From Puerto Aventuras: Share Catamaran Tour

Snorkel and BBQ on a Riviera catamaran. I love the 65-foot catamaran and the INAH reef snorkel led by guides who keep an eye on you. You’ll also get a BBQ lunch and open bar, but there’s a heads-up, some sailings can feel more crowded than the small-group vibe you might expect.

In about four hours, you leave the Puerto Aventuras marina, cruise out for roughly an hour, snorkel with gear included, then sail back along the Riviera Maya. If conditions get choppy, snorkeling time can shrink, so plan this as a sea-and-reef outing, not just a guaranteed long reef session.

Key Things I Think You’ll Care About

• 65-foot catamaran comfort: more stable and spacious than the tiny boats you see in the area.
• INAH reef snorkeling: you get snorkel guidance and supervision, plus equipment is included.
• ~1 hour each way by sea: a real cruise, not just a short hop before the activities start.
• BBQ lunch with 4 grill choices: steak, fish filet, chicken fajitas, or a hamburger, served with the open bar.
• Extra cost to budget for: a $15 marina dock fee per person is paid in cash.

Puerto Aventuras Catamaran, The Sweet Spot for First-Timers

If you want Caribbean water without turning your day into a full expedition, this is a strong option. The format is simple: board in Puerto Aventuras, sail to a reef area, snorkel under staff supervision, eat onboard, then cruise back.

What I like most is that the tour is built around two things most people come for: time on the water and time in the water. The catamaran gives you that classic Riviera Maya “onboard” feel, and the snorkeling part is supported so you do not have to figure everything out on your own.

The main thing to consider is pacing and conditions. Even with guides and included gear, the ocean decides how long you get to spend actually snorkeling.

Boarding the 65-Foot Catamaran and Cruising Out Toward the Reef

You start at the marina in Puerto Aventuras, where the crew welcomes you aboard and runs through safety and what’s coming next. Expect a practical briefing that covers the activities and the boat amenities, so you know where to be when it’s time to gear up.

Then you set sail for about one hour heading to the reef area. That cruise time matters. You get breathing room to settle in, enjoy the ride, and soak up views of the coastline of the Riviera Maya before you jump into the snorkeling portion.

Onboard, you’ll find the “luxury catamaran” angle in the way the day flows: you are not constantly moving around, and there’s room to relax between the main moments. It also helps if you are traveling with kids, because the day is structured and not overly rushed.

INAH Reef Snorkeling: Gear Included, Guides Nearby, Weather Matters

Snorkeling is the centerpiece, and it’s aimed at the second largest barrier reef in the world, at the INAH reef area. Before you go in, you’ll have snorkel equipment included, and staff act as your on-water support while you’re swimming.

Here’s the practical part: the guides and snorkel support team supervise the snorkeling. That is helpful if it’s your first time, because you do not just get handed gear and left to figure it out. You can also bring your own snorkel equipment if you prefer, but most people are happy using what’s provided.

One real-world factor to keep in mind is that water conditions can change your experience. On days with higher waves, snorkeling may be cut shorter or become impossible. If you tend to feel sick on boats, this is the time to take it seriously. You are still in the middle of open water during that roughly one-hour sail out, and choppy conditions can affect how enjoyable the rest of the day feels.

Also, think about your expectations for time in the water. Some people get enough snorkeling to feel satisfied, while others want more minutes underwater. The tour is set up so you are not stuck in limbo, but you should still treat the snorkeling session as dependent on conditions, not a guaranteed exact number of minutes.

BBQ Lunch and Open Bar, the Four Grill Choices You Should Know

While you snorkel, the chef is busy preparing lunch. That means you’re not waiting around hungry. Once you’re back onboard, you’re set up for a full BBQ meal with options you choose from before the trip.

The four grill choices are:

• NY steak
• Fish filet
• Chicken fajitas
• Hamburger

This matters for value. You are not paying extra for a “real meal,” and you’re not stuck with a single bland buffet-style option. If you come with friends or family, you can also coordinate your order ahead of time so lunch feels like part of the plan instead of an afterthought.

Drinks are part of the experience too, through the full open bar. That pairing, snorkel first and then eat and sip onboard, is why this tour feels like more than just an activity. It turns the middle of your day into an event, not a rushed stop.

