5H Private 44′ Catamaran All-Inclusive – Tulum & Playa del Carmen

The best part of this private catamaran charter is the freedom to shape the day around your group. Sail north from Puerto Aventuras, stop at In-Ha for reef snorkeling, then linger at shallow La Bocana with ceviche, music, and a drink in hand. It feels more personal than a packed party boat.

I like the two water stops and the fact that lunch, drinks, towels, and snorkeling gear are already covered. I also like the option to troll fish and have your catch cooked onboard. The main drawback is the price: $2,479.34 per group is a serious splurge, and you still pay the $20-per-person dock fee and any private transport.

Key things to know before booking

• In-Ha is the main snorkeling stop, with calm water and the chance to see sea turtles, tropical fish, and reef life.
• La Bocana is the relaxed finale, with shallow, clear water suited to wading, swimming, lunch, and music.
• The 44-foot catamaran is private, so only your group takes part, with room advertised for up to 30 people.
• The price covers a full onboard setup, including shrimp and fish ceviche, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, towels, fishing gear, and snorkel equipment.
• The boat leaves from Puerto Aventuras, not directly from central Tulum or Playa del Carmen, so transport planning matters.
• The crew can make the day festive or laid-back, and past crew lineups have included Vicky, Neri, Omar, Yair, Aldo, Angel, and chef Pablo.

A private day on the Riviera Maya water

This five-hour trip is built for a group that wants its own boat, its own pace, and a generous supply of food and drinks. You are not buying a simple point-to-point cruise. You are paying for a floating lunch, a reef outing, a swim session, and a private celebration rolled into one.

The catamaran departs from the Riviera Elite office at Av. Bahia Yanten in Puerto Aventuras. From there, you head north for about an hour toward In-Ha. That travel time is part of the outing, not wasted time. You can sit on deck, watch the Riviera Maya coastline, and let the crew keep snacks and drinks moving.

The private format matters most when your group has mixed interests. Some people can snorkel while others stay aboard with a cocktail. One person can fish, another can sunbathe, and the whole group can reunite for lunch without following a rigid public-tour schedule.

The advertised capacity requires a little care. The booking price is listed for a group of up to 15, while the catamaran is described as having space for up to 30 people. If your party is larger than 15, confirm the exact pricing and group rules before paying. The boat’s capacity is not the same as the number included in the displayed group rate.

Reaching In-Ha after the one-hour cruise

In-Ha is the first major stop and the best part of the trip for people who want to see marine life. The area is semi-sheltered, with calm, clear water that makes getting in easier than at a rougher open-coast site.

You can expect to spend a good stretch of time swimming and snorkeling here. The water is described as a strong spot for reef viewing in the Riviera Maya, with possible sightings of sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other reef life. Wildlife is never guaranteed, of course, but this is the stop where the trip’s snorkeling focus matters most.

The crew provides snorkel gear and towels, so you do not need to bring your own equipment. The crew also guides the snorkeling portion, a useful touch if you are unsure where to look or want help getting comfortable in the water.

I would treat In-Ha as the active part of the day. Bring a swimsuit, use the supplied towel afterward, and plan to spend time in the water rather than expecting a long sightseeing cruise with only a quick swim. If you prefer to stay dry, you can remain on the catamaran, sunbathe, snack, and enjoy the view.

One practical point: the first stop comes after roughly an hour of sailing. If anyone in your group gets restless on boats, the outward cruise may feel long. For most groups, the open bar, coastline views, and relaxed deck time help fill it.

La Bocana turns lunch into a swim stop

After In-Ha, the boat continues to La Bocana. This stop is shallower and clearer, with a more social feel than the first reef session. Many people choose to eat their ceviche here, and you can enjoy lunch in the water if you wish.

La Bocana works well as the group’s easygoing finale. The water is shallow enough for a casual swim or wade, and the plan allows for music and an open-bar atmosphere. If In-Ha is about looking below the surface, La Bocana is more about sitting together, eating, talking, and enjoying the Caribbean from the boat.

The meal centers on freshly prepared shrimp and fish ceviche, with chips and other snacks. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary requests can be arranged if you state them when booking. That advance notice is important. Do not assume the chef can improvise a full alternative after the boat leaves the marina.

Past onboard menus have also included guacamole and burgers, with guacamole and ceviche receiving especially strong praise. The official inclusions specifically identify ceviche, snacks, and lunch, so confirm any particular menu request in advance rather than counting on a certain dish.

The crew can put on your preferred music, which helps make La Bocana feel like your group’s own floating gathering. This part should appeal to birthday groups, wedding celebrations, bachelor or bachelorette outings, and families who want a festive stop without giving up privacy.

Open bar, ceviche, and fishing from the deck

The included open bar is a major part of the value. It covers tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. That range gives drinkers several choices, while non-drinkers and children have water, soda, and juice available.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Keep that rule in mind if your group includes young adults. Children and anyone under 18 must also be accompanied by at least one adult.

