Sea turtles and open bar on a yacht. This private 5-hour cruise in the Riviera Maya takes you from Puerto Aventuras to the semi-sheltered In-Ha reef, then finishes with a party stop at La Bocana.

What I like most is how you get real snorkeling time in calm, clear water, with a strong chance of seeing sea turtles and lots of colorful reef fish. I also love the food style here: it is not just chips and salsa. You get fresh ceviche, plus snacks and more solid options while you’re out on the water.

One thing to plan around: this experience depends on good weather, and you should budget for the $20 dock fee per person (private transportation can also cost extra depending on where you’re staying).

Key Points That Matter Before You Go

• In-Ha reef is semi-sheltered, so the water is calmer for snorkeling.
• Expect a turtle-and-fish snorkel paired with time to swim or relax on deck.
• Open bar with unlimited drinks runs during the stops, both relaxing and party-friendly.
• Food is more than snacks: guacamole, fresh shrimp and fish ceviche, and grilled burgers show up.
• Second stop at La Bocana includes optional troll fishing and very shallow, clear water.

The Private Yacht Feel: 6 People, 2 Reef Stops, No Crowds

This is the kind of tour you book when you want the ocean day to feel like it belongs to your group. With up to 6 people onboard, you’re not playing “find a spot” or waiting for your turn. You get a private set-up on a 40-foot yacht with a crew that stays focused on your day—snorkeling help, food timing, and keeping the drinks moving.

The route also does something smart: you start near Puerto Aventuras and head north for about an hour to your first snorkel area, then you pivot to a second stop later for the more social, party-leaning portion at La Bocana. That mix matters, because it keeps the day from turning into one long, samey swim session.

And yes, Playa del Carmen looks different from water. The coastline and beach views from offshore give you that “I’m really out here” feeling—especially during the stretches between stops when you’re just cruising.

Heading Out From Puerto Aventuras Marina and Setting the Tone

You’ll depart from the Puerto Aventuras marina and spend roughly an hour traveling north to In-Ha. That time is not just transit. It’s how the crew builds momentum: getting you settled, getting you fed with onboard snacks, and setting up the drinks so your day starts comfortably instead of abruptly.

If you like a relaxed pace, this first cruise segment helps. You can grab a drink, take in the water and coastline, and wait for the snorkel stop without rushing your morning.

If you’re the type who likes action right away, you still won’t feel stuck. The day is structured so that once you arrive, there’s enough time dedicated to being in the water.

Stop 1 at In-Ha Reef: Calm Water Snorkeling With Sea Turtles

In-Ha is a semi-sheltered reef area, which is a big deal for snorkeling in the Riviera Maya. Calm water means you can focus on looking around instead of fighting waves or getting pulled off course.

This stop is built for real sightseeing while you’re swimming: clear water, reef life, and that special possibility people come for—sea turtles. You’re also likely to see colorful tropical fish and multiple kinds of reef scenery, which is exactly what makes snorkeling feel more like exploring than just floating.

You also get a choice in how you handle this stop. If you want to snorkel, you can take your time, use the provided gear, and enjoy the slow moments underwater. If you’d rather not get in the water, you’re not “stuck” on this tour. You can stay onboard, sunbathe, or hang with your group while the crew keeps things comfortable.

A practical point: this isn’t a short, quick dip. It’s a meaningful chunk of the day. That matters if snorkeling is your top priority, because you’re not constantly rushing to the next thing.

What the Crew Does Between Swims: Snacks, Cocktails, and Fresh Ceviche

One reason people rave about this tour is the way the onboard food and drink feel like part of the experience, not an afterthought.

Early on, the crew prepares snacks and drinks while you’re settling into the day. Then at the food points, you get a menu that sounds simple, but tastes like someone planned it:

• Freshly made guacamole as a starter
• Fish and shrimp ceviche with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and a special sauce
• Grilled cheeseburgers as another main option

And the ceviche timing is worth mentioning. When the crew is fresh-prepping it while you’re out on the water, it feels like it belongs to being offshore. The day has that “vacation mode” rhythm: swim, snack, drink, swim again.

On top of that, the tour includes an open bar with unlimited drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic. That’s great if you want a celebratory feel, and it’s also helpful if you’re more relaxed and just want a steady stream of cold drinks between snorkel sessions.

If your group likes music, this is another area where the vibe can change. The experience is set up for fun—people report great energy and perfect music, and the crew can get the sound going during the party stop later in the day.

Stop 2 at La Bocana: Ceviche, Open Bar, and Shallow Clear-Water Fun

After In-Ha, your second stop is La Bocana, which is where the tone turns more social. This is the final party stop, and it’s built around staying in the water a bit longer, grabbing lunch, and enjoying the open bar.

La Bocana is described as shallow and clear. That combination is perfect for groups with mixed comfort levels—some people snorkel or swim while others float and watch from the surface without feeling like they’re too far from the boat.

Lunch at this stop centers on ceviche, and the open bar keeps the day rolling. The crew also offers troll fishing here, with equipment included. If you catch something, it can be prepared onboard.

There’s also a fun detail that makes La Bocana feel like an event: they play your favorite music through the day. If you’re the kind of group that likes to pick the playlist, this portion is where it really shows.

Troll Fishing on the Route: A Bonus if You Want Something Different

Not every reef tour gives you a chance to try fishing. Here, you can do troll fishing during the La Bocana stop, and if you catch fish, the tour can prepare it onboard.

