Glide across turquoise water to Cozumel and Isla Mujeres, snorkel the reef with an open bar on deck, or charter a private boat for your own group. Compare the best Playa del Carmen boat tours side by side and book your cruise with free cancellation.
Updated 2026-07-02
Quick answer
Playa del Carmen is a departure point rather than a destination for boats. The Cozumel ferry crosses in 45 minutes for $38 to $43 return and runs all day. Everything else is a day trip out of the town: a Cozumel catamaran at $76, a private snorkel from Puerto Morelos at $130, Akumal turtles and cenotes at $95, and whale sharks out of Cancún, in season, at $170.
Key takeaways
Most Booked — 840+ reviews The Cozumel Ferry: Playa del Carmen's Signature Crossing
The essential crossing from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran ferry. Your open round-trip ticket is valid for six months, with hourly departures from the downtown pier.
Real-time dates and prices for the round-trip Playa del Carmen to Cozumel ferry — pick your day and see live availability.
These boat tours cover the full range of ways to get on the water from Playa del Carmen — the classic round-trip ferry to Cozumel, an all-inclusive VIP catamaran cruise over the El Cielo sandbar, a full-day catamaran sail to Isla Mujeres with an open bar, Xcaret's premium luxury ferry, a private snorkeling boat on the Puerto Morelos reef, a seasonal whale shark swim off Cancún, and a combined boat-and-land day to Tulum, a cenote and the Akumal turtles. Whether you want a quick crossing, a day cruise or a private charter, you'll find the duration, price and rating for each below. Prices are per person unless the tour is private.
from $38Most Booked Crossing The essential crossing from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel aboard a modern, air-conditioned catamaran ferry. Your open round-trip ticket is valid for six months, with hourly departures from…
from $95Turtle Swim A full day combining the clifftop Tulum ruins, a freshwater cenote swim, and a boat-assisted snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal Bay. Transport, guide, and gear are included…
from $170Seasonal Highlight A boat trip into open water off Cancún to snorkel alongside migrating whale sharks, the ocean's largest fish. It runs in season with a marine guide, life vest…
from $76All-Inclusive Catamaran A VIP catamaran sail around Cozumel with snorkeling at a shallow protected reef and a stop at the famous El Cielo sandbar. Open bar, food, and snorkel gear…
from $48Open Bar Catamaran A full-day catamaran escape from Playa del Carmen to Isla Mujeres with reef snorkeling, a beach club, and a Mexican buffet. A national open bar and hotel transport…
from $43Luxury Ferry Xcaret's premium ferry service across the channel from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, with comfortable seating and onboard entertainment. A quick, scenic 45-minute crossing to the island.
from $130Private Charter A private boat snorkeling trip on the Puerto Morelos reef, part of the world's second-largest barrier reef system. Hotel pickup, a guide, and equipment are included for your…
| Tour | Price | Rating | Book | Duration | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round-Trip Ferry to Cozumel | $38 | 4.4 ★ | Check | 30–40 min | Round-trip ferry | Most booked, cheapest way to Cozumel |
| VIP Catamaran — El Cielo & Reef | $76 | New | Check | 5 hrs | Catamaran cruise | All-inclusive Cozumel sail & snorkel |
| Isla Mujeres Catamaran & Open Bar | $48 | 4.0 ★ | Check | 13 hrs | Catamaran cruise | Full-day island escape with lunch |
| Cozumel Luxury Ferry by Xcaret | $43 | New | Check | 45 min | Premium ferry | Comfiest crossing to the island |
| Puerto Morelos Private Snorkeling | $130 | New | Check | 5 hrs | Private charter | Private boat on the reef, hotel pickup |
| Swim with Whale Sharks | $170 | 4.5 ★ | Check | 7 hrs | Whale shark swim | Bucket-list summer wildlife trip |
| Tulum, Cenote & Akumal Turtles | $95 | 4.6 ★ | Check | 8–10 hrs | Boat + land combo | Turtles, ruins & cenote in one day |
Playa del Carmen sits on the Riviera Maya coast of Quintana Roo, with the island of Cozumel a short hop offshore, so getting on the water is half the reason to visit. These boat trips split into a few clear types. The round-trip ferry to Cozumel is the workhorse — a 30 to 40 minute crossing on a fast, air-conditioned catamaran ferry that runs hourly from the downtown pier, with an open return ticket you can use any time for six months.
A catamaran tour is the classic day out: you sail, snorkel a reef, and relax with an open bar and lunch on deck, either around Cozumel and its famous El Cielo sandbar or across to Isla Mujeres and Playa Norte. A private boat tour puts a whole boat, captain and guide at your group's disposal for reef snorkeling with hotel pickup. And a couple of specialist trips — the seasonal whale shark swim off Cancun and the combined Tulum, cenote and Akumal turtle day — mix boat time with the region's other headline experiences.
Beyond the tours here, Playa del Carmen's marinas also rent private sailboats and yacht charters by the hour. The table below lays every option side by side.
