Cancun Mexico 2025 Day 7 Part 1 - Isla Mujeres/ Garrefen Park

Day 7 will again have to be broken down in to two blog updates as it was such an epic excursion. One of the reasons for going to Mexico was to give the kids the opportunity to swim with dolphins and that is exactly what was on the agenda for day 7 along with a lot, lot more. This excursion wasn't cheap, but it ticked so many boxes and was worth every penny.

We set-off early again from our hotel to get a coach up to Cancun which took about 45 mins to an hour. From there we checked in for our catamaran ride over to the absolutely picturesque Isla Mujeres which has one of the top beaches listed worldwide. The catamaran ride was maybe another 45 mins and whilst on board they served us up breakfast along with an unlimited bar. Despite still being very early I had to have a tequila sunrise.

We knew we was in for something special as we slowly approached Isla Mujeresand the waters turned crystal blue. Then as we got even closer to the island we spotted a few rays and some pretty large turtles in the water. Once again TUI had some sort of special deal with this excursion meaning we were the first group of tourists on the island and thus had all the dolphins to ourselves.

We spent around 45 mins in the water with the dolphins and the bulk of this blog update is just picture after picture of our dolphin experience. The dolphins were just incredible, so friendly and playful and silky smooth to touch. At one point the two dolphins we were with were joined by a third dolphin and then proceedings ground to a halt for a few minutes as they 3 of them were all having a bit of a play. It is just amazing to get up close and see how lovely these animals are and to appreciate their power and speed in the water. Worth every penny when you look at the expression on the kids faces in the pictures, something they will never ever forget.

Once we finished with the dolphins we had yet another amazing experience to jump in the water with two manatees and hand feed them lettuce leaves. The manatees are just monstrously huge with no concept or spatial awareness and literally just swam in to you looking for their lettuce leaves knocking you for 6. In addition to the manatees experience we also got to have a 15 min snorkel with a nurse shark and some rays. Unfortunately the nurse shark was fast asleep and didn't move a whole lot, but still a great experience for the kids.

After all our water activities we showered off and went to sort out a very, very expensive photo package (hence all the picture). Then we had a really nice lunch and a bit of time to chill out in an infinity pool before heading up to Garrafen for part 2 of this excursion (but more on that tomorrow).

 

Arrival in Cancun after an early start. Can you spot a Holly?

On board our catamaran and getting our briefing for a very full on day ahead.

Nice to see Brandon wearing his new hat from Chichin Itza.

Family picture all wearing our Mexico 2025 t-shirts.

Me and wifey, so grateful to be able to give the kids this experience having already swam with dolphins many, many years ago.

Posing or looking out for rays and turtles?

Definitely posing.

Amazingly the three kids were all getting on nicely and no arguing.

Looking overboard for any rays and turtles.

The camera really doesn't show it but this was a ray that we saw as we approached Isla Mujeres.

Arrived and ready for a great day on the Isla.

Where dolphins interact with humans.

All life jacketed up and ready to go.

What is slicker and shinier, the dolphin or my head?

Feeling the dolphins heart beat against your own.

This is the area of the island where we swam with the dolphins.

And was also given time to chill out in the pools.

Proper infinity pools overlooking the ocean.

Holly taking it all in.

We didn't get pictures of us in with the manatees so this is the best I can do. The pictures really don't do justice to the size of these beasts.

Very unusual animals.

We had the opportunity to swim with these two and feed them lettuce leaves by hand.

A sealion showing off and trying to keep cool in the blazing heat.

This is all of the dolphins that they have at the park.

Again the picture does not do this justice but that big shadow is one of the nurse sharks.