Travel Guide Isla Contoy

The island is located 30 km north of Isla Mujeres, where the waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico meet. The Ixlaché reef, south of the island, marks the beginning of the Great Mesoamerican Barrier Reef which extends to Honduras. Contoy is a small island, less than 9 km long and 800 m wide. However, it is considered the most important bird refuge in the Mexican Caribbean, which is why it has been declared a natural park. 152 species have been listed, including the frigate bird, the cormorant, the coffee pelican, the wild turkey, the pink flamingo and the bobo bird. The entire island is still pristine and one can appreciate the unspoiled mangrove vegetation, which serves as a refuge for many species of reptiles and mammals. The marine waters are also rich in fish of all kinds, including the whale shark (from June to September) or the manta ray, and three species of turtles that come to lay their eggs on the island