Sea turtles and tequila, same day. This private yacht cruise from Puerto Aventuras pairs two snorkel stops in the Riviera Maya with unlimited drinks, so the day feels more like a party with a plan than a bus tour. One thing to pencil in: there’s a $20 dock fee per person plus the itinerary depends on good weather.
What I like most is how easy it is to do this your way. You get snorkel gear, life jackets, and towels ready for you, and you can still have a great time if you’d rather stay onboard and relax between swim times. And yes, the ceviche lunch can be adjusted for dietary needs if you tell them ahead.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll actually care about
- Private Azimut yacht time from Puerto Aventuras
- Price and logistics: what you’re paying for (and what isn’t included)
- The day’s flow: Riviera Maya cruise with two planned water stops
- Stop One at In-Ha: calm water, sea turtles, and a real snorkel window
- Practical tip for this stop
- Stop Two at La Bocana: shallow, clear, and built for ceviche + cocktails
- Open bar and lunch: the real reason people feel like royalty
- Optional troll fishing: fun if you like a bit of action
- Onboard comfort that makes the difference
- Who should book this yacht snorkel day—and who might skip it
- Should you book Riviera Elite’s 5-hour yacht with In-Ha and La Bocana?
- FAQ
- How long is the yacht tour?
- Where does the tour depart from?
- Is this a private tour?
- What’s included in the price?
- Is there an open bar, and what’s available?
- Can they accommodate vegetarian or vegan diets?
- Do you need to bring snorkel equipment?
- Is there a fee for the dock?
- What’s the minimum drinking age?
- What happens if weather is bad?
Key highlights you’ll actually care about
- Two snorkel-focused stops (In-Ha and La Bocana) with calm, clear water at both
- Unlimited open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, beer, soft drinks, juice, and bottled water
- Snorkel-friendly setup: gear, life jackets, and towels provided so you’re not scrambling
- Ceviche lunch with dietary options if you share restrictions in advance
- Shallow finale party stop at La Bocana, where you can even enjoy ceviche in the water
- Optional troll fishing on the cruise, with anything you catch prepared onboard
Private Azimut yacht time from Puerto Aventuras
This is the kind of outing that feels simple on paper and fun in real life. You start at the Puerto Aventuras marina and head out on a private luxury yacht, not a crowded boat. The rhythm is built around water time: cruise north, snorkel, cruise again, then snorkel and snack one more time before winding down back near where you started.
The day is also paced for groups who want different things. If you love being in the water, you’ll get your chance. If you don’t, you can stay onboard, sunbathe, and still enjoy the drinks and the views along the way.
I also like that the experience is set up to reduce friction. Towels, snorkel gear, and life jackets are included, and there’s even a restroom onboard. That matters more than it sounds when you’re on the water for about five hours.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Playa del Carmen
Price and logistics: what you’re paying for (and what isn’t included)
The price is $1,818.19 per group up to 15 people, for about 5 hours on the water. That pricing is easiest to think about like this: you’re paying for privacy, not per-seat access. If you’re coming with friends or family, the cost can work out far better than booking separate tours.
What to note:
- Dock fee: $20 per person is not included.
- Transportation to the meeting point is not included; it varies depending on where you’re staying.
- You’ll get a mobile ticket, and confirmation is expected within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.
If you’re traveling as a couple and want a calm, premium outing with time to snorkel and relax (without negotiating crowded-departure chaos), this can be good value. If you’re solo or trying to keep costs tight, it may feel expensive compared with public cruises—but the privacy and onboard setup are the real product here.
The day’s flow: Riviera Maya cruise with two planned water stops
Your route is designed for maximum enjoyment with minimal stress. After departure from Puerto Aventuras, you cruise about an hour north to your first snorkel stop in a semi-sheltered reef area called In-Ha. That “semi-sheltered” part is the practical difference-maker: the water tends to be calm enough for a comfortable swim.
From there, you return onboard and head to the second stop at La Bocana. This is where the vibe shifts into a more social finale. It’s shallow and clear, and it’s set up so you can swim, snack, and enjoy the moment from the water.
Then you slowly cruise back to the marina, with open bar and coastline views along the way. It’s not just about the snorkel. It’s also about the sail-y, relaxing time between the two stops.
Stop One at In-Ha: calm water, sea turtles, and a real snorkel window
In-Ha is your first “get in and go” stop. It’s described as a semi-sheltered reef area with calm, crystal-clear water—exactly what you want when you’re hoping to actually enjoy snorkeling instead of battling waves.
This is also where you can see impressive reef life. The highlights include sea turtles and colorful tropical fish, plus other reef residents. In other words, it’s not just for looking at rocks.
