comfortable around the boat. There was a small tarp to give relief from the sun, but we wanted to be in the sun, so we tried to stay out from under it.

Our excursion was offered to us as a snorkeling excursion for 4 hours. We asked if they could do a longer tour, since we would rather spend more time on the ocean than head back to the city before reboarding our cruise ship, and they were able to offer nearly 7 hours of time on the ocean!

After visiting the popular Palancar, Colombia and Cielo, we were served a most delicious (and somewhat spicy) fish ceviche with yummy guac to be eaten with totopos (tortilla chips) as well as fresh watermelon, pineapple and orange.

The margaritas they prepare are NOT margaritas. They are closer to a Paloma, which is a grapefruit based drink. Our guides, Leo and Angel, provided Pepsis (yes, I complained about the lack of Coca Cola) and were extremely helpful and fun. Their English is passable, though not full, so be prepared to use your Spanish, or charades :D

After eating, Angel and Leo took us around the corner of the island to an area of the sea that was completely devoid of humans. We got off for a half hour (I think it was half an hour?) swim over one of the most impressive reefs I've ever snorkeled. We saw all kinds of fish and animals, including starfish and lobsters, and an impossible amount of gorgeous fan corals.

After that, we were taken to another reef, this one a lot deeper, where we swam at the top, looking down at impressive rock formations that were 20-25 feet in height (underwater). We saw turtles, barracudas, and several other large fish.

After all that swimming, we asked to be taken to a beach, and they took us to a perfect, empty beach where we ate the rest of our meal in a tranquil environment. They set up a shade for us as well as the food, brought us drinks, then they stayed back at the boat, so as to give us privacy, which was very considerate of them.

We could not have asked for anything else. Angel and Leo were magnificent and extremely friendly, and very accommodating. Angel pointed out all of the interesting formations and fish in the water, and it was really nice to not have to wait for others in our group to keep up. This was truly the best experience we could've had.

In the end, we paid about $300 USD for two people for the nearly 7 hours aboard the boat (excluding tips), and were even picked up and dropped off at the cruise terminal by the owner of Aloha. We were only two people, so I can't guarantee others will be this lucky, but it's worth asking! In any case, their "caleta" is only about 5 minutes away, by car, from the Carnival Cruise port.

Overall, the family who owns and runs the business is very kind and understanding, and very reasonable as well. Do text them over whatsapp so that you can make proper arrangements.

IMPORTANT: They require a small deposit in order to book the excursion (I think it's about $20 USD) and this deposit can only be made by bank transfer in Mexico. We were unable to figure out how to make that transfer from an American bank, as well as from a Dutch bank, but Aloha very generously waived the deposit for us. We paid by card in person. It seems that they only bill in Mexican Pesos, not in American Dollars, so keep in mind the...

1st. Out of concern to “Not damage” their boat, they ask you to take your shoes off(any shoe, sandals, water shoes, it doesn’t matter to them)before boarding and they store them away. When you get back they expect for you to have pristine balance even though the boat is wet and step off before bringing you your shoe…..well ladies and gentlemen that is recipe for disaster…..I felt down because of their disregards to my safety and not bringing me my shoes before asking me to get off. Apparently they don’t know that fiberglass and water create slippery conditions. 2nd we did not get the fruit/ appetizer/ or drinks. The “captain” said the sea was a little roughy to prepare them so we would get them when we would get back. But if you’re back why would you want it then? Apparently they also don’t know how to work when the sea is rough. Book at...

I found the people on Facebook and send them messages. They pay for the taxi to the port about a 10 minute drive away from the ferry area. I suggest you take a long sleeve to swim in because we got really burnt and you can not wear sun block. They provide snorkel gear and we saw turtles and star fish and rays! It was amazing and we had 100% communication and eventually we chatted thru WhatsApp too. The ceviche is prepared fresh was delicious and so was the guacamole and fruit it came with. I would go again and...