Can you tour a pearl farm? we did in Cozumel, mexico

May 11. 2022

Written by Stephen Ondich

A few weeks prior to our summer Maine trip our family went to Cozumel Pearl Farm. Located in a pristine remote area of Cozumel, Mexico, we learned a lot about pearl farming. Additionally, we spent the day in a beautiful Caribbean paradise, snorkeling, swimming, and taking in the natural beauty of the island. Yes, you can tour a working pearl farm. However, we had to travel outside of Maine to find one.

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Cozumel Pearl Farm

Location

Cozumel Pearl Farm is 2500+ miles from Acadia National Park.

It is (not) Acadia Adjacent.↵

However, it is worth the trip!

Homeschooling Field Trip to a Pearl Farm

A few years ago my wife Heidi lost one of her pearl earrings. She wanted a replacement set. However, she wanted something special. By special, I wasn’t sure if she meant expensive or unique.

In a stroke of serendipity, we found a pearl farm online when looking for things to do in Cozumel, Mexico. None of us had ever been to a pearl farm before and the pictures looked spectacular.

Additionally, the Cozumel Pearl Farm teaches about the pearl farming process. Since our two home schooled daughters love real world learning, it was a perfect fit for all of us.

When we travel in Maine, we gravitate toward remote areas where the girls can learn unique things. To me, the pearl farm in Cozumel presented a similar kind of opportunity.

I booked a reservation for four.

FYI, there are no affiliate links on this page. Anything I write about is because of the great experiences we had as a traveling homeschooling family. We receive nothing in return for the shared information.

No Pearl Farms in Maine?

After finding the Cozumel Pearl Farm online, I assumed there are similar pearl farming operations in Down East, Mid-Coast or Portland area Maine.

Considering the vast Maine coastline and proliferation of oyster processing companies, it seemed likely. However, so far I have found no pearl farms in Maine.

I will continue my search. If you know of any please let me know in the comments.

History of Cozumel Pearl Farm

Our host Isabel was extremely gracious and knowledgeable. She studied marine biology around the world and speaks flawless English. If I had to guess, she likely speaks 3-4 additional languages, as well.

Isabel’s father created The Cozumel Pearl Farm in 2001. A trained civil engineer, his attention at that time shifted away from large-scale construction projects. Instead, he focused on pearl cultivation. He found a spectacular piece of unspoiled coast land. Working with the Mexican government, he obtained a concession to use the land for pearl cultivation.

The Cozumel Pearl Farm was created and, according to Isabel, is the only working pearl farm in the Caribbean.

At the time, Isabel was a marine biology student. She agreed to help with her father’s new endeavor.

After a few short years of great progress, Hurricane Wilma struck in 2005, leveling the entire facility including the laboratory and all of the buildings. Additionally, all of their oysters were lost.

It was such a devastating loss that they considered shutting down. However, they ultimately decided to rebuild.

Isabel’s father and brother, also a civil engineer, took the lessons they learned from the hurricane’s devastation. Instead of quitting, they regrouped to create a new hurricane-resistant facility.

The label Hurricane-proof seems a taunt of fate. Who needs that? Thus, I declare their facility hurricane resistant.

Regardless, the revamped Cozumel Pearl Farm has operated successfully in the face of in-climate weather post Hurricane Wilma.

A statue of the Virgin Mary is anchored to the sea-floor to help protect the farm. You can snorkel to see the statue for yourself. So far, so good!

Cozumel Pearl Farm: Getting there

Isabel gave us very clear instructions to get to the farm. Since we arrived by Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship we had no means of transportation of our own.

As it turned out, the farm is only accessible by boat. Thus, there is only one way to get to there and Isabel knows it backwards and forwards.

After our ship landed on the International Pier, we walked to the taxi station, just outside the cruise port.

We took a 10 minute taxi ride to the Aqua Safari Pier. Incidentally, taxi fares are fixed and posted. All of the taxi drivers know where the Aqua Safari Pier is. As of July 2019, the taxi fare is a flat $8, each way.

Isabel’s boat, the El Ostra picked us up at the pier at 10:00AM. Naturally, ostra means oyster in Spanish.

Isabel greeted us warmly along with her friendly Labrador, Ganesh. The kids were ecstatic to have a dog on board! However, the dogs only come if there is enough room on board. If the trip is fully booked, at 8 guests, Ganesh may not be there. Call ahead to check if it is really important to have a dog on your adventure.

