A catamaran day without the crowds. You get two Caribbean swim stops and open bar energy built into a 5-hour private charter, with chances to see sea turtles and reef fish plus a real, freshly served lunch onboard. One thing to factor in: there’s a $20 per-person dock fee, and the tour depends on good weather.

This is a premium-feeling setup for Playa del Carmen and Tulum visitors who want “out on the water” time, not a bus ride and a quick photo stop. The ride starts from the Puerto Aventuras marina and heads north about an hour, giving you a proper scenic cruise before the snorkeling breaks.

The boat is a 44-foot private catamaran sized for your group (listed for up to 30, with your booking up to 15). That’s a sweet spot for bachelorette parties and family groups alike, but if you’re expecting round-the-clock entertainment or a long sail day, this is still a 5-hour charter, so you’ll want to lean into the swim, food, and relaxation rhythm.

Key things that make this charter worth your time

• Two reef-time stops that are calm enough to swim and snorkel, not just drift past
• In-Ha reef: semi-sheltered, clear water, and a chance at sea turtles and lots of tropical fish
• La Bocana finale stop: shallow, clear water plus music and ceviche on the move
• All-inclusive style onboard: lunch with snacks, towels, and snorkeling (and fishing) gear included
• Open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, soft drinks, juice, and bottled water
• Private format: just your group, with a crew that keeps the day running smoothly

Why a private 44′ catamaran from Puerto Aventuras feels different

If you’ve done the typical Tulum or Playa del Carmen boat day, you already know the pattern: shuffle onto something crowded, queue for drinks, and try to snorkel between other groups. This one is set up differently because it’s private and timed for a focused experience.

You’re booking the boat for your group on a 44-foot catamaran departing from Puerto Aventuras. The day runs about 5 hours total, and you start with an actual cruising stretch (roughly an hour north) before you hit the water for swim and snorkel time. That matters because your day doesn’t start with friction.

Also, the “all-inclusive” part is real in the way that counts on the water: lunch, snacks, towels, and snorkel gear are included, and the open bar is part of the experience rather than a small, limited offering. For groups that want a celebration vibe without planning every detail, this is a strong option.

In-Ha reef stop: calm water, sea turtles, and the best snorkeling break

The first water stop is at In-Ha, described as a semi-sheltered reef area. In plain terms: this is the kind of spot where the water tends to be easier for swimming and snorkel time than rough, open-ocean conditions.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Clear, calm Caribbean water with strong snorkeling visibility
• Lots of reef life possibilities, including colorful tropical fish
• A chance to spot sea turtles

One of my favorite parts of the way this day is structured is the flexibility. If you want to go in the water, you can spend a good amount of time snorkeling and swimming. If you’d rather not, you can stay onboard, sunbathe, and keep enjoying drinks and snacks while the crew supports the group.

This is also a smart way to manage mixed levels. People who love snorkeling get their time. People who just want to float, relax, and enjoy the view don’t feel left out.

La Bocana party stop: shallow swim time, music, and ceviche

After In-Ha, the day moves to La Bocana. This is positioned as a more shallow, clear, “finale party” style stop. Think: closer to a swim-and-chill moment than a full-on reef expedition.

What makes La Bocana appealing:

• Shallow, clear water that’s easier for casual wading or swimming
• A more social, celebratory feel
• Music on board during the stop

This is also where ceviche and open bar energy come into focus. If you’re the type of group that wants the last segment to feel like the best part, this stop is built for that.

And just in case your group wants options: you can do the ceviche in the water if you feel like it, or keep it onboard and enjoy the show of everyone else out there.

Food, open bar, and snack timing that keeps the day from feeling rushed

On water days live or die by pacing. You can have beautiful locations, but if you’re stuck eating too late or drinking too early, it stops feeling fun.

This charter includes:

• Lunch plus snacks served onboard
• Fresh shrimp and fish ceviche
• Chips and other snacks
• An open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice

Diet options are available too. Vegetarian and vegan options (and other dietary restrictions) can be requested when you book, which is a practical detail for groups where not everyone eats the same way.

The experience is set up to let food land at the right times: snacks and cocktails start during the crew’s downtime and cruising segments, then the ceviche becomes a highlight around both the snorkeling and the La Bocana stretch. The result is that you don’t have one long “waiting for lunch” phase.

One more practical note: the crew also offers the idea of troll fishing. Anything you catch can be prepared onboard with a chef family-style secret sauce. Even if you’re not a fisherman, it adds a fun wild card to the day.

Crew energy: attention that feels personal, not pushy

A private boat day can go two ways: either everyone relaxes because the crew reads the room, or it turns into constant selling and fussing. The pattern here is the first one.

Across the experiences connected to this operator, certain crew members are repeatedly highlighted for being helpful and attentive. Names that show up include Dale, Ramón, Vicky, Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, Captain Neri, and chef Pablo Mae. People also mention strong, nonstop drink attention, with drinks kept in hand.

