This is what an afternoon at El Cielo is all about! Family, laughter, and a whole lot of splashing in paradise.
There are a handful of people on Cozumel I recommend without hesitation. They're the ones who love this island, take pride in what they do, and genuinely care about creating unforgettable experiences.
Meet Clemente! One of our favorite people on the island and the reason we keep coming back for another beautiful afternoon at El Cielo. There's nothing quite like exploring Cozumel with someone who loves sharing his island as much as Clemente does!
Clemente and the team at GoTour Cozumel are among those people.
If you've been researching private snorkeling excursions to El Cielo, let me introduce you to Clemente Perez, owner and guide of GoTour Cozumel. He's not just sending guests out on an excursion. He's right there making the magic happen!
And here's why I recommend him so enthusiastically: Jefé and I go ourselves, two or three times a year whenever we get the chance.
Now, you should know something about me. I'm a scuba diver, not a snorkeler. Given the choice, you'll usually find me underwater with a tank on my back! But an afternoon with Clemente exploring El Cielo and Cozumel's gorgeous Caribbean waters? I'll happily make an exception every single time.
Hands down, it's one of the best afternoons you can spend on the island.
What Makes an Afternoon with Clemente So Special?
There's something about spending an afternoon on the Caribbean with Clemente that just makes you happy. He knows these waters, loves sharing his island, and has a way of making you feel like you're out on the boat with friends rather than taking a tour.
The fun starts the moment Clemente pulls up to the dock with his big smile and warm greeting. He's full of stories, and before you know it, you're off on a beautiful 25-35 minute boat ride toward the southern tip of Cozumel.
And what an afternoon awaits!
Snorkeling Cozumel's Beautiful Reefs
One of my favorite things about this excursion is that El Cielo isn't the only destination. You also get to experience some of Cozumel's incredible underwater world along the way.
Our outings typically begin with snorkeling at Columbia and Palancar, two of Cozumel's most famous reef areas.
If you've never snorkeled in Cozumel, you're in for a treat! Colorful tropical fish, beautiful coral formations, and water so clear you can see the underwater scenery stretching out beneath you.
And you never know what you might encounter. Sea turtles, rays, and schools of tropical fish are among the marine life that make exploring these waters so special.
As a scuba diver, I've spent countless hours exploring Cozumel's reefs, but there's something wonderful about sharing that underwater beauty with family and friends who may never put on a scuba tank.
Our villa guests Ramzy and Brandon enjoyed these same snorkeling stops with Clemente and Isla, exploring Columbia, Palancar, and El Cielo in one unforgettable afternoon.
That's one of the things I love about these excursions. You can experience so much of Cozumel's beautiful underwater world in a single outing.
Of course, snorkeling is just one of the many ways to enjoy this beautiful island! If you're looking for more adventures, I've shared some of my favorites in my Things to Do in Cozumel guide.
One of the things I love about snorkeling in Cozumel is sharing the experience. Whether you're a beginner or have been snorkeling for years, there's always something new to discover.
El Cielito: The Perfect Ending to a Perfect Day
One of my favorite places in Cozumel! The gorgeous turquoise waters of El Cielo never disappoint.
This is what makes El Cielo so special! Seeing these beautiful starfish in their natural habitat never gets old. Look, admire, and leave them right where they belong.
And just when you think the afternoon couldn't possibly get any better, Clemente has another stop in store!
After snorkeling, it's time to head toward El Cielo, one of Cozumel's most famous destinations. And yes, it really is as beautiful as the photographs!
There's something magical about floating above that pale sandy bottom and spotting sea stars below. It's an entirely different underwater landscape from the colorful reefs you've just explored.
Now this is where the afternoon really gets fun!
Then it's on to El Cielito, where the gorgeous, shallow turquoise water is practically begging you to jump in, relax, and enjoy a little island time!
This is the part of the excursion where everyone can relax, stand in the water, swim, or simply hang out and soak it all in.
The music is playing, the drinks are flowing, and there's absolutely no reason to hurry.
Meanwhile, Clemente and his crew are preparing fresh ceviche, pico de gallo, and guacamole right on the boat.
And somehow, the stingrays seem to know when the food preparation begins! Before long, they're gliding through the water nearby, adding a little extra excitement to an already fabulous afternoon.
Fresh ceviche, a floating table, and some of our favorite people. This is my kind of afternoon in Cozumel!
There's something pretty wonderful about standing in waist-deep Caribbean water, enjoying fresh ceviche with your favorite people, and looking around at all that turquoise.
No reservations to make. No schedule to keep. Just a beautiful afternoon in paradise.
And honestly, some of my favorite memories from these excursions have been made right here, laughing with family and friends while doing absolutely nothing more than enjoying the moment.
Why Choose a Private El Cielo Snorkeling Tour?
Some are ready to jump in, while others are perfectly happy taking a little break. That's the beauty of a family day on the water!
One of the things I love most about going out with Clemente is having the boat to ourselves. Whether we're spending the afternoon with family or friends, there's something special about sharing the experience with just your own group.
And the beauty of a private excursion is that the afternoon is all about you! You're not trying to keep up with a boatload of strangers or feeling rushed to get from one stop to the next. You can simply relax, enjoy the experience, and make the most of your time on the water.
