Isla Media Luna

Isla Media Luna

Isla Media Luna
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles203 reviews
Excellent
116
Very good
58
Average
22
Poor
3
Terrible
4

Iheartmexico52
Edmonton, Canada184 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020
We took a hobbie cat over to the island from Playa Pilar for $20 CUC each. This included return transportation and lunch with 2 drinks. Great meal and the staff were very nice. The island is beautiful with pine trees, hermit crabs and beautiful sandy beaches. Nice side excursion for an afternoon.
Written March 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

marc f
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Couples
If you are staying at a resort along Cayo Guillermo, or probably Cayo Coco as well, you may meet a tall handsome Cuban man offering speedboat tours to Pillar and Half Moon Island. His name is Freddy Delgado Rodriguez and his friend Orlando captains the boat. DO NOT HESITATE TO GO! What an excellent day it will be. My husband and I have been to Pillar and Half Moon previously and we love it. Freddy will pick you up off the Guillermo beach and take you to Pillar, a pristine white sand beach, and if you walk to the far end you can snorkel for a starfish colony among the old coral. After an hour or so, you leave and snorkel off of Half Moon on an old sunken boiler & wreck. Great visibility, many, many colorful fish. Then you dock on the island and are served a fabulous chicken/fish/lobster meal. We were to this island years ago when it was simply a rustic pavilion and kitchen so this upgrade is gorgeous. Freddy had lunch with us, and that is how we came to respect and like him so much. Throughout the excursion there was no rush for anything, we were able to walk/snorkel/eat/lounge at our own pace and leisure. After lunch we went to the other side of this small island to snorkel off the beach and reef there. It was like our own private oasis with beach chairs, umbrellas and drinks if you wanted. On the ride back to Guillermo we stopped over a starfish colony and were able to snorkel there briefly.
Freddy runs a great excursion, is well spoken and honorable. If you meet him, take the tour, engage him in conversation, you will feel you have met a new friend.
Written January 10, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mel P
Hamilton, Canada18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019
There are lots of fish to be found in the shallow waters of this island. If you are a more confident swimmer, you can swim out about a kilometer to view a wreck from the Spanish-American war of 1898.

Here's a tip for those on a budget - don't choose the catamaran adventure excursions from your tour operator. Instead, take the Hop On/Off Bus to Playa Pilar, and walk to one end of the beach to the water sports hut to book your own catamaran to the island. It's way cheaper and you get a better overall experience. The excursion people had a shorter time to snorkel on the island than we did and we also got a lot of personal and friendly attention at the restaurant. Be sure to bring your own snorkel equipment and possibly some water shoes. Also make sure you don't miss the last bus from Playa Pilar back to your hotel.
Written August 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cojimarine
Toronto, Canada28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Friends
We did the Catamaran trip from Playa Pilar to the coral reef for snorkeling, then to the island for exploring, lunch, a little swimming, a boat ride back to the Cayo, and swimming on Playa Pilar.
Jorge from the Tour Company was great, we found him to be very helpful and informative, liked him a lot. Problem was, he didn't accompany us on the trip - he stayed on Playa Pilar for the day. We found the prep for the trip, (finding, fitting and putting on the gear) a little frenetic. It seemed as though no one was able to explain things in English, or didn't - whichever the case may be. We were somewhat confused as to what was going on most of the time - everyone else in our excursion party was Latino, so only Spanish was spoken. We basically followed what everyone else was doing, as we had nothing to go on.
We had a lovely trip out the the coral reef (the second largest one in the world) and saw beautiful corals, brightly coloured fish, I saw some lobsters hiding, it was like swimming at Ripley's Aquarium! There were no skates, rays, or sharks to be seen - I was a bit concerned about sharks (because reefs are their restaurants) . I found the snorkel to be difficult to use, the strap was not tight, and water came in, I find that a bit panic inducing. I relied on holding my breath for a few seconds and taking looks around. I think if I did it again, I would invest in one of those full face mask type units with the attached snorkel that doesn't go in your mouth. The reef itself was lovely. I gave up on it early, and wanted to go back to the catamaran. I have breathing difficulties and it was strenuous for me, but i enjoyed it anyway.
The catamaran did not have one of those little ladder to climb up onto the boat from the ocean, so the catamaran pilot offered to pull me up out of the water. This was how I determined that he could indeed speak English, not a word before that. Shame, because I would have liked to have known what he was saying to to the others during the trip.
Anyway, I fell hip first onto the deck of the boat and bruised my thigh.

