Catamaran Sail to Isla Mujeres from Cancun or Riviera Maya

Isla Mujeres sits just offshore from Cancun, a slip of land ringed by the turquoise water the Mexican Caribbean is known for, and this catamaran sail is built around getting you there the fun way. Rather than a quick ferry hop, you spend the day aboard a sailboat with an open national bar running the whole time, choosing between a classic catamaran and an exclusive luxury option at booking, each with its own passenger capacity. It is a full day on the water that treats the crossing itself as part of the destination rather than a formality before it.

The day starts with check-in, either at a Cancun hotel zone meeting point at Marina Albatros on Blvd. Kukulcan or through a hotel pickup for guests in Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, or elsewhere in the Riviera Maya. Once everyone is aboard, the boat heads out toward one of the significant reef systems in the region, and along the way, conditions permitting, there is a stop at the underwater museum MUSA, where submerged sculptures by a group of Mexican artists sit on the seafloor among the fish and coral. Snorkeling gear is provided so you can get in the water and see the reef and the statues up close, and if the wind cooperates, there is also the option to try the spinnaker for a burst of speed under sail.

From the reef, the route continues to an exclusive beach club on Isla Mujeres, where a Mexican buffet lunch is served. After eating, the schedule loosens: you can stay at the club, walk into the island's downtown to browse the shops, or just wander and take photos before the boat turns back toward the mainland at the end of the roughly eight-hour outing.

This is a good fit for travelers who want an active, social day on the water rather than a quiet scenic cruise — the open bar and party atmosphere on board suggest it plays best with a lively group. Snorkeling is included and reasonably central to the day, so some comfort in the water helps, though the tour states it suits all physical fitness levels. It is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or for pregnant travelers, and snorkeling participation is restricted to ages 9 through 60. Note also that this particular tour does not include transportation from Tulum hotels.

Because snorkeling is on the agenda, pack a swimsuit, sunscreen, and a change of clothes; the equipment itself is supplied. A certified guide accompanies the group, and the beach club access, buffet, and open bar are all part of what's included, along with time set aside specifically for shopping and exploring Isla Mujeres' downtown. Gratuities and the dock fee at Marina Albatros are not covered, so budget for those separately.

For anyone based in the Cancun hotel zone, plan to be at Marina Albatros, Blvd. Kukulcan km. 3.5, with check-in beginning around 9:00 to 9:30 am. Guests staying further along the Riviera Maya should book the transportation option instead, which includes a roughly 30-minute hotel pickup and a drop-off back at the hotel once the tour, which runs about eight hours total, wraps up.