Food service is more substantial than a few packaged snacks. You receive chips, other snacks, and shrimp and fish ceviche, along with lunch. The crew serves food onboard, so you do not lose time returning to shore for a meal.

Fishing is an unusual extra. The boat offers troll fishing during the cruise, and anything you catch can be prepared onboard with the chef’s family sauce. This option will appeal most to groups that like having a small activity between the main stops. It is not a dedicated fishing charter, so I would view it as a bonus rather than the central reason to book.

Several crew lineups have included names such as Vicky, Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Aldo, Angel, and chef Pablo. The crew is repeatedly praised for attentive service, quick drink service, snorkeling guidance, and a warm group atmosphere. Since crew assignments can change, treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee for your departure.

What the five-hour schedule really gives you

Five hours sounds generous, but the outward and return cruises use part of that time. The stated plan includes about an hour sailing north to In-Ha, time for snorkeling and swimming, a second stop at La Bocana, and the cruise back to Puerto Aventuras.

That leaves enough room for two proper stops, but not an endless beach day. If you want long stretches at anchor, ask how much time is planned at each stop when you confirm your booking. Weather, sea conditions, and the group’s pace may affect the exact timing.

The return sail is intentionally slow, with time to continue enjoying drinks and views of the Riviera Maya coast. That makes the experience feel like a complete outing rather than a transfer between two swim points.

A restroom is available onboard, which makes the five-hour duration easier for families and groups. The catamaran also provides space to sit, relax, and move around rather than keeping everyone in one small cabin.

Is the $2,479.34 group price worth it?

At $2,479.34 for up to 15 people, the base cost works out to about $165 per person if your group fills all 15 places. That is before the $20-per-person dock fee and any private transportation, but it includes the boat, crew, food, open bar, snorkeling equipment, towels, and fishing gear.

For a full group, the value is much better than the headline total suggests. You are splitting a private vessel and a five-hour crewed outing among several people. A group celebrating a major occasion may find the privacy and all-inclusive setup worth the cost.

For a small party, the calculation changes. Four people would carry a much larger share of the charter price, even though they still receive the same boat and service. If your group is small, compare the cost with a shared sailing or smaller excursion before booking.

The dock fee deserves attention because it is not included. At $20 per person, a group of 15 would add $300. Private transportation is also extra, with the final price depending on your exact pickup location.

The starting point is Puerto Aventuras, which sits between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. The tour title mentions both destinations, but the included meeting point is the Riviera Elite office in Puerto Aventuras. If you are staying in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, or farther away, arrange transport and confirm the cost before the day of departure.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most?

I would recommend this outing to a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible price. It suits families, wedding groups, birthday parties, bachelorette groups, and friend groups that want a private day with food and drinks already arranged.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can snorkel, cautious swimmers can stay near the boat, and anyone who does not want to enter the water can relax onboard. The crew supplies equipment, but you control how active you want to be.

The outing is less suitable if your main goal is a long, serious fishing trip, a quiet sailing lesson, or a full day at one beach. It is designed as a social catamaran day with two water stops, not a specialist expedition.

The party mood can be adjusted, but the open bar, music option, and celebration-focused setup make it especially appealing to groups ready for a lively afternoon. Families can participate, yet a group seeking silence and solitude may find the atmosphere too social.

Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Most people can take part, and the meeting point is near public transportation. The information provided does not give detailed mobility guidance for boarding or snorkeling, so contact the operator directly if someone in your group has access needs.

You should provide dietary restrictions when booking. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with other requests, but advance notice is required.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes inside 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Because the trip is private, your group does not share the catamaran with strangers. That privacy is one of the clearest reasons to choose this outing over a standard public boat tour.

Should you book the private Riviera Maya catamaran?

Book it if you have a large enough group to share the cost and want a five-hour celebration with snorkeling, ceviche, an open bar, and your own boat. The combination of In-Ha’s reef stop and La Bocana’s shallow swim area gives the day a useful mix of activity and downtime.

I would especially consider it for a family gathering or special celebration. The crew’s attentive service, including names such as Vicky, Neri, Omar, Yair, and chef Pablo, has helped make past outings feel personal and well managed.

Skip it if your group is small, your budget is tight, or you want a more specialized water activity. Add the dock fee and transport before comparing prices, and confirm the final group capacity if you have more than 15 people. For the right-size party, this is a polished, easygoing way to spend a half-day on the Riviera Maya coast.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour depart?

The tour departs from Riviera Elite at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, in Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo.

How long is the experience?

The tour lasts approximately five hours, including the cruise to the stops, time for snorkeling and swimming, and the return to Puerto Aventuras.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people can join?

The booking price is listed for a group of up to 15 people. The catamaran is described as having space for up to 30 people, so confirm pricing and arrangements for groups larger than 15.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch, chips, other snacks, and shrimp and fish ceviche are included. The open bar offers tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.

Are snorkeling equipment and towels provided?

Yes. Towels, snorkeling gear, and fishing gear are provided.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available if you advise the operator when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

If poor weather cancels the tour, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.