REVIEWS · MEXICO
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 catamaran snorkeling cruises in Mexico that earn the money, with what the meal and the bar cover and the one thing to check before you pay.
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with guides such as Ivet, Luis, Juam, and Romando. You get a short reef snorkel, national open bar, Playa Norte time, and optional buffet lunch and hotel transfers. Expect music, crowds, and a separate $20 dock tax.
“We had a blast, the staff was amazing, food was good. I'll definitely bring more family and friends.”
Sail from Playa Tortugas to El Meco reef and Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with guides, music, drinks, snorkeling, and a buffet meal. You get island time, but the exact free-time schedule can vary. Hotel pickup is available in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
“Cancelled two days in a row, late message, only talk about new date, not staying anyting about refund or discount”
Sail from Maroma Beach, snorkel at two reef sites with guides such as Carlos or Nato, then relax with water, soda, and beer aboard the catamaran. Hotel transport is offered from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya. Allow extra time for transfers and beach-club arrangements.
“Very good - but I'd recommend bringing your own full face snorkel if you don't get along with the old style where you have to bite down. Boat crew and drivers were good and helpful, but afterwards in the restaurant / cab collection was a bit chaotic.”
Join Top Cozumel Tours at The Money Bar for a four-hour catamaran outing to Colombia and Palancar reefs, El Cielo, and its shallow sandbar. Crew members such as Jonathan and Carlos help with safety and photos, while the boat serves fruit, chips, ceviche, beer, margaritas, and rum punch.
“The description of the excursion was very accurate and not misleading. We had 3 total stops with the last one ending with sting rays swimming around us in very clear blue water. It was beautiful! The snacks and drinks were very good and refreshing on a hot day. We were very happy with the staff and felt the whole experience was great! Thank you for a memorable excursion. The crew also made special effort to get photos to me and I greatly appreciated it!”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres for a short guided snorkel, open-bar catamaran ride, Mexican buffet, beach-club time, and a downtown stop. Guides such as Daphne, Fernando, Pancho, and Alex have earned praise for keeping the day lively. Expect a large group, a late lunch on the 1 p.m. departure, and a separate $45 dock and reef fee.
“It was cancelled and they didn’t tell us and still haven’t communicated or refunded me. Called them and messaged several times with no response”
Spend about four hours aboard a catamaran from Marina Cozumel, snorkeling Palancar and Columbia reefs, then visiting El Cielo for starfish and rays. The crew serves drinks, snacks, and ceviche. Some departures have included guides such as David, Elias, and Oliver, but the boat and beach stop can vary.
“The 3 Star rating has nothing to do with tour guides. The tour guides were fantastic. The snorkeling experience was pretty amazing. I really think the experience could’ve earned a 5 Star rating if the beverages and meal provided were a little better set. The beer was the absolute cheapest money can afford. Everything was placed on a surf board in the water which is cool, but for the number of people it wasn’t enough. To be honest I lost my appetite watching the rest of the guests hoard the ceviche down. The group was small, maybe 15 people, but not enough food. Some people wouldn’t move or make space…”
Spend 8 to 10 hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with a lively crew, national open bar, reef snorkeling, beach-club access, and free island time. Guides may include Dany, Paul, or Carlos. Choose carefully: lunch and hotel transport are optional, and the $20 port fee is extra.
“We did upgrade, and it was worth the cost. The buffet was the worst part of the whole experience. The food was not good, and the selection was lacking. Our crew was great and very kind. We enjoyed the day!”
Spend about three hours aboard a private Papillon Yachts catamaran in Cabo San Lucas. Your crew handles drinks, lunch, and gear while you snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, swim, or relax near El Arco, Playa de los Amantes, and Medano Beach. Whale trips run from December through March.
“High school graduation celebration trip with Moms and Sons. We had a wonderful time on the catamaran and the staff were amazing. Thank you for a memorable time! Jenelle H.”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a Xcaret catamaran, stop at El Meco Reef for guided snorkeling, then enjoy a beach club, buffet or box lunch, drinks, downtown free time, and Cancun’s Scenic Tower. The tour lasts about 7 hours 45 minutes and costs $74.66, plus a $20 dock fee.
