Private catamaran days in the Riviera Maya are pure payoff. This one pairs a crew-led 40′ catamaran with open bar plus ceviche cooked onboard, and the route hits two very different water stops for snorkeling and relaxing. My favorite parts are how smoothly the crew runs the day (I loved that they named the plan clearly) and how the food feels like it’s part of the sailing, not an afterthought; still, the snorkeling depends on conditions, and you may get a rough first stop if the water’s choppy.

You can choose a morning or afternoon departure, and it’s built for small groups since it’s private for up to 15 people. If you’re booking for a birthday, bachelorette, family group, or just a serious “we want the boat” day, this format tends to work well.

Quick take: what makes this catamaran day special

• In-Ha snorkeling in calm, clear water, with a real chance of spotting sea turtles and reef fish
• La Bocana as a shallow-water finale, where the vibe shifts toward swimming, music, and ceviche
• Open bar all day, including tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, plus juice, soft drinks, and bottled water
• Troll fishing and chef prep if you want to add a catch to the menu
• A service-first crew, with names like Ramon, Ali, Fernando, Alan, Avan, Andre, Miguel, and the Luis team showing up in past experiences
• Options for dietary needs, including vegetarian/vegan requests handled with advance notice

Entering the Puerto Aventuras routine: a private boat that feels organized

The tour starts at the Puerto Aventuras marina area, meeting at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen (Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico). It’s private for your group, so you’re not shuffling with a crowd to figure out where to go—your group boards together and the crew takes over.

This matters because you’re spending a good chunk of the day on the water. When everything is tight—timing, equipment, drink setup—it turns a “nice idea” into a day that feels effortless. Past groups have also praised the staff for being professional and safe, and for communication that made check-in feel straightforward.

One practical note: the day runs on good weather. If conditions aren’t right, snorkeling plans can change, and the crew will still try to make the outing enjoyable—but it’s not a guarantee that every group will get the same water clarity.

The first water stop at In-Ha: snorkeling in semi-sheltered calm

After departing Puerto Aventuras, the catamaran heads north for about an hour to a semi-sheltered reef zone called In-Ha. The key word here is semi-sheltered. You’re aiming for calm, clear water, which is a big deal for comfort and for seeing wildlife.

In-Ha is built for snorkeling. The water here is described as crystal clear and calm, and this is where you can look for sea turtles and colorful tropical fish plus other reef life. If you’re new to snorkeling, this kind of spot usually feels more manageable than open ocean conditions.

You’re not forced into the water, though. You can stay onboard and sunbathe, relax, and sip drinks while others swim. That flexibility is genuinely valuable when you’ve got mixed ages or different comfort levels in your group.

What food looks like during In-Ha: while you’re in the water or relaxing onboard, the crew serves snacks and cocktails and keeps the food moving. Lunch-style options include freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche, and the operator also notes you can request other lunch requests in advance for dietary restrictions.

Possible drawback: if the water is rough early in the day, snorkeling can feel less ideal at the first stop. One past group noted that the first stop had rougher water but the second stop turned out amazing, which is a good reminder that conditions can improve partway through the outing.

La Bocana: the shallow, music-and-ceviche second act

The second stop is La Bocana. This is the one many people treat like a finale: shallow, clear, and designed for that “we’re out here now” feeling.

If you like water time, this is where you can enjoy it more casually. The description highlights that it’s shallow and clear, and that you can even enjoy ceviche lunch and the open bar in the water if you want to make it a swim-and-eat moment. The crew also puts on music—think of it like a party stop, just with sea breeze and salt air instead of a nightclub.

If you prefer a quieter approach, you can also enjoy the views from the catamaran while everyone else floats around. The tour structure makes it easy to choose your own pace, which helps when you have a group with different energy levels.

Open bar and meals: more than snacks on a boat day

This tour is built around food and drinks that keep you fueled through snorkeling and sun time.

The open bar setup

The open bar includes unlimited drinks: tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, plus bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. That’s a useful mix. Even if you’re not drinking alcohol, you still get plenty of non-alcoholic options, and the crew keeps refreshments coming.

A few reviews also give the vibe check: the drinks reportedly didn’t run out, which is exactly what you want on a private charter. On a shared tour, you often spend half the day waiting. On a private boat, you spend it actually relaxing.

What you’ll eat

Snacks are included, and the signature meal is ceviche—shrimp and fish ceviche is specifically called out. There’s also mention of other items like burgers in at least one family experience, plus chips and additional snack options.

What I like about this setup is that it matches the day’s rhythm. You snorkel, you swim, you come back hungry, and the food is already there or being served. It keeps the day from turning into a “wait for lunch” schedule.

Dietary needs

Vegetarian/vegan options are available, and the operator asks you to advise at booking. One past group noted vegan accommodations were handled well, which tells me they don’t treat dietary needs as a last-minute checkbox.

If you’re traveling with someone who needs specific options, do yourself a favor and flag it early during booking so the crew can plan.

