Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

The best part of this four-hour catamaran trip is the shallow sandbar, where you can step from the boat into clear water and soft sand far from shore. It is a fine choice for children and nervous swimmers, though you still need to board the boat by dock stairs and feel comfortable getting into open water.

I like the relaxed pace and the crew’s personal service. Jose, Captain Martin, Arturo, and Ulises have been singled out for keeping drinks, snacks, pillows, and family members well looked after. I also like that lunch, floating mats, and alcoholic drinks are included. The main catch is cost: the $140 price does not include $40 in park, dock, and marina fees, and transportation costs extra.

Key points to know before booking

• A shallow sandbar makes this family-friendly: You can often stand in the water, though conditions and depth vary.
• The catamaran carries no more than 26 people: Some departures may be much smaller, which helps the outing feel calm.
• The ride to the sandbar takes about an hour: Bring sun protection and settle in for a scenic cruise.
• Lunch is simple but useful: Expect a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips.
• Bring your own towel unless the operator confirms otherwise: Towels are described as available in one place but excluded in another.
• The real cost is higher than the advertised fare: Add $20 for National Park and dock fees, plus a $20 Marina La Bonita admission fee.

Sailing from Marina La Bonita at 12:30 p.m.

Your afternoon begins at Marina La Bonita, where you check in and walk to the dock for the catamaran Adelita. The listed start time is 12:30 p.m., so allow enough time to arrive, handle the marina fee, and find the boarding area without rushing.

You can meet at the marina yourself or request hotel pickup. Pickup is offered from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an additional charge, while transport from other areas can be arranged at a higher cost. If you need a ride, give the hotel name when booking rather than assuming the operator will know where to collect you.

The marina charges matter. The fare is $140 per person, but the $20 National Park and dock fee plus the $20 Marina La Bonita admission fee bring the known total to $180 before any hotel transfer. That is a fair price if you value a small boat, open bar, lunch, and several hours on the water. It is less attractive if you mainly want a short swim and do not care about the sailing portion.

The catamaran can carry up to 26 people. That is not a private charter, but it is a more manageable number than the large party boats common around Cancun. Some recent departures have been notably smaller, including one with only 11 people and another with five. Group size can change, so treat the maximum as a limit rather than a promise of a tiny outing.

An easygoing cruise through Puerto Morelos National Park

Once aboard, Adelita heads through the calm water around the Puerto Morelos National Park. The boat ride to the sandbar takes about an hour, giving you time to watch the coast recede, settle into a shaded seat, or move into the sun and breeze.

This is not a fast sightseeing trip. The sailing is part of the day, and the value comes from the unhurried rhythm. Crew members serve unlimited drinks, including alcoholic beverages, along with water and snacks. Music may play, and the mood can shift from quiet cruising to light dancing as the afternoon goes on.

The crew is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Jose and Captain Martin are names associated with especially attentive service, while Arturo and Ulises have also helped with boarding, refreshments, and family care. Crew assignments can change, but the service style is hands-on. Drinks are brought around, pillows may be offered, and staff keep an eye on people in the water.

That attention is useful when children are aboard. One account describes a crew member noticing a child’s floating mat drifting away from the catamaran and quickly bringing it back. You should still supervise your own children at all times, but this is a good sign that the staff watches the water instead of treating the swim stop as an unattended free-for-all.

The cruise also works for adults who want very little activity. You can sit in the shade, enjoy a cold drink, and let the boat do the work. The catamaran has sunny and shaded areas, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and clothing that dries quickly.

The secret sandbar and its shallow water

The main stop is a sandbar in the Puerto Morelos National Park, far enough from shore to give the setting an offshore feel. The boat anchors, and you can climb down into the water, use a floating mattress, paddleboard, or simply relax near the catamaran.

The water is often shallow enough to stand in, with soft sand underfoot. That is what makes this trip different from a standard snorkeling or party-boat outing. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the setting, and children who are comfortable in water can usually play without having to swim far.

Still, do not read perfect for non-swimmers as meaning completely risk-free. You must be able to climb the boat’s dock stairs and board the catamaran. At the sandbar, some areas may be deeper than others, and you may need to move through water from the boat to the shallow section. One older couple enjoyed staying aboard because they were not comfortable swimming the short distance to the sandbank.

If you are a nervous swimmer, tell the crew before entering the water. A floating mat gives you extra support, and the shallow areas may suit you well, but the crew cannot remove the basic need to be comfortable around a boat and open sea.

Paddleboards are listed as available, though the included equipment list specifically names the floating mat. If paddleboarding is important to you, confirm that boards are operating on your date. The same advice applies to towels. The highlights say towels are available, while the inclusions list says towels are not included. Bring your own beach towel to avoid a damp ride back to the marina.

The sandbar is best for floating, wading, sitting in the water, and taking in the color of the sea. Snorkeling is not listed as part of the outing, so do not book it expecting a formal reef tour. The boat passes through a protected marine area, but the focus here is the sandbar and relaxed swimming.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical side of an open bar

Lunch is served aboard the catamaran as an alfresco break. The standard meal is a ham and cheese baguette with fruit and chips. It is a light lunch, not a full buffet, so eat a proper breakfast and consider bringing an extra snack if you tend to get hungry after swimming.

