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

The best part of this private catamaran charter is the freedom to make a half-day on the Riviera Maya as easygoing as you want. You can snorkel for turtles at In-Ha, float in the shallow water at La Bocana, or stay aboard with a cold drink and fresh ceviche while the crew handles the details.

I like the all-inclusive food and drinks, since shrimp and fish ceviche, guacamole, snacks, beer, liquor, mixers, soft drinks, and water are all covered. I also like that the boat is private for your group of up to 15, so you are not sharing the day with strangers. The main catch is cost: the charter price is high for a small group, and the $20 dock fee per person plus transport can add up.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 38-foot catamaran: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to 15 passengers.
• In-Ha snorkeling stop: Swim in relatively calm, clear water with a chance to see turtles and tropical fish.
• La Bocana water stop: Expect shallow, clear water, music, and a more relaxed swim than a formal snorkeling session.
• Fresh lunch on board: Shrimp and fish ceviche, snacks, cocktails, and refreshments are served during the cruise.
• Optional troll fishing: Anything caught may be prepared on board with the chef’s family sauce.
• Full five-hour outing: The tour leaves from Puerto Aventuras and returns to the same marina.

A private morning or afternoon on the Riviera Maya

This is not a quick boat ride with a short swim attached. You are booking the whole catamaran for about five hours, with the schedule built around time on the water. The boat departs from Puerto Aventuras marina and heads north for roughly an hour toward its first swimming stop.

That hour matters. You get a proper coastal cruise rather than a short transfer, but you should also be comfortable spending a good part of the day on a moving boat. The value improves sharply when you fill most or all of the available 15 places. For a couple or a small family, the price is a serious splurge. For a birthday, reunion, or group holiday, the private setup can make more sense.

The catamaran is described as a 38-foot luxury boat. The exact seating layout and cabin details are not specified, so book this for the open-water experience rather than expecting a particular interior feature. Your group gets the boat to itself, which gives you more control over music, swimming time, and the general pace.

The crew names associated with this charter are Celeste, Neri, Angel, and Omar. The service has been praised for staying attentive even when the water became choppy, and for keeping food and drinks coming with a friendly approach.

Leaving Puerto Aventuras for In-Ha

The meeting point is Riviera Elite at the Puerto Aventuras marina, on Avenida Bahia Yanten. You return to this same spot at the end, which keeps the day simple once you arrive.

The first run north takes about an hour. During this stretch, the crew serves snacks and drinks, and you can settle into the boat before the main water activity. Unlimited beer, liquor, soft drinks, mixers, and bottled water are included, so you do not need to budget for each drink once aboard.

That said, unlimited alcohol is not the same as a requirement to drink. The sea can be rough at times, and the crew has noted that conditions may become choppy. I would start slowly, drink water, and save the stronger cocktails until after snorkeling. It is a basic tip, but it can make the difference between a pleasant boat day and an uncomfortable one.

Snorkeling at In-Ha with turtles and reef fish

In-Ha is described as a semi-sheltered reef area with calm, clear water. This is the main snorkeling stop, and the setting is intended to give you a good chance of seeing sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other reef life.

All snorkeling equipment is provided. That is useful for visitors who do not want to pack fins, masks, or other gear, though the supplied information does not specify the equipment sizes or brands. If you have a favorite mask or prescription lens, bringing your own may still be sensible, but the tour does not require you to own equipment.

The appeal of In-Ha is the mix of wildlife and relatively protected water. You are not simply jumping into the sea beside the boat for a quick look. The stop is chosen for reef life, with turtles as the headline sight. Wildlife is never guaranteed, so treat the turtles as a possibility rather than a promise, but the area is presented as one of the stronger snorkeling spots in the Riviera Maya.

You should also keep expectations realistic. The stop is in the sea, not a controlled aquarium setting. Visibility and comfort depend on conditions, and even a semi-sheltered area can feel unsettled on a windy day. The operator requires good weather and may offer another date or a full refund if poor weather forces cancellation.

La Bocana for shallow water and music

After In-Ha, the catamaran continues to La Bocana. Here, the water is described as especially shallow and clear. You can get in for another swim, or remain on board and enjoy the view from the sea.

This stop has a different mood from the reef visit. In-Ha is about snorkeling and looking for marine life. La Bocana is more about the pleasure of being in clear, shallow water with your group, favorite music playing, and no need to follow a formal sightseeing schedule.

That makes La Bocana useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can enjoy the water, while anyone who prefers not to snorkel can stay aboard with a drink and lunch. Parents should still keep close watch over children, since the supplied information does not give specific supervision arrangements or flotation details.

The music is part of the experience, so this is not designed as a quiet nature cruise. If your group wants a social boat day with its own soundtrack, that is a plus. If you want a silent wildlife trip, the music may feel less appealing.