As we sailed off, Isabel said, “It’s just you today. You’ll have the entire place to yourself.” We all perked up. Having an entire island to yourself is as fun as it sounds. However, keep in mind there is an 8 guest limit, so even with a full boat of visitors, it’s still like having the entire place to yourself.

Israel, the captain, navigated El Ostro approximately 10 meters North along Cozumel’s impressive coast.

We made one stop along the way to visit the nautical remains of the long grounded and ironically named, Catch the Wave.

Shipwreck off Cozumel

According to Isabel, back in 2012 Catch the Wave’s owner left it in port during a storm. Unfortunately, the ship broke free and grounded in shallow water. Due to the low water level recovery was impossible. Since then, it has sat on display. Salt water erodes the metal hull. Souvenir collectors scavenged much of the interior. However, it makes an interesting story!

We continued on our way and ten minutes later arrived on the pristine white sand at the Northern-most tip of Cozumel.

Paradise

Arrival at Cozumel Pearl Farm

As the El Ostro gently eased up on the soft white sand beach, we hopped out into the shallow Caribbean waters to walk ashore. At that point, I experienced Deja Vu.

I was here before.

Sort of.

Cozumel Was My Rio

Back in the early 1980’s, I watched music videos on MTV. As an impressionable 10 year old, I thought Duran Duran’s Rio video was the coolest thing ever. For those old enough to remember, the band sang while partying and navigating their sailing ship in an exotic South American location. In retrospect, it is a mindless video and song. However, it looked like so much fun. I always wanted to explore an exotic location like that.

If you are too young to remember the video, picture the latest Instagram baller’s carefully edited travel adventure post. The kind of post that really makes you want to be there.

In honesty, I have never been on a once in a lifetime kind of adventure like that. However, this came as close as anything.

Granted, my kids were there and no one gratuitously danced for my entertainment. Other than that, it was pretty close.

Exploring the Beach

As we brought our bags ashore, Isabel offered us selection of cold beers, sodas, and waters. She gave us about 30 minutes to explore the island on our own.

I asked, “Is there anywhere you don’t want us to go?” “No,” she replied, “The beach is all yours!”

On cue, the kids immediately dashed into the ocean with Ganesh. Heidi and I explored on-shore.

Although Maine and Cozumel share the same Eastern coastline of North America, the differences are stark. There is virtually no evidence of the rugged shores we see in Down East Maine. What a difference 2500 miles makes!

Wow.

Pictures are worth a thousand words. However, probably not quite that much to the Google algorithm. Regardless, I’m letting our pictures tell the story here.

Weather at the Pearl Farm

A few days ago Cozumel’s weather forecast called for wind with a chance of thunderstorms. However, we were greeting with sunshine and just a gentle breeze. As Isabel noted herself, “Today es perfecto!”

We immediately noticed three things.

The water is crystal clear and warm. It felt about 78 degrees to me.
Cool sand. Despite 90 degree temperatures onshore, the powdery white sand stayed cool. We did not need sandals anywhere we went.
The farm is secluded. Other than our hosts, we saw no one the entire day. No boats, no people, no cars. Nothing. As you can see from the map above, the touristy area of Cozumel is on the south side. As a matter of fact, there are no roads leading to the Pearl Farm. All supplies are brought in by boat. There is no electricity either. The farm is powered by generator and solar panels.

Pearl Farming Education

After a half an hour of independent exploration, Isabel brought us into the classroom area of the facility. However, don’t be intimidated. The lecture hall is outside on the sand under a thatch roof.

Isabel gave us the history of the farm. She explained how responsibilities are split up between herself, her brother and her father.

Additionally, she gave us a crash course on oyster species and pearl grading. However, most of her passion was focused on the cultivation techniques she learned from working with other pearl farmers around the globe.

Proprietary Pearl Cultivation Techniques

Isabel explained that pearl cultivation techniques have traditionally been proprietary and closely guarded by farmers.

In the early 1900’s Mikimoto Kokichi developed groundbreaking techniques to cultivate pearls in Japan. That mentality remains to this day among some farmers.

However, Isabel connected up with a number of pearl farmers in other areas of the world who shared information freely. Fortunately, they took an open source mentality towards information sharing for the benefit of the industry as a whole.

The Cozumel Pearl Farm Lab

Next, Isabel led us into their indoor laboratory. She explained the biology behind they cultivation techniques. It’s almost like an in vitro fertilization lab for oysters.

They farm the Atlantic Pearl Oyster (Pinctada radiata). It is a specie that was at one time on the brink of extinction in the Caribbean.

In Maine, we are used to seeing the more common Eastern Oyster. Apparently, there are only five species of oysters in North America. However, many subspecies exist for all five oyster types.

