Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

The best part of this Puerto Morelos catamaran sail is the shallow secret sandbar, where you can step into clear water instead of committing to a deep-water swim. I like the easygoing four-hour pace and the small maximum group of 26, which feels far more personal than a packed party boat.

I also like that lunch and unlimited drinks are included, with floating mats and water activities available. The main catch is cost: the advertised $140 price does not include $20 in national park and dock fees or the separate $20 Marina La Bonita admission charge. Bring extra money, and confirm the towel and paddleboard arrangements before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Shallow sandbar water: Much of the swimming area is shallow enough for children and confident non-swimmers to stand.
• A small catamaran: The Adelita carries no more than 26 people, though some departures are much smaller.
• A roughly one-hour ride each way: The sail is part of the experience, not just transportation to the water.
• Attentive crew: Captain Martin, Jose, Arturo, and Ulises are among the crew members praised for helping with drinks, food, children, and boarding.
• Extra charges matter: Add $40 per person for park and dock fees before counting transportation.
• Weather can change plans: The company may cancel for sea conditions, even when the weather on land looks fine.

Why the Secret Sandbar is the real attraction

Puerto Morelos offers a calmer setting than the big resort beaches farther south. The catamaran leaves Marina La Bonita and heads through the Puerto Morelos National Park area toward a sandbar well away from shore. You get open water, a broad view of the Riviera Maya coast, and a destination built around simple pleasures: swimming, floating, sunning, and lunch.

The sandbar is not a developed beach with chairs, shops, or a beach bar. That is part of its appeal. You remain on the catamaran, jump or climb into the water, and spend the middle part of the afternoon in a shallow patch of sea.

In many places, you can stand on the soft sandy bottom. Some areas are deeper, allowing you to jump from the boat, while other spots are shallow enough for children to play with close adult supervision. One important distinction: shallow does not mean risk-free. Currents and wind can move floating mats away from the boat, and one child reportedly needed quick help after drifting. Keep young children within arm’s reach.

If you are nervous in open water, you can stay aboard and enjoy the view, music, shade, and drinks. One older couple found the distance from the boat to the sandbar uncomfortable and remained on deck. That is useful context. The tour is friendly to cautious swimmers, but it is not a fully land-based beach outing.

Boarding at Marina La Bonita at 12:30

The scheduled start is 12:30 p.m. You can meet directly at Marina La Bonita, where you check in before walking to the dock and boarding the catamaran Adelita. You need to climb dock stairs and board the boat, so this is not a good fit if those movements are difficult.

Hotel pickup is available from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an added charge. The pickup ride can make the day easier, but leave room for traffic and confirm the exact pickup time in advance. One family missed pickup after a long travel day and could not reschedule or receive a refund. That is a harsh result, so check your email and reservation details the evening before.

The road near the marina can also be rough. A recent ride was described as smooth for most of the way, followed by several kilometers with potholes. If you get carsick, sit where the ride feels steadier and consider bringing any medication you normally use.

At the marina, you will also need to account for the separate $20 admission charge. The tour information lists another $20 per person for national park and dock fees. These charges add $40 to the advertised price, making the practical base cost about $180 per person before optional transportation.

The sail aboard Adelita

Once aboard, settle into the catamaran for the ride through Puerto Morelos National Park. The boat has shaded areas as well as sunny, breezy places, so you can choose your preferred spot. Music plays during the ride, and the crew serves drinks along the way.

The sail to the sandbar can take about an hour, depending on conditions. That is a large part of a four-hour outing, but it is not wasted time. You get a quiet view of the water, time to talk with your group, and a gradual transition from marina routine to open sea.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Jose, Captain Martin, Arturo, and Ulises are names that come up repeatedly in connection with attentive service. The crew may bring drinks, fruit, snacks, pillows, and lunch directly to you. One child was even allowed to help steer, and another young passenger got a turn at the helm and docking process. Treat those moments as possible crew hospitality, not a guaranteed feature of every sailing.

The small group promise also matters. A boat capped at 26 people gives the crew a better chance to keep an eye on children and respond to individual needs. Some departures have been much smaller, including groups of five and 11. The actual head count will vary by date, but this is not designed as a huge catamaran party.

Swimming, floating, and paddleboarding

At the sandbar, the boat anchors and you can enter the water. A floating mat is included, and the tour information also lists paddle boards as available. Because the supplied details are not perfectly consistent about equipment and towels, I would confirm paddleboard access and bring your own towel if possible.

The water is the reason to choose this trip over a standard sightseeing cruise. It is clear, light-colored, and soft underfoot in the shallow areas. You can float with a drink, stand in the water, swim around the boat, or simply sit in the sun on deck.

Families should appreciate the easy entry, but parents still need to supervise closely. The water may be shallow enough for a seven-year-old who is comfortable in the sea, yet less experienced swimmers may find the short distance from the boat awkward. The boat’s floating mats are fun, but they can drift. Stay near the catamaran and follow crew instructions.

The experience is also a good match for people who want water time without snorkeling or scuba gear. The itinerary focuses on the sandbar, not on a formal reef snorkeling session. You will pass through the national park area, but do not book this expecting a dedicated underwater wildlife tour.

Lunch, drinks, and what is actually included

The included meal is light: a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Some food descriptions also mention apples and cookies. Think picnic lunch, not a full restaurant meal. It should take the edge off after the boat ride and swimming, but it may not satisfy everyone after several hours in the sun.

