Reviewed · SAILING
4 Hours Exclusive 45′ Lagoon Catamaran Experience
A private 45-foot catamaran, a small group, and two hours near secluded reefs make this a strong choice for a relaxed day on the Mexican Caribbean. You sail from Puerto Aventuras toward Inha or Paamul, then spend your best water time swimming, snorkeling, or floating off the boat.
I like the space and privacy, since only your group joins the boat, and I like the food service, which includes ceviche, quesadillas, guacamole, fruit, and baguettes. The crew has also prepared fresh sashimi from a fish caught during the trip, though that should be treated as a lucky extra, not a promised part of the menu.
The main catch is cost: $2,000 per group sounds steep until you divide it among 15 people. Also budget $15 per person for docking fees, and remember that the tour needs good weather.
In This Review
- Key points at a glance
- Setting out from Puerto Aventuras
- Two hours around Inha or Paamul
- A quieter reef stop or a boat-party option
- Food that makes this more than a boat ride
- Premium drinks, with an age limit
- What the crew adds to the day
- How the $2,000 price works out
- Who should book this catamaran
- Timing, weather, and cancellation rules
- My verdict on the Puerto Aventuras sailing
- FAQ
- Where does the catamaran tour start?
- Where does the activity end?
- How long is the tour?
- How many people can join the private boat?
- What water activities are included?
- Is food included?
- Are drinks included?
- Is transportation included?
- What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
Key points at a glance

- Private 45-foot catamaran: Your group has the boat to itself, with room for up to 15 people.
- About two hours in the water: Swim and snorkel near semi-sheltered reefs around Inha or Paamul.
- A choice of mood: Head to a quieter reef stop or choose La Bocana Cove and Sandabar for a boat-party setting.
- Food is part of the day: Expect ceviche, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese quesadillas, fruit, and baguettes.
- Premium drinks included: Alcohol is served only to people age 21 and older, with non-alcoholic drinks for minors.
- Easy water access: Snorkeling gear, paddleboards, towels, and a floating mat are supplied.
Setting out from Puerto Aventuras

The meeting point is Marina Bay, at México 307 13 in Puerto Aventuras. The trip begins and ends there, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup point after the cruise.
The boat heads north from the marina toward Inha or Paamul. The route gives you a mix of open-water sailing and time close to the coast, with sunshine and a steady breeze as part of the setting. I would plan to arrive with enough time to find the marina without rushing, since private boat trips are less forgiving of late arrivals than a standard city tour.
This is a private activity, which matters more than it may seem. You can spend the day with your own family or group instead of adapting to strangers, a fixed social pace, or a crowded deck. For a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette gathering, family outing, or reunion, that privacy is a major part of the value.
The catamaran is designed for up to 15 people, not just a couple or a small family. A full group can bring the per-person cost down to about $133 before the docking fee. For six people, the same boat works out to roughly $333 per person before that fee, so the economics change sharply with group size.
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Two hours around Inha or Paamul

The main scheduled stop gives you approximately two hours to swim and snorkel near semi-sheltered reefs. This is the heart of the trip, and you should think of the catamaran as a comfortable base for water time rather than simply a boat ride with a quick swim stop.
Snorkeling equipment is provided, along with towels. The crew includes certified English and Spanish guides, which is useful when you want help with equipment or a clearer sense of where to look in the water. The supplied information does not promise a particular set of animals or guaranteed water visibility, so keep your expectations sensible.
You might see tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, or other sea life. The crew has helped people spot turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish, and guides have pointed out smaller sea creatures in the water. Those sightings depend on conditions and luck, but the two-hour window gives you a fair chance to see more than you would on a short stop.
If you do not want to snorkel the whole time, the floating mat and paddleboards give you other ways to enjoy the stop. You can alternate between a swim, a quiet float, and a little paddling without needing to bring extra gear.
A practical point: two hours can pass quickly. If snorkeling is your priority, get your mask and fins ready early and use the first part of the stop while your energy is fresh. The floating mat and paddleboards are better for breaks between swims.
A quieter reef stop or a boat-party option
The stated route offers a choice in tone. You can head toward the reef areas near Inha or Paamul for a more relaxed water session, or opt for La Bocana Cove and Sandabar for a livelier boat-party atmosphere.
That choice makes the trip more flexible for different groups. A family with young swimmers may prefer the calmer rhythm of water time, snacks, and a floating mat. A birthday group or bachelor and bachelorette party may enjoy music, drinks, and a more social stop at the cove areas.
The exact balance depends on the group and the conditions. Do not assume you can fit every option into four hours at full length. The trip includes sailing time to and from the marina, so ask the crew how much water time remains if you want to change the plan during the outing.
Food that makes this more than a boat ride

The food offering is unusually substantial for a four-hour sailing trip. You get a fruit plate, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese quesadillas, fish and shrimp ceviche, plus salami and cheese baguettes.
That range works well for a mixed group. Someone wanting something light can take fruit or pico de gallo. Someone hungry after swimming can reach for a quesadilla or baguette. Ceviche adds a distinctly coastal touch, though anyone with dietary concerns should discuss those needs before departure.
The crew has also made sashimi on board from a fish caught during the outing. That is a memorable possibility, but it is not listed as a standard inclusion. Treat it as an occasional bonus rather than something you are paying for.
One particularly useful detail is that special food needs may be accommodated. Kosher food has been handled successfully, but you should arrange this in advance rather than assume the boat can respond to every request at the marina.
The food and drink service are central to the value. You are not paying only for transportation to a reef. You are paying for a private setting, crew service, water equipment, and meals that keep you on the boat instead of making you plan a separate lunch.
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Premium drinks, with an age limit

