Reviewed · RIVIERA MAYA CATAMARAN & YACHT TRIPS
Luxury Private Yacht Rental by the Turquoise Waters of the Caribbean.
The best part of this private Caribbean yacht tour is simple: your group gets the boat to yourselves while cruising from Cancun toward Isla Mujeres. You can snorkel, swim, listen to music, share drinks, and enjoy the sea without being folded into a large excursion crowd.
I like the small-group format, which works especially well for families, birthdays, and groups of friends. I also like the practical inclusions: snorkeling, towels, bottled water, soda, and 24 beers are covered in the $1,300 group price.
The main consideration is the extra cost of the 150-peso-per-person mule tax, plus crew tips. Six hours can also pass quickly if you want plenty of time both at Isla Mujeres and at Garrafon Reef.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- A private yacht day from Cancun
- Leaving Marina Puesta del Sol
- Isla Mujeres for about two hours
- Garrafon Reef and its turquoise water
- What the $1,300 group price really covers
- Service, music, and the social side
- Who will get the most from this yacht rental
- Smart questions to ask before departure
- Cancellation and practical planning
- Should you book this private Caribbean yacht tour?
- FAQ
- How long is the private yacht tour?
- Where does the tour begin?
- Where does the tour end?
- How many people can join the private yacht?
- What is included in the price?
- Is admission to Garrafon Reef included?
- Are alcoholic drinks available to people under 21?
- Can I cancel for a full refund?
Key points to know before booking

- Private boat for up to 15 people: Your group participates on its own, making this a good choice for celebrations and family outings.
- Two Caribbean stops: The route includes about two hours at Isla Mujeres and roughly 50 minutes at Garrafon Reef.
- Drinks are built in: The package lists 24 beers, 24 bottles of water, and soda.
- Snorkeling and towels included: You do not need to arrange these separately.
- Cancun departure: Meet at Marina Puesta del Sol in the Hotel Zone and return there after the tour.
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: Last-minute cancellations and changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.
A private yacht day from Cancun

This is a straightforward way to turn a day in Cancun into a private Caribbean outing. You meet at Marina Puesta del Sol, at Cenzontle 13 on Kukulcan Boulevard in the Hotel Zone, then spend about six hours on the water before returning to the same marina.
The private setup matters more than it may first appear. With room for up to 15 people, the boat can fit a family group, a birthday party, or several friends traveling together. You are not paying for a private yacht by the person. You are paying $1,300 for the group, so the value improves sharply when you have a larger party.
At maximum capacity, that works out to about $87 per person before the mule tax and tip. For a smaller party of six, the effective price is much higher. I would compare the total against other private boat options based on your actual group size, not just the headline group rate.
The day has a festive feel built into it. Music, beer, ceviche, and friendly crew service appear in accounts of the experience, though ceviche is not listed among the official inclusions. If food matters to your plans, ask exactly what will be served before you book. The stated package clearly includes drinks, but it does not promise a full meal.
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Leaving Marina Puesta del Sol
The meeting point is Marina Puesta del Sol, located at Cenzontle 13, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, Cancun, Quintana Roo. The activity ends back at this same point, which keeps the logistics easy if you are staying in the Hotel Zone.
The published operating hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The listed operating period runs from 03/09/2025 to 12/09/2026. Since the date format can be read in more than one way, confirm the exact date and departure time when you reserve.
A mobile ticket is provided, and confirmation is received at booking. The marina is near public transportation, though the supplied details do not specify a hotel pickup service. Plan on making your own way to the marina unless pickup is separately arranged.
Arrive with enough time to find the dock. A yacht departure is not the place to test Cancun traffic, especially if your group is carrying bags, snacks, or beach items. The tour returns to the marina, so you can leave larger luggage at your accommodation rather than bringing it aboard.
Isla Mujeres for about two hours

Isla Mujeres is the main stop, with about two hours allotted to the island. It sits off Cancun in the Caribbean and is known for beaches, reefs, jungle, Mayan remains, and its local Caribbean character.
The schedule gives you enough time to enjoy a taste of the island, but not enough for a full island tour. You should think of this as a scenic yacht stop rather than a complete exploration of Isla Mujeres. If your priority is seeing several parts of the island, visiting many beaches, or spending a full day on shore, a land-based Isla Mujeres tour may suit you better.
For a private yacht outing, though, two hours can be a good middle ground. You get a change of scene from the boat, time near the beach, and a chance to take photographs before returning to the water. The beach has been singled out as a highlight, especially for family groups.
The exact shore activities are not spelled out, so do not assume that a guided Mayan site visit, golf-cart rental, or extensive shopping time is included. The useful question to ask is how the two hours are handled: how much is spent ashore, where the boat anchors, and whether the crew directs you to a particular beach area.
Garrafon Reef and its turquoise water

The second stop is Parque Natural de Arrecifes Garrafon, about 25 minutes from Cancun on Isla Mujeres. The stop lasts about 50 minutes, and admission to the park is included.
Garrafon is known for its reef, cliffs, and clear turquoise water. This is the part of the tour most suited to the included snorkeling. The reef setting gives the yacht day a purpose beyond simply riding around on a boat. You have a chance to get into the water and see the Caribbean from below the surface.
Fifty minutes is a compact stop. It is enough for a focused swim and snorkel, but you should not expect a long reef session, a full park day, or time for every activity offered at the natural park. The tour gives you a brief introduction rather than unlimited access.
The inclusion of admission is useful because it removes one extra entrance charge. Still, check with the operator about the exact snorkeling arrangements, including where equipment is provided and how much of the stop is dedicated to swimming. The supplied details confirm snorkeling but do not specify equipment brands, water conditions, or a particular reef route.
The cliffs and water make Garrafon a strong photo stop. If you prefer a relaxed day, you can enjoy the view and the boat atmosphere without treating every minute as an activity. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, keep an eye on the schedule so you do not spend the entire stop onshore.
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What the $1,300 group price really covers