Alcoholic drinks and unlimited beverages are included, and the crew keeps drinks moving throughout the trip. Bottled water is also important in the heat, so make sure you accept water regularly rather than relying only on beer or cocktails.

Dietary planning deserves special attention. A vegetarian meal was promised to one family but was not available on the day. If you have a vegetarian, vegan, allergy-related, or other dietary need, contact the operator before departure and get the arrangement confirmed in writing. Even then, bringing a backup snack is sensible. The tour allows food planning for a standard ham and cheese lunch, not a broad custom menu.

The drinking age is 18. Since this is also marketed as a family outing, the atmosphere can shift between relaxed family time and a cheerful adult boat day. The crew controls the tone, but you should know that unlimited alcohol is part of the package.

What makes the crew service valuable

A catamaran trip can be pleasant but forgettable if the crew only handles the boat. Here, service is central to the experience. Crew members have been described bringing food and drinks, offering pillows, helping older passengers board, and watching children in the water.

That attention has practical value. A four-hour boat trip involves small needs that add up: finding shade, getting a drink, handling a wet child, climbing in and out of the water, and keeping belongings organized. Helpful crew members make those tasks easier.

The service also seems to suit mixed-age groups. Families with children, couples, solo passengers, older adults, and groups of friends have all fit the format. You do not need to be a hard-partying sailor or an experienced swimmer to enjoy the afternoon.

Still, do not confuse attentive service with private guiding. You are sharing the boat with other people, and the level of personal attention depends on the group size and the needs of everyone aboard. The 26-person maximum is reasonable, but a smaller departure will feel more intimate.

Price, fees, and overall value

At $140 per person, the tour is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon near Cancun. After the $20 national park and dock fees plus the $20 Marina La Bonita admission, the cost reaches roughly $180 per person. Hotel pickup costs extra.

That price includes a four-hour catamaran outing, lunch, unlimited drinks, a floating mat, and access to the sandbar setting. If you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, drinks, and a water activity, the package can make sense. The small boat and strong crew service add value, especially for families and people who prefer an organized outing.

The math works less well if you do not drink, do not swim, or plan to spend the entire time sitting on deck. You are paying for the boat, setting, service, and food as much as for the swimming. A cautious non-swimmer can still enjoy the sail, but someone wanting a proper beach day may get more from another type of excursion.

The tour is often booked about 26 days ahead, so popular dates may fill before your trip. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. After that, changes and refunds are generally not accepted. Weather cancellations offer a new date or full refund, but remember that sea conditions can be unsafe even when the beach looks sunny.

Who should book this catamaran trip

I would put this near the top of the list for:

• Families wanting shallow water and a manageable half-day outing
• Couples looking for a relaxed boat ride with food and drinks
• Solo visitors who prefer a social but small-group setting
• Older adults who appreciate crew help and the option to remain aboard
• Nervous swimmers who want water access without a deep-water adventure
• Anyone trying to escape poor beach conditions or heavy sargassum near a resort

I would think twice if you are pregnant, since the activity is not recommended for pregnant women. You should also reconsider if you cannot climb dock stairs, walk on the beach, or board a boat.

This is not the right choice for a serious snorkeler seeking a long reef session, a quiet private charter, or someone who wants a full hot lunch. It is a comfortable social sail with one beautiful swimming stop.

What to bring for a better afternoon

Pack reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and a waterproof case for your phone. A swimsuit is obvious, but a dry change of clothes will make the ride home more pleasant.

Bring a towel. The tour information is mixed: one section says towels are available, while the inclusion details say they are not included. Do not assume one will be supplied.

I would also bring a small backup snack if you have dietary restrictions or tend to get hungry after swimming. Goggles can help you enjoy the clear water, although this is not presented as a formal snorkeling trip.

Keep cash or a card available for the extra fees and a possible tip. Crew service is a major part of the day, and tipping is not listed as included.

Should you book the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Sail?

Book it if you want a friendly, well-serviced catamaran day with clear shallow water, a light lunch, and plenty of time to float. The easygoing pace, manageable group size, and attentive crew make it especially appealing for families and mixed-age groups.

Skip it if the $180-plus practical cost feels high, you need a guaranteed special meal, or you want a full reef snorkeling tour. Before paying, confirm transportation, dietary requests, paddleboard access, and towels. If those details fit your needs, this is a simple and enjoyable way to trade a crowded resort pool for a few hours on the Puerto Morelos sea.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Sail start?

You can meet at Marina La Bonita. The scheduled start time is 12:30 p.m.

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 added price.

How long is the catamaran tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including the sail to the sandbar, time in the water, lunch, and the return trip.

How many people can join the boat?

The activity has a maximum of 26 people. Some departures may be smaller.

Is the water suitable for children?

The sandbar water is shallow in many areas, and the tour is designed to work well for children. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and close supervision is still needed in the water.

Can non-swimmers participate?

Most people can participate, and the shallow water is helpful for nervous swimmers. You must still be comfortable boarding the boat and entering the sea. Some less confident swimmers may prefer to remain aboard.

What food is included?

The standard light lunch includes a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Food details also mention apples and cookies.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

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

Are towels and water equipment provided?

A floating mat is included, and paddleboards are listed as available. The information about towels is inconsistent, so bring your own or confirm before departure.

What fees are not included in the advertised price?

You must pay $20 per person for national park and dock fees and a separate $20 per person admission fee for Marina La Bonita. Hotel pickup also costs extra.

Can pregnant women join the tour?

The activity is not recommended for pregnant women. You must also be able to walk on the beach, climb dock stairs, and board the boat.