Reviewed · SAILING

5H Private Lux 40′ Yacht All Inclusive – Tulum & Playa del Carmen

★ 5.0 · 66 reviews 5 hours (approx.) From $1,707 Operated by Riviera Elite · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The sea day starts with a private boat. This five-hour yacht outing from Puerto Aventuras gives your group a 40-foot boat, snorkeling time at InHa reef, onboard ceviche, and a crew focused on your pace. I like the private format, especially for families or friends who want room to relax without sharing the boat with strangers. I also like that the crew can prepare a catch from troll fishing onboard.

The main drawback is cost. At $1,707.99 per group of up to 12, it can be good value for a full group, but the $20-per-person dock fee and separate transportation can push the final price higher. The weather-dependent, non-refundable policy also calls for careful planning.

Key points for your Puerto Aventuras yacht day

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Key points for your Puerto Aventuras yacht day

  • Two hours in the water: Swim and snorkel around the InHa reef, with the freedom to get on and off the yacht during the water stop.
  • Fresh seafood onboard: The crew prepares shrimp and fish ceviche while you enjoy the reef.
  • Fishing is part of the fun: Troll fishing is available, and a catch may be prepared right on the boat.
  • Unlimited drinks: Beer, wine, soft drinks, mixers, water, and bottled water are included.
  • A genuinely private setting: Only your group participates, with space for up to 12 people.
  • A crew praised by name: Vicky, the chef, and the snorkeling guide are singled out for attentive, generous, and fun service.

Setting out from Puerto Aventuras

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Setting out from Puerto Aventuras

Your meeting point is Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa del Carmen, at Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, in Puerto Aventuras. The boat returns to this same point at the end, which keeps the day simple once you arrive.

The advertised duration is approximately five hours. The water activity portion runs for about two hours, while the full outing includes the cruise from Puerto Aventuras, preparation of the food, and the return trip. I would plan for the full half-day rather than treating this as a short boat ride.

The route heads north along the Riviera Maya coast toward the InHa reef. That gives you time to settle into the yacht before the main activity begins. You can listen to music, have a drink, watch the coast, and let the crew organize the snorkeling and food service.

Because this is a private trip, the schedule can feel more relaxed than a standard group excursion. You are not trying to keep up with a large crowd, and your group can spend more time in the water or stay aboard if someone wants a quieter break.

A 40-foot yacht made for small groups

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - A 40-foot yacht made for small groups

The boat is large enough for a group of up to 12, but the value depends heavily on how many people share the cost. For 10 to 12 people, the per-person price becomes much easier to justify. For only two or three people, this is a major splurge.

The private setup matters most when your group has different ideas about the day. Some people can snorkel, some can swim, and others can remain on deck with a cold drink. You are not paying for a fixed program filled with stops that everyone must follow.

I also like the personal feel suggested by the crew details. Vicky is named as a particularly warm host, while the chef and snorkeling guide are praised for being attentive and good company. Those small human touches can make a boat day feel like a celebration rather than a basic transfer to a reef.

Music is part of the experience, and the atmosphere appears designed for relaxed fun. This is not the right choice if you want a silent, highly formal sailing trip. It is better suited to a birthday, family outing, reunion, or easygoing day with friends.

Snorkeling and turtle time at InHa reef

The main stop is the InHa reef, where you can swim or snorkel in clear, calm water. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to arrange your own mask and fins.

The water is described as a place where you may see colorful tropical fish, sea turtles, and other sea life. Turtle sightings are part of the planned experience, but wildlife is never fully predictable. You should treat a turtle encounter as a strong possibility rather than a guaranteed performance by nature.

You get approximately two hours for water activities. That is a useful amount of time because you can enter the water more than once. You might snorkel first, return to the yacht for a drink, then swim again before lunch is ready.

The option to hop on and off the boat is especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can spend more time in the water, while anyone who feels tired can rest on deck. Parents may also appreciate being able to move between the water and the yacht without ending the whole activity.

The calm conditions sound friendly for most participants, and the experience is suitable for most people. Still, snorkeling requires basic comfort in the water. If you are not a confident swimmer, tell the guide and take the water portion at your own pace.

Troll fishing while lunch comes together

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Troll fishing while lunch comes together

Fishing gives the boat ride an extra activity without turning the whole outing into a fishing charter. You can try troll fishing while the yacht moves along, and if you catch something, the crew can prepare it onboard.

That possibility makes the meal more personal. Instead of only being served a prepared lunch, your group might contribute part of it. Of course, a catch is not promised, so you should think of fishing as an optional bit of fun rather than a reason to book the trip by itself.

The food centers on shrimp and fish ceviche prepared by the onboard chef. That is a practical match for a warm day on the water: fresh, light, and easy to eat between swims. Snacks are included as well.

Vegetarian and vegan options are available, along with other dietary adjustments, but you need to mention those requirements when booking. Do not wait until you are on the yacht. The crew needs advance notice to plan the food.

Unlimited drinks and the rhythm of the day

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Unlimited drinks and the rhythm of the day

Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, mixers, water, and bottled water are included. That covers a wide range of preferences, from a simple bottle of water after snorkeling to a glass of wine while the boat moves along the coast.

The drink package adds real value for a group that plans to spend the day socializing onboard. It also reduces the need to bring supplies, though bottled water is still worth having for the trip to and from Puerto Aventuras.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Children and young adults aged 18 and under must be accompanied by at least one adult, so this is not a drop-off activity for younger members of a group.

