Review · PLAYA DEL CARMEN
5H Private 44′ Catamaran All-Inclusive – Tulum & Playa del Carmen
The best part of this private 44-foot catamaran is the freedom to set the mood for your own group. You can snorkel at In-Ha, eat ceviche in the shallow water at La Bocana, or stay aboard with a drink while the crew handles lunch and the music.
I like the two-stop plan and the unusually complete setup: snorkel gear, towels, fishing gear, lunch, and an open bar are all included. I also like the personal touch in the crew service. Names such as Vicky, Neri, Omar, Yair, Aldo, and Ramón have been associated with especially attentive outings.
The main consideration is cost. At $2,479.34 for up to 15 people, the base price works out to about $165 per person at full capacity, before the $20-per-person dock fee and any private transport. That is fair for a private boat, but less attractive for a small group.
Key points to know before you book

- In-Ha is the main snorkeling stop: Expect calm, clear water and the chance to see sea turtles, tropical fish, and reef life.
- La Bocana is the relaxed second stop: The water is shallow and clear, making it a good place for ceviche, drinks, music, and a swim.
- The boat is private: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with space for up to 30 people, although this booking is priced for groups of up to 15.
- Food is more than an afterthought: Shrimp and fish ceviche, chips, snacks, and drinks are served onboard. Dietary requests can be made in advance.
- You can fish as well as snorkel: Trolling is offered, and anything caught can be prepared onboard with the chef’s family sauce.
- Plan for extra costs: Transportation is not included, and the dock fee is $20 per person.
A private start from Puerto Aventuras

This outing begins at the Riviera Elite office in the Puerto Aventuras marina, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12. The marina is between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, so you need to arrange your own way there unless you add private transportation separately.
The boat heads north for roughly an hour toward the first stop. That opening cruise is part of the experience, not just dead time. You get wide views of the Riviera Maya coastline from the water, with room to settle into the day before the swimming begins.
I would arrive ready for a social, easygoing five hours. The crew serves drinks and snacks during the ride, and the catamaran has a restroom onboard. Towels are supplied, so you do not need to pack one from your hotel.
The boat is described as a 44-foot catamaran, with room for as many as 30 people. This particular booking is priced for up to 15, which gives your party plenty of room to spread out. You can sit in the sun, find shade if available, listen to music, or move between the seating areas as the day unfolds.
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In-Ha, where the snorkeling earns its place

The first stop is In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area selected for calmer water and clear visibility. This is the most important stop for anyone booking the trip mainly for snorkeling.
The water here is described as a strong spot for seeing sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other reef life. Your crew provides the snorkeling gear and can guide you through the reef. That guidance matters, particularly if some people in your group are comfortable in the water while others need a little help getting started.
I like that the schedule does not force everyone into the sea. You can swim and snorkel for a good amount of time, but you can also stay aboard, sunbathe, eat a snack, or enjoy a cocktail. That makes the boat suitable for mixed groups, including families with different energy levels and friends who do not all want the same kind of afternoon.
The water conditions still depend on the weather. In-Ha is semi-sheltered, not an indoor pool, and the tour requires good weather to operate. If conditions are poor, the company offers another date or a full refund.
Expect the crew to make the snorkeling portion feel organized rather than rushed. Crew members named Vicky, Neri, Omar, and Yair have been singled out for guiding groups through the reef and taking care of small needs onboard. The exact crew can vary, but the service style appears to be a major part of what you are paying for.
Ceviche, cocktails, and the shallow water at La Bocana

After In-Ha, the boat continues to La Bocana. This second stop has a different feel. The water is very shallow and clear, and many people choose to eat lunch there, either from the boat or while standing in the water.
The meal centers on freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche, with chips and other snacks. Guacamole has also been a favorite part of the food service, and the crew can prepare vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options if you request them when booking.
La Bocana works well as the social part of the trip. The crew can play your preferred music, and you can swim with a drink nearby before returning to the catamaran. If your group is celebrating a birthday, bachelorette trip, family gathering, or wedding-related event, this is likely the point when the private format becomes most useful.
There is one practical limit to keep in mind: the food is served onboard, but the experience is not a formal restaurant meal. You are on a moving boat with an open bar and water activities, so lunch is best understood as a fresh, casual spread rather than a long sit-down service.
The drink selection is generous for a five-hour charter. It includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. The open bar covers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and the crew keeps service moving throughout the trip.
The party atmosphere can be a strength or a weakness. If you want music, cocktails, and a private celebration, it fits nicely. If your ideal boat outing is quiet and focused only on wildlife, you should tell the crew what pace you prefer.
Trolling for fish on the cruise home

