Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

Shallow water changes the whole catamaran game. The Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail combines a calm cruise, a secluded swimming stop, and an unusually friendly crew aboard the Adelita. I especially like the small maximum group of 26 and the shallow sandbar, where children and confident non-swimmers can enjoy the water without a long swim from the boat.

I also like that lunch, floating mats, and unlimited drinks are part of the outing. Crew members named Jose, Martin, Arturo, and Ulises have earned repeated praise for attentive service, including bringing snacks, pillows, and drinks to people in the water. The main caution is cost: the advertised $140 price does not include $40 in park, dock, and marina charges, and special diets need careful confirmation.

Key points to know before you sail

• The sandbar is shallow enough for standing: This is the tour’s biggest advantage for families and nervous swimmers.
• The boat carries no more than 26 people: Some departures may be much smaller, which makes service more personal.
• Lunch is simple but included: Expect a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, chips, and possibly cookies or other snacks.
• Drinks are unlimited: Alcoholic beverages and bottled water are provided, with an 18-year minimum drinking age.
• Hotel pickup costs extra: You can meet at Marina La Bonita, or arrange transportation from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
• Extra charges add $40 per person: Budget for the $20 National Reef Park and dock fee plus the $20 Marina La Bonita admission fee.

A relaxed four hours on the Puerto Morelos water

This is not a high-speed party cruise or a full snorkeling expedition. It is a gentle afternoon sail built around one main reward: reaching a quiet sandbar in the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park.

The advertised duration is about four hours, with a 12:30 p.m. start. That timing gives you a useful half-day outing. You can spend the morning at your resort, have breakfast without rushing, and still return with time for dinner or an evening walk.

You begin at Marina La Bonita in Puerto Morelos. If you request hotel transportation, pickup can be arranged from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an extra charge. Transportation from other locations may also be possible at an additional price, but you need to provide your hotel or exact location when booking.

The marina itself involves walking to the dock, climbing stairs, and boarding the catamaran. That matters for anyone with limited mobility. You should be comfortable walking on a beach, using dock stairs, and stepping onto a boat.

Boarding the Adelita at Marina La Bonita

After check-in, you walk to the dock and board the catamaran Adelita. The group limit is 26 people, but some departures can be much smaller. One recent outing had only 11 people, while another group of five found itself on a particularly quiet departure.

That range is important. A boat with 26 people will feel more social, while a smaller group gives the crew more room to offer personal attention. The experience is designed for mixed ages, so you might share the boat with families, couples, solo passengers, older adults, and younger children.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Jose and Martin receive repeated praise, as do Arturo, Ulises, and Captain Martin. The service style is active but friendly. Drinks and snacks may be brought to you while you sit, and crew members have been praised for offering pillows and checking that people remain comfortable.

Music plays during the ride, with a relaxed party feel rather than a hard-sell nightclub atmosphere. You can sit in shaded areas or move into the sun and breeze. If you want a quiet ride, the open water and steady pace give you plenty to enjoy. If you want more energy, music, drinks, and dancing can make the trip livelier.

Sailing through Puerto Morelos National Reef Park

The boat heads through the tranquil waters of Puerto Morelos National Reef Park toward the sandbar. The ride takes roughly an hour according to several detailed accounts, so you should think of the cruise itself as part of the outing, not just transportation to the swimming stop.

This is the time to settle into the boat and enjoy the Riviera Maya coastline from offshore. The water can look especially appealing when beach conditions are poor. One family booked the sail after sargassum made the water near its resort unpleasant, and found the sandbar’s clear water a welcome change.

Weather can affect the cruise in ways that are not obvious from the marina. A sunny beach day does not always mean safe sailing conditions offshore. The operator may cancel when sea conditions are unsuitable, even if the sky over Cancun looks fine. That can be frustrating if you have only one free day, but it is a reasonable safety decision for an open-water trip.

The ride may also include simple interactions with the crew. On some outings, children have been invited to steer under supervision. One child helped pilot the boat and even assisted with docking, while another seven-year-old was allowed to steer. This is not guaranteed, but it can be a memorable extra for families.

The secret sandbar and its shallow swimming area

The sandbar is the heart of the trip. The Adelita anchors in clear, shallow water far from shore, giving you the chance to jump from the boat, walk on soft sand, paddleboard, or float on a mattress.

In many areas, you can touch the sandy bottom. Some spots are deep enough for jumping from the boat, while other sections are shallow enough to stand comfortably. That mix makes the stop work well for a family group with different comfort levels in the water.

Parents should still supervise children closely. Shallow does not mean risk-free, and floating mats can drift away from the boat. On one outing, a crew member noticed a child being pulled away on a float and quickly brought her back. That kind of watchfulness is reassuring, but it should not replace an adult keeping an eye on children.

The tour is described as suitable for kids and non-swimmers, but you should read that carefully. A non-swimmer can enjoy the shallow water if comfortable entering from the boat and wearing appropriate flotation support, but the sandbar is still reached by boat, not by walking from shore. One older couple who lacked confidence in the water chose to remain aboard because they did not feel comfortable swimming the short distance from the catamaran.

If you are a nervous swimmer, ask the crew about the safest entry point before jumping in. You can also stay on the boat, enjoy the views, and use the shaded seating. The tour does not require you to spend the entire stop in the water.

