Tulum Riviera Catamaran Tour to Isla Mujeres: Snorkel, Open Bar, $89
Quick answer
Tulum Riviera Maya Tours sells a 7-hour 40 ft catamaran day to Isla Mujeres for $89 per person, with hotel transfer, reef snorkel, buffet lunch and open bar.
A $25 docking fee is paid at check-in, so plan on $114, and the listing holds 3.7/5 from 17+ reviews on GetYourGuide.
Tulum Riviera Maya Tours
Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour: Snorkel & Beach Adventure
3.7 (17) · from $89
The Tulum Riviera catamaran tour is a hotel-to-hotel day on a 40 ft sailing catamaran: a reef snorkel, a buffet lunch, an open bar, free time on Isla Mujeres, and a tequila party on the way back. It sells the transfer and the boat as one ticket, and the listing extends the pickup as far as Tulum for a surcharge.
The detail that changes the decision is the rating.
At 3.7/5 from 17 reviews, it is the lowest-rated day boat in Isla Mujeres, and the complaints are specific: fees not announced, food, and rushed time on the island. Read the extras table before you compare it with a cheaper ticket from the Isla Mujeres boat tours list. The home page shows the rest of my cities.
| Operator | Tulum Riviera Maya Tours |
|---|---|
| Boat type | 40 ft catamaran; the listing gives no capacity |
| Price | $89 per person (about MXN 1,636 at 18.38, checked 2026-10-16), plus a $25 docking fee at check-in |
| Duration | 7 hours |
| Departure times | Not stated; the listing says to check availability for start times |
| Marina | Hotel transfer to a marina the listing does not name; Isla Mujeres ferry port on Google Maps shows the island side |
| Route | El Meco reef, sail to Isla Mujeres, beach club, town or Playa Norte, sail back |
| Food and drinks | Buffet lunch; open bar of national drinks, both afloat and at the beach club |
| Languages | English and Spanish |
| Cancellation | Free up to 24 hours before for a full refund |
| Rating | 3.7/5 from 17+ reviews on GetYourGuide |
What is the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour and what do you see?
The Tulum Riviera catamaran tour is a sailing catamaran day with one reef snorkel, a beach club and free time on Isla Mujeres, run by Tulum Riviera Maya Tours.
- Welcome and sail: the crew meets you at the marina and the boat leaves for the reef.
- El Meco reef: a guided snorkel with gear supplied. El Meco on Google Maps.
- Beach club and buffet: open bar and lunch at a club on the island.
- Free time: explore Isla Mujeres town on Google Maps or walk to North Beach. Playa Norte on Google Maps.
- Return: a sail with a possible spinnaker flight, then a tequila party aboard.
The listing describes underwater statues of Mayan origin at the first reef. I could not match that to a named site: the best-known sculpture park here, MUSA, is a modern art installation. Ask the operator exactly where the snorkel stop is.
23+ years of reef monitoring data show Isla Mujeres and Cancun sites ranging from optimal to critical condition.
Where does the Tulum Riviera catamaran leave from?
The Tulum Riviera catamaran leaves from a marina near Cancun, and the price includes a hotel transfer, though the listing names neither the marina nor the pickup times.
- Give the operator your hotel when you book so it can confirm the transfer.
- Expect a $10 per person charge, paid at check-in, if you start from Xcaret or anywhere south to Tulum, per the listing.
- Pay the $25 docking fee in cash at check-in.
The Isla Mujeres side is easy to place: Ultramar ferry terminal on Google Maps. From the terminal, Playa Norte is a 13-minute walk (951 m, OSRM). The listing gives no pickup time range, so ask in writing.
What is the route, stop by stop?
The Tulum Riviera catamaran route has seven steps and, unlike its rivals, no times; the listing gives only the order.
