REVIEW · PLAYA DEL CARMEN
5H private 50′ Yacht All-Inclusive from Tulum & Playa del Carmen
Book on Viator →Operated by Riviera Elite · Bookable on Viator
Turtles and a private yacht day sounds like a dream. This five-hour Caribbean cruise from Puerto Aventuras puts snorkel time and a full open bar on one smooth schedule, with a dedicated crew handling food and drinks while you enjoy the sea.
What I like most is the snorkeling at In-Ha, where the water stays calm and clear enough to spot sea turtles and lots of reef life. I also love that the meal is part of the outing, with freshly prepared shrimp and fish ceviche served onboard. One thing to think about: you’ll pay extra on top of the tour (a per-person dock fee, and private transportation varies), and if your group is large, the yacht can feel less roomy.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you book
- Private 50-Foot Azimut Yacht: What You’re Really Paying For
- The Easy Start: Meeting in Puerto Aventuras
- In-Ha Reef: Calm Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
- If you snorkel, here’s what to expect
- If you don’t snorkel, you’re not stuck
- Onboard Food and Drinks While You Float
- La Bocana: Shallow-Water Ceviche and a Music-Led Finale
- Troll Fishing Option: If You Want One More Twist
- Open Bar Setup: Unlimited Drinks Built Into the Day
- Restroom, Comfort, and the Reality of Group Size
- Price and Value: Included Is the Big Win
- Who This Yacht Day Fits Best
- Should You Book This 5H Private Yacht Tour
- FAQ
- How long is the yacht tour?
- Where does the tour depart from, and where does it end?
- What’s included on board?
- Do they offer vegetarian or vegan options?
- Can children join?
- Is the dock fee included in the tour price?
- What happens if weather is bad or I cancel?
Key things to know before you book

- Private 50′ Azimut yacht means it’s just your group, with a crew that takes care of the day
- In-Ha reef snorkeling is the main event, with sea turtles and colorful tropical fish
- La Bocana is shallow and clear and designed for a relaxed finale with music and ceviche
- Unlimited drinks and onboard lunch/snacks keep the day easy, not rushed
- Troll fishing is offered if you want a shot at catching something for the chef to prepare
- Snorkel gear, towels, and life jackets are included, so you show up ready
Private 50-Foot Azimut Yacht: What You’re Really Paying For

This is one of those tours that makes sense if you value your time and space. You’re not sharing a crowded catamaran with strangers. You’re on a private 50-foot yacht with a crew that stays focused on service, meals, and keeping things running smoothly.
The boat setup is designed for a half-day. There’s a restroom onboard (small detail, big quality-of-life upgrade), and you’ll have towels and snorkel gear with life jackets ready when you need them. If you prefer to relax rather than swim, you can do that too. The day isn’t built around forcing everyone into the water.
It’s also an all-inclusive style experience: lunch and snacks are part of the plan, and the bar is unlimited. That means fewer decisions for you once you’re out on the water. You can just enjoy the rhythm of cruising, snorkeling, and eating.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Playa del Carmen.
The Easy Start: Meeting in Puerto Aventuras

The tour meets at Riviera Elite Yachts in Puerto Aventuras. The exact address listed is Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico.
Timing is built around the water. You sail north for about an hour to the first reef stop. That hour matters because it helps you reach snorkeling conditions before the day gets hectic. Also, if you’re coming from Tulum or Playa del Carmen, note that private transportation is extra and varies by where you start.
One more practical note: this experience needs good weather. If conditions aren’t right, the provider may offer another date or a full refund. That’s not a gamble you make last minute, it’s just how marine days work here.
In-Ha Reef: Calm Snorkeling with Sea Turtles
Your first stop is a semi-sheltered reef area called In-Ha. This is the kind of snorkeling spot that works for more than just experts. The key is that the water is calm and clear, which makes it easier to float, breathe, and actually enjoy what’s around you.
In-Ha is where you look for sea turtles, along with colorful tropical fish and other reef life. This is the stop that turns a “nice boat day” into a “why didn’t I do this sooner” day.
If you snorkel, here’s what to expect
Snorkeling gear and life jackets are provided, and there’s support from the crew once you’re in the water. You’ll also find that you can get a lot out of this stop even if you’re not a hardcore snorkeler. The water conditions help.
If you’re brand new to snorkeling, plan on handling the basics yourself for the first few minutes. There isn’t a heavy “lesson” style format built into the experience. The crew is there to help, but you should be ready to figure out your comfort quickly.
If you don’t snorkel, you’re not stuck
You can stay onboard and relax instead. Think sunbathing, cocktails, and snacks while others snorkel. It’s a good setup for mixed groups—like parents who want the experience but don’t want to be in the water for long.
Onboard Food and Drinks While You Float

A yacht day can feel great or it can feel chaotic, depending on how the meal is handled. Here, food shows up as part of the flow, not as an afterthought.
During the In-Ha stop, the crew serves snacks and cocktails, and you’ll get freshly made shrimp and fish ceviche. This is the kind of meal that tastes better on the water than it ever does on land. The salt air does its job.
If you have dietary needs, vegetarian and vegan options are available if you advise in advance. There’s also flexibility for other lunch requests tied to restrictions. Don’t wait until you’re already onboard—this is one of those “tell them early so it’s ready” situations.
Some departures get extra crowd-pleasers beyond the ceviche. In real-life crew stories, names like Luis, Arianna, Eddie, and Pollo come up for excellent service, and groups describe fresh add-ons like aqua chile, guacamole, and even burgers. The common theme is simple: the crew keeps food moving and keeps you comfortable.
La Bocana: Shallow-Water Ceviche and a Music-Led Finale

