Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar Catamaran Sail

The best part of this four-hour sail is the shallow secret sandbar, where you can step off the catamaran into clear water without needing strong swimming skills. Kids can play near the boat, adults can float with a drink, and everyone gets a proper break from the hotel pool.

I like the small maximum group of 26 and the relaxed pace. I also like the crew’s hands-on service. Captain Martin, Jose, Arturo, and Ulises are often singled out for keeping drinks moving, helping families, and making the boat feel friendly rather than mechanical. The main drawback is the extra $40 in park, dock, and marina fees, plus the need to confirm what is provided for dietary restrictions and towels.

Key points

• Shallow sandbar swimming: The water is shallow enough for many children and nervous swimmers to stand comfortably.
• Adelita catamaran: You sail through the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park with shaded and sunny places to sit.
• Small-group feel: The boat holds no more than 26 people, though some departures may be much smaller.
• Food and open-bar drinks: Expect a ham-and-cheese baguette, fruit, chips, water, and alcoholic drinks.
• Family-friendly crew: Staff members such as Jose and Captain Martin are known for close attention to children and older passengers.
• Extra fees matter: Budget $20 per person for park and dock fees, plus a separate $20 Marina La Bonita admission charge.

A quiet afternoon on the Puerto Morelos water

This is not a high-speed party cruise or a snorkeling expedition. It is a calm catamaran outing built around one simple pleasure: reaching a shallow sandbar well away from the crowded hotel beaches and spending time in the water.

You meet at Marina La Bonita at 12:30 p.m., then walk to the dock and board the Adelita. The ride to the sandbar takes about an hour, giving you time to settle into a shaded seat, watch the coast recede, and enjoy the included drinks. Music plays, but the mood can remain easygoing rather than rowdy.

The boat operates in the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park, a protected marine area. The advertised stop is one main sandbar, not a string of separate attractions. That is useful to know before booking. You are paying for a pleasant afternoon on the water, not a packed sightseeing schedule.

Boarding at Marina La Bonita

The first practical detail is the meeting point. If you are staying between Cancun and Playa del Carmen, transportation can be arranged, but hotel pickup costs extra. You can also make your own way to Marina La Bonita.

The marina charges a $20 admission fee per person, and the park and dock fees add another $20 per person. Those costs are not part of the $140 advertised price. In real terms, you should think of the outing as costing at least $180 per person before any optional transportation or tip.

That changes the value calculation, especially for a family. Four people would pay $560 for the tour price alone, then another $160 in listed fees. The package does include a catamaran ride, lunch, floating mat, and alcoholic beverages, so it is not an empty boat ticket. Still, check the final price carefully before you commit.

The dock requires some walking, stairs, and boat boarding. You need to be comfortable getting on and off a catamaran. Children must stay with an adult, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

Sailing the Adelita to the sandbar

Once aboard, the boat heads through the calm waters of the Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. The ride out is part of the experience, but it also takes time. Plan on roughly an hour each way, leaving about two hours at the sandbar during the four-hour outing.

The catamaran has shaded areas as well as places in full sun. That gives you a useful choice, especially in the hot Caribbean afternoon. I would claim shade early if you burn easily, then move around as the boat sails.

The crew’s service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Jose, Arturo, Ulises, and Captain Martin are named repeatedly in the supplied feedback, with special praise for bringing drinks, snacks, pillows, and food without making passengers chase someone down. On one family outing, Captain Martin let a child steer for a short time. That sort of small gesture can make the day memorable for children.

Drinks include alcoholic options and bottled water. The open-bar setup is convenient, but remember that a sunny boat and unlimited alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Drink water, use sunscreen, and pace yourself if you want to enjoy the entire return sail.

The Secret Sandbar stop

The sandbar is the main event. The boat anchors in shallow, clear water where the sandy bottom is visible and often easy to stand on. You can jump from the boat, wade around, float on the provided mat, or stay aboard and enjoy the view.

This setup works especially well for families with children and adults who are uneasy in deep water. Several accounts describe kids enjoying the water, and one family noted that crew members watched closely when a child on a float began drifting away from the boat. That does not replace adult supervision, but it shows why the stop feels more manageable than an open-water swim.

There is one important qualification. The water may be shallow in many areas, but it is not automatically effortless for every non-swimmer. One older couple chose to remain on the boat because they did not feel comfortable swimming the short distance from the catamaran to the sandbank. If you are a weak swimmer, ask the crew exactly where you can enter and whether a staff member can assist.

The description also lists paddle boards, towels, and showers as available, while the inclusion details say towels are not included. Treat the towel situation as unresolved and bring your own unless Marina La Bonita confirms otherwise. The floating mat is clearly included. Paddleboard availability is advertised, but the supplied details do not say whether every departure has enough boards for all passengers.

Sargassum can be a problem along Riviera Maya beaches at times. The sandbar offers a useful alternative when hotel beaches are unpleasant, with clear water away from shore. Conditions vary, of course, and the boat cannot guarantee perfect visibility or calm seas.

Lunch, drinks, and the practical food issue

Lunch is light, not a buffet. The standard meal is a ham-and-cheese baguette with fruit and chips. Some food accounts also mention apples and cookies, but you should plan around the stated sandwich, fruit, and chips rather than expect a full meal.

