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

The best Riviera Maya days happen offshore. This private 44-foot catamaran charter from Puerto Aventuras gives your group a polished day on the Caribbean, with two swim stops, snorkeling, an open bar, fresh ceviche, and room to set your own pace. I especially like the private-boat format and the way the crew combines active time in the water with easygoing time on deck.

I also like the practical extras: towels, snorkeling gear, fishing equipment, a restroom, snacks, and lunch are included. The main catch is cost. At $2,479.34 per group of up to 15, plus a $20-per-person dock fee and possible transportation charges, this makes the most sense for a large group splitting the bill.

Quick facts about the catamaran day

• The boat leaves Puerto Aventuras, not central Playa del Carmen or Tulum, so plan your arrival carefully.
• Two water stops are built into the route, at In-Ha and La Bocana.
• In-Ha is the main snorkeling stop, with calm water and the chance to see sea turtles, tropical fish, and reef life.
• La Bocana is the relaxed finale, with shallow clear water, ceviche, drinks, music, and time to linger.
• The private boat can host up to 30 people, but this advertised rate covers a group of up to 15.
• The crew can prepare a fish you catch, using the chef’s family sauce, if you choose the optional troll-fishing activity.

From Puerto Aventuras to open Caribbean views

The day begins at Riviera Elite Yachts in the Puerto Aventuras marina. The address is Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, in Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo. The tour ends back at this same meeting point.

That starting location matters. Puerto Aventuras is south of Playa del Carmen, and private transportation is not included. The operator can arrange it for an additional charge, with the price depending on where you are staying. If you are based in Tulum or Playa del Carmen, confirm the pickup plan and cost before you pay the balance.

Once aboard, the catamaran heads north for roughly an hour toward the first swimming area. That ride is part of the experience, not just dead time. You get open views of the Riviera Maya coastline, with the shoreline appearing from a different angle than it does from a resort, highway, or beach club.

The boat has a restroom, which is a small but useful comfort during a five-hour outing. Towels and water equipment are also provided, so you do not need to pack a full set of beach gear. I would still bring reef-safe sun protection, a hat, sunglasses, and a dry bag for phones or cameras.

In-Ha: the main snorkeling stop

In-Ha is described as a semi-sheltered reef area with calm, clear water. It is the strongest part of the outing for anyone who wants actual time in the sea rather than only a scenic cruise.

The crew provides snorkeling gear and helps make the stop accessible for different comfort levels. You can swim over the reef and look for sea turtles, colorful tropical fish, and other marine life. The exact sightings are never guaranteed, of course, but the setting is chosen for snorkeling rather than simply for taking a quick dip.

I like that the schedule allows a good amount of time here. A rushed ten-minute swim would not justify booking a private catamaran, while a proper stop gives you time to get comfortable with the mask, float around, and try again if your first look is foggy or awkward.

You do not have to snorkel. If you prefer to stay dry, you can sunbathe on deck, enjoy a drink, and eat snacks while the rest of your group enters the water. That makes this a better choice for mixed groups than an outing built entirely around swimming.

The water stop can also feel more active than the rest of the day. Some people will want to see as much reef life as possible, while others may find the current, saltwater, or snorkeling mask tiring. The private format helps here because your group can enjoy the stop without being combined with a large boatload of strangers.

Ceviche, cocktails, and lunch on deck

Food is a major part of this charter. The standard offering includes shrimp and fish ceviche, chips, snacks, and other refreshments. The crew also serves lunch, and dietary requests such as vegetarian or vegan meals can be made in advance.

The ceviche is repeatedly praised along with the guacamole. That tells me to treat the meal as more than a basic boat snack. The menu can vary, but the seafood and fresh guacamole are the items I would look forward to most. One group also enjoyed burgers, though burgers are not specifically listed as the standard meal, so ask about the current menu if that matters to you.

The bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. Margaritas receive particular praise, and the crew is described as attentive with drinks throughout the day.

That service can be a real plus for a celebration. It also means you should think about the kind of day your group wants. This is not a quiet sailing lesson with a restrained drinks service. Music, cocktails, lunch, and time in shallow water give it a social, festive feel.

The open bar includes nonalcoholic choices, so the outing does not need to revolve around alcohol. Still, the minimum drinking age is 18, and anyone drinking should pace themselves. Five hours in strong sun, on moving water, with unlimited drinks, can catch up with you quickly.

La Bocana: the shallow-water finale

After In-Ha, the boat continues to La Bocana. This second stop is shallow and clear, and many people choose to eat their ceviche and continue with the open bar while sitting in the water.

The setting sounds less like a focused snorkeling session and more like the day’s social finish. The crew can play your favorite music, and the boat becomes a floating base for swimming, eating, and relaxing. If your group includes people who prefer a party atmosphere, this may become the favorite stop.

I would not book this tour expecting two identical reef excursions. In-Ha is the better choice for snorkeling. La Bocana is designed more for a pleasant final swim, lunch, drinks, and group time.

The shallow water is also useful for those who are comfortable swimming but do not want to spend the whole day in open sea. You can cool off without committing to a long swim, then climb back aboard for shade, food, or another drink.

As always, conditions can affect the quality of both stops. The tour requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you receive the choice of another date or a full refund.

A crew built for celebrations

The strongest praise centers on the crew’s care and energy. Several crew combinations are named, including Vicky, Captain Neri, Omar, Yair, Angel, chef Pablo, Aldo, and the Scallywags team. The exact crew for your departure may differ, but the consistent picture is of an attentive staff that keeps food, drinks, snorkeling, and music moving along.