The package price is $1,300 for up to 15 people. It includes the private yacht experience, snorkeling, towels, 24 beers, 24 bottles of water, and soda.
That drinks allowance is generous for a group of 15, giving you roughly one beer and one bottle of water per person. For a smaller group, it provides more flexibility. The package does not state that unlimited drinks are included, so treat the quantities as fixed unless the operator confirms otherwise.
Alcohol is not served to anyone under 21. Those under 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks instead. This rule applies even though the tour is in Mexico, so make sure everyone in your group understands it before the day begins.
The 150-peso-per-person mule tax is not included. The wording is unusual, and the supplied information does not explain exactly what this charge covers. I would ask about it at booking and include it in your real budget. Crew tips are also extra.
The price is strongest when you fill the boat. A group of 12 to 15 gets the most value from the private arrangement, included drinks, and shared cost. A couple or small family may find the total harder to justify unless privacy is the main goal.
Service, music, and the social side

The strongest pattern in the available feedback is attentive service. The crew is described as friendly, helpful, and careful about group needs from booking through the return to the marina.
That personal attention is one of the main reasons to choose this over a standard boat outing. On a private trip, the crew is working with one group rather than trying to keep a large crowd on a fixed routine. That can make a birthday, Sunday family outing, or reunion feel more personal.
Music is also part of the atmosphere described for the day. Add the Caribbean air, boat ride, beer, and views, and the outing leans toward a celebration rather than a quiet nature cruise.
The tone may not suit everyone. If you want a silent sail, a long wildlife-focused trip, or a very formal yacht charter, this may feel too social. The experience is better matched to people who want conversation, swimming, music, and time together.
The eight available ratings give the experience five stars, with praise focused on service, scenery, the yacht, and value for groups. That is a promising record, but the sample is small. I would treat it as evidence of a consistently positive start, not a guarantee that every departure will be identical.
Who will get the most from this yacht rental

I would shortlist this tour for:
- Families who want a private day without organizing several separate activities
- Friends sharing a birthday, anniversary, or other celebration
- Groups of up to 15 who can divide the cost
- People who want snorkeling and beach time without booking a large public boat
- Visitors who value crew attention and a relaxed social setting
It may be less suitable for a small party on a tight budget. The group price does not shrink if only four or five people attend, and the extra mule tax and tip raise the final bill.
It is also not the best fit if you want a full day at Isla Mujeres. The island stop lasts about two hours, while Garrafon gets about 50 minutes. This is a yacht experience with island and reef visits, not an exhaustive tour of the destination.
Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The details do not give specific information about wheelchair access, boat boarding conditions, or mobility support, so contact the operator if anyone in your group needs those arrangements.
Smart questions to ask before departure

A few details are worth confirming because they are not fully explained in the booking information. Ask what the mule tax covers, where snorkeling equipment is supplied, and whether any food is included on your particular departure.
You should also confirm the start time, since the operating window gives general hours but not a guaranteed departure time in the supplied details. Ask how the two-hour Isla Mujeres stop works and whether you go ashore or remain near the boat.
For drinks, confirm whether the 24 beers and 24 waters are the full allowance for the group. If your party expects more, ask about bringing additional beverages or purchasing them. Do not assume unlimited alcohol.
Finally, confirm the exact marina location and return arrangements. The activity ends at Marina Puesta del Sol, but hotel transportation is not listed as included.
Cancellation and practical planning
You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made inside that same window are not accepted.
The cut-off follows local time. That matters if you are booking from another time zone or changing plans while in Mexico.
Because the tour is private, a late cancellation affects the entire group booking. I would wait until everyone agrees on the date, then reserve once flights, hotel plans, and weather concerns are reasonably settled.
Bring only what you need for a boat and beach day. Towels are included, so you can save luggage space. Bottled water and soda are supplied, and alcoholic drinks are limited to people aged 21 and over. The supplied information does not list sunscreen, swimwear, or personal snorkeling items, so plan your beach-day packing accordingly.
Should you book this private Caribbean yacht tour?
Book it if you have a large group and want a flexible, social day on the water with private space, snorkeling, Isla Mujeres, and Garrafon Reef. The best value comes with 10 to 15 people, when the $1,300 price is shared across the group.
I especially like this option for birthdays and family celebrations. The crew service, music, drinks, towels, and private setting remove much of the planning work. You can focus on the water and the people you came with.
Think twice if you are traveling as a small party, want a full Isla Mujeres itinerary, or expect a gourmet meal and unlimited drinks. Confirm the mule tax, food arrangements, snorkeling details, and departure time before paying.
For the right group, this is a practical private yacht day with a clear route, useful inclusions, and a strong focus on good company in the Mexican Caribbean.
FAQ
How long is the private yacht tour?
The experience lasts approximately six hours.
Where does the tour begin?
It begins at Marina Puesta del Sol, Cenzontle 13, Kukulcan Boulevard, Zona Hotelera, 77500 Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
Where does the tour end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point, Marina Puesta del Sol.
How many people can join the private yacht?
The price covers one private group of up to 15 people.
What is included in the price?
Snorkeling, towels, 24 beers, 24 bottles of water, and soda are included.
Is admission to Garrafon Reef included?
Yes. Admission to Parque Natural de Arrecifes Garrafon is included.
Are alcoholic drinks available to people under 21?
No. Alcoholic drinks are served only to people over 21. Those under 21 receive non-alcoholic beverages.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes within 24 hours are not accepted.
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