5-Hour 38’Luxury Catamaran All-Inclusive Tulum & Playa del Carmen

A private catamaran, a reef stop, and lunch served on board make this a full half-day on the water, not just a boat ride with a quick swim. You leave from Puerto Aventuras and head north toward In-Ha, where the sheltered water offers a chance to spot turtles and tropical fish.

I like two things in particular: the private charter for up to 15 gives your group room to set its own pace, and the ceviche, snacks, and unlimited drinks are part of the outing rather than an extra meal stop. There is also a second, shallow-water stop at La Bocana, plus trolling for fish along the way.

The main consideration is cost. The charter is $1,931.04 for the group, with a $20 dock fee per person and private transportation not included. It is strongest value when you fill most of the seats, and the snorkeling and wildlife depend on sea conditions.

What to know before you set sail

• In-Ha is the snorkeling stop: The semi-sheltered reef is the best chance on the route to see turtles, tropical fish, and other reef life.
• La Bocana is a different kind of stop: Its shallow, clear water is suited to a relaxed swim and time aboard with your group’s music.
• The charter is private: The boat is reserved for your party, with a capacity of up to 15 people.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect ceviche, snacks, unlimited beer and liquor, soft drinks, mixers, and water.
• Trolling is offered along the way: If you catch fish, the onboard chef can prepare it with a family sauce, though a catch is not guaranteed.
• Budget for add-ons: The $20-per-person dock fee and private transport are not part of the charter price.

Leaving Puerto Aventuras for the reef

The trip starts at Riviera Elite’s meeting point in Puerto Aventuras marina, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12. From there, the catamaran heads north for about an hour to In-Ha. That first stretch is part of the outing, not dead time: you get out from the marina, settle into the boat, and have time for a drink or snack before reaching the reef.

A private boat changes the feel of a day on the water. You are not sharing the trip with an unrelated group, and the charter can suit a family celebration, a group of friends, or a mixed-age party that wants to spend time together. The boat accommodates up to 15, but the price is for the whole charter, not a per-person seat. If your group is small, the cost per person climbs quickly.

The catamaran is described as 38 feet long. That gives you a clear idea of the type of vessel, but the details provided do not specify cabins, shaded areas, or onboard facilities, so ask the operator if those features matter to your group. What is clear is that snorkeling gear, food, and drinks are provided, and the trip returns to the same marina where it starts.

In-Ha: your best chance to see reef life

The first stop is In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area known for calm, clear water. You can swim and snorkel with the gear supplied, looking for sea turtles, colorful fish, and other reef life. A sheltered location can make a swim more comfortable than open water, but conditions still vary. The crew cannot promise that you will see a turtle or that the water will be calm on your chosen day.

This stop is the main reason to choose the charter if snorkeling is high on your list. You do not need to bring your own mask and snorkel, and the crew serves snacks and drinks while you are on the boat. The combination makes the excursion feel less like a rushed swim break and more like a day built around being out at sea.

If you are not a confident swimmer, or if you are traveling with children, ask the operator about the conditions and safety arrangements before you book. The tour says most people can participate and includes snorkeling equipment, but it does not provide specific information about flotation devices, lifeguards, or the time spent in the water. Children and young adults aged 18 and under must be accompanied by at least one adult.

Ceviche, cocktails, and a meal on the water

Lunch is included, along with snacks and an open bar. The meal is shrimp and fish ceviche, freshly made on board, and vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available if you tell the operator when booking. That advance notice matters: do not assume a special meal can be arranged at the last minute.

The food earned unusually strong praise from one group celebrating two birthdays. They singled out the ceviche and guacamole, and described the service from Celeste, Neri, Angel, and Omar as warm and attentive. Those names are useful to know, but the crew can vary. Another group appreciated the food and the way the crew met its needs with a smile.

Unlimited drinks include beer, liquor, soft drinks, mixers, and water. The open bar is a plus for a celebratory outing, but keep the snorkeling portion in mind: it makes sense to enjoy alcoholic drinks after swimming rather than before. The minimum drinking age is 18.