That kind of service matters more than you’d think. If your group is paying for a private charter, you want the crew to handle the flow: when to gear up, when to shift locations, when lunch hits, and how to keep everyone comfortable. When the crew runs a tight rhythm, your job is just showing up and enjoying the day.

Also, because this is a private format, the crew can guide the group without having to coordinate around other boats and mixed schedules.

Price per person: when $2,479.34 makes sense for your group

The listed price is $2,479.34 per group, up to 15 people. It’s a private tour, which is why the total number matters more than a per-person headline.

Here’s how it can play out:

• If you book with 15 people, the boat rate is about $165 per person before the extra dock fee.
• If your group is smaller, your per-person cost rises, because it’s a group price.

Now add the one extra item you must budget for: a dock fee of $20 per person. That’s not included, so it can shift the real math.

Even with that, this tends to make sense for:

• Groups of 8–15 splitting the cost
• Celebration trips where open bar and lunch are part of the plan
• Families and friend groups who’d rather pay for comfort and privacy than squeeze into a larger public tour

If your group is just two people, you’ll likely feel the price more. But if you’re going with a bachelorette group, multi-family vacation, or a wider friend circle, this is the kind of pricing where privacy starts to feel worth it.

What’s included onboard (and what you should bring anyway)

This is an all-inclusive style charter, and that reduces decision fatigue. Included items:

• Lunch with snacks (including shrimp and fish ceviche)
• Towels
• Snorkeling gear and fishing gear
• Open bar with unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Restroom onboard
• Private tour format (your group only)

You should still plan to bring:

• Sunscreen and a hat (you’ll be out on the water)
• Reef-safe habits if you have a preferred sunscreen
• Swimsuit and a light cover-up for the return cruise
• A phone/waterproof setup if you like photos
• Cash or card for any personal extras off the boat (the tour price doesn’t cover private transportation, and the dock fee is separate)

Also, since snorkeling is part of the plan, wearing water shoes can help some people get comfortable faster, especially if you’re cautious about stepping around.

Getting there from Tulum and Playa del Carmen

This tour’s start is at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen, with the meeting point given in Puerto Aventuras (Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico).

Private transportation is not included, and the notes say it varies depending on where you’re located. The meeting point is listed as near public transportation, which can help if you’re already in the area and want to keep costs down.

If you’re staying in Tulum or Playa del Carmen proper, you’ll want to plan your timing so you’re not rushing to board. A relaxed arrival makes the first hour cruise feel like the start of the vacation instead of the start of logistics.

Who this is best for (and who might want to shop around)

This charter fits best when you want:

• Private boat time with real swim/snorkel breaks
• An open bar and a full onboard lunch
• A day that’s social but not chaotic

It’s especially well suited to:

• Bachelorette groups (open bar + music + attentive crew support)
• Family vacations (snorkeling options plus the ability to stay onboard if someone isn’t into the water)
• Friend groups that want a celebration day with minimal planning

You might consider other options if:

• Your group is very small and you don’t want to absorb the group-price premium
• You only want a quick swim and prefer a longer sailing day
• You don’t drink and don’t care about open bar, since that’s a big value driver here

Should you book this 44′ catamaran day?

Book it if you’re trying to solve this problem: you want Playa del Carmen and Tulum scenery, but you want your vacation to happen on the water with two legit swim breaks, not just a photo stop. The combination of clear reef time at In-Ha, a fun shallow-water finale at La Bocana, and onboard comfort (restroom, towels, lunch, open bar) is exactly the recipe for a high-reward 5-hour outing.

Skip it or compare if you’re traveling solo or as a couple and you don’t want to pay the private group rate. Also, be honest about water comfort. While you can relax onboard, the main “wow” moments are built around swimming and snorkeling.

If you line up a group size that spreads the cost (and you can handle the dock fee), this is the kind of charter that delivers the day you pictured.

FAQ

What does the tour include?

The tour includes lunch with snacks, towels, snorkeling and fishing gear, open bar with unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), a private tour, and a restroom onboard.

Where does the tour depart from?

It departs from the Puerto Aventuras marina area, with the meeting point listed as Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico.

How long is the experience?

The tour is about 5 hours.

Is there snorkeling and fishing on this charter?

Yes. Snorkel gear is provided, and troll fishing is offered. Gear for fishing is also provided, and anything you catch can be prepared onboard.

What food and drinks are served?

Lunch includes snacks and freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche. The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.

Are vegetarian or vegan options available?

Yes. Vegetarian/vegan options and other dietary restrictions can be requested at the time of booking.

What extra fees should I plan for?

A dock fee of $20.00 per person is not included in the tour price. Private transportation is also not included and varies by location.

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