5H Private 40’Catamaran All-Inclusive in Tulum & Playa del Carmen

The best part of this private catamaran trip is the mix of real time in the water and easygoing time aboard. You sail north from Puerto Aventuras to In-Ha for snorkeling, then continue to shallow La Bocana, where you can eat ceviche, swim, listen to music, and let the crew keep the drinks coming. I like the included fishing gear, too. If you catch something, the crew can cook it onboard with a family sauce.

I also like that the boat is private for your group, with lunch, towels, snorkel gear, life jackets, a restroom, and an open bar all covered. The main caution is the weather: rough water can limit snorkeling, and the experience is non-refundable unless the operator cancels because of poor conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• In-Ha is the main snorkeling stop: You may see sea turtles, stingrays, colorful fish, and other reef life in clear water.
• La Bocana is the relaxed finale: The shallow water suits swimming, ceviche, music, and an onboard party mood.
• Your group gets the catamaran privately: The boat holds groups of up to 15, so you are not sharing the day with strangers.
• Fresh food is part of the experience: Shrimp and fish ceviche are served, and fish caught by trolling can be cooked onboard.
• Crew service is a major strength: Names praised for attentive service include Ramon, Fernando, Alan, Avan, Andre, Miguel, and Luis.
• The full package costs $2,258.96: At the maximum group size, that works out to about $151 per person for five hours, food, drinks, crew, and equipment.

A private catamaran day from Puerto Aventuras

This is not a quick boat ride with a short swim stop. You get the boat, crew, food, drinks, and water equipment for five hours, with only your own group onboard. That changes the feel of the day. You can set a slower pace, keep your party together, and decide how much time to spend snorkeling, swimming, fishing, eating, or simply sitting in the sun.

The catamaran is 40 feet long and leaves from Riviera Elite: Yachts in Puerto Aventuras, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12. The tour is marketed for both Tulum and Playa del Carmen, but the actual marina meeting point is in Puerto Aventuras, between the two resort areas. Check your transfer plan carefully if you are staying farther away.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure. The morning option may suit you if you want to spend the rest of the day back at your hotel. The afternoon sailing may appeal more if you like a slower start, warm light on the coast, and a festive finish on the water. The exact feel will depend on weather and sea conditions.

The crew includes a captain and attendants who handle drinks, snacks, food, snorkeling help, and general service. Names connected with especially warm service include Ramon, Fernando, Alan, Avan, Andre, Miguel, and Luis. The crew on your departure may differ, but the pattern is clear: service is an important part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Sailing north to In-Ha for snorkeling

The first part of the route takes about an hour as the catamaran heads north from Puerto Aventuras along the Riviera Maya coast. The boat ride gives you time to settle in, order a drink, eat some snacks, and enjoy the view before the active part of the trip begins.

In-Ha is a semi-sheltered reef area with calm, clear water when conditions cooperate. This is the best stop for snorkeling. The water can offer views of sea turtles, stingrays, tropical fish, and other reef life. The supplied gear includes snorkels and life jackets, and towels are available when you climb back aboard.

You do not have to snorkel. You can stay on the catamaran, sunbathe, have a drink, and watch your friends in the water. That flexibility matters for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the sea, while children, cautious swimmers, or anyone who simply wants a quiet boat day can remain onboard.

The quality of this stop depends on the sea. On calm days, the reef can be the high point of the trip. A rougher day may make snorkeling less comfortable or less productive. One group found that poor weather changed the snorkeling plan, but the crew still kept the afternoon enjoyable. Another described rough water at the first stop before finding better conditions at the second.

That is a useful warning. Do not book this as a guaranteed wildlife sighting or a fixed reef show. Book it as a well-equipped boat day with a good chance of seeing marine life when the conditions are right.

La Bocana brings swimming, ceviche, and music

After snorkeling, the boat continues to La Bocana. This stop is shallow and clear, and many people use it as the main eating and social time. You can enjoy ceviche onboard or take your plate into the water if you like. The setting is less about searching for reef life and more about relaxing with your group.

The crew can put on your preferred music, which gives the stop a more personal party feel. You might swim, stand in the shallow water, hold a drink, or stay on the catamaran while the food is served. The change from active snorkeling to an easy swim stop helps keep the five-hour schedule from feeling repetitive.

This is also where the private format pays off. A large public boat often has to move everyone along at once. Here, your group can settle into its own rhythm, within the limits of the crew and the weather. Families can keep children close, friends can use the stop for photos and conversation, and celebratory groups can make the music and meal the center of the afternoon.

The water conditions still matter. A stop described as calm and shallow is not the same as a guaranteed flat-water pool. If the sea is rough, your crew may adjust how much time you spend in the water.

Ceviche, cooked catch, and an open bar

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this trip. Shrimp and fish ceviche are served with chips and other snacks, and the crew can provide lunch. Reviews also specifically praised the ceviche, burgers, and overall food quality. The exact lunch setup may depend on your advance requests, so tell the operator about dietary needs when you book.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with other dietary accommodations. This needs to be arranged ahead of time. Do not assume that a special meal will appear without notice, especially on a private charter where the crew is preparing for your particular group.