Vicky, Neri, Omar, and Yair are singled out for their service and for guiding people around the reef. Aldo and his crew receive praise for anticipating what the group needed. Chef Pablo is associated with the food and the onboard meal.

A photographer named Trinity is also praised for making photos fun and helping people with poses. Photography is not listed among the inclusions, so ask whether this service is available on your date and what it costs before assuming it is part of the package.

This attention matters more on a private charter than on a standard shared cruise. You are paying for a day that can feel personal. A good crew can help first-time snorkelers, keep stronger swimmers from getting bored, and make sure the non-swimmers still feel part of the outing.

The tone seems especially suited to birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, weddings, reunions, and family celebrations. One family group included 18 people and had a good time, though the listed rate covers up to 15, so confirm the final price and capacity if your group is larger than that.

Troll fishing for a change of pace

The boat also offers troll fishing during the cruise. Anything you catch can be prepared onboard with the chef’s family sauce.

This is a fun extra for people who want something to do between the swim stops. It also gives children and non-snorkelers another way to take part. The supplied details do not state whether fishing costs extra or how often fish are caught, so consider it an optional activity rather than the main reason to book.

The fishing gear is provided. If your group wants to try it, ask the crew about timing, equipment, and what happens with the catch. The boat’s main focus remains swimming, snorkeling, food, and cruising.

What the $2,479 group price really buys

The listed price is $2,479.34 per group of up to 15. That works out to about $165 per person before the dock fee if 15 people share the cost. Add the $20 dock fee per person, and the rough total becomes about $185 per person, before any private transportation.

For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises sharply. A group of ten would pay about $248 per person before the dock fee. A group of six would pay roughly $413 per person before that fee. This is why the tour is best for a full family group or celebration party.

The price includes:

• Private use of the catamaran
• Five hours on the water
• Lunch, ceviche, and snacks
• Unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Towels
• Snorkeling and fishing gear
• Restroom onboard

A private boat has real value if your group wants control over music, swim time, food timing, and the general mood. You are not just paying for transportation to a reef. You are paying for a staffed, catered, private day.

The value is weaker for couples or very small groups. If you only want to snorkel and do not care about a private boat, a shared excursion may cost less. But if privacy, service, a full bar, and celebration space matter, the group rate becomes easier to justify.

The catamaran itself is described as 44 feet and able to hold up to 30 people. The advertised price, however, is for up to 15 people. Do not read the larger boat capacity as permission to bring 30 people at the same rate. Confirm the maximum size and price for your exact booking.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this charter to you if you want a private day with several ingredients in one package:

• A birthday, wedding, bachelor or bachelorette celebration
• A family group with different comfort levels in the water
• A social group that wants music, cocktails, and lunch
• Snorkelers who want a calm reef stop
• People who value attentive crew service
• A group large enough to split the private price

It is less suited to you if you want a silent sailing trip, a serious fishing charter, or a long snorkeling expedition. The day is built around easy fun, good service, food, and time in the water.

It can work well for families, but children and anyone under 18 must have at least one adult with them. Most people can participate, though the supplied information does not describe special accessibility equipment or assistance, so ask ahead about mobility needs.

Practical planning before you go

The tour is offered in English, and you receive a mobile ticket. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the tour averages booking about 35 days ahead, I would not leave a large celebration group until the final week.

Arrive with enough time to find the Puerto Aventuras meeting point. The tour ends at the marina, so arrange your return ride in advance if you are not using the operator’s private transportation.

Tell the operator about vegetarian, vegan, or other dietary needs when you book. Do not wait until boarding, especially if the meal is important to your group.

Pack light but useful items:

• Swimsuit and a change of clothes
• Sun protection
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Waterproof protection for phones
• Cash or a payment method for extra charges
• Any personal medication you need during five hours on the water

The dock fee is $20 per person and is not included. Transportation is also extra. Those are the two costs most likely to change your final budget.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside 24 hours, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. Since weather can affect the outing, keep the cancellation terms in mind when arranging flights or other fixed plans.

Should you book this private catamaran?

Book it if you can fill much of the boat and want a social, well-served day rather than a basic snorkel trip. The combination of In-Ha’s reef, La Bocana’s shallow-water finale, fresh ceviche, open bar, fishing, and a private crew gives you a full five-hour outing with little need to organize anything yourself.

I would be cautious if your group is small or if you are mainly interested in snorkeling. In that case, the private price, dock fee, and transport can be hard to defend. For a large family or celebration group, though, the cost becomes more reasonable, and the crew’s warm service appears to be a genuine strength.

Before booking, confirm the final group size, transportation price, menu, dietary requests, dock-fee payment, and whether photography or troll fishing carries an extra charge. If those details fit your budget, Riviera Elite offers a polished Caribbean day with enough freedom to feel like your group’s own party on the water.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

It starts at Riviera Elite Yachts in Puerto Aventuras, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the Puerto Aventuras meeting point.

How long is the catamaran tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

How many people can join at the listed price?

The listed price of $2,479.34 covers a private group of up to 15 people.

How many people can the catamaran hold?

The 44-foot catamaran has space for up to 30 people, but the listed group rate is for up to 15. Confirm pricing and capacity for larger groups.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear is included, along with towels and fishing gear.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, snacks, shrimp and fish ceviche, and an open bar with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks are included.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The price depends on your exact location.

Is there an additional dock fee?

Yes. The dock fee is $20 per person.

Can dietary restrictions be accommodated?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available if you advise the operator at booking.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can children join the tour?

Yes. Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.