Dietary needs require special care. A vegetarian meal was once confirmed but not provided, leaving one person without lunch after a long ride and swim stop. If you have a vegetarian, vegan, allergy-related, or other dietary requirement, contact the operator before booking, ask for written confirmation, and bring backup food if the answer is unclear.

Unlimited drinks are part of the appeal. You can choose alcoholic beverages, cold bottled water, and other available refreshments while cruising and relaxing at the sandbar. The open bar adds value for adults, but it can also shape the mood of the boat. Families should know that this is a mixed-age outing with alcohol, even though children are welcome.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the crew may be friendly and playful with young passengers. Some children have even been invited to help steer under supervision, but that is not a guaranteed feature and should not be treated as part of the formal program.

Getting back to shore and arranging transportation

After the sandbar stop, you have time for one last swim or a final rest on deck before the return sail. Towels are particularly useful here, since the boat ride back can be breezy and you may prefer to change into dry clothing.

Hotel drop-off is available if you arrange transportation. The pickup area covers locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but the transfer is an extra charge. One reported ride was smooth and comfortable, though the final kilometers to the marina included heavy potholes. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that rough road into account as well as the boat ride.

The outing lasts about four hours, but transportation can make the total half-day longer. The boat portion begins at 12:30 p.m., and the return time may shift with boarding, traffic, sea conditions, and the pace of the group. Keep the rest of your evening flexible.

Weather deserves attention. The company can cancel when sea conditions are unsafe, even if the sky over your hotel looks fine. A cancellation for poor weather should result in a different date or full refund. That policy is reasonable for an ocean trip, but it can leave you without a replacement activity if the cancellation comes close to your departure date.

Also watch the pickup instructions closely. Missing a scheduled pickup can mean losing the booking, with no rescheduling or refund when the service has already been sent out. Save the pickup time, check your email, and be ready early.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

I would choose this trip for a family that wants clear, shallow water without committing to a strenuous water activity. It also suits couples, solo visitors, older adults who prefer to remain aboard, and friends looking for a social afternoon with drinks and music.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy:

• A slow catamaran ride rather than a fast excursion
• Swimming, wading, and floating in shallow water
• A small group with attentive service
• Simple lunch and unlimited drinks
• A mix of families, couples, friends, and solo participants
• Time in the sun with some shaded seating

I would think twice if your main goal is snorkeling, a quiet private boat, or a substantial meal. I would also avoid it if you are pregnant, since the activity is not recommended for pregnant women, or if you cannot manage beach walking, dock stairs, and boat boarding.

The advertised family-friendly design is useful, but parents should not hand over all responsibility to the crew. Children still need direct supervision, especially around floating mats and the boat’s swim ladder. Less experienced swimmers may find the short trip from the boat to the sandbar harder than the shallow water itself.

Is $180 or more a fair price?

At $140, the trip looks competitive for a four-hour catamaran with lunch and an open bar. Once you add the $20 National Park and dock fee and the $20 marina admission, the known base cost is $180 per person. Hotel pickup adds more.

For that money, you are paying for more than transport to a sandbar. The package includes the boat, crew service, a light lunch, drinks, a floating mat, and time in a setting that may be clearer and more pleasant than the water directly in front of your hotel. One reason this can be especially valuable is sargassum. When seaweed affects a resort beach, an offshore sandbar may offer a much cleaner place to swim, though sea conditions and water quality can change.

The fare makes better sense for a full afternoon than for a quick dip. If you do not drink alcohol and plan to stay aboard instead of swimming, the value is weaker. If you have children, nervous swimmers, or a group that wants a low-effort day on the water, the shallow sandbar and attentive service may justify the expense.

Should you book the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran?

Book it if you want a gentle half-day on the water with a small maximum group, friendly service, simple food, and shallow swimming. It is particularly useful for families and adults who are not confident swimmers but still want to enjoy the sea.

Before paying, confirm the total cost, transportation fee, towel arrangements, paddleboard availability, and any special meal request. Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and backup food if you have dietary restrictions. Keep an eye on pickup messages and accept that poor sea conditions can change the plan.

I would not choose this for serious snorkeling or a private, silent sailing. For an easygoing afternoon built around clear water, floating, drinks, and crew members who pay attention, it is a strong option in the Cancun and Puerto Morelos area.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail?

The activity lasts approximately four hours, including the cruise to the sandbar, the water stop, lunch, and the return sail.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:30 p.m.

Where do I meet the catamaran?

You can meet at Marina La Bonita, check in, and walk to the dock to board the Adelita.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an additional charge. Transportation from other locations may also be arranged for an extra price.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Yes. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The shallow water makes the activity suitable for many families, but children still need close supervision.

Can non-swimmers take part?

The tour is designed to suit children and nervous swimmers because the sandbar has shallow water. You must still be able to walk on the beach, climb dock stairs, board the boat, and feel reasonably comfortable around open water.

What food is included?

The light lunch includes a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. If you have dietary restrictions, request an alternative in advance and bring backup food if needed.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages and unlimited drinks are included. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and poor-weather cancellations should result in a different date or full refund.