That is enough for many people during a four-hour outing, but it may not satisfy a hungry teenager or anyone who skips breakfast. Eat something beforehand if you need a larger meal.

Dietary restrictions need special care. A vegetarian meal was promised to one family but was not available on the boat. The operator apologized and said the communication process would be improved, but I would not leave this to chance. Contact the company before departure, get written confirmation, and bring a backup meal if your diet is important.

The same advice applies to allergies. The available information only confirms the standard sandwich, fruit, and chips. It does not list ingredients, allergy controls, or alternative menus.

How the four hours usually feel

The stated duration is approximately four hours. A typical rhythm looks like this:

• Check in at Marina La Bonita and board around the 12:30 p.m. start.
• Sail for about an hour through the Puerto Morelos waters.
• Anchor at the sandbar for swimming, floating, paddleboarding, and lunch.
• Sail back to the marina, with hotel drop-off only if separately arranged.

This is a good fit if you want one main activity and plenty of unhurried time. It is less suitable if you want several reef stops, serious snorkeling, or a full day at sea.

The boat can feel different depending on the group. The maximum is 26, but some departures are much smaller. One outing had only 11 people, and another had five. Smaller numbers make the crew’s attentive service easier and leave more room around the boat. You cannot assume every departure will be that intimate, but the group cap is still more appealing than a large party vessel.

Weather, motion, and cancellation concerns

The operator requires good weather and may cancel if sea conditions are unsafe. A sunny hotel beach does not always mean calm conditions offshore. One cancellation occurred even though the weather on land later looked fine, because the sea was considered unsuitable for sailing.

That policy is frustrating when you have limited vacation time, but it is a fair safety concern for a boat trip. If poor weather cancels the outing, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not met.

The ride can also be bumpy before you reach the marina. One pickup account described smooth transportation overall but very rough potholes during the last few kilometers. If you are prone to motion sickness, carry medication and avoid arriving on an empty stomach. On the water, wind and clouds may change the feel of the afternoon without ruining it.

What to bring for a better afternoon

I would pack lightly but carefully:

• Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
• Sunglasses with a secure strap
• A swimsuit and dry change of clothes
• Your own towel, since the supplied information conflicts on towel inclusion
• Motion-sickness medicine if needed
• Cash or a card for the $40 in listed fees
• A backup meal for strict dietary needs
• Goggles if you want to look beneath the surface
• A waterproof phone pouch

You should also expect sun exposure even if you spend part of the trip under cover. Reapply sunscreen after swimming, and keep valuables secure on the boat.

Who will enjoy this catamaran most

Families are the clearest match. Children can swim in shallow water, use a floating mat, and enjoy the crew’s attention. The boat also suits couples, solo visitors, older adults who prefer a gentle outing, and friends who want drinks and music without committing to a full-day party cruise.

It is also a smart choice when the beach near your hotel is affected by sargassum. The sandbar can give you a much cleaner place to enjoy the water.

I would choose another excursion if your priority is snorkeling, reef wildlife, fishing, or a packed sightseeing program. The water may be beautiful, but the main activity is swimming and relaxing rather than exploring underwater sites.

Is $140 a fair price?

At $140 per person, the tour sits in the expensive half-day excursion range. Add the $20 park and dock charge and the $20 marina admission fee, and the basic cost reaches $180 per person. Hotel pickup costs extra.

The value comes from the package’s simplicity. You get transportation on the boat, an open bar, lunch, a floating mat, crew service, and a small-group cap. If you would otherwise pay separately for a catamaran ride, drinks, and water equipment, the price may feel reasonable.

It is less appealing if you do not drink, plan to remain on the boat, or need a substantial meal. In that case, much of the package may not matter to you. Compare the final cost against similar Puerto Morelos sails before booking.

Should you book the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar sail?

I would book it if you want a relaxed afternoon with clear shallow water, attentive staff, and an easy family setup. The best reasons are the sandbar itself, the modest group size, and the crew members who take active care of children and older passengers.

I would pause if you have strict dietary needs, dislike extra fees, or want a true snorkeling trip. Confirm the meal, towel arrangements, pickup cost, and all mandatory charges before paying. Also, do not miss the pickup or start time. A missed pickup may not be rescheduled or refunded.

For families and cautious swimmers, this is one of the more approachable ways to get onto the Caribbean water near Cancun. Just budget honestly, bring a towel, and treat the sandbar as a place to float and play, not as a guaranteed substitute for formal water instruction.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Morelos Secret Sandbar catamaran sail depart?

You can meet directly at Marina La Bonita. Pickup can be arranged from locations between Cancun and Playa del Carmen for an additional charge.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 12:30 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The catamaran outing lasts approximately four hours.

What boat will I board?

The experience uses the Catamaran Adelita.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 26 participants. Some departures may have fewer people.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The standard light lunch includes a ham-and-cheese baguette, fruit, and chips.

Are drinks included?

Alcoholic beverages are included, along with unlimited drinks during the outing. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Are park and marina fees included in the listed price?

No. The National Park and dock fees are listed as $20 per person, and Marina La Bonita charges a separate $20 admission fee per person.

Is the sandbar suitable for children and non-swimmers?

The water is shallow in many areas, and the experience is designed to suit children and cautious swimmers. You still need to supervise children, and some non-swimmers may prefer to remain on the boat.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refundable. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.