Cabo Catoche

Cabo Catoche, also called Cape Catoche, is the northernmost point on the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is in the municipality of Isla Mujeres, about 53 km (33 mi) north of Cancún. According to the International Hydrographic Organization, Cabo Catoche marks the division between the Caribbean Sea to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west.

The name Cabo Catoche comes from the Mayan word cotoch, meaning "our houses, our homeland". The area was important in history. In 1517, Europeans first landed here in what is now Mexico. The lighthouse at Cabo Catoche shows the boundary between the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.

Just west of Cabo Catoche is Holbox Island and Yalahau lagoon. These waters mix and make beautiful turquoise and emerald colors. This area has many marine animals and birds, including the largest gathering of whale sharks in the world for several months each year. The Yalahau Lagoon is a deep, fresh water lagoon that looks almost black from above.