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

The best part of this five-hour charter is that the day has room to be your own: snorkel at In-Ha, linger over ceviche in the shallows at La Bocana, or stay aboard with a drink and the Riviera Maya coast in view. It is a private boat, so you are not sharing the day with another group.

I like two things in particular: snorkel and fishing gear are included, and the crew can cook fish you catch during the trip. The ceviche, snacks, meals, and open bar also make this more than a short boat ride.

The main consideration is the weather. Rough water can spoil snorkeling at the first stop, and the tour may be canceled if conditions are poor. If you need a firm, nonrefundable plan, that matters.

• In-Ha is the main reef stop: Expect time to swim and snorkel in a semi-sheltered area, with turtles, tropical fish, and other reef life possible.
• La Bocana is the laid-back finale: Its shallow, clear water makes a natural place to eat, have a drink, and listen to your group’s music.
• The catamaran is private: Your group has the boat and crew to itself, up to 15 people.
• Food and drinks are part of the outing: Ceviche, snacks, lunch, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included.
• Fishing adds a welcome wildcard: Trolling gear is provided, and any catch can be cooked onboard.
• The departure point is Puerto Aventuras: Meet at Riviera Elite, Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12.

A private catamaran day, not a shared excursion

This trip starts at Puerto Aventuras marina, south of Playa del Carmen, and spends about five hours on the water. The boat is a 40-foot catamaran with a crew, restroom, towels, life jackets, snorkel equipment, and trolling gear. Morning and afternoon departures are available.

The private format is the defining feature. You can bring a family, a group of friends, or a celebration party without adapting your day to strangers. With a maximum of 15 people, the boat can feel social without turning into a crowded public cruise.

The price is $2,258.96 per group. At the full 15-person capacity, that works out to about $151 per person; with fewer people, the individual share rises. The rate includes the boat, crew, food, drinks, and equipment, so compare it with the cost of arranging those pieces separately. For a small party, it is a substantial outlay. For a full group that wants a private day on the sea, the per-person arithmetic looks much better.

The crew is an important part of the experience. Past trips have included crew members named Ramon, Fernando, Alan, Avan, Andre, Miguel, and Luis, though you should not assume any particular person will be assigned to your departure. The strongest descriptions of the service focus on attentive help, a professional approach, and care for families with children.

The hour-long cruise to In-Ha

After leaving the marina, the catamaran heads north for about an hour to In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area. That travel time is part of the outing, not dead time to be endured: you can settle in, take in the coast, enjoy a drink, and get comfortable aboard before the main swim stop.

In-Ha is the trip’s main chance to snorkel. The water is described as calm and clear, and the reef life can include sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, stingrays, and other marine life. Sightings are never guaranteed, and conditions can change. Some departures have found the first stop rough enough to limit snorkeling, while others have had excellent time in the water.

Snorkel gear and life jackets are supplied, so you do not need to bring those essentials yourself. Towels are also included. If you would rather not swim, you can stay onboard, sunbathe, and enjoy the snacks and open bar while others explore the reef.

That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can make the most of the water, while a non-swimmer or a child who tires quickly can remain aboard with the crew. If snorkeling is your top priority, keep in mind that the sea has the final say. A change in conditions may mean less time in the water, or a different feel from the calm reef you pictured.

Ceviche, drinks, and a shallow-water pause at La Bocana

Once everyone is back aboard, the catamaran continues to La Bocana. This stop is described as shallow and clear, and it works as a slower, more social break after snorkeling. You can eat and have a drink aboard, or enjoy the water while the boat is stopped. The crew can put on your group’s favorite music, giving this part of the trip a relaxed party feel.

The included food centers on freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche, served with chips and other snacks. Lunch is included, and other requests can be discussed in advance for dietary needs. Vegetarian and vegan options are available if you advise the operator when booking. Past groups have also enjoyed burgers, but you should confirm any specific menu request rather than count on a particular dish being served.