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Welcome on board |
| 2 | Snorkel at El Meco reef |
| 3 | Cruise to Isla Mujeres |
| 4 | Buffet lunch |
| 5 | Free time in town, golf cart or North Beach |
| 6 | Spinnaker flight, weather permitting |
| 7 | Tequila party on the way back |
With no timings, the tightest points are the two the reviewers mention: the snorkel and the island stop. Ask how many minutes each gets.
How long is it and when does it sail?
It lasts 7 hours, and the listing does not publish a start time or a return time.
A 7-hour day with a hotel transfer means the real day is longer for guests staying in Tulum or Playa del Carmen. The listing charges $10 per person on top for pickups from Xcaret to Tulum. Next dates to watch are 16 November (Revolution Day) and 25 December.
What is on board and what is included?
The $89 covers the transfer, the boat, snorkel, lunch and drinks; the docking fee, golf carts, photos and tips are extra.
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Hotel-marina transfer, both ways | Included; +$10 from Xcaret to Tulum |
| Catamaran, snorkel gear and guide | Included |
| Buffet lunch | Included |
| Open bar (national drinks) afloat and ashore | Included |
| Beach club access | Included |
| Spinnaker flight | Included, weather permitting |
| Docking fee | Not included: $25 per person at check-in |
| Golf cart on the island | Not included |
| Photos and tips | Not included |
The listing's includes list runs on into the docking fee, golf carts, photos and tips. Those are exclusions in every other section, so I treat them as extras. One reviewer says the fees were not announced in advance, which is why they are in the table.
How does the Tulum Riviera catamaran compare with other catamarans?
It sits mid-priced for a full catamaran day, with the lowest rating of the group; the other catamarans are cheaper but add fees or have fewer reviews.
| Tour | Price | Length | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tulum Riviera Maya Tours | $89 + $25 | 7 h | 3.7 (17) | Transfer, lunch, open bar, 40 ft boat |
| Dancer Cruise Cancun | $119 | 7 h | 4.8 (170) | DJ, slide, two meals |
| Amigo Tours open bar catamaran | $35 + $20 | 8-10 h | 4.1 (9) | Lunch only in upgrades |
| Aquaworld beach day | $95 | 8 h | 5.0 (1) | Docking fee in the price |
With the docking fee, Tulum Riviera lands at $114, $5 under the Dancer Cruise. The Dancer has 10 times the reviews and a 1.1-point higher rating, which settles the comparison for me. See the catamaran tour Isla Mujeres list for the full range.
Is the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour worth it versus the Dancer Cruise or an Amigo boat?
The Tulum Riviera catamaran tour is worth it only if the hotel transfer from the Riviera Maya matters, because that is what separates it from the Cancun-based boats.
- $114 all in - $16.3 per hour, close to the $17.5 median.
- Transfer included - the reason to pick it from a Playa del Carmen or Tulum hotel.
- 3.7/5 from 17 reviews - low, with food and fees the main complaints.
- Snorkel and island time - reviewers call both rushed; the Isla Mujeres snorkeling tours are better for reefs.
If you start in Cancun, I'd pick the Dancer Cruise or a snorkel trip. If you start in the Riviera Maya, this is the boat that picks you up.
When is the best time to go?
March and April have the fewest rain days, so they give the best odds of a calm sail and a full snorkel.