Despite all of the steps taken to maximize the probability of a high value pearl formation there are many variables to control. Variables such as weather, predators, etc.

For example, the crates used to store oysters have small holes to allow waterflow. The holes are smaller than a dime. However, baby King Crabs can enter the holes and grow too large to leave. Thus, they snack on oysters until they are found and removed!

Speed Snorkeling the Pearl Farm

After finishing in the lab, we prepared to speed snorkel the actual pearl farm area.

Speed snorkeling is sometimes called lazy snorkeling. Basically, we donned masks and fins while being gently towed by a boat. It has all the fun of snorkeling with none of the work.

Israel helped us into the El Ostro. Of course, the oysters are kept underwater at a depth of around 12 feet. In Cozumel, you must travel around 1 1/2 miles off-shore to reach that modest depth.

Girls on way to snorkel at Cozumel Pearl Farm — On the El Ostro, navigating to our snorkeling site.

Upon arrival, we jumped into the waters and explored both the oyster crates and the surrounding coral.

Also of note, is the aforementioned Virgin Mary statue gracing the sea floor.

Lunch on the Beach

Following the speed snorkeling, we hopped back into the boat. Ganesh waited for us on shore. After seeing our boat approach, he dove into the water and met us about 40 yards out, on the sandbar.

Jose cooked barbecued cheeseburgers with pineapple on the grill. Again, we had our choice of ice cold beer, sodas and water to drink.

We relaxed and ate lunch on the beach watching the light surf roll in and out. I tried in vain to ignore the fact that our time at the pearl farm was almost over.

Saying Goodbye to Paradise the Cozumel Pearl Farm

Sadly, we loaded our belongings back on the El Ostro. Again, Ganesh hopped in for the 20 minute ride back to the Aqua Safari Pier.

The El Ostro arrived at the pier at 4:00PM exactly, just as Isabel promised. We said heartfelt goodbyes to Jose, Israel, Isabel and Ganesh,

Isabel pointed us to the taxi pickup station, 25 yards from the pier. We quickly boarded a cab back to the our Royal Caribbean cruise terminal.

We spent less than six hours at the pearl farm yet we left feeling as though we made a lasting friendship with our hosts. How is that possible?

The Cozumel Pearl Farm probably gets that a lot!

Why You Should Visit

The Cozumel Pearl Farm was a great excursion for our family. If you’re near Cozumel and looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure, this is it!

Something for Every Interest

If you are interested in marine biology, Isabel can explain the science behind their process in as much detail as you desire.

Additionally, she is glad to explain the science being their groundbreaking ocean anchoring techniques.

However, if you just want to enjoy the snorkeling and complete seclusion of the beach, it’s there for your enjoyment.

Read Steve Ondich's answer to What are the best excursions and sites to see on a NCL Western Caribbean Cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya, Harvest Caye, and Roatan? on Quora

Read Steve Ondich's answer to What is it like to visit a shipwreck? on Quora

Contact Cozumel Pearl Farm to Arrange Your Visit

Despite being without electricity, Isabel is easy to reach by phone. She lives on the mainland and will reply to your emails in the evening, if you prefer.

Pro tip. Use WhatsApp to call to avoid international call charges from your cellphone provider.

Phone numbers:

+52 1 (987)5648698

+52 1 (987)1199216

Email: info@cozumelpearlfarmbeach.com

Website

New pearl earring from Cozumel Pearl Farm — Heidi with her new pearl earrings direct from the farm.

This Post Has 5 Comments

Heidi
8 Jul 2019

Fortunately, we have had lots of adventures as a family but the Pearl Farm in Cozumel is by far one of my favorites. It was truly an amazing experience. I can not thank our hosts enough for sharing their lives with us.
#homeschoolwin
1. Stephen
  8 Jul 2019
  
  I agree. So glad we found our own excursion. That was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Isabel
9 Jul 2019

Thank you for this Wonderfull post on our project and tour!!!!! It was such a fun day!!!! and Ganesh had also an amazing time!!!! We really hope you can come back in a near future!!!! Many Greetings to all of you from Cozumel =)
1. Stephen
  10 Jul 2019
  
  Hi Isabel -We look forward to coming back, as well. Thanks for your hospitality!
2. Heidi
  19 Jul 2019
  
  Hola! Our girls are still talking about your Pearl Farm and Ganesh! It was truly an adventure we will never forget. Perfecto!
  Sending Hugs from the USA!
  Heidi

Comments are closed.