3 Hour Xpu-Ha – 51′ Sea Ray Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya

Bring your appetite and your swimsuit. This private 51-foot Sea Ray cruise gives you a polished way to enjoy the Riviera Maya, with a swim stop at Xpu-Ha, an open bar, a generous Mexican lunch, and room for up to 15 people. I especially like the private boat format, which lets your group control the mood, and the included food and drinks, which remove much of the usual day-on-the-water nickel-and-diming. The main catch is the short three-hour schedule, plus a $20-per-person landing and facility fee that comes on top of the $1,049 group price.

The trip begins at 10:00 a.m. from H2OH Sun Cruises in Puerto Aventuras, not directly in downtown Playa del Carmen or Tulum. You will need to arrange your own transportation, and towels are not included. Still, for a birthday, family outing, bachelor or bachelorette party, or a relaxed gathering with friends, the combination of privacy, a full meal, music, and swimming is hard to beat.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• A 51-foot private Sea Ray gives your group the whole boat, with several decks and an upper-level high-dive into the water.
• Xpu-Ha is the main water stop, where the crew anchors, gives a safety briefing, and sets out paddle boards and life jackets.
• Lunch is substantial, with fire-grilled chicken, guacamole, Mexican-style salsa, beans, rice, tortillas, and chips.
• The standard open bar is included, covering margaritas, beer, mixed cocktails, shots, and non-alcoholic drinks.
• You can bring your own playlist, then connect to the boat’s 6,000-watt Bluetooth sound system and Spotify.
• Weather matters, and rough seas may change the plan. One group could not head out into open water but still enjoyed paddle boards and snorkeling in calmer water.

What the $1,049 Private Boat Price Really Gets You

The listed price is $1,049 per group of up to 15 people. That works out to about $70 per person if you fill every seat, before the separate $20-per-person landing and facility fee. With 15 people, the total would be $1,349, or about $90 per person.

That is a sensible price for a large group that would otherwise need several smaller boats, separate meals, and a bar tab. The value is weaker for a small party. A group of six would pay about $175 per person before the extra fee, so this experience makes the most financial sense when you have a full group.

I like that the cost includes more than just a boat ride. Lunch is not a token snack. You get seasoned fire-grilled chicken, freshly made guacamole, fresh-cut Mexican-style salsa, beans, rice, tortillas, and chips. The open bar includes standard margaritas, beer, mixed cocktails, shots, and non-alcoholic drinks. That setup lets you settle into the afternoon instead of watching the clock and calculating every drink.

The extra $20-per-person charge deserves attention because it is easy to miss when comparing prices. It covers landing and facility fees, and it is not part of the advertised group rate. Private transportation is also not included, so add your transfer cost when building your budget.

Boarding at Puerto Aventuras at 10:00 a.m.

The meeting point is H2OH Sun Cruises at C Bahia Yanten Mz 33 Lt 9 Loc 7, Tulum Pto Aventuras Comp Turf, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo. The activity ends back at the same place, which simplifies the return plan.

You board with a cocktail, a pleasant start that gets the party moving without wasting much time. Once everyone is aboard, the crew prepares to leave the marina. Since this is a private activity, you are not sharing the boat with an unrelated group, and your party can set the pace and tone.

That privacy matters. A family with children can keep the music modest, while a birthday group can use the sound system and turn the upper deck into a party area. The boat has multiple decks, so you can spread out, find sun, or sit back with a drink while the crew handles the setup.

The practical issue is transportation. You must get to Puerto Aventuras on your own, even if you are staying in Playa del Carmen or Tulum. Check the meeting address carefully rather than assuming the boat leaves from a central Playa del Carmen pier. Confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability, so do not leave this until the last minute if your schedule is tight.

Cruising Out With Your Own Music

The cruise itself is part of the attraction, not merely a transfer to the swimming stop. Once underway, you can enjoy cocktails, use the decks, or connect your music to the Bluetooth sound system and Spotify.

A 6,000-watt system is a serious setup for a private boat. That will appeal to groups that want music to shape the day, though it may be less appealing if you are hoping for a quiet nature outing. I would agree on the playlist before boarding. A private boat gives you control, but it also means your group is responsible for setting a comfortable volume for everyone aboard.

The cruise offers a different view of the Riviera Maya than a beach day. From the water, the coastline becomes the backdrop rather than the main event. You get open sea, boat time, sun, and the pleasure of moving through the area with a drink in hand. The experience is about easy enjoyment, not a packed schedule of formal attractions.

The three-hour duration keeps the outing manageable. You can fit it into a morning or early afternoon without giving up an entire vacation day. The tradeoff is that there is limited time for lingering. Boarding, cruising, the swim stop, lunch, and the return to the marina all share those three hours.

Anchoring at Xpu-Ha for Swimming and the High-Dive

At Xpu-Ha, the crew drops anchor and gives a quick safety demonstration before anyone enters the water. That briefing is especially useful for mixed groups, since it sets clear expectations before swimming, paddle boarding, or using the high-dive.

The upper-level high-dive is one of the boat’s more unusual features. If you feel comfortable with the height, you can jump from the top deck into the turquoise water below. It adds a playful edge to the stop, though nobody needs to use it. The safety demonstration comes first, and you can simply stay aboard or enter the water at your own pace.

Paddle boards and life jackets are included. Paddle boarding gives you something active to do between swims, while life jackets make the water stop easier for people who are less confident in open water. Snorkeling is also possible in some conditions, as one outing used the calmer water for paddle boards and snorkeling when rough seas prevented the boat from heading farther out.