| Month | High 2025 | Rain days | Sunrise / sunset | On the water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 °C (mean 26) | 13.3 | 7:25 AM / 6:27 PM | Showers likely; water activities can be called off |
| Feb | 26 °C (mean 26) | 7.8 | 7:15 AM / 6:46 PM | Mostly dry; best odds of calm water |
| Mar | 27 °C (mean 27) | 5.8 | 6:54 AM / 6:57 PM | Mostly dry; best odds of calm water |
| Apr | 27 °C (mean 27) | 3.9 | 6:26 AM / 7:07 PM | Mostly dry; best odds of calm water |
| May | 28 °C (mean 28) | 10.4 | 6:07 AM / 7:19 PM | Showers likely; water activities can be called off |
| Jun | 29 °C (mean 29) | 14.6 | 6:03 AM / 7:31 PM | Showers likely; water activities can be called off |
| Jul | 29 °C (mean 29) | 9.5 | 6:12 AM / 7:33 PM | Mostly dry; best odds of calm water |
| Aug | 30 °C (mean 30) | 14.2 | 6:24 AM / 7:18 PM | Showers likely; water activities can be called off |
| Sep | 30 °C (mean 29) | 19.1 | 6:32 AM / 6:51 PM | Wettest months; forecast check and a refundable slot |
| Oct | 29 °C (mean 29) | 20.0 | 6:41 AM / 6:23 PM | Wettest months; forecast check and a refundable slot |
| Nov | 28 °C (mean 28) | 15.5 | 6:56 AM / 6:06 PM | Wettest months; forecast check and a refundable slot |
| Dec | 27 °C (mean 27) | 14.4 | 7:15 AM / 6:08 PM | Showers likely; water activities can be called off |
The spinnaker flight is weather permitting and the sea at 1.04 m can be choppy, so dry months are the safer bet. The 24-hour free cancellation applies the same in every month.
What do passengers say?
The ten visible reviews range from 1 to 5 stars and two carry no usable text; the patterns are friendly crews, disliked food and too little time.
- Crew and guides: praised in 6 of 10.
- Food: criticised in 3 of 10, one for the lunch and two for the beach club.
- Rushed: 2 of 10 say the snorkel or the island time was too short.
- Surprise fees: 1 of 10 says extra payments were not announced.
- Crowds: 1 of 10 found the island crowded.
Sub-scores on the listing are 3.6 for guide, transportation and value alike, so the criticism is not limited to one part.
Who should skip the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour?
Skip it if you want a fixed timetable, a quiet island or a boat with a strong review record; the other Isla Mujeres boat tours have more data.
- Anyone who dislikes surprise fees: $25 at check-in is not in the headline price.
- Food-focused travellers: three reviewers were unhappy with the meals.
- Serious snorkelers: one reef stop with a short time.
- Travellers who want exact times: the listing gives none.
How do you book the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour?
Book the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour on GetYourGuide, give your hotel for the transfer and bring $25 in cash for the docking fee.
$89 per person for the Tulum Riviera catamaran: hotel transfer, snorkel, buffet lunch and open bar, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Check availabilityI earn a commission if you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Is the Isla Mujeres tour worth it?
Only with the transfer: $114 with the docking fee buys a catamaran day at $16.3 per hour, but the rating is 3.7/5 from 17 reviews.
What should you be careful of in Isla Mujeres?
Extra fees and the sun: this tour adds a $25 docking fee at check-in, and UV was forecast at 6.8 on 18 October.
What are the best excursions to take in Isla Mujeres?
For a reef, a three-site snorkel; for a party, the Dancer Cruise; for a pick-up from Riviera Maya hotels, this catamaran.
How much is the Tulum Riviera catamaran tour?
$89 per person plus a $25 docking fee, about MXN 2,096 for $114 at 18.38 pesos per dollar on 2026-10-16.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, a transfer from your hotel to the marina and back, with an extra $10 per person from Xcaret to Tulum.
What time does it start?
The listing gives no start time; check availability for slots and ask the operator for the pickup window.
Is the open bar included?
Yes, national drinks on both the boat and the beach club; the listing gives no brands and no limit.
Is lunch included?
Yes, a buffet; three reviewers did not like the food, so manage expectations.
Are golf carts included?
No, a golf cart on Isla Mujeres is an extra; ask the rental office about licence rules.
What if the weather is bad?
Water activities and the spinnaker flight depend on weather; the listing offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
Sources: GetYourGuide listing (price, route, includes, rating, checked 2026-10-17); CONANP, reef monitoring; CONANP, Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres national park; Open-Meteo climate, marine and forecast APIs; Nager.Date holidays; Frankfurter exchange rates; OSRM walking route.