Maybe someone in your group is an enthusiastic snorkeler who can't wait to explore every reef, while someone else would rather stay on the boat, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy those incredible Caribbean views. That's perfectly fine! Everyone can enjoy the adventure in their own way.
I also love the personal attention you get with Clemente and Isla. They're wonderful about making everyone feel comfortable, whether it's someone's first time snorkeling or they've been exploring Cozumel's reefs for years. And there's always plenty of laughter along the way!
Of course, there's something pretty special about sharing those moments with just your favorite people. Watching sea stars resting on the sandy bottom at El Cielo, floating together in the gorgeous turquoise water at El Cielito, and enjoying fresh ceviche while swapping stories and laughing about the day's adventures.
No crowds, no big tour group, and no feeling like you're just another passenger.
Just your people, a beautiful afternoon on the Caribbean, and memories you'll be talking about long after you've returned home.
An El Cielo Adventure for the Whole Family
You don't have to be old enough to snorkel to enjoy a day on the water! Even our littlest adventurers get to join in the fun.
One of the things I love most about our afternoons with Clemente and Isla is that everyone in the family can enjoy them, regardless of age or whether they love snorkeling.
We've shared these adventures with our kids, grandkids, and family members of different generations, and some of my favorite Cozumel memories have come from those afternoons together.
Some of us can't wait to jump in and explore the reefs, while others are perfectly happy floating in that beautiful shallow water, relaxing on the boat, or simply enjoying the scenery.
And that's what makes a private excursion so wonderful. Everyone gets to enjoy the day in their own way, but we're all sharing the experience together.
I especially love watching someone experience these beautiful waters for the first time. Their reaction always reminds me why we fell in love with Cozumel in the first place.
These are the moments I treasure most.
Looking back at our family photos, it's not just the gorgeous Caribbean water that makes me smile. It's seeing everyone laughing, enjoying themselves, and making memories together.
You don't have to be a scuba diver, or even an enthusiastic snorkeler, to fall in love with a day at El Cielo.
Trust me, this is one Cozumel adventure the whole family can enjoy!
Planning a full week on the island? I've put together a 7-Day Cozumel Itinerary filled with some of my favorite experiences, along with plenty of time to slow down and enjoy island life.
And if you're bringing the kids or grandkids to Cozumel, there's so much more to explore together! I've shared some of our favorite family-friendly adventures in my Cozumel with Kids guide, with plenty of ideas for making wonderful island memories.
What Our We've Gone Coastal Guests Love
I'm certainly not the only one who feels this way about Clemente and Isla!
One of my favorite parts of recommending local experiences is hearing our guests return with the same big smiles and wonderful stories that Jefé and I always do.
Over the years, our villa guestbook has filled up with memories of snorkeling adventures, beautiful Caribbean waters, and afternoons spent laughing with these two.
Our villa guest April especially remembered how Clemente and Isla had everyone laughing throughout the day. Darby and Tina counted their snorkeling excursion among their favorite memories of Cozumel.
And I think Austin summed it up best when he wrote:
"Clemente & Isla are AWESOME!!!"
That's exactly what I love hearing!
Because while El Cielo and Cozumel's beautiful reefs are certainly unforgettable, it's often the people you share those experiences with who make the memories even more special.
And that's why Clemente and Isla continue to be among the first people I recommend to our guests.
A Special Perk for Our Condo and Villa Guests
One of the little things that makes an afternoon with Clemente even better? You don't even have to leave the property to meet the boat!
Whether you're staying at our oceanfront condo at El Cantil or our beachfront villa at Costa del Sol, Clemente can arrange to pick you up right from the property's pier.
No taxis, no driving into town, and no figuring out where to meet the boat.
Just grab your towels, walk down to the pier, and hop aboard for an unforgettable afternoon on the Caribbean.
It's one of those little conveniences that makes vacation feel even more like vacation!
Be sure to confirm pier pickup when arranging your excursion.
Dory's Treasure Tip
Don't try to pack every Cozumel adventure into one day!
If you're planning an El Cielo excursion, give yourself time to enjoy it. There's no need to rush off to another activity the moment you get back.
In fact, after an afternoon of snorkeling, sunshine, and enjoying the Caribbean, you might find that all you want to do is relax on the balcony or patio with a cold drink and watch the sunset.
And that sounds like a pretty perfect Cozumel day to me! After all, sometimes the best vacation memories are made when you're not doing much of anything at all.
Ready for Your Own El Cielo Adventure?
If an afternoon exploring Cozumel's beautiful reefs and relaxing in the turquoise waters of El Cielo sounds like your kind of paradise, I can't recommend Clemente and GoTour Cozumel enough!
You can learn more about their private snorkeling excursions and arrange your own unforgettable afternoon on the Caribbean.
Explore El Cielo Snorkeling Tours with GoTour Cozumel
Keep Exploring Cozumel with Me!
El Cielo is just one of the reasons I love this island so much! Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another adventure, there's always something new to discover.
Explore my Cozumel Travel Guide for more of my favorite beaches, local restaurants, island adventures, and tips for making the most of your time in paradise.
Some of the best memories are made when we're doing absolutely nothing but enjoying being together.
From Our Villa Guestbook
“Clemente & Isla are AWESOME!!!”
— Austin, We've Gone Coastal guest
