Reviewed · CATAMARAN CRUISES
Cancun Private Catamaran Cruise– Open Bar & Snorkeling Experience
Four hours on a private catamaran changes your day. It is all about open bar sailing on a private catamaran out of Marina Adventure Bay, with a relaxed pace and Caribbean Sea views you can actually enjoy without fighting crowds.
You get your gear ready for snorkeling, with masks, snorkels, and fins provided, plus a crew that keeps things easy while you float, swim, and look at marine life. One watch-out: the tour lists a strong physical fitness level requirement, so moving around the boat and getting in and out of the water matters.
In This Review
- Key Highlights If You Want a Sea Day Done Right
- Entering Cancun by Sea, Not by Traffic
- The Open Bar Setup, and How to Use It Smart
- Snorkeling at the Reef, With Gear Included
- Stop 1: Playa Tortugas, Where the Water Does the Selling
- Stop 2: Cancun, More Sea Time and More Photo Minutes
- The Crew, Including Isaías cabrera, Makes It Feel Easy
- Boat Comfort, Cleanliness, and What “Spacious” Means Onboard
- Price and Value, What $995 Gets You as a Group Charter
- Who This Catamaran Is Best For
- Quick Practical Tips Before You Go
- Should You Book This Private Cancun Catamaran Cruise?
- FAQ
- How long is the Cancun private catamaran cruise?
- Where does the tour start?
- Is pickup available?
- What is included in the charter?
- What snorkeling equipment do you provide?
- Is there an extra dock fee?
- What drinks are included in the open bar?
- Is alcohol available for everyone?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Highlights If You Want a Sea Day Done Right

- Open bar, no games: Unlimited rum, tequila, whisky, soda, juice, and water are included.
- Snorkeling gear is on you: Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided for everyone.
- Private means your group only: You charter the boat for your party, not shared with strangers.
- Crew support plus guide energy: Friendly, bilingual staff are there to help, and Isaías cabrera gets specific shout-outs.
- Boat comfort and onboard extras: Restroom onboard, life jackets, and music during the ride show up in the experience.
- Two stops for more time on the water: Playa Tortugas, then a Cancun-area stop so you have sea time to enjoy.
Sail out, snorkel, sail back
Entering Cancun by Sea, Not by Traffic

This is the kind of outing that flips the whole mood of Cancun. Instead of spending your time on roads, you start at Marina Adventure Bay and head straight onto the water with a team that welcomes you aboard and sets the tone for a low-stress day.
The private charter part matters more than people think. On a big shared tour, you spend energy waiting, squeezing, and negotiating your place. Here, the boat is for your group only, with a capacity listed up to 40 guests, so you can plan a day that feels like yours.
Also, the pacing is built for relaxing. The cruise is around 4 hours, and the itinerary is structured around two stops, plus time cruising the coastline so you are not stuck in one place the entire time.
The Open Bar Setup, and How to Use It Smart

The open bar is one of the reasons this cruise gets remembered. You get unlimited rum, tequila, whisky, plus soda, juice, and water. That is a lot of drink options for a half-day outing, and it removes one of the usual stressors in Cancun trips.
In practical terms, I like this format because you can do it your way:
- If you want calm, you can pace yourself with soda, juice, and water and still enjoy the day.
- If you want a party vibe, you have plenty of alcohol options available throughout the ride.
A big deal from the reviews is that drinks feel nonstop, and the onboard music adds to the upbeat energy. You are not just watching the sea, you are making it part of your day.
One consideration, though, is responsibility. Alcohol is only available for guests 18 and older, and a catamaran day has sun and saltwater. Even if you do not plan on getting heavy, keep water in reach and use shade when you can.
Snorkeling at the Reef, With Gear Included
This trip is set up for snorkeling without you needing to shop or bring your own kit. The tour includes snorkeling equipment for all guests: masks, snorkels, and fins. There are also life jackets available for everyone onboard.
What I like about this approach is that it removes friction. In Cancun, you can easily end up spending time on rentals, fit issues, or figuring out what gear works. Here, you can just get suited up and focus on the water.
The itinerary has time set aside for swimming and snorkeling, with the cruise route including a reef area described as full of marine life. From the review highlights, the snorkeling experience is a major win: people specifically mention colorful fish and coral reefs in clear water.
If you want to get the best outcome, aim for simple moves:
- Put your mask on at the start so you can check fit before you hit the water.
- If you are less confident in open-water snorkeling, start with short sessions and stay calm.
- Remember that water visibility and currents can change. The crew and equipment are there to help you stay safe and comfortable.
Stop 1: Playa Tortugas, Where the Water Does the Selling

Playa Tortugas is your first stop, and it is the one that usually turns a good trip into an unforgettable one. This is where you get time to relax, swim, or snorkel, using the gear provided.
Why it works well: Tortugas area water is typically friendly for a half-day sea plan because you can switch between floating, swimming, and snorkeling without the day feeling exhausting. In this tour format, you are not locked into one activity. You can do the reef viewing if snorkeling is your thing, then back off and just enjoy the boat and the breeze.
The drawback to think about is time management. When you have only around four hours total, you will want to be ready for your snorkeling window. If you spend the first stop scrambling for gear adjustments or waiting to decide, you will feel it later. The crew is there, but your best move is to get set up early.
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Stop 2: Cancun, More Sea Time and More Photo Minutes