Even if you don’t land anything, the value is the option itself. It adds variety. Instead of the day being only “swim, snorkel, repeat,” you get one more activity that keeps some people entertained while others take another swim lap.

How the Day Flows: 5 Hours, Real Water Time, and Room to Breathe

This is an approximately 5-hour outing. That timeframe is tight enough to feel like a real getaway, but long enough to do both stops without turning into a race.

Here’s the practical way to think about it:

• You travel first and settle in during the ride north.
• You do a substantial snorkeling-focused stop at In-Ha in calm water.
• You shift to La Bocana for the party vibe and shallow-water fun, plus optional troll fishing.
• You get food and drinks built into both the calm and social portions.

That “snorkel plus hangout” structure is the main reason this tour works for groups with different energy levels. One person can chase turtles underwater while another person lounges with a cocktail and still feels included.

You’ll also have the comfort items that keep things easy: snorkel gear and life jackets, towels, and a restroom onboard.

Food and Dietary Options: Plan Ahead, Then Relax

If you have dietary needs, the tour is set up to handle it as long as you tell them ahead of time. Vegetarian/vegan options and other dietary restrictions are available when you advise at booking.

That matters because this kind of tour can fail when food is treated as an afterthought. Here, the menu includes enough structure—guacamole, ceviche, and grilled burgers—that it’s easier to adapt than it would be on a bare-bones snack-only boat.

If you want something besides the ceviche-style lunch at the second stop, you can also request other lunch options in advance based on dietary restrictions.

Crew and Vibes: Names Matter Here

This tour tends to have a strong crew identity. People specifically mention the experience of sailing with Aldo and the onboard team sometimes referred to as Scallywags. Aldo is praised as a snorkeling guide and the person you can ask for if you want that extra attention in the water.

Other crew names that have shown up with standout service include Captain David, along with Renata, Pinelo, Axel, Yair, David, Luis, Master P, Diego, and Charlie. The important takeaway for you: the service style is social and active, not distant.

That means you can expect someone paying attention to details—snorkel support, keeping food flowing, and turning the sound/music on when it’s time for the vibe to rise.

Price and Value: What You’re Really Paying For

The price is $1,631.58 per group (up to 6) for about 5 hours. That sounds high at first glance, but it’s built around a private yacht day with included snorkeling gear, life jackets, towels, lunch and snacks, and an open bar with unlimited drinks.

To judge value, focus on what would cost you if you did this separately:

• Boat charter time for a group of up to 6
• Snorkel gear and safety life jackets
• Food and drinks for several hours
• Crew effort to handle stops, snorkeling timing, and onboard prep

This tour bundles all of that into one payment, which is why it makes financial sense for groups rather than solo travelers.

Two costs to keep in mind:

• The dock fee is $20 per person and is not included.
• Private transportation is not included, and cost varies depending on where you’re coming from.

Also, plan around the fact that it runs best with good weather. The operator notes it requires good weather, and if they cancel due to poor weather, you’ll get a different date or a full refund.

Who This Tour Is Best For (And Who Might Want Something Else)

This tour fits you if you want:

• A private ocean day with your group
• Real snorkeling at In-Ha reef in calmer water
• A food-and-drink plan that feels like a meal, not just snacks
• A day that can be relaxed or high-energy depending on your mood

It’s especially good for:

• Friends celebrating something
• Couples who want privacy but still want fun
• Small groups where not everyone has the same comfort level in the water

If you’re the type who only wants a quick snorkeling stop and hates any party atmosphere, you might find the open bar and music-heavy vibe less your style. But if you like choices—swim or lounge, snorkel or float—the structure works.

Should You Book This Private Yacht Tour to In-Ha and La Bocana?

Yes, I think you should book it if your priority list includes private time, In-Ha reef snorkeling, and a day with food plus unlimited drinks already handled. The best part is the balance: calm, clear-water reef exploration first, then a shallow, party-friendly finale at La Bocana.

Book with confidence if:

• Your group wants a luxury-style yacht day in the Riviera Maya
• Snorkeling is a must, but you also want the option to stay onboard
• You’ll actually use the included open bar and meal plan (because that’s where the value lands)

Skip it if:

• You want something strictly low-key and quiet
• Your group can’t work with weather-dependent water time

If you do book, a smart move is to request Aldo if he’s available. People have singled him out as a standout snorkeling guide, and that can make a noticeable difference in how smoothly your time in the water goes.

FAQ

How many people are on the private yacht?

It’s a private tour for your group, with pricing set for up to 6 people.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Riviera Elite at the Yachts in Tulum and Playa Del Carmen location in Puerto Aventuras, and it ends back at the meeting point.

What snorkeling gear is included?

Snorkel gear and life jackets are included, along with towels onboard.

Is lunch included, and can you handle dietary restrictions?

Yes. Lunch and snacks are included, and vegetarian/vegan options and other dietary restrictions are available if you advise at booking. You can also request other lunch options in advance based on dietary restrictions.

Is there an open bar?

Yes. The tour includes an open bar with unlimited drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Can you go fishing on this tour?

Yes. Troll fishing is offered, and equipment is included. Anything you catch can be prepared onboard.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the start time.

You Might Also Enjoy

Istanbul: Private Bosphorus Strait Sightseeing Yacht CruiseNYC: Evening Jazz Cruise on the Yacht ManhattanPrivate Yacht Rental Sea Ray 46ft Cancun 23P3Palawan: Private Sailing Yacht Cruise in El Nido