That said, food quality can vary a bit day to day. Some diners feel the BBQ hits the mark, others mention that the fish can be less appealing if it’s not fresh enough for their taste. I’d treat the BBQ as solid comfort food rather than a guaranteed fine-dining meal.

Sailing Back Along the Riviera Maya, Plus the Sunset Option

After lunch, you get a leisurely sail back along the Riviera Maya. This is where the day shifts from “do the activities” to “enjoy the coast.” You’re on the water again, and the pacing gives you time to relax, take photos, and simply enjoy the scenery without any ticking clock.

If you choose a private charter for sunset, you can enjoy the view in that golden-hour light. The difference with sunset is simple: it’s the same general idea, but the vibe is less midday and more scenic.

Even on daytime departures, I like that the tour gives you a proper cruise back. A lot of snorkel tours feel like a drive to the water followed by a quick return. Here, the return sail keeps you on the water long enough to actually feel like you had a sea day.

Price and Extra Costs: Is $125 Good Value?

The advertised price is $125 per person for a 4-hour experience. On paper, that can look high compared with smaller, simpler boat trips. The reason it can still make sense is that you’re getting multiple built-in components: catamaran sailing, snorkel equipment, a supervised reef stop, lunch with BBQ grill choices, and drinks from the open bar.

Still, you need to budget for the extras that are not included. The big one is the $15 marina dock fee, paid in cash. You should also plan for any transportation you want. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can ask to add round-trip transportation service for an extra cost per person depending on your location.

When I think about value here, I weigh three things:

1. Are you getting enough “boat time” to feel like it’s more than a snack stop?
2. Are you comfortable with snorkeling being condition-based?
3. Do you want a full meal and open bar included rather than paying for those separately?

If your answer to those is yes, $125 can feel fair. If your priority is purely long snorkeling time, you might want to compare options that focus more heavily on reef time and less on the onboard cruising and meal.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a good fit if you want a balanced half-day: reef snorkeling plus an onboard meal, without the hassle of planning. Families are welcome, and the staff help and guide you if you’re snorkeling for the first time.

It’s also a decent match if you like structure. You have a clear flow, safety briefing first, then the sail, then snorkeling, then lunch and the return. That makes it easier when you have kids or a group with mixed experience levels.

But it’s not for everyone. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. If either applies to you, skip this one and look for a different type of outing.

You should also consider the day’s sea conditions if you’re prone to motion sickness. The tour is not described as being sheltered from waves, and snorkeling depends on conditions.

Language support is another practical point. The live tour guide supports Spanish, English, and German, and the crew is set up to help with snorkeling questions and basics.

My Booking Call: Should You Book This Puerto Aventuras Catamaran Tour?

I think you should book this catamaran tour if you want a straightforward Puerto Aventuras experience that blends INAH reef snorkeling with a real onboard BBQ and open bar. The 65-foot boat size and the supervised snorkeling setup are the kinds of details that make the day feel easier, especially if you are new to snorkeling.

I would not book with blind certainty if your main goal is a long, uninterrupted time underwater. Ocean conditions can change the snorkeling session. Also, if you are expecting a tiny group, be mentally prepared for larger numbers on certain departures, which can affect how crowded the boat feels at the start.

If you can be flexible and you want a fun sea day with food included, this one is worth your time. Just remember the $15 cash dock fee, bring biodegradable sunscreen and swim gear, and get ready for a relaxed ride with a reef stop at its core.

FAQ

What’s included in the Puerto Aventuras catamaran tour?

Snorkel equipment and food and drinks are included.

How long is the tour from Puerto Aventuras?

The duration is 4 hours.

Where do I meet the tour?

You arrive at the marina in Puerto Aventuras.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, but you can contact the provider to add round-trip transportation for an extra cost per person depending on your location.

What extra fee should I plan for?

There is a marina dock fee of $15 per person, paid in cash.

What should I bring for the snorkeling and boat day?

Bring swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, sandals, biodegradable sunscreen, and cash. Sunglasses and an underwater camera are also useful, and you can bring your own snorkel equipment if you prefer.