Catamaran Tours in Cancun

The Caribbean Sea is undoubtedly one of the best places to sail, not only for the quality of its waters but also for the diversity of marine species that inhabit it and that can be observed while sailing. Embarking on a catamaran is one of the many activities to do in Cancun and is the ideal way to spend a relaxing day.

If it's partying you're after, you can also have fun while catamaran cruising as there are options with dancing on board. Catamaran rides usually include other activities such as snorkelling or parasailing. Most of these trips arrive at Isla Mujeres, but each company approaches the trip differently.

One of the most popular activities in Cancun is the excursion to Isla Mujeres. To get there, there is nothing better than going by catamaran.

On this type of excursion, you will visit Isla Mujeres and, if you wish, you can also include Isla Cantoy in your trip.

This way, you will have the opportunity to get to know the Cantoy Island National Park. If you choose to visit this island, you must select the option at the time of booking.

These two islands have a lot to offer, especially in terms of snorkelling activities. Not surprisingly, the best snorkelling experiences in Cancun are organised in these areas.

After some time at sea, the catamaran stops for you to snorkel on the coral reef, where you will be able to see and interact with the marine life. The colourful fish will surround you (your guide will attract them with fish food) and you will have a unique experience. If you have an underwater camera, don't forget to bring it.

When you finish diving you will continue your trip to Isla Mujeres with plenty of time to enjoy the beach and the sculpture area of the island.

These excursions can be booked on an all-inclusive basis and you can enjoy a delicious buffet lunch and an open bar during the trip. Entrance to the Isla Mujeres museum is usually included.

The transfer to and from the hotel is also usually included in the basic price, but you should bear in mind that the dock fee is paid separately and costs around 12 euros per person.

Details of interest

• Price: from 51 euros per person for the single option plus the dock fee.
• Duration: around 7 hours.
• Advantages of this option: you can also choose to include Cantoy Island.
• Disadvantages of this option: lunch is only included in the All Inclusive option.

This catamaran tour is ideal for those who are looking for fun and party on board. The ride takes place on a three-decker boat, where you will meet lots of people and sail to the rhythm of Caribbean music.

If you want, you'll be able to snorkel in the reefs of Meco and also have fun on the catamaran's own slide and trampoline.

When you've finished snorkelling, the boat usually heads for Isla Mujeres, where you'll have an hour and a half to explore the island. Entrance to the Underwater Museum of Art is usually included in the price of the tour.

Note that the MUSA (Museo Subacuático de Arte) has a lot to see and some of the exhibition is only accessible by diving, so you'll need time to see everything. If you don't have enough time to see the museum in its entirety, don't worry, you can visit the Underwater Museum of Art on your own on another day.

These types of excursions also have different types of options: the basic one, which includes only the sailing, another one that offers the sailing plus snorkelling and an all-inclusive package.

Prices vary depending on the extras you order. If you opt for the All Inclusive, you will have an open bar, continental breakfast and buffet lunch, as well as golf carts to tour Isla Mujeres in total comfort.

The transfer to and from the hotel is included in the most basic option, but you will have to pay the dock tax separately.

Details of interest

• Price: from 61 euros per person for the basic option plus 12 euros dock tax approximately.
• Duration: 7 and a half hours.
• Advantages of this option: there is a party on board.
• Disadvantages of this option: snorkelling is not available in the basic option.

If you are looking for tranquillity and relaxation during the trip, this is the option for you. This tour is done on smaller catamarans, so there won't be as many people and hustle and bustle. The experience is more focused on sailing, snorkelling and shopping!

With this type of excursion you sail to the reef where you can snorkel with a certified guide. In this case, snorkelling is included in the basic price.

Afterwards, the catamaran heads to Isla Mujeres, where you will be able to explore the island at your own pace and go on a shopping tour with your guides. They will take you to the best shops on the island, so you can buy beautiful local handicrafts, and they will give you shopping tips and show you places that only the locals know about to make your shopping tour a success.

The time you have left on the island can be spent swimming at what, for me, is one of the best beaches in Cancun. I'll also leave you with this post to check out some of the Top 10 activities in Cancun.

While this option does not include transfers to and from the hotel and entrance to the Underwater Museum of Art in Isla Mujeres, the snorkelling equipment rental and snorkelling activity with a certified guide are included in the price.

Also included is a buffet lunch and open bar. As you can see, a catamaran trip to the same destination can be a totally different experience depending on the company you choose, as each one has its own style of experiencing Cancun.

