Cozumel Day Trip: Ferry Times, Prices, and What to Do

Last updated October 22, 2026 · First published October 29, 2026 · By Chad Norris

You can do Cozumel in a day from Playa del Carmen: ferries run from the pier at the foot of the town, the posted Ultramar fare is 640 MXN round trip for an adult (roughly $35 USD) as of October 2026, and the crossing takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes. The best use of the day is the island’s calm west coast: a snorkel stop, a beach club, and lunch in San Miguel. The catch is that the ferry timetable is tighter than people expect, and cruise-ship days change the island’s mood. This guide gives the actual departure times, costs, and a plan that works.

Ferry fares and operators

Two companies run passenger ferries on this route: Ultramar and Winjet. We checked Ultramar’s fares page directly in October 2026, and Winjet’s own fares and timetable could not be verified from an official source for this guide, so confirm them on the day.

Ultramar defines a child as aged 1 year up to 1.20 m in height. Anyone taller pays the adult fare, and infants up to 12 months travel free with a boarding pass. First Class adds preferential boarding and a special area with more space. Our earlier checks found Winjet reported at about the same price as Ultramar’s round-trip fare, but treat that as unconfirmed.

Buy at the official counter or on the operator’s website. Ignore anyone at the pier who offers “help” with tickets for a fee.

Ultramar allows one piece of luggage up to 25 kg whose three dimensions sum to no more than 142 cm. That is enough for a day pack, a beach bag and a snorkel set.

Ferry times: when you can actually go

Ultramar’s routes and departures page lists the following sailings as of October 2026:

Two things stand out. First, the earliest Ultramar departure from Playa is 9:00 a.m., which is later than many guides suggest. Second, there is a gap between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on the outbound side. Other sources describe Winjet sailings and extra half-hour departures that fill in some of the gaps, but we could not confirm a current Winjet timetable, and one report said Winjet suspended a late evening return. Check both operators’ current schedules before you plan a tight day.

Ultramar asks passengers to be at the terminal 30 minutes before departure. The Playa del Carmen terminal is the Terminal Marítima on Avenida Benito Juárez, and the Cozumel terminal is the Terminal Marítima San Miguel on Avenida Rafael Melgar.

If you are on a morning boat, you reach Cozumel around 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. A return on the 4:00 or 6:00 p.m. departure gives you roughly six to seven hours on the island. The last return on Ultramar’s list is 8:00 p.m. Do not bet the whole day on one boat. Confirm the final sailing when you land.

Getting around the island

San Miguel, the island’s town, is right at the pier. From there you have four reasonable options:

• Taxi: Cozumel taxis operate on a regulated system, and a ride to the west-coast beaches is short. Blogs quote roughly $10 to $15 USD one way to Chankanaab, a 10 to 15 minute ride. Agree the fare before you get in, and ask your hotel or the island’s taxi stand for the standard rate.
• Golf cart, scooter, or car: Rentals are common and prices are typically quoted in the range of $40 to $80 USD a day, but we could not verify current rates, so confirm before you book. These suit people who want to circle the whole island.
• Walking in town: The malecón along Avenida Rafael Melgar is flat and easy, with shops, restaurants and dive shops.
• Guided tour or boat trip: A snorkel boat to the reef is the way to see the marine park’s best sites without a rental.

The west coast faces the calm side of the island, while the east coast gets rougher open-sea water. That is why almost all day-trippers stay on the west.

What to do on the island

Snorkel the reef

Cozumel’s west coast is known for its clear water and reef. Much of it sits inside a protected marine park, and some operators run boat trips to reef sites such as Palancar. We could not verify current boat-trip prices or the marine park fee, so ask for the total price including park fees. For first-timers who do not want a boat, a beach club or a park with an in-water entry is simplest.

Chankanaab

Chankanaab is the island’s best-known beach park, with a sheltered cove, snorkeling from the shore, tropical garden, sea lion show and activities at extra cost. The operator’s site lists general admission at about 31 USD for adults and 22 USD for children aged 4 to 12, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Carretera Costera Sur at roughly km 9. Check the price and hours before you go, because resellers quote different packages and prices.

Beach clubs

The coast south of town is lined with beach clubs that charge either an entry fee or a minimum consumption in return for loungers, restrooms and snorkel gear. Prices change by club and season, and we did not verify specific figures, so ask before sitting down. A common approach is to pick one club, snorkel from it, eat lunch there, and head back to town by taxi.

San Miguel

The waterfront is good for an early dinner before the last boat. Plan to be back at the ferry terminal well before the departure time, because lines build up when several boats leave close together.

Cruise-ship days

Cozumel is one of the busiest cruise ports in the Caribbean, with ships docking at several terminals near town. On days with several ships in port, beach clubs and Chankanaab get busy and taxis are harder to find. Cruise-ship arrival calendars are published online by port-tracking sites, and your hotel can tell you which days look heavy. Days with fewer ships tend to be calmer, though we could not verify a pattern. This is one reason to consider an overnight stay if you want the island without the crowds.

A day plan that fits the ferry schedule

• 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in Playa del Carmen and walk to the terminal.
• 9:00 a.m. Ferry departs (Ultramar). Arrive at the terminal by 8:30.
• 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. Land at San Miguel, take a taxi to a west-coast beach or Chankanaab.
• 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Snorkel, swim, lunch at the beach club.
• 3:00 p.m. Taxi back to town. Browse the waterfront.
• 4:00 or 6:00 p.m. Return ferry to Playa del Carmen, leaving a buffer before the last 8:00 p.m. boat.

If you prefer a bigger day, take the 4:00 p.m. return only if you are comfortable with a short beach window. A 6:00 p.m. return gives a much easier day.

What a day costs

A rough budget per adult, using the verified and hedged figures above (as of October 2026):

Bring pesos for taxis and small purchases, a rash guard or long-sleeve swim shirt, water shoes for rocky entries, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone and ID. Keep your passport or a copy with you in case of a check, and carry your return ticket if you bought a round trip.

Overnight instead of a day trip

One night changes the island’s feel. Day-trippers leave on the late afternoon boats, restaurants in San Miguel quiet down, and you can reach the reef or the less-visited east coast the next morning without watching the clock. Divers in particular should stay, because dive operators run morning boat trips that do not fit a day-trip schedule. If you cannot stay, choose a mid-morning boat and the 6:00 p.m. return so the day does not feel rushed.

Mistakes to avoid

• Relying on old schedules. Posted timetables change, so check the operator the week you travel.
• Cutting it close for the ferry. Arrive 30 minutes before departure, as Ultramar requests.
• Paying “tour” prices at the pier. You do not need to book through a tout to cross.
• Booking a boat trip without asking about marine park fees.
• Forgetting reef-safe habits. Do not touch coral, and use a rash guard instead of sunscreen where possible.

Cozumel versus other trips

If you are choosing between islands, our Isla Mujeres day trip guide covers the Cancun alternative, which is closer for Hotel Zone stays and has a calmer beach. Cozumel wins for snorkeling. If seaweed is a concern, the west coast is a reliable fallback, as described in our sargassum season guide. For the broader picture, see our Playa del Carmen guide and our 7-day no-car itinerary, which uses Cozumel as a full day on the coast.

Prices and schedules are as published by operators in October 2026, and ferries change them without notice. Confirm on the official Ultramar site before you travel.