Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

The shallow-water escape is the main attraction. This four-hour catamaran outing carries you from Marina La Bonita into the Puerto Morelos National Park area, where the boat anchors at a quiet sandbar far from shore. I like the calm, clear water and the easy pace, and I also like that you can enjoy the sea without needing strong swimming skills.

The crew receives the warmest praise, especially Jose, Captain Martin, Arturo, and Ulises. Drinks arrive often, music keeps the ride lively, and children may get a chance to steer under supervision. The main caution is cost: the advertised $140 price does not include $40 in park, dock, and marina fees, and hotel pickup costs extra.

Key points to know before you book

• The sandbar is shallow enough for children in many areas: You can stand on the sandy bottom in parts of the swimming area, though conditions and depth can vary.
• The catamaran ride takes about an hour each way: Much of the four-hour outing is time on the boat, not just at the sandbar.
• Drinks are unlimited: Alcoholic drinks and bottled water are included, so this feels partly like a relaxed floating bar.
• The advertised group limit is 26 people: Some departures may feel quite intimate, with reports of groups as small as five or 11.
• A light lunch is included, but special diets need careful confirmation: The standard meal is a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips.
• Extra fees add $40 per person: Budget for the National Park and dock fee plus the Marina La Bonita admission charge.

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

Your afternoon begins with check-in at Marina La Bonita, followed by a walk to the dock and boarding of the catamaran Adelita. The listed start time is 12:30 p.m., and the full outing lasts about four hours.

You can meet at the marina yourself or request transportation from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Hotel pickup costs extra, and you need to provide your hotel name when booking if you want that service arranged.

The marina admission fee is listed separately at $20 per person. The National Park and dock fees add another $20 per person. That means the real price is closer to $180 per person before any transportation charge, not $140.

This matters most for families. Four people paying the extra fees add $160 to the advertised total, and pickup can increase it again. I would calculate the complete cost before booking, especially if you are comparing this with a resort boat trip or another Puerto Morelos excursion.

Once on board, the mood is casual. The crew serves drinks during the ride, and you can choose between sunny and shaded areas. Several people have praised the clean, well-kept catamaran, along with the crew’s habit of bringing drinks, snacks, pillows, and food without waiting for repeated requests.

The ride through Puerto Morelos National Park

The route leads through the tranquil waters of Puerto Morelos National Park. This section is more about the boat ride, sea views, and easy conversation than a formal nature presentation.

Do not book this expecting a dedicated snorkeling excursion. The information provided describes sailing through the park and stopping at the sandbar, but it does not promise snorkeling equipment or a guided reef tour. The catamaran may pass near reef areas, yet the central activity is swimming and relaxing in shallow water.

The ride out can take roughly an hour. That is a useful detail when setting expectations. If you want constant activity, the long cruise may feel slow. If you enjoy a gentle afternoon on the water, it is part of the appeal.

Music plays during the cruise, and the atmosphere can range from quiet and breezy to more social, with some dancing. The crew seems to adjust well to mixed groups, from families with young children to couples, older adults, college-age friends, and solo passengers.

The catamaran provides shaded spots, which are important in the strong Caribbean sun. You will still want sunscreen, and one person specifically advised bringing goggles. The supplied information does not say that snorkeling gear is provided, so bring goggles only if you already have them and want to look below the surface.

Reaching the Secret Sandbar

The boat anchors at a secluded sandbar away from the main shoreline. This is the heart of the outing.

The water is described as crystal clear, with soft sand underfoot and shallow sections where you can stand comfortably. That makes the stop appealing to children and cautious swimmers. You can jump from the boat, paddleboard, float on the provided mat, or simply sit in the water.

The phrase non-swimmer friendly needs a little care. The shallow bottom helps, but you still need to climb down from the boat and move through the water. One family found the area manageable for six- and seven-year-old boys who were comfortable in the sea, while an older couple who lacked confidence in the water chose to remain on the boat.

So I would describe this as suitable for nervous swimmers, not automatically safe for every non-swimmer. Parents should stay close to children, even in shallow water. A mat can drift, and one child had to be brought back toward the boat after floating away from it. The crew responded quickly, which is reassuring, but active supervision remains your job.

The sandbar itself is not a developed beach with chairs, changing rooms, or land facilities. You are using the catamaran as your base. That gives you shade, drinks, seating, and a place to return to, but it also means you cannot wander ashore for a walk or browse anything.

Paddle boards and a floating mattress are available according to the tour description. These are simple ways to enjoy the stop without swimming continuously. The boat also has showers, though the information does not specify how many or exactly where they are located.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical comfort level

Lunch is light rather than a full meal. The standard offering is a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Some people also received snacks such as apples and cookies during the day.

That is enough to take the edge off hunger, but I would not think of it as a substantial lunch after a long morning or a day of heavy activity. Since the boat ride out may take about an hour and the swimming stop can last around two hours, eat breakfast or an early snack before you arrive.

Dietary requests deserve special attention. A vegetarian meal was promised to one family but was not available on board. The company apologized and said it had reinforced its internal handling of special requests, but I would still contact the operator directly before departure and ask for written confirmation. If your diet is important, bring a backup snack if allowed and practical.

Unlimited drinks are one of the stronger parts of the package. Alcoholic beverages are included, along with cold bottled water according to the experience details and individual accounts. The crew regularly offers drinks, which helps create the relaxed, hosted feeling.

