Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

The best part of this Puerto Morelos catamaran trip is the sandbar itself. Far from shore, the water is clear, calm, and shallow enough in places for children and nervous swimmers to stand on the soft bottom. You can jump from the boat, float on a mat, or simply stay aboard with a drink and watch the Caribbean pass by.

I like the guaranteed small group, with no more than 26 people, and the easygoing four-hour pace. Lunch, open drinks, floating mats, and use of water gear are included, which makes the $140 price easier to justify. The main drawbacks are the extra $40 in park, dock, and marina fees, plus the fact that hotel pickup costs more. Food requests also need careful confirmation.

What makes this sandbar sail worth considering

• A shallow swimming stop: You can stand in the water in many areas, making the outing suitable for children and less-confident swimmers.
• A small catamaran setting: The maximum group size is 26, though some departures may be much smaller.
• Lunch and open drinks onboard: Expect a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, chips, alcoholic drinks, and bottled water.
• A relaxed hour-long ride out: Music, views, shade, and breezy seating make the journey part of the experience.
• Helpful crew service: Captain Martin and crew members such as Jose, Arturo, and Ulises have been praised for attentive service on past sailings.
• Simple logistics: Meet at Marina La Bonita at 12:30 p.m., or arrange paid transportation from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.

Setting Sail From Marina La Bonita at 12:30 p.m.

Your afternoon begins at Marina La Bonita, where you check in before walking to the dock and boarding the catamaran Adelita. The process is designed to be direct, with the marina serving as both the meeting point and the return point.

If you request transportation, pickup is available from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an added charge. Give the operator your hotel name when booking. Do not leave the pickup details to chance, especially after a long arrival day. A missed pickup is treated as a missed tour, with no automatic rescheduling or refund.

The marina and dock fees add $20 per person, and admission to Marina La Bonita adds another $20 per person. That brings the real cost to about $180 per person before any paid hotel transfer. It is important to see this as the working price, not just the advertised $140.

The final road approach to the marina can be rough. One recent ride included a very bumpy stretch with potholes, and a passenger felt carsick. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit where the vehicle moves least, keep water nearby, and consider taking your usual precautions before pickup.

The Ride Through Puerto Morelos National Reef Park

Once aboard, the catamaran heads through the calm waters of Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. The ride to the sandbar takes about an hour, depending on conditions. This is not a fast transport between two attractions. The cruise is a central part of the afternoon.

You get a broad view of the Riviera Maya coast as the boat moves away from shore. Music plays, drinks are served, and the crew keeps an eye on the group. Past sailings have featured Captain Martin, with Jose, Arturo, and Ulises helping with service and safety. The exact crew can change, but attentive onboard service is a consistent part of the experience.

The boat has both sunny and shaded areas. That matters in the Caribbean, where a pleasant breeze can make the sun feel less intense than it really is. I would choose a shaded seat for the first part of the ride, then move into the sun only after applying more sunscreen.

The drinks are unlimited, including alcoholic beverages. The minimum drinking age is 18. You can also expect bottled water, which is useful even if you plan to enjoy beer or mixed drinks. The combination creates a festive mood, but you still need to keep an eye on children and on your own balance around wet decks and steps.

Arriving at the Secret Sandbar

The boat anchors at a secluded sandbar away from the beach. This is the heart of the outing. The water is so shallow in some areas that you can stand comfortably, while other spots are deep enough for a jump from the catamaran.

That range makes the stop work for different comfort levels. Strong swimmers can move around the boat, paddleboard, or spend more time floating. Children can play in the shallow water, but they still need direct adult supervision. One family described a child drifting away from the boat on a floating mat before a crew member quickly brought her back. That is a useful reminder: shallow water is not the same as risk-free water.

You can use a floating mat, relax in the water, or stay on deck. A person who does not swim can still enjoy the scenery and the onboard service, but there is one practical limitation. If you want to leave the catamaran and reach a sandbank, you must be comfortable walking through the water or swimming a short distance. One older couple chose to remain on the boat because that crossing did not feel comfortable.

The sandbar is not a conventional beach with shops, restrooms, or a long stretch of dry sand. Think of it as a shallow patch of sea where the boat becomes your base. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should not expect a land-based beach day.

Lunch, Floating, and Paddleboarding

A light lunch is served aboard the catamaran. The stated meal is a ham and cheese baguette with fruit and chips. Some portions may also include small snacks such as apples, cookies, or extra fruit, but the reliable expectation is the baguette, fruit, and chips.

This is enough for a four-hour outing, but it is not a full restaurant meal. You spend roughly an hour reaching the sandbar, then time in the water, so lunch arrives at a useful point in the afternoon. If you have a large appetite, pack an approved snack or ask the operator what you may bring.

Vegetarian and other special meals require extra care. One confirmed vegetarian request was not fulfilled, leaving a family member without lunch. The company apologized and said it had reinforced its handling of special requests, but you should still confirm your meal directly before departure and bring a backup snack if food restrictions matter.