After Playa Tortugas, the itinerary lists a stop in Cancun. This is less about a land excursion and more about continuing the experience with additional time near the Cancun coast.
What you can reasonably expect here is more open water time, better light for photos, and another window to enjoy the scenery from the catamaran. It is also where the day’s rhythm helps. By now you know the boat layout, you have had at least one swim or snorkel session, and you can choose how active you want to be for the remainder.
From a value perspective, this second stop makes the cruise feel like more than a quick “out and back.” You feel like you got a real chunk of the coastline out of the trip.
The Crew, Including Isaías cabrera, Makes It Feel Easy

A private cruise is only as good as the crew running it, and this one consistently gets positive notes for friendly, bilingual staff who guide and assist throughout.
The review mentions Isaías cabrera by name, and that kind of specific praise often points to real service, not generic compliments. In a setting where you are handling gear, timing, and safety, having a crew that communicates clearly makes the day smoother.
You also get practical onboard features that keep stress low:
- Restroom onboard, so you are not burning time off the water
- Safety equipment, including life jackets for all guests
- A setup designed for guests to move between boat and water efficiently
One more small detail people call out is music during the ride. It sounds minor, but it changes the vibe. Sailing can feel quiet if nobody sets the tone. Here, the atmosphere stays lively without turning it into a chaotic party.
Boat Comfort, Cleanliness, and What “Spacious” Means Onboard

The catamaran itself is part of the appeal. Reviews describe the boat as spacious, clean, and comfortable, which is exactly what you want on a half-day charter.
Space matters for two reasons:
- You need room for snorkeling gear and changing positions while staying comfortable.
- You want a place to relax between the water moments, especially in strong sun.
There is also a restroom onboard, which is a comfort upgrade on many water tours. It makes a difference if your plan is mostly relaxation and you do not want to plan your day around bathroom stops.
Price and Value, What $995 Gets You as a Group Charter

The price is listed as $995.00 per group for the private catamaran experience (with a group size selected when booking). That is not cheap in a per-person sense, but it can be excellent value if you think like a group charter.
Here is the value math you should use:
- The boat is private for your group only.
- Open bar is unlimited, not a limited drink ticket.
- Snorkeling gear is included for everyone.
- You get a restroom onboard and a professional bilingual crew.
- You are paying for a full sea experience, not just a single swim session.
So, the question becomes: how many people are in your group? If you fill the boat with a larger group, the cost per person drops fast. If it is only a couple of people, it is still a good plan if you want the privacy and service level, but it will feel more like a luxury splurge.
Also consider the extra costs not included:
- Dock fee is $20 per person
- Pickup is $20 per person if you choose it
These are important because they can change the final total. Still, even after adding dock fees, the package can remain strong if your focus is private sailing with snorkeling and open bar included.
Who This Catamaran Is Best For
This is a great match if you want a relaxed but special Cancun day. From the way the experience is described and the themes in reviews, I see this suiting:
- Couples who want privacy, comfort, and a memorable sea-focused day
- Groups of friends who want open bar and a fun onboard vibe
- Families who want professional crew support and an easy-to-understand tour format (especially since snorkeling gear is provided)
- Anyone who prefers a half-day plan without a complicated schedule
That said, take the fitness note seriously. The tour states a strong physical fitness level is required. That does not mean you need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable with the reality of getting around a boat, managing water entry for snorkeling, and handling sun and movement for a few hours.
Quick Practical Tips Before You Go
A few things will help you enjoy this cruise even more:
- Bring sun protection, because the day is spent on open water under strong light.
- Decide how you will handle snorkeling ahead of time, so you do not lose your best water window.
- Plan to hydrate. Even with unlimited water onboard, the heat adds up fast.
- If you want pickup, remember it is $20 per person, and the team calls the day prior to confirm location and time.
- If you have a dock fee mindset, budget the $20 per person dock fee in advance so you do not get surprised on arrival.
Language is listed as English offered, and you also get bilingual staff. That is a comfort factor if you prefer clear explanations before you get in the water.
Should You Book This Private Cancun Catamaran Cruise?
I would book this if your priority is a private, comfortable catamaran day with open bar and snorkeling gear included, plus two stops so you are not just riding in circles for hours. The best praise is consistent: endless drinks, memorable snorkeling, friendly crew, and a fun onboard atmosphere with music.
Skip it or reconsider if you know you do not handle boat movement well, or you are not comfortable with the tour listing of a strong physical fitness level. Also, if your budget is tight, do the math with group size, then add the dock fee per person and optional pickup cost.
If you want a Cancun outing that feels like a real experience and not a rushed checklist, this is one of the more straightforward ways to do it.
FAQ
How long is the Cancun private catamaran cruise?
The cruise is listed at around 4 hours.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Caribean Golden Catamarans, Blvd. Kukulcan, kilometro 6.5, Playa Tortugas, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancún, Q.R., Mexico.
Is pickup available?
Yes. Pickup is offered for an additional cost of $20 USD per person. The team calls the day prior to confirm the location and time.
What is included in the charter?
The private catamaran charter, open bar (unlimited rum, tequila, whisky, soda, juice, and water), snorkeling equipment (masks, snorkels, fins), restroom onboard, professional bilingual crew, and life jackets.
What snorkeling equipment do you provide?
Masks, snorkels, and fins are provided for all guests.
Is there an extra dock fee?
Yes. The dock fee is $20 USD per person and is not included.
What drinks are included in the open bar?
Rum, tequila, whisky, soda, juice, and water are included in the open bar.
Is alcohol available for everyone?
Alcoholic beverages are available for guests aged 18 and older.
What is the cancellation policy?
Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
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