8-Hour Private 40′ Cat 2 Stop to Cozumel, Food, Drinks & Snorkel

The best part of this private catamaran trip is the freedom to make the day your own. You sail from Puerto Aventuras toward southern Cozumel, try troll fishing from the boat, snorkel at two sites, and choose between lunch aboard the yacht or beneath a beach palapa.

I like the private format for groups of up to 15, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers. I also like the unusually complete setup: towels, snorkel gear, floats, an underwater camera, lunch, snacks, and an open bar are all handled for you. Ramon and his crew are described as attentive and quick with food, drinks, and water equipment.

The main drawback is the price. At $3,166.67 per group, it makes the most sense when divided among a larger party. You will also pay a $20-per-person dock fee and may need to arrange transportation to Puerto Aventuras separately.

Key points to know before you book

• A full private boat day: Your group alone uses the 40-foot catamaran, with room for up to 15 people.
• Two water stops near Cozumel: Snorkel first near Playa Palancar, then visit another nearby reef for more fish and sea life.
• Fresh lunch with two settings: Eat aboard the yacht or on the beach under a shaded palapa.
• Troll fishing is part of the ride: You can help reel in a catch, which may be prepared fresh onboard.
• Open bar included: Beer, margaritas, soft drinks, and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day.
• Extra costs matter: Private transportation is not included, and the dock fee is $20 per person.

Setting sail from Puerto Aventuras

Your day begins at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa del Carmen, located on Avenida Bahia Yanten in Puerto Aventuras. The activity lasts about eight hours and ends at the same meeting point, so plan your return ride with that in mind.

The setting is useful for a private boat trip because Puerto Aventuras sits between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Still, transportation to the marina is not included. The exact price depends on where you are staying, so ask for that cost before you commit. A low advertised group price can look different once transportation and dock fees are added.

Once aboard, the boat heads across the Caribbean toward the southern part of Cozumel. The trip includes fishing along the way, not just a straight run to the snorkeling sites. That gives the morning some variety and lets you take part rather than simply sit on deck.

The boat is a 40-foot catamaran, a useful size for a private party. It is large enough for a group of 15, yet still suited to a relaxed day on the water. An onboard restroom is included, which matters during an eight-hour outing. Towels and life jackets are also provided, so you do not need to bring bulky beach equipment.

Troll fishing between the mainland and Cozumel

Troll fishing is one of the more distinctive parts of this trip. Lines are placed behind the moving yacht, and you can help if a fish takes the bait. The experience is not presented as a guaranteed catch, so think of it as an added activity rather than the main reason to book.

If you do catch something, the crew may prepare it fresh onboard. That is a pleasant touch, especially when combined with the seafood lunch later in the day. It also gives the meal a connection to the water around you, rather than making lunch feel like a standard catered stop.

The fishing portion will suit people who like a little participation during a boat ride. If you only want to snorkel and relax, you can simply enjoy the cruise and let others handle the lines. The private arrangement makes that easier, since your group can settle into its own pace.

Playa Palancar and the first snorkel stop

The catamaran anchors in front of Playa Palancar, described as a secluded beach with clear aquamarine water. This is the first major stop and the place where you can snorkel near the reef.

The beach setting gives you more than an open-water swim. You can take in the shoreline, use the floats, or relax on the sand while the crew prepares lunch. The supplied snorkel equipment and life jackets remove much of the usual preparation. Towels are ready when you come out of the water, and an underwater camera is included for capturing the reef experience.

Keep your expectations sensible. Water conditions can affect visibility, and the activity requires good weather. The company may cancel for poor conditions, offering another date or a full refund. That policy is important here because snorkeling quality depends heavily on wind and sea conditions.

Playa Palancar is also where the trip feels most like a beach day rather than a boat excursion. If someone in your group is less interested in snorkeling, that person can enjoy the beach, shade, drinks, and lunch instead of spending the entire morning in the water.

Lunch on the yacht or beneath a palapa

Lunch is served either on the catamaran or on the beach beneath a shaded palapa. That choice is one of the better details of the day. You can stay aboard if you prefer the breeze and the open water, or step ashore for a more traditional beach setting with your feet in the sand.

The menu includes freshly made guacamole, shrimp and fish ceviche, grilled cheeseburgers, and snacks. The choices cover several appetites, from light seafood to a familiar burger. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available, but you need to advise the company when booking.

Drinks are included through an open bar, with alcoholic and non-alcoholic choices. Beer, margaritas, and soft drinks are specifically mentioned. This is valuable on an eight-hour boat day because you are not constantly reaching for your wallet or wondering where the next drink will come from.

The open bar can also make the price easier to understand for a group. You are paying for a private boat, crew, food, equipment, and drinks in one package. That does not make the total cheap, but it reduces the number of add-on expenses during the day. The dock fee and transportation remain separate, so include them in your calculation.

A second reef and more time in the water

After lunch, the boat moves to another nearby reef for a second snorkel stop. This gives you a fresh chance to see fish and sea life rather than treating the first reef as the only water activity of the day.

Two stops are especially useful for mixed groups. Conditions can differ from one reef to the next, and some people may enjoy the second site more than the first. You also have time to get comfortable with the equipment before the later snorkel.

