Last updated on October 1st, 2023 at 03:58 pm
Just across the bay from Cancun is a beautiful place called Isla Mujeres where the dolphins swim. We ventured onto a boat from our hotel (Moon Palace) to Isla Mujeres to take the kids to swim with dolphins for the first time. While we were in Cancun, Mexico a few weeks ago we really wanted to try some new adventures and days out now that the two older children are older.
Since we had Grandma with us on our Mexican adventures she still took the boat ride to the island with us along with Baby O of course too. If you decide to book this tour it’s a great day out for the entire family. There is so much to do on the island we didn’t even get to experience it all and we were there all day.
The boat ride is packed and rocky for my liking in the open water but the kids absolutely loved it. The water was crystal blue too. What a view!
We didn’t realize you do this in huge groups which was a slight let down as we hoped it was just by family but if you know that then it’s not as big a deal. Our daughter was just slightly too short in the water so I found it hard holding her up above the water even with a life jacket on her as the waves kept crashing into us on the platform. So make sure to work out those arms and legs if you are taking a child under age of six in with you. OR book one in a pool or shallow water and one for just your family so the little ones don’t have to wait in the water as long for everyone to have a turn.
Kids that are under a certain height can kiss and hug the dolphins but if you are taller you get to ride on their bellies and be pushed on boogie boards by the dolphins too. Adults can give their turns to their children for extra rides if you don’t want to do it. Each child under 8 has to have an adult in the water with them on the platform.
I was so impressed with my eldest boy, he swam out into the open water alone and grabbed on that dolphin for dear life but he did it. He usually isn’t the kind to try something before everyone else and got called first. I am so glad he did it. He was so glad he did it. Just look at his face it says it all, below. Talk about a proud Mommy moment.
If you get the platform that’s in the shade no matter how hot it is outside, it’s freezing. The kids were chattering by the time we got out of the water and it was a really warm, nice day out. They did get really tired of waiting for their turn as we had about fifteen people to go every time we kissed, hugged or swam with the dolphin. It took a long time to get round everyone and MM was begging to get out by the end of it.
While we were swimming and having fun with the dolphins, Baby O and Grandma were walking around the shops and there is even a Starbucks too.
All our food was included as it’s an open buffet for anyone that books the day tour to Isla Mujeres so you can go in and eat what you want, and when you want. It’s got burgers, fries, hot dogs and then salads, fruit, vegetables, so many desserts you could fill your boots for sure.
As you can imagine there are a lot of groups to get through with the dolphins before you get back on the boat to return to Cancun so you have all day (depending on your dolphin time) to swim in the pools they have there, lounge in the sun, go see the turtle farm or find the beach and have a picnic. Sadly we didn’t know about the beach until we were leaving which made us sad as our beach at our hotel was full of seaweed from bad weather before we arrived. The Isla Mujeres beach was soft white sand, clear blue water we were told it was beautiful. So if you go, find the beach!
As you can see there are pools dotted here and there and you can watch others swimming with the dolphins. We had lunch and lounged in the sun while Baby O took his nap and had such a good quality day together as a family. It was so amazing to have my mother with us to experience our holiday even if she didn’t get to swim with the dolphins. I am sure she appreciated just being with her grandkids. I know they loved having her there.
OTHER THINGS TO DO:
ON ISLA MUJERES BESIDES SWIMMING W/DOLPHINS!
Walking Tours, and Bicycles,
Kayaking
Shopping , and Dining
Snorkeling, and Diving
You can add so much to your Isla Mujeres tour packages. They will also try to sell you photography packages on the boat as it’s cheaper than when you get there. If you want photos do it as you won’t be able to use your camera for the dolphins at all.
It as one of our favorite days out even though we didn’t add any of the extra tours as we had a baby with us, we still had the best time making great memories together. Every time we travel to somewhere new I like to research blogs and see where families have liked, not liked and why so I thought I would share this day out from our two week trip with you separate from our holiday roundup.
Any questions just comment below. I am happy to try to find an answer out for you if I don’t know it on anything we booked or did in Mexico.
Coming up next, we will be sharing our hotel experience at the beautiful Moon Palace, in Cancun, Mexico.
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