“I chose this snorkelling adventure because we were over 60 and the other ones wouldn't take people over the age of 60. So we were very surprised once on board to find out we couldn't snorkel and that it was a harbour master rule of 60 years of age. When I booked the tour I said in the comments our ages and that we were great swimmers but I think that since everyone has so little English that the comment was passed over. When we checked in though the lady didn't say anything about it when she saw our ID. Other people said the snorkelling wasn't good anyway because of…”
Spend about four hours aboard a private 34-foot catamaran from Puerto Aventuras. Your captain, sailor, host, and onboard chef handle the day while you snorkel, paddleboard, swim, and order from a seafood-focused menu. Morning and afternoon departures are available, with an LGBTQ+ friendly welcome.
“Fantastic experience, great crew, so much fun. You won’t regret this one. The food was delicious and the drinks cold.”
Sail privately from Cabo San Lucas with your own group, stopping at Santa Maria Bay near the arch and a sea lion colony. Crew members Danny and Lonny are known for attentive service, while snorkel gear, paddleboards, a floating pad, snacks, and an open bar keep the outing easy and social.
“Had a wonderful time on our private tour. Snorkeled, saw whales and the sites and enjoyed drinks and a meal on the water. Danny was great and helped show us some cool rock cliffs. The crew were great with the kids!!”
Spend about 7.5 hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, snorkeling at Bahia Mujeres, eating a buffet lunch, and exploring the island. Guides such as Oscar and Andres have earned praise for keeping the day lively and organized, but expect a social boat, persistent vendors, and a short, current-sensitive snorkel.
“The snorkeling is for only about 20 mins before you get to the island. They bring you to a tourist trap where they ripped me off $350 for 2 small bottles of tequila. They wrapped the bottles up so fast I wasn’t able to examine them but they were not what they said they were. I would say the boat ride was nice but taking a fairy over and exploring on your own would be much better. If you’re interested in the snorkeling part, find a different tour. Would not recommend. Not worth the money. The Black Pearl where the boat brings you is a total rip off. Avoid at…”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with a bilingual crew, snorkel at El Meco’s coral reef, then spend three hours on the island. The $49 fare includes equipment, guides, and an onboard open bar after snorkeling, but reef, port, and optional food fees add to the cost.
“Started out great with the exception that the tour was scheduled for 10AM and the morning of at 8:30AM- I asked a question about the extra fee and confirmed location and found out they wanted us ther by 9:30AM. Poor Communication. That in itself would not qualify 1 star - it's what happened after we go to Isla Mujeres. They said they would help us find a golf cart - our catamaran guide took us to a man on the street and he said he needed cash, we took out cash, gave him our driver's license then he had someone take us on a cart (only 2 of the 7…”
Spend 7 to 8 hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas and Yelapa. You get breakfast, lunch, snorkeling, water activities, an open bar, and beach time. Guides such as Alberto and Brown Sugar help lead the onboard games, but expect loud music, a difficult beach transfer, and extra charges for horses or ATVs.
“Well organized with great entertainment. Although we were out of the port about an hour after we were supposed to head out, the experience stretched far into the evening. It was truly a jam packed day.”
Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard a catamaran from Puerto Vallarta, snorkeling at Los Arcos, stopping at Playa Las Animas, and choosing between beach time, water sports, or a 1.5-kilometer walk to Quimixto waterfall. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, an open bar, and onboard entertainment are included.
“Trip was just okay, wouldn't do it again. Only made 2 stops, thought we were making 3. Snorkeling was okay, water was pretty murky, a lot of people in same area swimming together. Lunch at thr Beach was just okay, took a long time to get food. Getting back on the boat after beach stay took way to long, need a better process. Boat ride back to the port was way to slow. Seemed dragged out for longer trip. Workers were friendly and nice, they did a great job for what it was.”
By what the day is for, by what comes with the ticket, or by who else is aboard.
