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Cancun Sailing Catamaran Tour Review

by Lisa Stentvedt
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I recently went on a Cancun Sailing Catamaran tour in Mexico, and wanted to share my honest review of the experience. The catamaran tour was operated by Cancun Sailing, which is one of the most popular boat tour companies in Cancun.

The tour was a full-day boat tour to Isla Mujeres, and included snorkelling, free time on the island, and an open bar (the latter made the trip extra fun, trust me).

In this review I will outline the experience, and share the pros and cons of booking this exact tour. So, if you are considering booking a day tour from Cancun, make sure to read this first!

Note that I was gifted this experience from Viator in exchange for social media coverage. All opinions (as always) are my own, and this is my honest review of the experience.

a catamaran sailing on the ocean in cancun, with a blue net at the front of the boat

Quick Cancun Travel Guide

Where to stay: The Cancun Hotel Zone is where you will find most all-inclusive (and well-known) hotels in the city. My favourite resort is the Grand Fiesta Coral Beach, and you can check out my full review here. Other recommended hotels in the Hotel Zone are Secrets The Vine (adult-exclusive) and the Riu Palace.

Where to eat: There are several restaurants along the Hotel Zone, and most resorts have several restaurants. Don’t miss La fonda del Zancudo or La Habichuela.

Top activities and tours in Cancun:

Read more: The Best Cancun Day Trips & Tours

Packing for Cancun: Cancun is hot-hot-hot, so you obviously want to pack your swimwear, flip flops and light summer dresses year-round. Most resorts have a casual dress code, but require closed shoes and somewhat nicer outfits for dinner. So pack a few nice dinner dresses as well. Don’t forget reef-safe sunscreen and sunglasses, and have a look at my all-inclusive packing list before you go!

Airport transfers: When you arrive at Cancun international airport it can be a little overwhelming, as there are countless transportation companies and taxies trying to get your attention (by literally shouting). I always save myself the trouble by booking a transfer in advance. This is the highest-rated transfer service on Viator.

About the Cancun Sailing Catamaran Tour

The exact tour I went on (and am writing this review about) was the Sailing Experience to Isla Mujeres with Open Bar operated by Cancun Sailing.

When searching Viator, you will find that there are several companies offering similar tours, both with and without the open bar. So, if you are looking for a more family-friendly cruise, you are sure to find one.

Some tours are even marketed as “party cruises”, which we purposefully avoided. However, if that’s more your vibe, I have heard great things about this one.

We did the experience in January, when the chance to snorkel and swim in the ocean isn’t quite possible in Norway (or most of Europe). As you know, Mexico is on my list of the best winter destinations if you want to escape the cold.

Tour Options to Know About (including hotel pick up)

You can book this tour with or without hotel transfers, and they pick up from most hotels in the Hotel Zone of Cancun. We stayed at the amazing Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach, which is a luxurious all-inclusive resort, right by the main strip of Cancun.

Side note: I have written a full review of the hotel here!

The tour company picked us up outside of the hotel, and dropped us off there after the boat day. We were picked up in a shared van, with guests from other resorts in the area.

It is also possible to book the experience without the hotel pick up. This saves you a little bit of money (around $20), and you have to make your own way to the marina in time for departure.

There is a departure at 10am and another one at noon – so you can enjoy a slower morning at your hotel if you prefer.

We had originally booked the 10am tour, but due to some issues with our transportation we were moved to the noon tour. I’ve explained what happened in more detail below.

The cost of the tour including transfer (at the time of writing) is $89, and without the transfer it is $69. It is recommended to book it in advance, to ensure your spot.

This is a full day catamaran experience. If you book the 10am tour, expect to be back at your hotel between 5 and 6, and if you book the noon tour, expect to be back between 7 and 8 at night.

Some tours to Isla Mujeres will even take you from your hotel in other towns nearby – making for an easy way to travel between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, for example!

legs and feet with white nail polish on, over a blue netting over the ocean. This is taken on a catamaran cruise with Cancun Sailing in Mexico.

What’s Included in the Tour (and what isn’t)

As mentioned, you can choose to book the tour with or without a hotel pick up and drop off.

Additionally, there is an open bar included on the boat, and for a limited amount of time at the restaurant in Isla Mujeres.

Lunch is also included, at a restaurant in Isla Mujeres, as well as a guide and snorkel gear (snorkel, glasses and flippers/fins).

The guide mainly snorkels ahead of the group, and helps keep the group together in the water. On our boat, she also introduced the snorkelling, and told us the rules of the boat (and recommendations for the water).

What’s not included is a $15 reef and dock tax, tips for the guides/onboard staff and any souvenir photo you may opt to buy (there are photographers on the boat taking photos of you throughout the experience).