With drinks flowing and music onboard, the mood can become festive. That may be exactly what you want. If your group prefers a calm family outing, you can still use the private format to keep the pace comfortable and avoid turning the day into a nonstop party.

What the private price really buys

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - What the private price really buys

The $1,707.99 group price covers up to 12 people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $142 per person before extra charges. For six people, it is about $285 per person, and for four people, about $427 per person.

That calculation explains who gets the best deal. A full family group or a large circle of friends can split the cost across many people while receiving a private yacht, crew, snorkeling equipment, food, and unlimited drinks. A small group pays much more for the same boat.

The $20 dock fee per person is not included. For a full group of 12, that adds $240. Private transportation is also excluded, and the amount varies depending on where you are staying.

Those extra costs do not automatically make the experience poor value, but you should calculate the complete amount before booking. Compare it with the cost of separate transportation, a shared snorkeling cruise, meals, drinks, and any premium for having the boat to yourself.

I see the strongest value in the privacy and flexibility. You are paying for a complete social day, not simply a ride to a snorkeling spot. If your group cares about its own music, food preferences, schedule, and personal space, the higher price can make sense.

Who will enjoy this yacht day most

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Who will enjoy this yacht day most

I would recommend this experience for a group that wants one easy, all-in-one day on the water. It works particularly well for:

  • Families with mixed swimming abilities
  • Friends celebrating a special occasion
  • Couples traveling with several friends
  • Seafood lovers who want ceviche and possible fresh catch
  • Groups that value privacy over the lowest possible price
  • People who want snorkeling without arranging separate equipment

The trip may be less suitable if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or on a tight budget. You may also want a different excursion if your main goal is serious fishing, a long sailing route, or a quiet nature trip with no music or alcohol.

The private boat does make the activity more adaptable. Service animals are allowed, the meeting point is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Still, the provided information does not describe special access features for every mobility need, so ask the operator before booking if you have specific requirements.

Booking details that can affect your day

5H Private Lux 40' Yacht All Inclusive - Tulum & Playa del Carmen - Booking details that can affect your day

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is often booked about seven days ahead, so I would avoid waiting until the last minute if your schedule is fixed.

The experience is offered in English. You should arrive at the Puerto Aventuras meeting point, since private transportation is not included. The day ends back at that same location.

Weather is an important factor. The trip requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to cancellation. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tougher part is the normal cancellation rule: the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If your plans may shift, this policy deserves serious attention before you pay. A weather cancellation is treated differently, but a personal change of plans is not.

A closer look at the food and service

The food service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a basic snorkeling trip. Shrimp and fish ceviche are prepared onboard while you enjoy the reef, so lunch becomes part of the activity rather than a stop at a separate restaurant.

The onboard chef and snorkeling guide receive especially warm praise, along with host Vicky. The service is described as attentive, generous, and fun. That matters on a private tour because the crew has more chance to notice what your group needs.

The combination of food, music, and drinks also gives the day a clear social identity. You can make the trip as active or relaxed as you like, but it is built around enjoying time together. The seafood, fishing option, and reef stop give the outing enough structure to keep it from feeling like five hours of simply sitting on a boat.

Should you book the Puerto Aventuras yacht?

Book it if you have a large group and want a private half-day built around snorkeling, seafood, drinks, and easygoing time at sea. The best reasons are the two-hour reef stop, the chance to see turtles, the fresh ceviche, and the ability to set the pace for your own group.

I would be more cautious if you have fewer than four people, need flexible cancellation, or want the lowest-cost way to snorkel. Add the dock fee and transportation before judging the final price.

For the right group, this is a polished celebration day with a friendly crew and plenty of room for personal choice. It earns its strongest praise through the food, drinks, music, and warm service from Vicky and the crew. Just check the weather, confirm dietary needs early, and make sure everyone understands the non-refundable booking terms.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

It begins at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa del Carmen, Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The yacht returns to the same meeting point in Puerto Aventuras.

How long is the experience?

The experience lasts approximately five hours. About two hours are set aside for swimming and snorkeling at the reef.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with the private tour and snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited beer, wine, soft drinks, mixers, water, and bottled water are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What extra fees should I expect?

A dock fee of $20 per person is not included. Private transportation is also separate, and its price depends on your exact location.

More like this

Sailing, compared.

The full Sailing list →
Los Cabos Luxury Sailing, Snorkel and Lunch Cruise
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,515 reviews· from $149

Los Cabos Luxury Sailing, Snorkel and Lunch Cruise

Read our review →
Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 3,418 reviews· from $129

Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly

Read our review →
Catamaran with Open Bar, Snorkeling and Lunch
★★★★★★★★★★4.1· 2,848 reviews· from $59

Catamaran with Open Bar, Snorkeling and Lunch

Read our review →
Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,515 reviews· from $117

Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

Read our review →
All Inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 2,232 reviews· from $83

All Inclusive Isla Mujeres Catamaran

Read our review →
Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 2,107 reviews· from $129

Luxury Catamaran Whale Watching Cabo San Lucas

Read our review →
Sailing Tour through the Laguna de los Siete Colores
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,521 reviews· from $40

Sailing Tour through the Laguna de los Siete Colores

Read our review →
Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Snorkel, Open bar and Transport
★★★★★★★★★★4.5· 1,275 reviews· from $85

Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with Snorkel, Open bar and Transport

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Explore Mexico

Pick a coast, a ruin or a kitchen.