Reviewed · PLAYA DEL CARMEN CATAMARAN AND YACHT CHARTERS

3 Hours Exclusive 45′ Lagoon Catamaran Experience

★ 5.0 · 32 reviews 3 hours (approx.) Operated by Puerto Aventuras Yachting · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

Puerto Aventuras gives you a pleasant change from the packed beach scene: a private 45-foot catamaran carries your group into calm Caribbean water for three hours of swimming, floating, drinks, and snacks. I like the freedom of a private boat, and I like that the crew provides paddle boards, a floating mat, a restroom, and food rather than leaving you to bring everything yourself. The main drawback is the extra $15 docking fee per person, which is not included in the advertised group price.

I also like the flexible feel of this outing. You can settle into the ride, stop for a swim, and let the crew handle the drinks and food while you enjoy the bay. Crew members named in past outings include Sofia, Jesus, Luis, Felipe, Alex, Angel, Jorge, and Camila, though the exact team can change. Since this is a private charter, it makes the most sense when you can fill much of the boat with friends or family.

Key points to know before booking

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Key points to know before booking

  • Private 45-foot catamaran: Your group has the boat to itself, with capacity for up to 15 people.
  • Puerto Aventuras departure: You meet at Marina Bay in Puerto Aventuras, not at a Playa del Carmen beach hotel.
  • Three hours on the water: The outing is built around a relaxed boat ride, swimming, floating, and time in the bay.
  • Food and drinks included: Expect a premium open bar for adults 21 and older, plus water, soft drinks, fruit, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheese quesadillas.
  • Water gear provided: Paddle boards and a floating mat are included, along with an onboard restroom.
  • Plan for the extra fee: Puerto Aventuras docking costs $15 per person and is paid separately.

A private catamaran day from Puerto Aventuras

This is less a sightseeing tour with a long list of stops and more a private outing built around time on the water. You board at Marina Bay, at México 307 13, Plano 04, in Puerto Aventuras, then spend about three hours enjoying the boat and the surrounding bay.

That distinction matters. If you want major ruins, a long coastal ride, or several named attractions, this is not the right product. If you want an easy afternoon with your own group, a well-stocked bar, and no strangers sharing your boat, the format is appealing.

The catamaran is 45 feet long and accepts groups of up to 15. That gives you room to spread out, but the value depends on how many people join you. At $1,600 per group, the price works out to about $107 per person with 15 people aboard, before the $15 per-person docking fee. A smaller group pays more per person, but also gets more space and privacy.

You should think of the quoted price as a charter rate, not a per-person fare. For a birthday, family gathering, bachelor or bachelorette outing, or reunion, splitting the cost can make sense. For just two or three people, a shared cruise may offer better value.

What happens at the Puerto Aventuras marina

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - What happens at the Puerto Aventuras marina

You begin at Marina Bay in Puerto Aventuras. The meeting point is important because private transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own ride to the marina, and the activity returns to the same meeting point at the end.

Puerto Aventuras has a marina setting with yachts, calm water, and a more orderly feel than the busiest parts of the Riviera Maya. It is a useful base for a boat day because you are not trying to find a vessel along an open beach.

The docking fee is $15 per person. It is easy to overlook because the main price is shown for the whole group, so include it in your budget from the start. With 15 people, that adds $225 to the total.

The tour is offered in English, and certified Spanish guides are also provided. The information lists certified guides in both languages, so tell the operator which language your group needs when booking.

Three hours in the bay

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Three hours in the bay

Once underway, the focus is simple: sun, breeze, open water, and time to relax. The description centers on the Mexican Caribbean around Puerto Aventuras, with a calm setting suited to swimming and lounging rather than a packed schedule.

You can use the floating mat or paddle boards during the water portion. These extras matter because they give your group more to do than sit on the deck. A floating mat works well for people who want to lounge in the water, while paddle boards offer a little more activity without turning the outing into a hard workout.

The available information does not promise a fixed snorkeling location or guaranteed wildlife sightings. Still, crew descriptions associated with this experience include turtle and stingray sightings during snorkeling, as well as stops at a good swimming area. Treat those as possible highlights, not guaranteed parts of every departure. Sea conditions and the crew’s route can affect what you see.

That flexibility can be a plus. The captain can focus on a comfortable bay experience rather than rushing from one point to another. The tradeoff is that you should not expect a tightly defined sightseeing itinerary.

Food, drinks, and the practical comforts

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Food, drinks, and the practical comforts

The included food is casual and well suited to a boat. You receive a fruit plate, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheese quesadillas. This is enough to keep a group going during three hours on the water, though it is better thought of as a generous snack spread than a formal meal.

Some outings connected with this boat service have included ceviche and other more substantial food, but the stated inclusions for this three-hour experience are fruit, dips, and quesadillas. If your group needs a full lunch, ask before booking rather than assuming it is part of the package.

The premium open bar includes alcoholic drinks for anyone 21 or older. People under 21 receive non-alcoholic drinks. Bottled water and soda are also included, which is especially useful in the hot Caribbean sun.