After In-Ha, you head to the second stop: La Bocana. This is where the day starts to feel like the finale. It’s shallow and clear, so it’s easy to wade, float, or swim without that open-water feeling that can be intimidating.
Many people choose to enjoy ceviche here along with open bar drinks. You can eat from the water if you want to, and the experience leans playful: your favorite music gets going so the stop feels like a party-on-the-sea moment.
This stop works well for different energy levels. If you snorkeled hard at In-Ha and want something lighter, La Bocana is that reset. If you didn’t snorkel much earlier, it gives you another chance to get that “sea life” feel—without the big commitment.
Troll Fishing Option: If You Want One More Twist

If fishing is your thing, troll fishing is offered on this tour. Fishing gear is provided, and if you catch something, it can be prepared onboard with the chef’s secret family sauce.
The key is the attitude: don’t treat it like a guarantee. It’s a fun add-on that gives active travelers a bit more to do during the cruise. If you’re mostly there for snorkeling, you can skip it and keep the day focused on sea turtles and coral fish.
Open Bar Setup: Unlimited Drinks Built Into the Day

The bar is a big part of why this tour feels like “all-inclusive.” Included is unlimited open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice. Snacks also come along, including chips and more.
A couple practical points:
- The minimum drinking age is 18.
- If you don’t drink alcohol, you’re not stuck with just water. Soft drinks and juice are included, and you’ll still have a full snack spread.
This is also where the crew’s service style matters. In one account, when the water got choppy and someone felt rough, the crew kept things steady with the right drink quickly. That kind of attention is part of the value of having a dedicated crew rather than just a standard check-in and go.
Restroom, Comfort, and the Reality of Group Size

The biggest “private yacht” benefit is comfort, but comfort depends on how many people you pack onto a boat.
The yacht is described as able to take groups up to about 15. In practice, if you’re closer to that upper end, it may feel less spacious. If you like your space—sunbathing space, moving around space, changing posture space—aim for a smaller group if you can.
The good news is that crew behavior tends to support privacy. Once you’re settled, the crew generally stays out of your way and focuses on service. That’s ideal if you want the boat to feel like yours for the day.
Price and Value: Included Is the Big Win
There isn’t one single “you’ll pay X” number provided here, but the value math is still clear.
Included:
- Private tour
- Lunch and snacks
- Towels
- Snorkel gear and life jackets
- Restroom on board
- Open bar with unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Not included:
- Private transportation (varies depending on your location)
- Dock fee: $20.00 per person
So the question isn’t just whether it’s expensive. It’s whether you’re buying convenience and quality you’d struggle to recreate on your own. For a private 50-foot yacht with meal, gear, and unlimited drinks built into the day, it can be a strong deal—especially for groups that split costs.
If you’re traveling as a couple or two friends, it can still be worth it because you avoid the hassle of arranging a boat, snorkeling setup, and provisioning. Just keep the per-person dock fee and any transport costs in your mental budget.
Who This Yacht Day Fits Best
This tour is a great match if you want:
- A private half-day at sea rather than a crowded boat experience
- Real snorkeling time at In-Ha with sea turtles and reef fish
- A relaxed schedule with ceviche and open bar included
- A mix of active and chill moments (snorkel or stay onboard)
It’s also a good fit for families and groups because there’s an onboard restroom, provided gear, and enough downtime built in that not everyone has to be in the water the whole time.
Two groups should think twice:
- If you need formal snorkeling instruction before you get in the water, plan to refresh your basics beforehand.
- If anyone in your group is very sensitive to choppy water, keep an eye on conditions and pack your patience. On rougher days, the crew can help with drinks and comfort, but the sea still decides how smooth things feel.
Should You Book This 5H Private Yacht Tour
Book it if you want a true private yacht day with snorkeling as the centerpiece and food plus unlimited drinks handled for you. In particular, this makes sense if you care about sea turtle snorkeling, want La Bocana’s shallow-water finale, and would rather spend your time enjoying the ride than planning logistics.
Skip it or compare options if:
- Your budget is tight once you factor in the dock fee and possible private transportation.
- You really want a guided, step-by-step snorkeling lesson style experience.
- Your group will be near the tour’s upper capacity and you’re picky about space.
If weather is stable and your group size is reasonable, this is one of those “worth it” half-days. It’s built to give you the wow moments without turning your day into a checklist.
FAQ
How long is the yacht tour?
It runs for about 5 hours.
Where does the tour depart from, and where does it end?
It starts at the Riviera Elite Yachts meeting point in Puerto Aventuras (Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras) and ends back at the same meeting point.
What’s included on board?
You get lunch and snacks, a restroom on board, towels, snorkel gear and life jackets, and an open bar with unlimited drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Do they offer vegetarian or vegan options?
Yes. Vegetarian/vegan options and other dietary restrictions can be accommodated if you advise at booking.
Can children join?
Children and young adults under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult.
Is the dock fee included in the tour price?
No. The dock fee is listed as $20.00 per person and is not included.
What happens if weather is bad or I cancel?
The 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 before the experience start time; within 24 hours, refunds aren’t available.