The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. That range makes it easy for different members of your group to find something to drink, though alcohol is available only to those aged 18 and older. Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult.

The food and drinks are not just extras on this trip. They shape the pace: you are not racing from one swim stop to another, and you do not need to bring a full picnic or plan a separate lunch. If you have allergies or other dietary requirements, tell the operator ahead of time so there is a chance to plan for them.

Trolling fishing and the ride back

Trolling gear is included, so you can fish while the catamaran is underway. The catch is not guaranteed, but if you do bring in fish, the crew can prepare it onboard with a family sauce. That gives the trip a distinctive local touch and a small element of suspense: the day’s lunch may include something you caught yourself.

The fishing option is best treated as a bonus, not the sole reason to book. The core experience remains sailing, swimming, eating, and spending time together on a private boat. If fishing is important to your group, ask in advance how it fits into the route and meal plans.

After La Bocana, the boat makes its way back to Puerto Aventuras. The open bar and coastal views continue during the return, so the trip does not end the moment you leave the water. The overall rhythm is generous: roughly an hour out, time at two water stops, and a slow return within the five-hour outing.

What the price buys, and what it does not

At nearly $2,259 for the group, this is not a budget excursion. The value depends heavily on how many people share the cost and how much you care about privacy. A group near the 15-person limit pays a much lower per-person rate than a couple or small family, while still getting a private boat, crew, food, drinks, towels, a restroom, and water equipment.

Compare that package with what matters to your group. If you want a simple ride to a snorkeling spot, a lower-cost shared trip may be enough. If you want to set the mood with your own group, enjoy a flexible pace, and have lunch and drinks taken care of, the private charter offers more than transportation to the reef.

The consistently top-rated experience, with a 5.0 score from 128 ratings and a 100% recommendation figure, is a useful sign of satisfaction, but it cannot guarantee your weather or your crew assignment. The most praised elements are the attentive staff, good food and drinks, strong snorkeling when conditions cooperate, and the way the crew handles families and celebrations.

Practical details before you book

The meeting point is Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo. The tour ends back at the same point. It is described as near public transportation, but you should plan your route to the marina before departure rather than assume the boat leaves from central Playa del Carmen.

Confirmation is issued within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is nonrefundable and cannot be changed, so book only when your plans are firm. There is one important weather exception: if poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

A practical tip: share dietary restrictions when you book, not on the dock. If you are bringing children, make sure an adult is with anyone under 18. And if your group has a special occasion, tell the crew in advance. The team has helped make celebrations feel personal, but no particular decoration or service is promised.

Who should book this catamaran?

I would put this trip high on the list for a group of friends, a family, or a celebration party that wants a private day with several ways to enjoy the water. It suits groups with mixed appetites for activity: some can snorkel or fish, while others can relax aboard and still share the same meal and scenery.

Families may find the combination of a crew, life jackets, a restroom, food, and a flexible pace especially useful. The crew has accommodated groups with several children and dietary needs, though you should communicate requirements ahead of time. The boat can also work well for a wedding party or birthday group, provided the cost makes sense when divided among your party.

I would think twice if your group is small and price-sensitive, if snorkeling is the only activity you care about, or if your schedule cannot absorb weather disruption. The sea may be rough, and a poor-weather cancellation can shift your plans even though it comes with a new date or refund. For a larger group seeking an easy, private mix of reef time, food, drinks, and sailing, the package is compelling.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran depart from?

The meeting point is Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, in Puerto Aventuras. The tour returns to the same point.

How long is the tour?

The outing lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The price is for a private group of up to 15 people. Only your group participates.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, snacks, and an open bar are included. The food includes shrimp and fish ceviche, and drinks include tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and life jackets are included, along with towels.

Can the crew prepare fish we catch?

Yes. Trolling fishing gear is included, and fish caught during the tour can be prepared onboard.

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available. Tell the operator about your needs when booking.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the operator cancels the experience because of poor weather.