Sea turtles, ceviche, and cold drinks.

This private 5-hour catamaran day pairs in-water Caribbean time with an all-inclusive open bar vibe, plus two stops where you can swim, snorkel, and just enjoy the ride. It leaves from the Puerto Aventuras marina near Tulum and Playa del Carmen, and you get your own crew looking after you the whole time.

I love the way the trip builds from one strong snorkel spot to a more relaxed, party-style finale. In-Ha is semi-sheltered and known for great reef visibility, and you can see sea turtles, colorful fish, and other reef life without fighting choppy water.

And you’ll like the onboard food pacing. You get snacks and drinks while you’re on the move, then a lunch built around shrimp and fish ceviche, with other dietary requests available when you plan ahead.

One consideration before you book: the tour price does not include the $20 dock fee per person, so your final total will be a bit higher once you count that in.

Key things I’d mark on your mental map

• Private 44-foot catamaran feel: your group has the boat, not a shared cattle call.
• Two water stops: a serious snorkel reef at In-Ha, then the shallow, clear-time at La Bocana.
• Open bar all day: tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, plus juice and soft drinks.
• Ceviche lunch on board: shrimp and fish ceviche, served with snacks.
• Snorkel and fishing gear included: towels too, so you can pack lighter.
• Crew attention is the secret sauce: from drink check-ins to snorkeling guidance.

A 44-Foot Private Catamaran Day: What You Get for Your Money

This is priced per group, up to 15 people, for about 5 hours on the water. Even though the boat is a 44-footer made for comfortable group lounging, you are not sharing with other strangers. That matters. It turns the day into something closer to your own floating beach club than a fixed, rushed tour schedule.

The “all-inclusive” part is also more real than on some charters. You’re not just getting one drink and a sad snack. The package includes an open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, plus chips and other snacks. Lunch is served on board, with shrimp and fish ceviche as a core feature.

Now the math tip: the posted price covers the charter, but it does not cover the dock fee of $20 per person, and private transportation (if you need it) varies by where you are staying. If you’re staying in the Playa del Carmen or Tulum area, you’ll want to decide early whether you’ll handle transport yourself or pay the add-on. Either way, plan to budget for that dock fee so you are not surprised at the end.

Getting There: Puerto Aventuras Start and a Smooth Back Return

Your day starts and ends at the Puerto Aventuras area, meeting at Riviera Elite’s yachts location listed for Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The meeting point is in Puerto Aventuras, which is handy because it keeps the experience focused on the water day, not a long bus ride.

Plan to arrive a bit early. Even when the rest of the day feels relaxed, marina timing usually gets treated like a real schedule. Once you’re aboard, the trip settles into a rhythm: cruise north, stop, snack and swim, then cruise back while you keep enjoying drinks and views.

This tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The crew setup is built for groups who want both the fun side and the practical side, like towels, gear, and a restroom on board.

From Puerto Aventuras Toward In-Ha: The First Swim and Snorkel Stop

About an hour after departure, you reach the first stop: In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area. Semi-sheltered is a big deal. It usually means calmer water and better conditions for first-time snorkelers, and it helps keep the day comfortable even when the coast has a little chop.

Here’s what makes In-Ha special for your day. You can swim in calm, clear water and snorkel over a reef area known for sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and reef life. That combination is what turns a boat trip into a real nature moment. It’s not just seeing water, it’s seeing life.

You also get time to do it your way. The plan includes a good amount of time snorkeling and swimming. If you prefer not to get in the water, you’re not stuck. You can stay onboard, sunbathe, and keep the drinks and snacks coming.

While you’re in the water, the crew is doing the work for you. They serve snacks, cocktails, and refreshments, and this is where your ceviche moment starts building. Lunch is tied to the stops, and the tour includes shrimp and fish ceviche, with other lunch requests available if you share dietary restrictions in advance.

Practical tip: if you’re bringing your own snorkel gear, you can, but the tour provides snorkel gear, so you can pack lighter. Towels are included too, which is one of those details that sounds small until you’re dealing with sand later.

La Bocana and the Shallow-Water Finale: Ceviche, Music, and Easy Swimming

After In-Ha, you head to the second stop: La Bocana. This is described as a shallow and clear-water spot, and it’s positioned like a finale party stop.

What that means for you: you can shift from focused snorkeling mode into relaxed floating mode. It’s still on the water, but it feels more social. Many people choose to enjoy ceviche and open bar here, and you can do it from the boat or, if you want, in the water since it is shallow and clear.

You also get a music element at this stop. The tour notes that they set your favorite music going. That turns the “final stop” into a mood rather than just a second swim.

Drawback you might care about: La Bocana is described more as a shallow, clear-time stop than as the main reef snorkel show. If your top priority is seeing the reef underwater, In-Ha is the bigger target. La Bocana is more about ease, clear water, and keeping the day fun and drink-friendly.

If you want the best of both, think of it this way. In-Ha is for the snorkeling story. La Bocana is for the celebration part.

On Board Living: Open Bar, Snacks, and a Real Restroom

A lot of “all-inclusive” boat days fall apart when you ask for comfort basics. This one includes a restroom on board, which sounds boring until you’re out there for hours and want the option without stress.

The onboard flow is built around staying comfortable between water moments. You’re not just dropped at a stop and told good luck. There’s an open bar running throughout, plus snacks on board. That means you can take breaks from swimming without feeling like you have to choose between comfort and fun.

The drinks list is straightforward and practical: tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. You’ll also find chips and other snacks included. And yes, lunch is part of the package, with shrimp and fish ceviche served as part of the experience.

Crew attention is repeatedly called out in a big way. I’m talking constant check-ins and quick help when you need it, plus friendly, accommodating service. This is where a private charter wins. With a smaller group, the crew can actually keep track of your rhythm. People who love the party side also report that the drinks stay moving, so you’re not constantly asking for refills.

Also, chefs and food matter here. The ceviche is described as fresh and made on board, and there’s even a mention of a guacamole favorite along with the ceviche. If food is part of your vacation mood, this tour treats it as part of the show, not a throw-in.

Optional Troll Fishing: If You Want to Add a Playful Twist

This charter offers troll fishing. If you opt in, any fish you catch can be prepared onboard by the chef using a family-style sauce described as a secret sauce.

Here’s the value angle. Most fishing add-ons are just a gear handoff, and then you wait and hope. This one is integrated into the experience because it connects the catch to a meal, and it’s already built into the onboard plan.

Not everyone will care about fishing. That’s fine. Even if you do nothing but swim and snorkel, the tour still delivers the core day: two Caribbean water stops, open bar, and ceviche lunch.

If you want to plan ahead, it helps to decide what you’re aiming for before you arrive. Are you going for underwater time and photos, or do you want to spend extra minutes on the water trying for a catch? Either way, it’s optional.

Who This Tour Suits Best in Tulum and Playa del Carmen

This is a good fit for groups that want privacy and want the crew to do the heavy lifting. It’s also a strong choice for celebrations and multi-generational trips because the boat setup is flexible: swim if you want, stay onboard if you don’t.

You’ll probably love it if:

• Your group wants two swim stops rather than a single quick dip.
• You want an open bar included in the day’s rhythm.
• You care about food beyond chips, especially ceviche for lunch.
• You want a private charter where your schedule does not depend on strangers.

Families can make it work too. Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult, and the tour is meant for most travelers. Keep in mind the day includes alcohol for adults, so it’s best for families when you have adults who can manage the vibe and safety.

Bachelorette groups, weddings, friend trips, and family get-togethers also make sense here because it’s a private boat experience with a built-in fun mood at the second stop. One detail I like for planning: some groups have mentioned a photographer named Trinity who helps with poses, which can turn casual boat pics into something you actually want to keep.

If you’re coming from Tulum or Playa del Carmen and want a water day that feels special without being complicated, this is the kind of charter that hits that balance.

Timing and What the Day Feels Like

This is approximately a 5-hour tour. The day has three main segments:

First, the cruise. You depart Puerto Aventuras marina and head north for about an hour to reach In-Ha. That cruise time is part of the fun because you get to watch the coastline from the water.

Second, In-Ha. This is where you’ll spend real time snorkeling and swimming. You’ll also have the onboard snacks and drinks flowing while you’re out there.

Third, La Bocana, then the return. La Bocana is the shallow, clear-water stop where the mood shifts more social, with music and a ceviche-and-drinks vibe. After everyone’s back on board, you cruise slowly back toward Puerto Aventuras, continuing to enjoy views and drinks.

If you’re the type who hates tight itineraries, the structure here is friendly. It’s not go, go, go. It’s stop, enjoy, snack, swim or relax, then repeat.

The Small Stuff That Makes or Breaks a Charter

These details are not flashy, but they matter on a sea day:

• Towels and snorkeling gear are included, so you can pack less.
• Fishing gear is also provided if you want that option.
• There’s a restroom on board, which keeps the day comfortable.
• The tour mentions dietary flexibility, with vegetarian or vegan options and other restrictions available if you advise in advance.
• The open bar covers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including juice and soft drinks, so everyone has something.

And one more practical note: minimum drinking age is 18. The open bar is part of the package, but you should treat it like an adult feature and plan responsibly as a group.

Should You Book This 5-Hour Private Catamaran Day?

Yes, you should consider booking if you want a private boat day that delivers the basics and adds the fun. Two snorkel and swim stops, shrimp and fish ceviche lunch, open bar, and included gear is a solid package for groups that want water time without logistics headaches.

Book it especially if your group includes:

• at least a couple people who will swim or snorkel,
• people who care about food and drinks, and
• a mix of energy levels, because not everyone has to be in the water.

Think twice if your group hates extra charges like dock fees or if you need a super strict, fixed plan with no weather sensitivity. This experience requires good weather, and if weather makes it unsafe, the tour may be rescheduled or refunded.

If you want a Caribbean day that feels like your own floating hangout, with real snorkeling time and an onboard food-and-drink setup, this one is easy to like.

FAQ

What does the tour include?

The package includes lunch with snacks, towels, snorkel and fishing gear, an open bar with unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), a private tour, and a restroom on board.

How many people can fit on the catamaran?

The tour is priced for groups up to 15 people, and the private 44-foot catamaran notes space for up to 30 people.

Where does the tour go for swimming and snorkeling?

You stop first at In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area for calm, clear snorkeling water. You also stop at La Bocana, a shallow, clear-water area where you can enjoy food and drinks in the water if you want.

Is snorkeling gear provided?

Yes. Towels and snorkeling gear are provided, and fishing gear is also provided if you choose to fish.

Can I request vegetarian or vegan options?

Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, and other dietary restrictions can be accommodated if you advise at the time of booking.

Is alcohol included, and is there an age limit?

Yes. The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, and more non-alcoholic drinks. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What about dock fees, transportation, and bad weather?

A dock fee of $20 per person is not included, and private transportation price varies depending on your location. The experience requires good weather, and if it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.