That can also shape the mood. This is not a silent nature cruise. Music, drinks, and dancing may be part of the afternoon. Families and couples have enjoyed the mix, but anyone wanting a quiet wildlife trip should know what kind of boat day this is.

Towels require another check. The highlights say towels are available, and the main description says beach towels are provided. Yet the included items list says towels are not included. Because the details conflict, ask Marina La Bonita before departure or bring your own towel if possible.

The crew is the strongest reason to choose it

The staff receives unusually consistent praise. Jose, Captain Martin, Arturo, and Ulises are named several times, and the comments describe a crew that keeps an eye on comfort, drinks, food, pillows, and children.

Captain Martin has allowed children to steer the catamaran under supervision, including one granddaughter who helped with steering and docking. That is a memorable touch for a family, though it should be treated as a courtesy rather than a guaranteed part of every departure.

The crew also appears attentive to older adults. One 70-year-old participant received close assistance while walking to the catamaran, with Arturo staying nearby. That is useful if you have limited confidence on docks or uneven surfaces.

Still, you must be able to walk on the beach, climb dock stairs, and board the boat. This is not a step-free activity. Pregnant women are advised not to participate, and children must stay with an adult.

The maximum group size is 26 people. The experience is described as small-group, but 26 is not a private charter. Some departures may be much smaller, with accounts of boats carrying five or 11 people, while another group of 20 enjoyed the outing together.

That range makes the social feel hard to predict. A small departure may feel calm and personal. A full boat will offer more company and possibly more energy, but less space around the rails and seating areas. If group size is a major concern, ask how many people are booked for your date.

Weather, sea conditions, and the risk of a changed plan

This is a sea-based activity, so weather matters more than a sunny hotel pool day. The company has canceled departures when sea conditions were considered unsuitable, even when the weather on land looked pleasant.

That can be frustrating if the cancellation comes close to your planned date. It is also a sensible safety limit for a catamaran trip. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Clouds and wind do not necessarily ruin the experience. One outing continued in breezy, partly cloudy conditions and was still described as calm and enjoyable. The important distinction is between ordinary clouds and sea conditions that make sailing unsafe.

The cancellation terms allow a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded. Pickup details matter too. If you miss arranged transportation, rescheduling or refunds may not be available, so check your email and confirm the pickup time before bed.

Is $180 or more a fair price?

At $140 per person, the package looks reasonable for a four-hour catamaran trip with lunch, unlimited drinks, a floating mat, and use of water equipment. Once you add the $20 National Park and dock fee and the $20 marina admission fee, the base cost reaches $180 per person.

You are paying for more than transport to a sandbar. The boat, crew service, drinks, lunch, shaded seating, showers, and equipment are bundled together. If you would otherwise buy drinks and rent a paddle board separately, the package can offer fair value.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, do not want a social boat atmosphere, or plan to stay aboard because you are uncomfortable in the water. In that case, much of the appeal shifts to the scenic ride and crew service.

Families should also factor in food needs, transport, and the extra fees. The standard lunch is modest, and there is no promise of a complete meal for special diets. Solo visitors and couples may find the smaller departures especially pleasant, while a group of friends may enjoy the music and drinks.

Who should book this Puerto Morelos catamaran?

I would put this high on the list for families with water-loving children, couples wanting an easy afternoon, and people who prefer floating and standing in shallow water to swimming offshore.

It also suits solo passengers. The friendly crew and mixed social setting make it easier to enjoy the boat without arranging a private group.

You should think twice if you want a serious reef excursion, a long beach stop, a quiet sailing experience, or a full lunch. This is a relaxed sandbar cruise with drinks and light food, not a focused snorkeling trip or a cultural tour of Puerto Morelos.

People with mobility limits should ask detailed questions before paying. You must board using dock stairs and be able to walk on the beach. Those who are pregnant are specifically advised not to join.

My verdict: book it if the sandbar is your goal

I would book the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail if you want clear shallow water, a friendly crew, and a comfortable half-day on the sea. The sandbar is the star, and the crew’s attentive service adds real value.

Before paying, confirm the full cost, hotel pickup fee, towel availability, group size, and any dietary request. Bring sunscreen, consider goggles, check the pickup email, and do not assume shallow water removes the need for supervision.

Book it for an easygoing boat day with swimming, floating, music, lunch, and drinks. Skip it if you want guaranteed snorkeling, a substantial meal, or a low-cost outing with no added fees.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours, including the cruise through Puerto Morelos National Park, time at the sandbar, lunch, and the return to Marina La Bonita.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:30 p.m. You can meet at Marina La Bonita or request hotel transportation for an additional charge.

Is hotel pickup included?

Hotel pickup is offered from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, but it costs extra. Transportation from other locations may also be arranged for an additional price.

Are park and marina fees included in the $140 price?

No. The National Park and dock fees cost $20 per person, and Marina La Bonita lists a separate $20 admission fee per person.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard light lunch consists of a ham and cheese baguette, fruit, and chips. Special diets should be confirmed directly before the trip because the published information does not guarantee every dietary request.

Can children and non-swimmers join?

Children can participate if accompanied by an adult, and the shallow sandbar is intended to suit children and less confident swimmers. You must still be able to walk on the beach, climb dock stairs, and board the catamaran.