By CSP

Where the heck is Isla Contoy anyway? Sounds French to me!

The other night I was minding my own business having an adult beverage, and waiting for the Mystery Theater Dinner Show to start, when my cell phone rang. It was Otto from Cancun. He asked "What are you doing tomorrow"? Since this happened to be my clever time of the day, I answered "I’m going to get out of bed in the morning, turn the coffee pot on and have a cup of coffee on my patio. Then the rest of the day is at leisure. Why?" “Because we’re going to Isla Contoy, he answered." That’s why my day of leisure started at 5:30 AM and was to last until 7:00 PM……

Isla Contoy, a federally-protected bird sanctuary, is 30 KM. (19 MILES) North of Isla Mujeres. It took us 45 minutes to get there traveling at 30 Knots. Isla Contoy is uninhabited except for a science and research station and a few Park Rangers. When we arrived, a very nice Ranger met us and gave us a tour of the island. I learned that on an average day there are 5 Rangers, 3 volunteers and 80 visitors on the Island. They limit visitors to 200 on any given day. Overnight stays are prohibited.

The Island is 6 KM. long and covered with lush vegetation which harbors 100 bird species. I found the Frigate birds to be especially interesting. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one up close. Every time I’ve seen them they were hanging motionless in the wind, and appeared to be the size of a pigeon...Not so up close... They are humongous birds with an 8 foot wingspan. The males are all black. The females are black with a white chest. The chicks are white. The males have a pouch on their chest that turns red and inflated during the mating season. They are quite the show offs during this time.

 There is no natural water on the Island, so the only other inhabitants are iguanas, crocodiles and nesting turtles. The great Mayan Reef begins here and runs for 290 KM. to the Bay Islands of Honduras. This reef is the second longest reef in the world. The Gulf of Mexico mixes with the Caribbean a little further North of Isla Contoy.

 After our guided tour, we spent the rest of the morning, and part of the afternoon, snorkeling in the pristine waters around the Island. A late lunch, and then on to Isla Mujeres to finish the day by snorkeling at El Garrafon...Tomorrow I’m going to have a leisure day...

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment