Reviewed · RIVIERA MAYA CATAMARAN & YACHT TRIPS

5H Private 44′ Catamaran All-Inclusive – Tulum & Playa del Carmen

★ 5.0 · 80 reviews 5 hours (approx.) Operated by Riviera Elite · Bookable on Viator
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The best part of this private catamaran trip is that the boat, crew, food, drinks, and schedule belong to your group. You cruise north from Puerto Aventuras toward two calm Caribbean stops, with time for snorkeling, swimming, music, fishing, or simply stretching out on deck with a margarita.

I like the two-water-stop plan, which gives you more than a quick swim before heading home. I also like the fresh shrimp and fish ceviche, open bar, towels, and gear included, so you do not have to pack half a beach shop.

The main consideration is the cost: $2,479.34 for a group of up to 15, plus a $20-per-person dock fee and possible transportation charges. This makes the trip easier to justify for a celebration or large family group than for a small party.

Key points to know before booking

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Key points to know before booking

  • Puerto Aventuras is the real departure point: The boat leaves from Riviera Elite Yachts, not directly from Tulum or central Playa del Carmen.
  • In-Ha is the main snorkeling stop: Expect calm, clear water and the chance to see sea turtles, tropical fish, and reef life.
  • La Bocana is the easygoing second stop: Shallow water, ceviche, drinks, music, and a relaxed party mood make it a social finish.
  • Crew service is a major part of the experience: Vicky, Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, Aldo, and chef Pablo are among the crew members praised by name.
  • The boat is private: Your group has the catamaran to itself, with a stated capacity of up to 30 people, while the quoted rate covers up to 15.
  • Fishing is an optional extra activity: Trolling gear is available, and anything caught may be prepared on board with the chef’s family sauce.

Setting Sail From Puerto Aventuras

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Setting Sail From Puerto Aventuras

This is sold as a Tulum and Playa del Carmen catamaran experience, but you should plan around the actual meeting point at Puerto Aventuras marina. The address is Riviera Elite Yachts, Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo.

That detail matters. If you are staying in Tulum or Playa del Carmen, private transportation is not included, and the price depends on your exact location. Build that transfer into your budget and allow enough time to reach the marina without rushing.

The boat is a private 44-foot catamaran, giving your party a roomy base for the day. The experience can accommodate a group of up to 15 at the quoted price, while the boat itself is described as having space for as many as 30 people. For a smaller group, the value depends on how much you care about privacy and personal service.

A private charter changes the mood. You are not sharing the music, food, and swim stops with a boatload of strangers. You can set the pace with your own group, although the crew still needs to work within the five-hour sailing window and local sea conditions.

The First Hour on the Caribbean

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - The First Hour on the Caribbean

The catamaran heads north for about an hour toward In-Ha, a semi-sheltered reef area in the Riviera Maya. The cruise itself is part of the outing, with open views of the Caribbean and the coastline around Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

This first stretch also gives the crew time to settle into service. Tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice are available, along with chips and other snacks. The bar is included, but the minimum drinking age is 18.

The strongest service feedback centers on attention. Vicky is repeatedly singled out for keeping drinks flowing and looking after the group, while Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, and Aldo are also praised for a friendly, hands-on approach. Chef Pablo is connected with the food service, and the crew can help make the outing feel more like a private celebration than a basic boat transfer.

That level of service is especially useful for a birthday, wedding gathering, bachelorette trip, or large family outing. You do not need to organize every drink, snack, and piece of gear yourself. The crew handles the practical work while you enjoy the water.

In-Ha, the Main Snorkeling Stop

In-Ha is the most important stop for anyone booking this trip for marine life. The water is described as calm, clear, and well suited to swimming and snorkeling. Sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other reef life may be seen here.

You receive snorkeling gear and towels, so there is no need to bring your own equipment. The crew guides the snorkeling portion, which is helpful if some people in your group are confident in the water and others need a little direction.

The reef stop also works for non-swimmers. You can stay on board, sunbathe, enjoy a drink, and watch the rest of your group in the water. That flexibility is one of the quiet strengths of a private charter. Nobody has to feel pressured into an activity just because the boat has stopped.

Allow for a wet, active part of the day. Snorkeling is not a passive sightseeing stop, and sea conditions can affect visibility and comfort. The tour requires good weather, so a rough or rainy day may lead to a different date or a full refund rather than a normal sailing.

While the group is in the water, the crew serves snacks, drinks, and the main food. The featured meal is shrimp and fish ceviche, with dietary requests possible if you give notice at booking. Vegetarian and vegan options are available, as are other dietary adjustments.

Ceviche and Cocktails at La Bocana

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Ceviche and Cocktails at La Bocana

After In-Ha, the catamaran continues to La Bocana. This stop is shallow and clear, and many people choose to enjoy lunch and the open bar here. You can eat on board or take your ceviche into the water if conditions allow.

La Bocana has a more social feel than the reef stop. Music can be played, and the crew describes it as a kind of final party stop before the return cruise. That makes it a good fit for groups that want a relaxed celebration rather than a quiet nature trip.

The food has earned strong praise, especially the guacamole and ceviche. Burgers are also available according to the food feedback, but the guacamole, shrimp ceviche, and fish ceviche are the items most worth making room for.

The meal is included, but this is not presented as a formal restaurant lunch. Expect casual food served in a maritime setting, with drinks, music, swim time, and conversation taking equal billing. If your group has allergies or strict dietary needs, tell the operator when booking rather than waiting until departure.

Fishing, Music, and the Ride Home

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Fishing, Music, and the Ride Home

Troll fishing is offered during the trip, giving you something to do between the swim stops. If you catch something, it may be prepared on board with the chef’s secret family sauce. The information does not promise a catch, so treat fishing as a bonus activity rather than the main reason to book.

The return to Puerto Aventuras is intentionally slow. You can keep using the open bar, enjoy snacks, and watch the Riviera Maya coast from the water. By this point, swimmers can dry off, non-swimmers can enjoy the deck, and the group can settle into the final part of the charter.

A five-hour trip gives you enough time for the cruise, two water stops, lunch, and a return to the marina without turning the day into a marathon. Still, the boat spends about an hour reaching the first stop, so people wanting many hours of snorkeling may prefer a longer charter if one is available.

The restroom on board is another useful comfort. It will not replace the facilities at the marina, but it means you are not dependent on reaching shore during the outing.

What the Price Means for a Private Group

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - What the Price Means for a Private Group

The listed cost is $2,479.34 per group of up to 15. That works out to about $165 per person if the group reaches 15, before the $20-per-person dock fee and any private transportation. For a full group, the cost is easier to understand: you are paying for a private boat, crew, food, drinks, equipment, and five hours on the water.

For six people, the base cost rises to roughly $413 per person before those additional charges. That is a very different value calculation. I would consider this trip most sensible for a larger party, a major celebration, or a family group that places high value on having the whole boat to itself.

The quoted group rate also lets you control the atmosphere. A family can keep the music and drinks moderate, while a birthday or bachelorette group can make more use of the open bar and party stop at La Bocana. That control is hard to put a precise price on, but it is the main reason to choose a private charter over a shared boat.

Remember the extra fees. The $20 dock fee applies per person, and transportation is not part of the package. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking and depends on availability, so do not treat payment as an instant guarantee until the booking is confirmed.

Service and Crew Style

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Service and Crew Style

Service is one of the clearest reasons to consider this outing. The crew members most often connected with the experience include Vicky, Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, Aldo, and chef Pablo. Different groups may have different crew assignments, but the repeated names give you a sense of the personal service offered.

You can expect the crew to help with snorkeling, serve drinks, prepare food, and keep an eye on the timing of the stops. Dale is also noted as a helpful guide, and Trinity is associated with photography and advice on poses for groups who want better celebration pictures.

The tone can be lively and playful. Some groups use the boat as a party venue, while others treat it as a family day on the Caribbean. Tell the crew what kind of day you want early on. The private format gives them room to adjust the mood, but the boat still has to serve everyone in your group.

The open bar deserves a practical note. Unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are included, but the sea, sun, and swimming can make alcohol feel stronger than expected. Pace yourself, drink water, and remember that the point of the day is not just to empty the bar.

Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most

5H Private 44' Catamaran All-Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Who Will Enjoy This Catamaran Most

I would recommend this experience to a group that wants several activities in one outing. You get a scenic cruise, reef snorkeling, a shallow-water swim, lunch, drinks, optional fishing, and private time on a large catamaran.

It suits:

  • Families with mixed interests, since swimmers and non-swimmers can enjoy the day in different ways
  • Wedding and bachelorette groups looking for private space and an open bar
  • Large friend groups that can share the group price
  • People who want guided snorkeling without arranging equipment separately
  • Anyone who prefers a flexible private outing to a fixed shared-boat schedule

I would think twice if you are a couple or very small group paying the full group rate. I would also reconsider if your main goal is a long snorkeling session, a serious fishing trip, or a quiet sailing day with no party element. The La Bocana stop, music, and open bar give the trip a festive side.

Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult. Most people can participate, and the activity is near public transportation, but private transportation to the marina is not included.

Booking Details That Matter

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. This is worth keeping in mind when planning a celebration around a fixed vacation date.

Bring only what you need for a wet day on the water. Towels and snorkeling gear are provided, as is fishing gear, but the supplied information does not list a full personal packing list. Confirm any special food needs when you book, since vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options require advance notice.

Should You Book the 44-Foot Private Charter?

Book it if you have a sizable group and want a private Caribbean day where the crew handles the food, drinks, gear, and timing. In-Ha gives the outing a real snorkeling purpose, while La Bocana adds an easy social finish with shallow water, ceviche, music, and cocktails.

The value is less convincing for a small party, especially after the dock fee and transportation. But for 10 to 15 people, the per-person price becomes more reasonable, and the privacy can make this a better choice than paying separately for several activities.

Before booking, confirm the total cost, transportation from your accommodation, dietary requests, and availability. If those details fit your plans, this is a well-rounded private charter with a strong service focus and enough variety to keep both active swimmers and relaxed sunbathers happy.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour depart?

The tour departs from Riviera Elite Yachts at Puerto Aventuras marina, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Does the tour depart directly from Tulum or Playa del Carmen?

No. The listed meeting point is in Puerto Aventuras. Private transportation from your exact location is not included.

How long does the catamaran experience last?

The experience lasts approximately five hours, including the cruise, two water stops, lunch, and the return to Puerto Aventuras marina.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in this activity.

How many people can join?

The quoted price is for a group of up to 15 people. The 44-foot catamaran is also described as having space for up to 30 people.

What food is included?

Lunch with snacks is included. The standard food service includes shrimp and fish ceviche, chips, and other snacks. Other lunch requests can be made in advance for dietary restrictions.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel gear and towels are provided. Fishing gear is also included.

Can children join the tour?

Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. For personal cancellations, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

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