Fishing is an unusual extra on this kind of catamaran outing. The crew offers trolling during the cruise, and any fish you catch can be prepared onboard with the chef’s family sauce.
The supplied information does not promise a catch, so I would treat fishing as a bonus rather than a central reason to book. Still, it gives your group something to do between the two water stops and adds a little variety to the return trip.
After La Bocana, the catamaran slowly returns to the Puerto Aventuras marina. You can continue using the open bar and take in the coastline from the water. The final cruise gives you a calmer stretch after snorkeling and swimming, though the mood may remain lively if your group keeps the music and drinks going.
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What the private format is worth
The listed group price is $2,479.34 for up to 15 people. At full capacity, that comes to about $165 per person before the $20 dock fee per person. For 15 people, the dock fee adds another $300 to the group total, and transportation from your hotel is extra.
That price makes the most sense for a large group. A family reunion, birthday group, wedding party, or bachelorette gathering can divide the cost and enjoy a boat reserved only for them. The value is weaker for two or four people, since the price is charged by group rather than by individual seat.
You are paying for more than transport on the water. The package includes a private catamaran, crew service, lunch, snacks, unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, towels, and a restroom. The private setting also means you do not need to adapt your day to strangers.
The boat’s stated capacity and booking limit deserve a quick explanation. The catamaran can hold up to 30 people, but this particular rate is for a group of up to 15. Do not assume the $2,479.34 price covers 30 people. If your party is larger than 15, confirm the arrangement before paying.
The crews are part of the experience

The strongest theme running through the available feedback is attentive service. Specific crew members named include Vicky, Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, Chef Pablo, Aldo, Ramón, Dale, and Trinity, the photographer.
Several crew combinations have been praised for anticipating needs, keeping drinks available, guiding snorkeling, and making celebrations feel personal. Dale has been noted as a helpful guide, while Trinity has been praised for helping groups with poses for photographs. Chef Pablo has been associated with the onboard food service.
Names and crew assignments can change, so I would not book on the assumption that one particular person will be onboard. Still, the repeated attention to crew service is useful information. On a private charter, the crew can shape the day more than the boat itself. A friendly guide who watches the group, explains the snorkeling area, and keeps food and drinks organized can make the difference between a pleasant ride and a memorable one.
The service also appears to suit different kinds of groups. A large family group of 18 people has used this sort of outing successfully, while other groups have chosen it for weddings and bachelorette celebrations. The same boat can be festive or relaxed, depending on what you ask for.
Who should book this catamaran?

I would recommend this experience most strongly for:
- Groups of about 8 to 15 people who want a private boat without sharing space with strangers
- Families with children or young adults, provided anyone under 18 is accompanied by an adult
- Celebration groups looking for drinks, music, swimming, and a flexible schedule
- People who want both snorkeling and a casual meal on the water
- Groups with dietary restrictions who can give advance notice
- Anyone who likes having a backup option, such as fishing or staying aboard instead of snorkeling
I would be more cautious if your group is very small, since the group price may feel high when divided among only a few people. I would also look elsewhere if your main goal is a long, serious fishing trip, a quiet wildlife outing, or a detailed tour of coastal landmarks. This is a social catamaran day with snorkeling and food, not a specialist expedition.
Children and young adults under 18 must have at least one adult with them. The minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can participate, but you should consider your own comfort with swimming and boat travel before booking.
Practical details that affect your day

The experience lasts about five hours and ends back at the Puerto Aventuras meeting point. There is no included hotel transfer, so check the cost of private transport from your location in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or elsewhere before you compare the final price.
The booking is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Since the experience depends on good weather, keep your schedule flexible if possible.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.
I would also send dietary requests at the time of booking, not the morning of departure. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available, along with other dietary restrictions, but the crew needs notice.
Should you book it?
Book this catamaran if you have a medium or large group and want a private day that mixes reef snorkeling, swimming, ceviche, drinks, music, and open space. The two stops give the outing a useful rhythm: In-Ha is the water and wildlife stop, while La Bocana is the relaxed social stop.
I would book it especially for a family celebration or wedding-related group, where the private boat and flexible mood justify the price. Before committing, add the $20-per-person dock fee and transportation to your calculation. If that total still works for your group, this is a well-rounded way to spend five hours on the Riviera Maya coast.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran tour begin?
It begins at Riviera Elite Yachts in Puerto Aventuras, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
How long does the experience last?
The catamaran outing lasts approximately five hours and returns to the same meeting point.
How many people can join the private tour?
The booking price covers a private group of up to 15 people. The 44-foot catamaran itself has space for up to 30 people, so confirm arrangements if your group is larger than 15.
What food and drinks are included?
The tour includes shrimp and fish ceviche, chips, snacks, and an open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options can be requested in advance.
Is snorkeling equipment provided?
Yes. Snorkeling gear, towels, and fishing gear are provided.
Is transportation from my hotel included?
No. Private transportation is not included, and the price depends on your exact location.
What happens if the weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If the company cancels because of weather, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
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