The supplied floats make the non-snorkeling time easier. You can stay in the water without swimming continuously, while the crew remains available with gear and drinks. One strong practical detail from the trip is the crew’s readiness with snorkels, food, and water activities. Ramon and his team are noted for keeping people informed and staying attentive throughout the outing.

That service matters on a private charter. A captain who explains what comes next helps the day feel organized without making it rigid. You should still ask about the order of stops and expected timing when you board, since sea conditions can affect the schedule.

The return ride and Riviera Maya sunset

The final part of the day is the cruise back toward the Riviera Maya. The return includes views of the jungle region at sunset, providing a quieter finish after fishing, beach time, lunch, and snorkeling.

Sunset timing can vary by season, so the exact light will depend on your departure date and the day’s weather. Still, the return ride gives you a chance to settle in with a drink, dry off, and enjoy the coast from the water.

The trip ends back at the Puerto Aventuras meeting point. Since the tour lasts about eight hours, check your accommodation’s distance from the marina before booking. A separate transfer can add both cost and planning time, especially if your group is staying well north or south of Puerto Aventuras.

How the private format changes the experience

This is not a basic shared boat ride. Only your group participates, with capacity for up to 15 people. That makes the tour a stronger choice for families, birthday groups, wedding parties, and friends traveling together.

A private boat also gives you more control over the mood. Some people can fish while others relax. Strong swimmers can spend longer snorkeling, while children or less confident swimmers can use life jackets and floats. Children and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

The crew’s attentive style is another reason to consider the private format. Ramon and his crew are described as friendly, accommodating, and quick to keep drinks, food, snorkels, and other water equipment available. The boat is also described as being in good shape, which is reassuring on a full-day charter.

There are limits, of course. A group of 15 can make the boat feel more active than a small charter, and the private price does not drop if only a few people attend. If you have two or three people, a shared sailing trip may offer better value.

Is $3,166.67 a fair price?

The listed price is $3,166.67 for the whole group, up to 15 people. At full capacity, that works out to roughly $211 per person before the $20-per-person dock fee and transportation. With 10 people, the base cost is about $317 per person. With fewer people, the price rises quickly.

That price includes more than transportation on a boat. You receive a private 40-foot catamaran, crew service, lunch, snacks, an open bar, fishing equipment, snorkel gear, towels, floats, an underwater camera, and an onboard restroom. The value improves when you use several of those features and fill most of the available spaces.

I would view this as a special-occasion charter rather than a budget activity. The biggest value is privacy and convenience. You do not need to rent gear, organize separate meals, or buy drinks throughout the day. You also get a full eight-hour outing rather than a short snorkeling transfer.

The extra costs deserve attention. The dock fee is $20 per person, and private transportation is not included. Ask for the transportation rate from your hotel, then compare the full total with other private charters before booking.

Practical details for a smoother day

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Since the experience is often booked well in advance, planning early is sensible if you need a particular date. The average advance booking period is 119 days.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should consider the physical demands of boarding a yacht, swimming, and snorkeling before booking for anyone with limited mobility.

Tell the company about dietary restrictions at booking time. Vegetarian and vegan meals are available, along with other dietary accommodations. Do not wait until lunch to raise the issue.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. Since the trip depends on good weather, a company cancellation for poor conditions results in a different date or a full refund.

Bring the basics for a boat day: swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication you need. The tour supplies towels and water equipment, but your own dry clothes for the ride home can be useful.

Who should book this catamaran day?

I would choose this trip for a group that wants a private day with several activities built in. It suits people who want snorkeling but do not want snorkeling to be the entire program. Fishing, beach time, lunch, drinks, and the sunset ride give the day a broader shape.

It is also a good fit for a group with different interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can stay on the beach or enjoy the catamaran. The private setting makes those different choices easier to manage.

I would think twice if your group is small, price-sensitive, or mainly wants a quick reef visit. The cost is easier to defend with 10 to 15 people, and the extra transportation and dock fee should be included in your budget from the start.

Should you book it?

Book this private catamaran if you have a sizeable group, want a full Caribbean day, and value having food, drinks, equipment, and a crew ready throughout the trip. The combination of Playa Palancar, two reef stops, troll fishing, and a sunset return gives you plenty to do without changing boats or arranging separate meals.

Skip it if you are traveling alone, as a couple, or with a very small group and mainly want the lowest-cost snorkeling option. For the right party, though, this is a well-rounded private charter with a strong service focus, a useful range of included extras, and enough flexibility to keep both active and relaxed people happy.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Riviera Elite: Yachts in Tulum and Playa del Carmen, at Avenida Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, in Puerto Aventuras.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same Puerto Aventuras meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private catamaran accommodates a group of up to 15 people.

Is transportation to Puerto Aventuras included?

No. Private transportation is not included, and the price varies based on your exact location.

Is the dock fee included?

No. The dock fee is $20 per person.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch and snacks are included, along with an open bar offering alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Food includes guacamole, shrimp and fish ceviche, and grilled cheeseburgers. Vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary options are available if requested when booking.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the company to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.