The equipment list includes floating mats, paddleboards, towels, and showers. The details are not perfectly consistent: one part of the tour information says towels are provided, while the inclusions section excludes towels. I would bring your own beach towel unless Marina La Bonita confirms otherwise. It is also sensible to confirm paddleboard availability before you go, since the included items specifically name the floating mat.

You may want goggles for looking into the clear water, though this is not presented as a dedicated snorkeling tour. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a dry change of clothes. The boat has wet areas, and the return ride can feel cool if you remain in a wet swimsuit.

What the Small Group Promise Means

The catamaran has a maximum of 26 participants, and some departures have been much smaller. That difference matters. A group of 11 or even five people gives you more room around the boat and makes it easier for the crew to serve drinks, offer pillows, help children, and answer questions.

A full 26-person departure will feel less private. You may need to share the best shaded seats, floating equipment, and space at the rail. Still, the cap keeps the trip from becoming a very large party boat, and the catamaran format gives you more room than a small motorboat.

The atmosphere can shift depending on the group. Music and dancing are part of the fun on some outings, while other departures feel calm and quiet. Families, couples, solo passengers, older adults, and college-age groups can all fit into the same afternoon, though you should expect a social boat rather than a private charter.

The crew service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. Staff have been praised for bringing drinks and snacks, offering pillows, checking comfort, and helping people board. Children may even get a chance to steer under supervision, though that should be treated as a possible courtesy, not a guaranteed feature.

Weather, Sea Conditions, and Cancellation Rules

This is a boat trip, so weather calls can affect your plans. The operator may cancel when sea conditions are unsafe, even if the sky over Cancun looks sunny. That distinction matters in this region. A clear beach does not always mean comfortable sailing offshore.

If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached. A last-minute cancellation can still disrupt a short holiday, so avoid booking this as your only planned activity if your schedule is tight.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 12:30 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The cutoff uses local time in Mexico.

The trip is not recommended for pregnant women. You must be able to walk on a beach, climb dock stairs, and board the boat. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is $140 Plus Fees Good Value?

At first glance, $140 per person is not a bargain outing. Once you add the $20 national park and dock fee and the $20 Marina La Bonita admission charge, the base cost reaches $180. Hotel transportation adds more.

Still, the package includes several items that can add up on separate excursions: a catamaran ride, a sandbar stop, lunch, unlimited drinks, floating equipment, and access to a small-group setting. You are paying for an afternoon on the water rather than simply paying for a boat transfer.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the full package. Families can make good use of the shallow water and floating mats. Couples may prefer the relaxed sail, open drinks, and clear water. Solo passengers can join a social group without paying for a private boat.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not plan to swim, or mainly want a quiet sightseeing cruise. A non-swimmer can stay aboard, but much of the trip’s appeal comes from getting into the water. If you remain on deck the whole time, the extra fees may feel harder to justify.

Who Will Enjoy Adelita Most?

I would recommend this outing to families with children, especially those who want shallow water instead of a demanding water activity. Children still need close adult supervision, but the sandbar is less intimidating than open-water swimming.

It also suits adults who want a gentle afternoon rather than a high-speed excursion. You can swim, paddleboard, float, eat, listen to music, or do very little. The crew handles much of the practical work, which leaves you free to enjoy the setting.

It is a good choice for couples and solo passengers who like meeting people. The group size is limited, but the boat is still shared. If you want complete privacy, a private charter would be a better fit, though that is not what this experience offers.

I would be cautious if you have strict dietary needs, dislike alcohol-centered outings, have difficulty with stairs, or are uncomfortable entering shallow water from a boat. Also think twice if you need a fixed schedule, since sea conditions can force a cancellation.

Final Call: Book It If the Water Is Your Priority

Book this Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar sail if you want a low-pressure day on clear, shallow water with lunch, drinks, and attentive crew service. The strongest reasons are the small maximum group, the easy sandbar swimming, and the chance to enjoy the sea without committing to snorkeling or advanced water skills.

Before paying, budget for the extra $40 in fees, confirm the pickup charge, and ask in writing about vegetarian or allergy-friendly food. Bring sunscreen, goggles, a dry change of clothes, and your own towel unless the marina confirms towels are supplied.

I would skip it if you want a land-based beach with lots of facilities or if you cannot tolerate schedule changes caused by sea conditions. For everyone else, especially families and relaxed couples, this is a pleasant way to trade a crowded hotel pool for a shallow patch of Caribbean water.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail begin?

You check in at Marina La Bonita and walk to the dock to board the catamaran Adelita. The listed start time is 12:30 p.m.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup can be arranged from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an additional charge. Provide your hotel name or location when booking.

How long does the catamaran trip last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. The ride to the sandbar takes about an hour, with the remaining time split between the sandbar stop and the return cruise.

What food is included?

The included light lunch consists of a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Special dietary requests should be confirmed before departure.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages and unlimited drinks are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Are towels provided?

The tour details are inconsistent. One section says towels are available, while the inclusions section lists towels as excluded. Bring your own towel or confirm directly with Marina La Bonita.

Can children and non-swimmers participate?

The trip is promoted as suitable for children and non-swimmers because the sandbar is shallow in many places. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and anyone entering the water should be supervised closely.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather. The same options apply if the minimum number of participants is not reached.