The time spent on Isla Media Luna was lovely. An employee from the restaurant/bar gave us two beer caps each that were redeemable for drinks at the bar - but it turned out to be a selection of four things only at the bar - all others were pay as you go. A beautiful hot sunny day, we parked our things, bought a Crystal Cervesa and relaxed for a minute to dry off. We then went out and explored the island a bit. It appears to be made from a huge mound of dead coral - a former reef, with all kinds of interesting wildlife, and sea life in the water to explore - we loved that. He had a nice cooling dip in the water on the little beach on the north side of the island, and a bit more exploring.
We then took our seats, and the buffet soon began. It was chicken, lobster, shrimp, rice, and salads. I had the shrimp. I was surprised - they actually were tasteless, and appeared to have been cooked the day before, they were pastey inside. Dana says the other things were good (she had chicken and lobster). Apparently, there was a dessert as well, but I couldn't find anyone who knew what or where it was - so we had none.

We explored a bit more, and soon it was time to get on the boat and go back to the Cayo. That trip was nice. We stepped off into the water at Playa Pilar (they had the little ladder).
We went for a swim, the beach bar had no beer, no drinks. You had to go into the restaurant that was there to get a drink, and they were all at a premium. Everything at Playa Pilar will cost ya a pretty peso. Take your wallet with you.

We took the walk up the dunes to the tourbus early, and sat in the sun to dry off - we were on the road and back at the resort by the time Jorge promised. All in all, even with the few glitches, it was a lively day on the ocean, and we really enjoyed it. I recommend you take this excursion, bring your own drinks and water, enjoy the swimming.
Written April 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KFoster
Doha, Qatar38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017
We stayed in the Iberostar Playa Pillar opposite and caught the small catamaran over on multiple occasions for 25peso (lobster lunch and 4 drinks inc)
The island is amazing. It's worth doing a smaller trip and taking the day to explore the whole island (the large Cats have a short limit and can't venture far). The food was great with delicious lobster (top tip eat at 12 to avoid queueing with the groups that arrive on the big catamarans).
The snorkelling is great. Small wreck off the island. We say moray eels, huge lobsters all different beautiful fish of all sizes.
Really worth a visit
Written February 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Makeit5
Norfolk County, Canada297 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016 • Couples
We stopped here as part of our Playa Pilar Catamaran trip for lunch.We also snorkelled off of the island -there is a sunken ship and also some pretty fan coral,some fish but nothing we hadn't seen other places.
Water is beautiful.
Lunch was one of the best we had while on our trip-lobster,chicken, and sides.
Statue of Ernest Hemmingway on the island as he frequented there we were told.
Written October 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndrzejK0725
Winnipeg, Canada1,083 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2019 • Couples
Located about 2 kilometres off shore from Playa Pilar and Iberostar hotel in Cayo Guillermo - it is one of the places you will not regret to visit.
Snorkeling is very good but when the water is choppy - some skill and seasoning in that activity is required.
While we stayed in Iberostar we had a chance to do it twice; once in choppy waters and once in calm sea - what a difference!!!
We payed 20 CUC per person on small Hobie Cat from hotel for 1.5 hours which gives you a little over an hour of snorkel time - no pressure from hotel staff if you want to stay longer.
We were told that remains of the ship you can see at that reef is an old German wreck from II World War.
Right at the tip of the island on western side there is a restaurant where food is great, but it is a little pricey.
After Irma there is not much left on the island other than mentioned restaurant and remains more of the moon as most of the trees are gone, and a lot of debris around.
AK
Written January 10, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

redoct70
ontario83 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Couples
Was at Playa Pillar last week with my "son" and my Fiance. I have seen this Island across the water many times over the years on my visits to the beach. Decided to inquire at the aquatic centre located on the beach. 30CUC/person got you a ride in a small Kat to the island. They supply snorkeling equipment and lunch is included in this price. Incredible Coral reef to snorkel and even a sunken ship, the operator has banana in a bottle and feeds the fish to attract them.. Beautiful!! They will keep your towels , shoes, or beach bag safe in the centre while you visit the island. If you wish to take things with you, they will put it in a large garbage bag to keep it dry. We spent maybe 2-21/2 hrs on the island. Definitely worth the price. On the island there are rabbits and chickens and more hermit crabs than I have ever seen. **I am not sure what rolyrolyroly was referring to when he said Cubans can not go to the restaurant? as my "son" who lives in Cuba was able to visit, snorkel and eat at the restaurant on the island?** Anyway, If you visit Playa Pillar I highly recommend going over to the island!!
Written December 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trevor J
Burnley12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2016 • Couples
Great lunch after catamaran ride. Superb food and service. Surprised to see the rabbits and crabs here.
Written February 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

G74b
54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
Went from iberostar to island with Lester the jester to visit the place had drinks tried lobster would recommend
Written May 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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