A premium open bar is included, along with bottled water and soda. That can make the day feel easy, since you do not need to pack a cooler or keep track of drink purchases during the cruise.
Alcohol is served only to people who are 21 and older. Anyone under 21 receives non-alcoholic drinks. This is worth making clear to a mixed-age group before booking, especially if the party is being organized around the open bar.
The boat also has a restroom on board. That is a small but valuable comfort during a four-hour outing, particularly when the group includes children or anyone who prefers not to cut water time short for a return to shore.
As always on a boat, pace yourself with alcohol, sun, and swimming. The premium bar can be part of the fun, but it should not replace water, food, and sensible breaks.
What the crew adds to the day

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Names associated with the boat include Camila, Angel, Jorge, Jesus, Sofia, Alex, Mau, Luis, Ares, and others. You may not have the same team on your departure, but the service pattern is clear: the crew handles food, drinks, equipment, and the general rhythm of the day.
Camila has been praised as a warm host, while Angel, Jorge, and Jesus have been singled out for friendly and attentive service. Sofia, Alex, Mau, and Luis have also been recognized for making groups feel looked after. That matters on a private charter because the crew can focus on your group instead of managing a large mixed crowd.
The guides are certified and available in English and Spanish. You can expect help with the practical parts of snorkeling, but the supplied details do not promise a formal marine biology talk or a long guided lesson. If you want detailed information about reef life, ask the guide directly while you are in the water.
The crew has also helped make special occasions easy. A bachelor or bachelorette group described the outing as stress-free because the staff handled the details. That is exactly where a private charter earns its keep: you can enjoy the group rather than organize every snack, drink, and activity yourself.
How the $2,000 price works out

The rate is $2,000 per group of up to 15 people. There is also a docking fee of $15 per person, which is not included in the advertised group price.
For a full group of 15, the base price is about $133 per person, plus the docking charge. For 10 people, it is $200 each before the fee. For four people, it becomes $500 each before the fee.
That makes this a poor fit for a small party looking for the cheapest snorkeling trip. It becomes much more reasonable when you can fill most of the available places and value having the whole boat to yourself.
I would compare it with the cost of booking separate meals, drinks, water equipment, and transportation for a large group. The private boat, open bar, snacks, reef time, restroom, towels, paddleboards, and floating mat are bundled together. You are paying for convenience and privacy as much as for the sailing itself.
Private access also changes the social experience. If your group wants to celebrate together, play music, relax without strangers, or choose between a quieter reef stop and a party cove, the price may feel justified. If you mainly want a short snorkel and do not care who shares the boat, a less expensive group excursion may be a better match.
Who should book this catamaran

This trip fits groups that want a full half-day on the water without planning every detail themselves. It is especially well suited to:
- Families who want swimming, food, and a restroom on board
- Couples traveling with friends
- Birthday groups and bachelor or bachelorette parties
- Groups that want a private boat instead of a shared excursion
- People who value a premium open bar and prepared food
- Swimmers who want roughly two hours at a reef area
It may be less suitable if you want a long sailing day, a formal reef lesson, or a low-cost outing for only two or three people. Four hours is enough for a satisfying half-day, but not enough to cover a wide stretch of the Riviera Maya coast.
Most people can take part, and the activity is near public transportation. Still, anyone with mobility, medical, or swimming concerns should confirm the practical details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe boarding assistance or specialized access equipment.
Timing, weather, and cancellation rules
The trip lasts approximately four hours and returns to Marina Bay. It is offered in English, with Spanish-speaking certified guides also included.
Good weather is required. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That policy protects you from losing the whole booking to conditions outside your control, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your schedule.
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.
The activity is often reserved well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 52 days. If you are planning a holiday weekend, a special event, or a large family outing, I would not leave this until the last minute.
My verdict on the Puerto Aventuras sailing
Book this private catamaran if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a polished, easy day with good food, drinks, reef time, and attentive service. The combination of a private 45-foot boat and about two hours in the water gives you more control than a standard shared cruise.
I especially like the choice between a quieter reef outing and a livelier cove stop. The fresh ceviche, supplied gear, paddleboards, floating mat, and restroom also make the four-hour schedule feel well planned.
Skip it if your group is small, your budget is tight, or snorkeling is your only goal. In that case, the $2,000 group rate plus docking fees may be more than you need. For a full group celebrating together, though, this is a sensible splurge from Puerto Aventuras, with enough food, water time, and crew support to justify the cost.
FAQ
Where does the catamaran tour start?
The tour starts at Marina Bay, México 307 13, Plano 04, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Where does the activity end?
The catamaran returns to the same meeting point at Marina Bay.
How long is the tour?
The activity lasts approximately four hours.
How many people can join the private boat?
The private catamaran accommodates up to 15 people, and only your group participates.
What water activities are included?
Snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, and a floating mat are included. You also have approximately two hours to swim and snorkel near Inha or Paamul.
Is food included?
Yes. The included snacks consist of a fruit plate, pico de gallo, guacamole, cheese quesadillas, fish and shrimp ceviche, and salami and cheese baguettes.
Are drinks included?
Yes. The tour includes a premium open bar, bottled water, and soda. Alcoholic drinks are served only to people age 21 and older. Minors receive non-alcoholic drinks.
Is transportation included?
Private transportation is not included. The meeting point is at Marina Bay in Puerto Aventuras, and the activity ends there.
What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?
If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.
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