La Bocana: shallow water and a slower pace

After In-Ha, the catamaran heads to La Bocana, where the water is described as shallow and clear. This is a gentler stop than the reef snorkeling. You can get into the water if you like, or stay aboard, listen to your group’s favorite music, and enjoy the view from the sea.

That contrast is a strength of the route. In-Ha is the place to look for fish and reef life; La Bocana is better suited to a casual swim and an unhurried stretch of the afternoon. If someone in your group is less interested in snorkeling, the second stop gives them another way to enjoy the day without making the entire trip depend on one activity.

The itinerary does not give a set length for either stop, so you should not expect a precise schedule for time in the water. The whole charter lasts about five hours, including the sailing time to the first stop and the return to the marina. If you have a dinner reservation or another activity afterward, leave a buffer rather than planning a tight connection.

Optional trolling and the chance of a fresh catch

Trolling for fish is offered during the trip. If you catch something, the onboard chef can prepare it with a family sauce. That is a fun extra for a group that likes fishing, but it is best treated as a possibility, not a promised meal. The included lunch is ceviche, and the fishing detail does not guarantee a catch or specify what gear is provided.

For some groups, this is a small but memorable bonus: the day is not only swimming and sunning, and a catch could become part of lunch. If fishing is a priority, confirm the practical details with Riviera Elite before booking, including what equipment is available and how the crew handles a catch.

Is the private charter worth the price?

The listed price is $1,931.04 per group of up to 15. At full capacity, that works out to about $129 per person before the dock fee. Add the $20-per-person dock charge and the rough total becomes about $149 each, before transport. With fewer people aboard, the individual share is higher.

That price includes a private boat, five hours on the water, snorkeling equipment, lunch, snacks, and unlimited drinks. For a full group planning a birthday or a day together, bundling those costs can make the charter attractive. You are also paying for privacy and flexibility, not simply for access to a reef.

It is less compelling if only a few people are going or if you mainly want a short snorkeling trip. Private transportation is extra and varies by your location, so ask for a quote before comparing the total with other options. Also budget for the dock fee, which is charged per person rather than once per group.

Weather, transport, and booking details

The meeting point is in Puerto Aventuras, and the activity ends back there. Private transportation is not included. The operator says it can be arranged at a price that depends on where you are staying, so confirm that cost and pickup plan before you commit.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking and is subject to availability. The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund; you can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted.

The activity is private, service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. It is offered in English, with a mobile ticket. If your meal needs include vegetarian, vegan, or other restrictions, advise the operator when booking. The age rule for minors is straightforward: anyone 18 or younger must be with at least one adult.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would put this high on the list for a group that wants a shared day rather than a formal sightseeing tour. It suits birthday parties, families with adults, and friends who will enjoy snorkeling, swimming, food, drinks, and time together on a private boat. The mix of reef and shallow-water stops keeps the day from relying on just one swim.

It is also a good fit if you value having the meal and drinks handled on board. You can spend the five hours on the water without arranging a separate lunch stop, and the provided equipment saves you from packing your own snorkel gear. The crew’s attentive service and especially well-liked ceviche and guacamole add to the appeal.

Think twice if your group is small, if you need transport included, or if a guaranteed turtle sighting is essential. Wildlife and water conditions are not assured, and the extra dock fee adds up across a large party. For a near-full group that wants a private, food-included catamaran outing, the price is easier to justify. For a couple or a small party, compare the total cost carefully before booking.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran trip?

The trip lasts about five hours, including the sailing and stops.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Riviera Elite’s meeting point in Puerto Aventuras marina and returns to the same point.

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers a private charter for up to 15 people.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, snacks, beer, liquor, soft drinks, mixers, and water are included. Lunch is shrimp and fish ceviche, with other dietary options available if requested when booking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Can I see turtles at In-Ha?

Sea turtles may be seen at In-Ha, along with tropical fish and other reef life, but sightings are not guaranteed.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, and its price depends on your location.

What is the dock fee?

The dock fee is $20 per person.