That point is important: the sea controls the schedule. The plan calls for heading to Xpu-Ha and cruising back out into the sea, but rough water can change what is possible. On one trip, the group could not go out into open water and instead made the most of calmer conditions with paddle boards and snorkeling. I would book this for flexibility, not for a guaranteed set of water activities.

Lunch That Works for a Full Group

Food is one of the strongest parts of the package. The crew serves fire-grilled chicken with guacamole, Mexican-style salsa, beans, rice, tortillas, and chips. It is familiar, filling food that suits a long afternoon in the sun better than a delicate meal would.

The menu also works well for a group. You can build tacos or plates, share chips and salsa, and keep eating between swims. The chicken is seasoned and grilled rather than presented as a plain sandwich or packaged snack. That makes lunch feel like part of the Mexican setting instead of an afterthought.

I would still clarify any special dietary needs before booking, since the supplied information does not describe vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free alternatives. Do not assume the standard spread will cover every requirement.

The open bar adds value, especially for adults who plan to enjoy several drinks during the cruise. Standard margaritas, beer, mixed cocktails, shots, and non-alcoholic drinks are included. Because this is a boat outing, pace yourself. Sun, motion, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you faster than expected, so water and a sensible lunch break are your friends.

A Crew That Shapes the Experience

The crew is central to the day. Names praised for friendly, attentive service include JJ, Uriel, Ricardo, Gonzo, Jesus, Tomás, and Charlie. The exact crew lineup can change, but these names give you a sense of the service style the company aims for.

I would expect the crew to handle the boat preparation, safety briefing, food service, drinks, and water equipment while your group enjoys the outing. Strong hospitality matters on a private charter because the crew is working closely with your party for the entire three hours.

The most useful sign is how the staff responds when conditions change. Rough water prevented one group from going out to sea, but the crew shifted attention to paddle boards and snorkeling in a calmer area. That kind of practical adjustment can make the difference between a disappointing weather day and a fun one.

The service is not described as formal or quiet. This is a social boat with cocktails, music, a high-dive, and a party-friendly layout. If you want polished service with a lively feel, it fits. If you prefer a naturalist-led trip with detailed marine explanations, this is probably not the right choice.

Who Will Enjoy This Sea Ray Charter Most

This tour suits groups that value privacy and shared time more than a long list of attractions. It is particularly well matched to:

• Families who want swimming, lunch, and a boat ride without joining a large group
• Birthday and anniversary groups
• Bachelor and bachelorette parties
• Friends splitting the cost of a private charter
• Groups that want music and drinks built into the day
• Mixed-age parties that need both active and relaxed options

Children can participate, and the experience states that most people can take part. Life jackets are provided, which helps families feel more comfortable around the water. The high-dive and paddle boards are optional, so not everyone needs to be equally adventurous.

The boat can hold up to 15 people, but the ideal size depends on your group. A full boat gives you the best price per person, though it also means more people sharing the decks, food, music, and water toys. A smaller group gets more room but pays more per person.

What to Pack and What to Plan

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel. Towels are not included, and the supplied information does not indicate that they are available for rent. You should also bring any personal items you need for the ride, while keeping valuables to a minimum.

Plan your transportation to and from Puerto Aventuras before the morning of the trip. The boat does not include private transportation, and the meeting point is not simply described as a Playa del Carmen hotel pickup. Give yourself enough time to find H2OH Sun Cruises and arrive ready for the 10:00 a.m. start.

Wear something comfortable for moving between decks. You will likely shift between sun, seating, the water, and lunch, so a simple swimsuit with a cover-up works better than anything fussy.

The activity is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. Confirmation is issued within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The company says the experience is near public transportation, though you should still verify the most practical route from your hotel.

Weather, Sea Conditions, and the Strict Cancellation Rule

Good weather is required. If poor weather forces cancellation, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. That protects you from losing the fare when the company cannot safely operate.

Your own cancellation terms are much stricter. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or request an amendment, you will not receive your payment back. I would only book once your group is confident about the date, head count, and transportation plan.

Sea conditions can also affect the exact shape of the trip. A rough day may limit open-ocean cruising, snorkeling, or other water activity. The boat can still offer lunch, music, drinks, and calmer-water recreation, but you should not treat every part of the plan as guaranteed in every weather condition.

Should You Book the Xpu-Ha Sea Ray Tour?

I would book this if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a private, social boat day rather than a quiet sightseeing cruise. The strongest value comes from the combination of a 51-foot Sea Ray, open bar, full lunch, music system, paddle boards, and a dedicated crew.

I would hesitate if you have only a few people, need hotel transportation, dislike loud music, or want guaranteed snorkeling and open-sea conditions. The extra $20-per-person fee, the strict cancellation rule, and the short three-hour schedule also deserve a careful look.

For the right group, this is an easy vacation win: board with a cocktail, cruise from Puerto Aventuras, swim at Xpu-Ha, eat well, and return to the marina before the day gets away from you. Fill the boat, pack a towel, confirm the weather, and you will get the best value from this private charter.

FAQ

Where does the Xpu-Ha Sea Ray tour begin?

It begins at H2OH Sun Cruises, C Bahia Yanten Mz 33 Lt 9 Loc 7, Tulum Pto Avent Comp Turf, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled start time is 10:00 a.m.

Where does the activity end?

The tour ends back at the H2OH Sun Cruises meeting point.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes fire-grilled chicken, guacamole, Mexican-style salsa, beans, rice, tortillas, and chips. The standard open bar includes margaritas, beer, mixed cocktails, shots, and non-alcoholic drinks.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.