Below is a photo summary from Viator, but in short:

Included in the catamaran experience:

  • Hotel pick up/drop off (if you choose to add it)
  • Open bar
  • Lunch at a beach restaurant in Isla Mujeres
  • Snorkel guide
  • Snorkel gear

Not included in the catamaran experience:

  • Hotel pick up/drop off (of you don’t book the tour with it)
  • Reef and harbour fee ($15 USD, pay before boarding)
  • Tips/gratuities
  • Souvenir photos

screenshot of text from viator website, with information about what is and what isn't included on a boat tour.

The Schedule

Below is a rough schedule for the 12’o’clock tour that we did. If you are doing the 10am tour, just deduct two hours from every timing I have added below. The two departures are exactly the same tour.

  • Around 11am – pick up from hotel
  • 11:30am – check in, pay reef tax
  • 12:15am – board the catamaran
  • Sail to the snorkeling spot, relaxing on the boat
  • Around 13am – snorkel, following the guide from point A to B (the catamaran drives around the reef area)
  • Around 14am – arrive in Isla Mujeres for lunch
  • Enjoy lunch and free time in Isla Mujeres
  • 17:10 – the allotted meeting time to board the boat again
  • 17:30 – when we actually boarded the boat
  • 18:30 – arrive back in Cancun, transfer back to hotel
  • Around 19:00 – arrive back at hotel
three girls in snorkelling gear and life vests smiling at the camera from the water

Our experience with Cancun Sailing Catamarans

Now that the facts are out of the way, it’s time to dive into what the experience was like!

As you know, I love being on a boat, and on my last visit to Mexico, I went on a similar boat day (read about that experience here). It’s just always such a great time when you have the chance to be on the ocean!

Below I have covered the entire experience we had with the Cancun Sailing catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres. I have outlined the day according to the “chunks” of the experience, i.e. pick up and check in, sailing and snorkeling, lunch and Isla Mujeres, and then the sail back to Cancun.

I hope you find it helpful, and that it will help you in deciding whether this is the Cancun tour for you or not!

Pick up and check in

Our original tour was booked for 10am, but when we messaged Cancun Sailing at around 8 to confirm the pick up time (we had not received any information other than a pick up confirmation from Viator), they said they did not have a pick up booked for us.

The customer representative at Cancun Sailing was very helpful and understanding, but sadly they were not able to arrange for us to take the 10’o’clock tour as planned. Thus, we had to be moved to the noon tour in order to make it.

This was a little frustrating, but not a huge inconvenience for us. In light of this experience I highly recommend confirming your pick up time from your hotel directly with Cancun Sailing a day or two before your tour.

We were picked up from our hotel at around 11 in the morning, which was one hour before the tour officially started. We were taken to the dock where the tours depart, and guided into an indoor check in area.

There, a representative of Cancun Sailing took our names and got us checked in, and we paid an extra $15 (USD) per person for the marina/reef tax. We were informed about this before booking the tour, so it didn’t come as a surprise.

Once we had paid and were checked in, we were asked if we wanted to rent towels for the day, which we opted out of, as we had brought our own.

We were ready and checked in by around 11:45, and were told to go wait outside on the beach for our boarding time.

When it was time to board our boat (the Ventus), we were taken out onto the jetty/dock, and got on the catamaran!

Catamaran Sailing and Snorkelling

After check in, we found our seats on the boat (by the trampoline/net at the front, of course), and our guide started introducing the staff on speaker and explaining how the day was going to go.

We were told to not put sunscreen on before snorkeling, as it contributes to damaging the reef. So I was very glad I had a rash guard with me to protect my skin from the sun when in the water (I had anticipated a potential sunburn, haha).

We didn’t sail for long (max 45 minutes) before getting in the water. During this time, the two photographers went around the boat taking photos of everyone (solo and in their groups) that we were later given the option to buy.

They were quite pushy, and very complimentary of the women onboard. Personally, I felt like it was a little too much, and came across as a very creepy sales tactic. However, a lot of people seemed to find it funny, and maybe even a little flattering. Regardless, the photos were really great (all though they were not only edited, but also retouched).

Getting in the water for snorkeling took a little while, as there were around 30 of us snorkeling.

Snorkeling is not mandatory, and several people opted to stay and relax on the boat (and enjoy some drinks) whilst the rest went snorkeling.

After we were equipped with snorkel gear, a life vest and flippers, we got in the water one by one. There was a yellow rope attached to the boat, and everyone was instructed to hold on to this while we waited for everyone to get in.

The snorkel experience itself wasn’t the best I’ve done. Being in the water was great, and we saw some colourful fish. But sadly the reef around Cancun is very damaged, and so it was less spectacular than say diving in the Maldives or Thailand.

Side note: just a couple of hours south of Cancun you will find Akumal, where you can snorkel with sea turtles!

Since there were so many of us, the experience in the water was a little too crowded for my taste. However, someone who perhaps doesn’t feel as safe in the water might appreciate this.

I would have loved to do the experience without a life vest so I could dive underwater (they were mandatory), and with less people.