Paddleboards, floating mats, and time to slow down

The water activities are simple and easygoing. You can swim, use a paddleboard, or stretch out on a floating mat. There is no pressure to compete, perform, or keep moving.

That simplicity is the appeal. You can spend a few minutes in the water, climb back aboard for a drink, then return for another swim. The catamaran provides a base for the whole stop, with towels and showers listed as available features.

There is an important detail here: the tour information is inconsistent about towels. Towels are promoted as available and are described as provided in the general outline, but the inclusions list says towels are not included. I would bring your own beach towel or confirm directly with Marina La Bonita before departure.

Bring sun protection, too. A detailed account specifically recommends sunscreen and goggles, and the boat has both shaded and full-sun areas. The water and pale sand reflect strong sunlight, so a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen are sensible additions.

A light lunch with unlimited drinks

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran, usually during the sandbar stop. The standard meal is a ham and cheese baguette with fruit and chips. Some meals may also include cookies or extra sliced fruit, but you should count on the listed baguette, fruit, and chips rather than a large buffet.

This is a light lunch, not a full meal. It should be enough for an average afternoon, especially with snacks available, but hungry teenagers or anyone who skips breakfast may want to eat beforehand.

Dietary requests need special care. A vegetarian meal was promised to one family but was not available at lunchtime. The operator apologized and said its internal communication would be improved, but I would not rely on a verbal promise alone. Contact the company before the trip, have the request recorded in your reservation, and bring a backup snack if you have vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or other dietary needs.

Unlimited alcoholic drinks are included, along with nonalcoholic options such as bottled water. The 18-year minimum drinking age applies. You can enjoy a beer while standing in the shallow sea, one of the outing’s more unusual pleasures, but remember that sun, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drink water and take breaks in the shade.

The real price and what you receive

The listed price is $140 per person. That sounds reasonable for a four-hour catamaran outing with lunch, open-bar drinks, floating mats, and a small group limit.

The actual required cost is higher. The National Reef Park and dock fee is $20 per person, and Marina La Bonita charges another $20 admission fee. That brings the basic total to about $180 per person before any hotel transportation, gratuity, or personal extras.

At $180, the value depends on how much you use the package. If you want an easy half-day on the water with drinks, a meal, equipment, and attentive service, the price is defensible. You are paying for convenience and the crew’s care as much as for the sandbar itself.

If you only want access to shallow water, the price may feel high. The outing is best value for people who will enjoy the full combination of sailing, swimming, lunch, and drinks. Hotel pickup can make the day easier, but because it costs extra, compare that charge with the price of arranging your own taxi.

The trip is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 26 days. That suggests reserving early during popular travel periods. Still, avoid booking your only possible water activity on the final day of your vacation, since poor sea conditions can lead to cancellation.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would recommend this outing to families with water-loving children, couples seeking a calm afternoon, solo visitors who like meeting a small group, and anyone who wants clear water away from a resort beach.

It is especially useful for mixed groups. Strong swimmers can jump and paddleboard, children can play in shallow water, and less active people can remain aboard with a drink and a view. Several outings included people from different age groups, and the format worked well for all of them.

You may want a different activity if your priority is serious snorkeling, a long beach visit, or a fast sailing adventure. The main attraction is the sandbar and the easygoing service, not a packed list of water sports.

The trip is not recommended for pregnant women. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and all participants must manage the walk, dock stairs, and boat boarding. If you are unsure about swimming from the boat to the sandbar, plan to enjoy the vessel itself rather than feeling pressured to enter the water.

Booking details worth getting right

Confirmation is provided when you book. For hotel pickup, enter your hotel name in the special requirements section or send the location by email. Pickup is offered from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but it carries an extra charge.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 12:30 p.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that window are not refundable. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or because too few people book, you should be offered another date, another activity, or a full refund.

Do not miss a scheduled pickup. One family lost its reservation after missing the vehicle following a long travel day, and no rescheduling or refund was provided. Check your email, confirm the pickup time, and allow extra time for traffic.

Should you book the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Sail?

I would book it if you want a friendly, low-stress afternoon on clear shallow water, and you value attentive service more than a packed schedule. The small-group limit, relaxed catamaran ride, floating mats, lunch, and open bar create a pleasant package for families and casual swimmers.

Before paying, add the $40 in required fees to your budget, confirm the towel situation, and get any dietary request documented. Bring sunblock, goggles, a backup snack, and a towel unless the operator confirms one will be supplied.

For strong swimmers seeking reefs and extended snorkeling, this may feel too gentle. For everyone else, especially families with children or mixed swimming abilities, it offers an unusually comfortable way to enjoy the Puerto Morelos coast.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail begin?

You can meet directly at Marina La Bonita in Puerto Morelos. Hotel pickup can also be arranged for an additional charge.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 12:30 p.m. The full outing lasts approximately four hours.

Is hotel pickup included in the price?

No. Pickup is offered at an extra charge. Transportation can be arranged from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, and other locations may be possible for an additional price.

What food is included?

Lunch consists of a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Dietary requests should be confirmed and recorded before the trip.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Unlimited drinks, including alcoholic beverages, are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Are park and marina fees included?

No. The National Reef Park and dock fee is $20 per person, and Marina La Bonita charges an additional $20 admission fee per person.

Can children and non-swimmers join?

Children can participate when accompanied by an adult, and the shallow sandbar is suitable for children and confident non-swimmers. Everyone must be able to walk on the beach, climb dock stairs, and board the catamaran.