Ceviche, guacamole, and an open bar at sea

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this charter. Lunch includes freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche, with snacks served during the cruise. Guacamole has also received especially strong praise, with one group calling it the best they had tasted. That is a useful detail because ceviche quality can make or break a boat lunch, and fresh preparation matters when you are spending hours away from shore.

The meal is casual rather than formal. Expect food served on board while you are cruising or relaxing between swims. The exact menu beyond ceviche, guacamole, and snacks is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a full restaurant-style spread.

Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available if requested at booking. Make that request early and clearly. The supplied information confirms alternatives are possible, but it does not list the exact replacement dishes.

Drinks include beer, liquor, soft drinks, mixers, water, and bottled water. Since the package is priced per private boat, the open bar is part of the overall group experience rather than a separate drink package. It is particularly handy for birthdays and other celebrations, where nobody wants to track a running tab.

The alcohol age is 18. Children and young adults 18 and under must be accompanied by at least one adult, so this can work for a family group as long as an adult is present.

Troll fishing adds a little surprise

The crew also offers troll fishing while the catamaran is underway. If you catch something, the onboard chef can prepare it with a secret family sauce.

This is an appealing extra because it gives the cruise an unscripted element. You are not only moving from one scheduled swim to the next. There is a chance to bring in part of your lunch, though you should regard the fishing as an optional bonus, not a guaranteed catch or a central fishing charter.

The information does not explain how long the fishing runs, what species might be caught, or what equipment is used. If fishing is your main goal, ask for those details before paying. If you simply like the idea of trying something different between swimming stops, it adds character to the day.

What the price means for your group

The listed cost is $1,931.04 per group of up to 15 people. At the full capacity, that works out to about $129 per person before the dock fee and transport. Add the $20 dock fee per person, and the rough full-group total becomes about $149 per person, before any private transfer from your hotel.

For 15 people, that is a more reasonable price for a private boat, lunch, open drinks, snorkeling gear, and five hours on the water. For six people, the base price alone works out to about $322 per person. For two people, it is a major luxury purchase.

You also need to account for the dock fee, which is not included, and private transportation, whose price varies by pickup location. The listed meeting point is in Puerto Aventuras, not directly at every hotel in Tulum or Playa del Carmen. Confirm your transfer cost before booking so the final price does not surprise you.

This charter gives you privacy, food, drinks, and a flexible social setting. It does not provide a low-cost way to see the coast. If your priority is the cheapest possible turtle snorkeling trip, a shared excursion will likely be better value. If your priority is having the boat reserved for your own group, the price is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this for groups that value time together more than a packed sightseeing schedule. It suits:

• Birthday groups and family celebrations
• Friends sharing a holiday in Playa del Carmen or Tulum
• Mixed groups with swimmers and non-swimmers
• People who want food and drinks included
• Groups large enough to spread the private charter price

The private format is especially helpful when your group has different ideas about the day. Some people can snorkel at In-Ha, others can remain on deck, and everyone can regroup for lunch and drinks. You are not trying to keep up with a large public excursion.

I would think twice if you dislike open-water motion, want a quiet boat, or plan to spend very little time swimming. The trip includes about an hour of travel to the first stop, plus the return journey and the second stop. It is a full boat outing, not a short coastal transfer.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not confirm a specific hotel pickup service. Ask about private transport if you are not arranging your own way to Puerto Aventuras.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The trip is often reserved well ahead of time, with an average booking window of about 34 days, so advance planning is sensible for holiday dates and celebrations.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Cutoff times follow local time.

Good weather is required. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. This is worth remembering when planning a birthday or other fixed-date event, since the sea may not cooperate.

Should you book this private catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a relaxed day built around swimming, snorkeling, food, music, and drinks. The combination of turtle snorkeling at In-Ha, shallow water at La Bocana, fresh ceviche, and a boat reserved for your own party is the main appeal.

I would be more cautious for a small group, especially after adding the dock fee and transport. In that case, compare the total cost with a shared sailing or snorkeling trip. But for a full group celebrating something special, this charter offers a clear benefit: you get a private space, a prepared lunch, and a crew that can keep the day moving without making it feel rushed.

FAQ

How long is the catamaran experience?

The activity lasts approximately five hours. It departs from Puerto Aventuras marina, visits In-Ha and La Bocana, and returns to the same meeting point.

Where does the tour depart?

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

How many people can join the private charter?

The price covers one private group of up to 15 passengers. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the first stop at In-Ha is planned for swimming and snorkeling.

Is food and drink included?

Yes. The package includes lunch, snacks, unlimited beer, liquor, soft drinks, mixers, water, and bottled water. Shrimp and fish ceviche are served, and vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options can be requested when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time.