Details of interest

• Price: from 63 euros per person plus dock fee.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Advantages of this option: snorkelling is included in the price. A guided shopping tour of the island is offered.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include transfer to and from the hotel.

These excursions go around the lagoon of Puerto Morelos and stop at a sandbank where you can go paddle boarding. This way, you will be able to get to know the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park.

The sandbank is a perfect place for children to enjoy swimming safely. If you are travelling with them, you will need to entertain them or the trip can turn from a dream to a nightmare in seconds (I say this from my own experience), but fortunately there are plenty of activities to do with kids in Cancun.

These tours include lunch and drinks, but do not include transfers to and from the hotel or the dock fee.

Details of interest

• Price: from approximately 85 euros per person plus dock fee.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Advantages of this option: includes lunch.
• Disadvantages of this option: does not include transfers.

The best way to book catamaran rides in Cancun is through online companies that specialise in the sale of tourist packages and experiences.

By selecting this purchase option, you will have the advantage of seeing other options of tours and excursions in Cancun that will help you a lot when putting together your travel itinerary.

Another advantage of booking your excursions online is the payment method: you can pay with credit or debit cards and thus have the budget for your trip better organised, reserving cash for those activities that do not accept electronic means of payment.

The duration of catamaran trips depends very much on the type of excursion you choose. They usually last between 4 to 8 hours, depending on the destination and the extra activities included in the tour.

If you are only staying for a few days, you should plan the activities you want to do according to the length of your stay. You can follow an itinerary that guides you through the things to see and do in Cancun in three days or this one on what to do in Cancun in five days for example, to make sure you visit the most important places in the region in that time.

Like the length of the tour, prices also vary depending on the option chosen. You should note that there are basic fares starting at around 51 euros per person. To this price are added the extra activities and services (snorkelling, meals, drinks, etc.).

Please note that in almost no case is the dock fee included in the price of the tour, which you must pay separately and costs around 12 euros per person.

If you like sailing, I recommend you also take a look at the different alternatives for boat trips in Cancun, which include other types of boats and activities. In this case, there are also different price options to suit different budgets.

Catamaran rides are very popular in coastal areas, as they are a type of recreational boat with a larger deck space, where tourists usually have a very pleasant time while cruising the local waters. They are therefore intended for leisure and water sports and nowadays there is a wide range of catamaran tours available on most beaches.

These double-hulled, usually motorised boats can hold up to 25 people and are very safe and stable, but they are also quite fast. For this reason it is always advisable to hold on tight and if you move around the deck, do so carefully.

Although the sailing is very smooth, you should avoid sudden movements to avoid the typical seasickness on board that can spoil the trip.

Cancun is, of course, a unique destination for this activity. Whenever you go, any time of year is a good time to visit the beautiful beaches of Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos or any other in this natural paradise.

One of the favourite destinations for catamaran rides in Cancun is Isla Mujeres. Departing from Cancun's hotel zone, close to the marina, these types of excursions sail to the paradisiacal island, where you will have the opportunity to swim in its crystalline waters, snorkel among coral reefs or relax on the fine sand of its beaches.

You can travel to Isla Mujeres by catamaran, sailing boat, yacht or cruise ship. A multitude of excursions are organised to this idyllic place. But you can also spend some free time at Playa Norte, considered one of the best beaches in the world, or visit Isla Contoy, where you can see whale sharks and sea turtles.

Although this activity is highly recommended for all ages or they have reduced rates for children, make sure before booking that children are allowed. Prams are generally allowed.

However, some of these organised excursions include other activities such as snorkelling, driving golf carts along the beach or even an on-board bar with alcoholic drinks included. So perhaps in these cases it is best to avoid them if you are travelling with children.

But you know that the Riviera Maya offers activities for everyone. If your kids like a different kind of adventure, be sure to take a look at this list of posts to find out about other plans where children can have a great time:

• Visit Extreme Adventure Eco Park in Cancun
• Excursions to Xcaret Park in Riviera Maya from Cancun
• Visit the XPlor Multiadventure Park in Cancun
• Tickets for Xel-Ha Park in Cancun: how to buy and prices

• Bring a towel , swimming costume and change of clothes.
• Remember to apply sunscreen regularly.
• Don't forget your hat and sunglasses.
• If you are going snorkelling and you have a medical condition, inform your guide beforehand.
• Take your camera with you, if it is waterproof, all the better.
• Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes, there are special nautical shoes for sailing.
• If you don't know how to swim, you should also inform your guides.