The fishing option adds a nice touch. Troll fishing gear is provided, so you can fish as the catamaran moves between stops or cruises back to the marina. If you catch something, the onboard chef can prepare it with the crew’s family sauce. Catching a fish is never guaranteed, but the option gives the sailing more character than a simple transport ride.

The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. Snacks and drinks are available throughout the outing. The setup suits an adult celebration, but families can use the non-alcoholic drinks and food while children enjoy the swimming and boat ride.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult. Since alcohol is part of the package, groups should agree in advance on how they want to balance drinking, swimming, and supervision.

What the $2,258.96 group price really buys

The listed price is $2,258.96 per group of up to 15 people. At the full capacity, that is about $150.60 per person for five hours. Smaller groups pay more per person, so the value improves sharply when you bring a large family group, wedding party, or circle of friends.

You are paying for more than a seat on a boat. The package includes:

• A private catamaran and crew
• Five hours on the water
• Snorkel equipment and life jackets
• Towels
• Troll fishing gear
• Lunch and snacks
• Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• A restroom onboard
• A private experience for your own group

Compared with paying separately for a shared boat, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and fishing, the package is easier to budget. You also avoid the social tradeoff of sharing the boat with a large crowd. The price is harder to justify for a small group that does not plan to drink, eat much, or use the water equipment.

I would view this as a celebration or group splurge rather than a budget excursion. It makes the most sense when privacy matters and you expect to use the full package. For a group of 12 to 15, the cost becomes more reasonable. For two or three people, a shared sailing may offer better value.

Crew service makes the private format work

A private boat is only as good as the crew running it. The most consistent praise here goes to the staff. Captain and crew members such as Ali, Ramon, Fernando, Alan, Avan, Andre, Miguel, and Luis are connected with attentive service, safety, food preparation, and help in the water.

The crew’s role is practical. They serve drinks and snacks, prepare ceviche, guide you toward marine life, manage the equipment, and help keep the boat safe. They also respond to special occasions. One group used the trip to celebrate a bride, while another traveled with five children and received extra help with the family’s needs.

That does not mean every moment will be perfectly smooth. Weather can force changes, and a boat outing naturally depends on the sea. Still, attentive staff can make a rougher day feel worthwhile. One afternoon with poor snorkeling conditions was rescued by the crew’s energy and service.

The best approach is to tell the crew what matters to your group early. If you want more fishing, more swimming, a quieter ride, a celebration, or a dietary adjustment, communicate that at the start. A private charter gives you more room to shape the day, but the crew needs to know your priorities.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

This trip suits groups that want several activities in one outing. You can snorkel, swim, fish, eat, drink, listen to music, and sail without arranging separate bookings. That makes it useful for birthday groups, wedding celebrations, families, and friends traveling together.

Families can benefit from the private boat and flexible water time. Children under 18 need an adult with them, and life jackets are provided. The onboard restroom is another practical plus for a five-hour outing.

It also works for mixed-ability groups. You can remain onboard if you do not want to snorkel, while stronger swimmers spend time in the water. The boat provides a comfortable base for anyone who prefers sunbathing and conversation to active swimming.

This is less suitable if your main goal is a guaranteed long snorkeling session. The boat ride takes about an hour to reach In-Ha, and weather can affect the quality of the reef stop. It is also not the best pick if you want a quiet, alcohol-free nature trip, since the open bar and music are central parts of the experience.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The meeting point is the Puerto Aventuras marina, and the trip returns there at the end. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Most people can participate, and the location is near public transportation. Still, you should plan your route to Puerto Aventuras in advance, especially if you are staying in Tulum or central Playa del Carmen. The advertised resort-area names do not change the fact that the boat departs from Puerto Aventuras.

Bring the attitude for a full boat day: sun, water, food, drinks, and changing conditions. Towels and snorkeling equipment are supplied, but the available information does not specify personal items such as sunscreen, dry bags, or phone protection. Keep your phone secure around the water. The crew has helped retrieve lost phone equipment before, but that is not a service you should count on.

The activity is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. Because of that policy, I would avoid booking it at the very end of a short trip if you have no spare day for a weather change.

Should you book this private sailing?

I would book this for a group of at least eight people that wants a sociable day with food, drinks, snorkeling, and its own boat. The strongest reasons are the private format, attentive crew, flexible swimming time, and generous package of included equipment and refreshments.

I would think twice if you are a small group, want a quiet sailing, or care only about reef snorkeling. In-Ha can be excellent, but sea conditions can change the plan. For everyone else, the combination of a reef stop, La Bocana swimming, ceviche, fishing, and a cooked catch gives the day more variety than a standard boat transfer.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Puerto Aventuras, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the Puerto Aventuras meeting point.

How long is the catamaran experience?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The price covers one private group of up to 15 people.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel gear and life jackets are included.

Are towels available?

Yes. Towels are provided onboard.

What food is included?

The crew serves lunch, snacks, chips, and shrimp and fish ceviche. Other lunch requests, including vegetarian and vegan options, can be arranged in advance.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.

Can I fish during the tour?

Yes. Troll fishing gear is included. Fish caught during the trip can be prepared onboard by the chef.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.