I appreciate the clear age rule. A private boat can create a party mood, but families need to know that minors will be served non-alcoholic beverages. You should also remember that a premium open bar does not remove the need to pace yourself, especially when swimming and standing on a moving boat.

An onboard restroom adds real comfort. You do not need to return to shore every time someone needs a break, and families will find this more convenient than a bare-bones boat with no facilities.

The crew and service style

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - The crew and service style

The experience depends heavily on the crew. Names connected with past outings include Sofia, Jesus, Luis, Felipe, Alex, Angel, Jorge, Camila, Socrates, Ares, Louis, and Mo. The exact crew assigned to your boat is not guaranteed, but the operation uses both English and Spanish certified guides.

Service is a major part of the package. The crew handles the boat, serves drinks and snacks, explains how things work, and helps first-time boat users get comfortable. That last point matters if someone in your group has never used a paddle board or is unsure about getting into the water.

The boat also works for special occasions. A sunset proposal outing included dinner, a photographer, and a saxophonist arranged for the occasion. Those additions are not listed as standard inclusions here, so you would need to ask about them separately. Still, the private format gives you a useful starting point for a celebration.

For a normal daytime trip, expect attentive hosting rather than a formal tour lecture. The appeal is personal service and a relaxed pace, not a long narration about local history.

Who will enjoy this private boat trip

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Who will enjoy this private boat trip

This outing suits groups that value privacy and shared time. Families can use the floating mat and paddle boards, while adults can enjoy the open bar and the easy pace. A private boat also lets your group avoid the social uncertainty of joining strangers.

It is a good choice for:

  • Families wanting a simple water day with a restroom onboard
  • Groups celebrating a birthday or reunion
  • Friends who want drinks, music, swimming, and space to themselves
  • Couples looking for a private setting, especially if custom extras are arranged
  • First-time boat users who want crew support and clear instructions

The experience may be less suitable if you are looking for a full meal, a long snorkeling excursion, or a detailed tour of the coastline. The schedule is only about three hours, so the outing gives you a taste of the bay rather than a full-day cruise.

You should also check the group math. The boat can take up to 15 people, but a small party will pay the same base charter price. If you have only two or four people, compare the total against other private or shared options in the area.

Price, fees, and overall value

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Price, fees, and overall value

The $1,600 price is for the entire group, up to 15 people. That is a fairer deal when the boat is nearly full. At maximum capacity, the base price is about $107 per person, and the docking fee brings it to roughly $122 per person before any other personal expenses.

For 10 people, the base rate is $160 each, plus the $15 docking charge. For five people, the base rate reaches $320 each before docking. The private setting, open bar, food, water equipment, and crew service help justify the cost, but only if privacy is important to you.

The package saves you from arranging drinks, snacks, paddle boards, and a floating mat separately. It also includes the use of the boat for your group, which is the main value. You are paying for control of the setting as much as for the equipment.

Private transportation is not included. You need to reach Marina Bay in Puerto Aventuras on your own, then return from the same point after the outing. Near-public-transport access is noted, but the details of a specific transfer are not provided, so confirm your route before the day of departure.

Weather, cancellation, and small planning details

3 Hours Exclusive 45' Lagoon Catamaran Experience - Weather, cancellation, and small planning details

The activity requires good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time in Mexico, so use the local departure time when calculating your deadline.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can take part, and the activity is private, meaning only your own group participates. The available information does not provide detailed accessibility specifications, so ask the operator directly if someone in your group has mobility or boarding needs.

Bring whatever personal items you need for a comfortable boat day, but keep your packing sensible. The operator already supplies water, drinks, snacks, water equipment, and a restroom. Your main tasks are getting to the marina on time and allowing room in the schedule for weather changes.

Should you book the Puerto Aventuras catamaran?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the charter cost and want privacy, drinks, swimming, and easy service in one package. The private format is the strongest reason to choose it. You can spend the afternoon with your own people rather than adjusting to another group’s music, schedule, or energy.

The boat also makes a good choice for families because of the restroom, food, non-alcoholic drinks for minors, and floating equipment. Adults get the open bar, while children have their own drink options.

Think twice if you have a very small group or want a serious snorkeling trip with a fixed wildlife itinerary. The $1,600 base rate plus the $15 docking fee adds up quickly when only a few people share it. For the right group, though, this is a comfortable three-hour escape with enough food, equipment, and crew support to keep the day pleasantly simple.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Marina Bay, México 307 13, Plano 04, 77733 Puerto Aventuras, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Puerto Aventuras.

How long is the catamaran experience?

The experience lasts approximately three hours.

How many people can join the private catamaran?

The private group can include up to 15 people.

How much does the experience cost?

The price is $1,600 per group of up to 15 people.

Is the Puerto Aventuras docking fee included?

No. The docking fee is $15 per person and is not included in the group price.

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation to and from the marina is not included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. The package includes a premium open bar for people 21 and older, non-alcoholic drinks for minors, bottled water, soda, fruit, pico de gallo, guacamole, and cheese quesadillas.

Is equipment provided for activities on the water?

Yes. A floating mat and paddle boards are included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.

Scroll to Top

The Riviera Maya, end to end

Pick a cenote, a ruin or a stretch of reef.