Regardless, the snorkel guides were great, and did a really good job at trying to point out fish (to those who were nearby) and to keep the group together.

We also saw some of the underwater statues that Cancun are known for! These have been added in recent years to try to create a new reef for the aquatic life in the area.

We snorkeled from point A to B, and the catamaran drove around the reef area to pick us up afterwards. All-in-all, I think we spent about 20-30 minutes in the water.

an underwater photo of yellow and black striped fish swimming around together

Lunch and Isla Mujeres

After snorkeling, we got back on the boat and headed for Isla Mujeres! The bar was now open (they didn’t serve alcohol before snorkelling), so we enjoyed a rum and coke whilst sailing.

Isla Mujeres is a small island just off the coast of Cancun, popular for day trips such as the one we went on.

The island is very walkable, and one of Mexico’s Pueblo Magicos (Magic Cities). It is colourful, and there are plenty of little cafes and restaurants if you want to grab a drink or snack whilst you are there.

The beaches are also beautiful, so if you just want some chill beach time, this is the perfect island for it.

Lunch was a simple buffet at a restaurant just off the dock. We had an open bar included here as well, which was a nice touch. We enjoyed some food and a couple of margaritas before we went to explore Isla Mujeres.

a palm tree in the middle of a beach, with blue skies above. There is a small wooden hut/building on each side of the palm tree. This is Isla Mujeres, in Mexico.

With almost 3 hours of free time on the island (we arrived for lunch at around 14:00 and were instructed to be ready for pick up at 17:10), we had more time to spare after.

We got a sun bed at the beach club/restaurant where we had lunch (sun beds were 100 pesos per bed), and had another margarita. Apparently, the open bar was still going, which we were happy about.

We spent some time in the water, and when we went to order another drink, we were told the open bar on the beach had ended. The drinks were very pricey, so we decided not to get them.

I would have loved more specific information about how long we had the open bar on the beach, as we were surprised to find it had ended. The beach club staff didn’t specify how long it had lasted for, so if you go on this tour I recommend checking when you arrive on the beach.

a bright and colourful building in Isla Mujeres, Mexico. The building is coral, with yellow and purple details, and blue windows.

At ten past five we were ready to board the boat, as instructed, and it arrived about 20 minutes later. We didn’t get any information about the boat delay, or how late it was going to be, as there were no staff from Cancun Sailing on the beach.

However, it arrived after a little bit of waiting. The catamaran cruise back to Cancun was definitely a lot livelier than on the way to Isla Mujeres.

The staff had cranked up the music, and were hosting a dance party in the middle of the boat. Obviously we had to join, and had such a great time!

We also made good use of the open bar, in addition to having staff members walk around the boat pouring shots of tequila in our mouths.

The return journey to Cancun was definitely more of a party cruise, but we still managed to relax and enjoy the sunset as well.

three hands holding up orange drinks on a boat, towards a setting sun on the horizon.

Cancun Sailing Catamaran Tour Review – Conclusion

To sum up my review of our Cancun catamaran tour I’ll say that it was overall a great experience.

The staff on board were attentive and friendly, and made sure everyone had a fun time. With the exception of the overly-pushy photographer, and a little bit of awkwardness when they came around and personally asked for a tip, I think they did a great job.

Please note that that awkwardness is probably just a result of me being Norwegian and hailing from a non-tipping culture. I am sure an American traveller (where tipping is normal) wouldn’t find that interaction awkward at all.

All though the snorkeling was a little crowded, we saw some colourful fish and it felt amazing to just be in the ocean.

The best part of the day was hanging out in the waters of Isla Mujeres with my friends, and dancing on the boat on the way back to Cancun!

Read more about the experience and book it here.

Below is a summary of the pros and cons of the tour (in my opinion).

Pros

  • Open bar
  • Free time on Isla Mujeres
  • Great staff/service
  • Fun on the boat

Cons

  • Some waiting around (to board the boat both in Cancun and Isla Mujeres)
  • Lack of information on the beach (about when the open bar ended, and about how late the boat was)
  • Crowded snorkeling experience
a beach with white and orange umbrellas and sun beds seen from the water. This is the beach club in Isla Mujeres when visiting with a Cancun Sailing catamaran cruise

A few tips/things to keep in mind

If you are considering booking this experience with Cancun Sailing, or any of the other catamaran tours in Cancun (see a selection below), here are a few tips and advice I think you should know before you go!

  1. Bring a towel – so you don’t have to pay to rent one.
  2. You can’t wear any shoes on the boat, so bring ones that are easy to slip on/off (like flip flops).
  3. You are instructed to not put on any sun screen before snorkelling in order to protect the reef, so make sure not to put any on before you get picked up.
  4. Consider a rash guard for the snorkelling to avoid sunburn. I have this one!

More Cancun Tours and Excursions

Want to browse more catamaran and sailing experiences from Cancun? Find a bunch of them below!

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