Fishing add-on: troll fishing gear and chef-prepped catch

If you want the day to include more than just snorkeling, the tour offers troll fishing. Troll fishing gear is included, and the operator says anything you catch can be prepared onboard with the chef’s secret family sauce.

There’s also a mention that the crew will grill and cook fish you catch during the tour. In practice, this means the catch doesn’t just become a trophy. It becomes part of the meal experience—exactly the kind of Caribbean-style “work hard, then eat well” detail that many boat tours leave out.

A quick reality check: catching fish depends on conditions, so treat this as an option to enjoy rather than a guaranteed main-course outcome. If your group is hoping for it, it still tends to be fun because you get to try, even if the catch is light.

The small comfort details that make a big difference

This isn’t just about snorkeling. It’s also about being comfortable and taken care of.

You get:

• Snorkel gear and life jackets
• Towels
• A restroom on board
• Restroom access included (so you’re not guessing logistics once you’re at sea)
• Troll fishing gear if you opt in

Those items matter because once you’re underway, convenience becomes comfort. Life jackets reduce stress for anyone not used to gear, towels help right after swimming, and having a restroom onboard saves you time and reduces the “quick scramble” feeling that ruins momentum.

Crew attention you can feel

The crew’s service shows up in reviews in very human ways. People have credited specific staff members—Ramon and Ali for making the sailing perfect, Fernando and Alan and Avan for attending to needs, and Andre for being especially helpful. One memorable story includes crew jumping into the water to retrieve a phone cover and then later an actual phone. That kind of quick, caring response is the difference between a small problem and a lost day.

Timing and what to plan before you arrive

You’ll choose morning or afternoon departure time. The trip is about 5 hours total, give or take based on water conditions and timing between stops.

The meeting point is at Puerto Aventuras (Riviera Elite: Yachts). It’s also described as near public transportation, so you’re not forced into a long transfer just to reach the marina.

Because this is water-based, I’d plan for:

• Sunscreen and a hat (you’ll be outside most of the day)
• A swimsuit and a quick-dry layer for afterward
• If you’re sensitive to movement, bring something you personally use for that situation (the tour data doesn’t mention motion aids, so plan based on your own needs)

Also remember: the tour includes alcohol in the open bar, but the minimum drinking age is 18. Kids and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult. That makes it easier to plan a family day where adults can enjoy the bar while everyone stays within the rules.

Price and value: what $2,258.96 buys for a private group

The price is $2,258.96 per group for up to 15 people, for about 5 hours. On the surface, that sounds like a lot—until you compare what’s included.

You’re paying for:

• A private 40-foot catamaran experience (so no sharing the boat with random strangers)
• Crew service throughout
• Snorkeling gear and life jackets
• Towels
• Lunch-style ceviche plus snacks
• An unlimited open bar with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• The two-stop itinerary, including a shallow, swim-friendly finale

If you fill the boat with 15 people, you’re roughly around $151 per person. If you’re a smaller group, the per-person cost rises, but the value still holds because you’re not sacrificing the essentials. Private sailing is one of those categories where the math changes based on how many people you bring.

This tour also works well for groups celebrating something, because the included drinks and food reduce the need to plan extra spending mid-day.

Who should book this catamaran day (and who might want another option)

Book this if you want:

• A private boat experience rather than a crowded group tour
• Snorkeling in the Riviera Maya with a strong chance of seeing sea life like turtles
• A full-service setup with open bar, ceviche, and snacks
• A day that can flex between swimming and relaxing onboard

You might want to look elsewhere if:

• Your primary goal is guaranteed perfect snorkeling every time. Conditions matter, and the tour requires good weather.
• Your group doesn’t care about food or drinks included in the price. If you want a simple scenic cruise only, this is still good, but you’re paying for a lot of inclusions.

Should you book this 40-foot private catamaran day?

I think you should book it if your group values a clean, organized private day on the water with snorkeling and real meal support. The combination of two distinct stops (In-Ha for reef snorkeling and La Bocana for a shallow swim-and-party vibe), plus the fact that food and drinks are built into the flow, is what makes this outing feel worth your time.

The main caution is weather. If the water isn’t cooperating, snorkeling can be less ideal. If that risk is okay for your plans, this tour delivers the kind of carefree sailing day that’s hard to replicate without a private charter.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran tour?

The tour is about 5 hours.

Is this a private tour, and how many people can go?

Yes, it’s private. Your group only participates, with a group size of up to 15 people.

What’s included in the open bar and drinks?

The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are both included.

Do you provide snorkeling gear and towels?

Yes. Snorkel and fishing gear are provided, along with towels and life jackets.

Can I request vegetarian or vegan food?

Yes. Vegetarian/Vegan options (and other dietary restrictions) are available if you advise at the time of booking.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should you book this private catamaran day?

If your group wants a private 40-foot sailing experience with snorkeling, ceviche, snacks, and an unlimited bar, this is a strong fit. Just go in with weather awareness, and you’ll be set up for a day that feels well-run from start to finish.

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