You’ll spend a good amount of time here for snorkeling and swimming. If you’re hesitant about getting in the water, you don’t have to commit. You can stay onboard while others snorkel, and you’ll still be in the middle of the action with snacks, drinks, and a great view.
Practical tip for this stop
If you want the best chance of spotting sea turtles, keep your snorkeling calm and controlled—move slowly, avoid splashing, and let your eyes do the work.
You can also read our reviews of more sailing experiences in Playa del Carmen
Stop Two at La Bocana: shallow, clear, and built for ceviche + cocktails
After you regroup onboard, you head to La Bocana. This stop is pitched as a kind of finale—more shallow-water fun and more flexibility.
The water is described as shallow and clear, which makes it a good “last swim” option even if you didn’t love the first snorkeling session. Many people also choose this stop for the ceviche lunch and the open bar, because the setting feels like a celebration.
Here’s the fun detail: you can enjoy the ceviche lunch in the water if you want. And the crew sets the tone with music. So even if you’re not a hardcore snorkeler, this is still a memorable part of the day.
Open bar and lunch: the real reason people feel like royalty
The all-inclusive part isn’t just a checkbox here. The open bar is a major part of the experience, with tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice, plus chips and other snacks.
And the lunch is the second big piece. You’ll get the yacht’s famous shrimp and fish ceviche, freshly made onboard style. What I find smart is that they offer dietary adjustments—vegetarian/vegan options and other restrictions—if you advise them at booking.
That’s a big deal for groups. It means you can plan one lunch for everyone without someone sitting out or settling for a sad substitute.
Optional troll fishing: fun if you like a bit of action
You can also add troll fishing to the experience. The idea is simple and playful: you try fishing along the way, and if you catch anything, it can be prepared onboard with the chef’s secret family sauce.
Now, fishing is always partly about timing and conditions, and your results can vary. But the best part is that it doesn’t replace the core snorkeling plan. It’s an extra option for people who want to feel a little more “out on the water,” not just floating for photos.
Onboard comfort that makes the difference
This tour is set up with sensible comfort features so you spend time enjoying, not troubleshooting.
Included onboard items:
- Snorkel gear and life jackets
- Towels
- Restroom on board
- Snacks throughout the day
- Open bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
Also, it’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates. That tends to improve the whole atmosphere: less waiting around, less random foot traffic, and more time for the crew to focus on your group.
One more detail I appreciate: they explicitly say most travelers can participate. That usually means the activity is meant to be accessible for a broad range of people, especially compared to tours where you’re expected to do something intense.
Who should book this yacht snorkel day—and who might skip it
This fits best if you want:
- A private outing for a group of up to 15
- A blend of snorkeling plus relaxing
- An easy day with unlimited drinks and a real lunch
- A crew vibe that keeps things smooth and friendly
You might skip it if:
- You’re extremely budget-focused and don’t see the value of paying for privacy.
- You’ll be unhappy with a schedule that depends on weather (the experience needs good conditions).
It’s also a strong choice for groups that want everyone included: the snorkeling can be optional, and dietary needs are supported with advance notice.
Should you book Riviera Elite’s 5-hour yacht with In-Ha and La Bocana?
If you’re looking for a premium, low-hassle day on the water with actual snorkeling opportunities, I’d lean yes. The value is strongest when you have multiple people sharing the group price, because you’re buying privacy, onboard comfort, and a drinks-and-lunch setup that’s hard to replicate on standard catamarans.
The biggest “make-or-break” factors for your decision are weather and dock-fee math. If the forecast looks good and your group is comfortable adding the $20 per person dock fee, this is the kind of outing that tends to leave people talking because it feels genuinely special.
Book it if you want: two well-chosen water stops, an easy lunch, and a crew-run vibe that keeps the day flowing.
FAQ
How long is the yacht tour?
It’s about 5 hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
It starts from the Riviera Elite yachts meeting point at Puerto Aventuras (Av. Bahia Yanten Manzana 33, Lot 9, Local 12, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico) and ends back there.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group participates.
What’s included in the price?
The tour includes lunch and snacks, towels, snorkel gear, life jackets, a restroom on board, and an unlimited open bar (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Is there an open bar, and what’s available?
Yes. The open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, Mexican beer, bottled water, soft drinks, and juice.
Can they accommodate vegetarian or vegan diets?
Yes. Vegetarian/vegan options and other dietary restrictions are available if you advise them at booking.
Do you need to bring snorkel equipment?
No. Snorkel gear and life jackets are provided.
Is there a fee for the dock?
Yes. A dock fee of $20 per person is not included.
What’s the minimum drinking age?
The minimum drinking age is 18.
What happens if weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