Cozumel is the reason most people book a boat tour from Playa del Carmen. The quickest way over is the round-trip Cozumel ferry, but the most memorable is the VIP catamaran cruise that sails you to El Cielo and El Cielito — shallow, glass-clear sandbars where starfish rest on a white-sand seabed in waist-deep turquoise water — then anchors over a protected coral reef for snorkeling before an open bar and food come out on deck. Cozumel's western shore is part of a national marine park on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, so the coral and fish life are exceptional.
If you just want to reach the island under your own steam, both the standard ferry and Xcaret's premium luxury ferry make the crossing in well under an hour; from the Muelle Fiscal terminal you can walk into San Miguel town or grab a taxi to the beach clubs. Divers and snorkelers who want more time in the water tend to take an early ferry and book a boat once they land.
The other headline sail is the full-day catamaran cruise to Isla Mujeres, the laid-back little island off Cancun famous for the powder-soft sand and impossibly blue shallows of Playa Norte. These day cruises and sunset cruises are a proper sailing tour: you sail out with a national open bar flowing, snorkel a protected reef such as the El Meco reef, then pull into a beach club for a Mexican buffet lunch and free time to swim, shop in the island town or just laze on the sand before the sunset sail home. They run long — often 8 to 13 hours door to door with round-trip transportation included — so they suit travelers who want one big, all-in day on the water rather than a quick hop.
Because the catamaran's twin hulls sit so steadily, even guests who worry about seasickness usually find the ride smooth, especially in the calm dry-season months.
Boat tours run all year on the Riviera Maya, but the sea is at its calmest and clearest in the dry season, from around November to April — the sweet spot for snorkeling, sailing and anyone worried about a rough ride. May through October is warmer and busier, with short afternoon downpours and the occasional windy day, but it is also when the water is at its warmest and when two summer-only highlights arrive. Whale shark season runs from roughly May 15 to September 17, peaking in July and August, when the world's largest fish gather in the open water off Cancún and Isla Mujeres.
Sea turtle sightings in Akumal Bay are reliable through the summer too. Hurricane season technically spans June to November, but direct hits are rare and operators cancel and rebook freely when weather closes in. Whenever you go, book a morning departure — the wind and swell usually build through the afternoon.
Boat tours here are easy-going, but a little prep makes the day better. Wear a swimsuit under light clothes and pack a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen — the sun on the water is stronger than it feels, and reef-safe formulas are required at the marine parks. A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch keeps valuables safe, and a GoPro or waterproof camera is worth it for the snorkeling and the sandbars.
Bring a little cash in pesos for tips, drinks that aren't part of an open bar, and dock fees, which some Isla Mujeres and Cozumel tours charge separately on the day. Most catamaran and snorkel tours provide gear, life vests and instruction, so you don't need your own equipment. If you're at all prone to seasickness, take a Dramamine or Bonine about an hour before departure — the catamarans are very stable, but it is cheap insurance for a happy day out.
Boat tours from Playa del Carmen on this page run from $38 to $170 per person. The cheapest way onto the water is the round-trip ferry to Cozumel at about $38, or Xcaret's premium luxury ferry at $43. The all-day catamaran cruises are the sweet spot for value: the Isla Mujeres sail with an open bar and buffet is around $48, and the VIP Cozumel catamaran over El Cielo, with reef snorkeling, open bar and food, is about $76.
The combined Tulum, cenote and Akumal turtle day is roughly $95, and the seasonal whale shark swim off Cancún is the priciest at about $170, reflecting the permits, distance and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife. A private snorkeling charter on the Puerto Morelos reef, booked for your group alone with hotel pickup, is around $130. Watch for separate dock or marine-park fees on some island tours, and check exactly what's included — many prices already cover transport, gear and food.
| Boat tour | Price (from) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Round-Trip Ferry to Cozumel | $38 | Round-trip ferry |
| Cozumel Luxury Ferry by Xcaret | $43 | Premium ferry |
| Isla Mujeres Catamaran & Open Bar | $48 | Catamaran cruise |
| VIP Catamaran — El Cielo & Reef | $76 | Catamaran cruise |
| Tulum, Cenote & Akumal Turtles | $95 | Boat + land combo |
| Puerto Morelos Private Snorkeling | $130 | Private charter |
| Swim with Whale Sharks | $170 | Whale shark swim |
The islands, reefs and bays these boat tours reach — all within a short sail or ferry ride of the Playa del Carmen pier.
Which stops you reach depends on the tour — the comparison table above shows what each boat trip covers.
A quick side-by-side of the main kinds of boat tour, so you can match the trip to your day.
| Type | Typical length | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-trip ferry | 30–45 min each way | $38 | Getting to Cozumel cheaply and fast |
| Catamaran cruise | 5–13 hrs | $48 | Sailing, reef snorkel, open bar & lunch |
| Private charter | 5 hrs | $130 | Your own boat and guide, hotel pickup |
| Whale shark swim | 7 hrs | $170 | Seasonal open-water wildlife, May–Sep |
| Boat + land combo | 8–10 hrs | $95 | Turtles, ruins and a cenote in one day |
Prices are per person from; private charters are booked for the whole group.
We took the catamaran over to El Cielo and it was the highlight of our week. The water at the sandbar is unreal — waist deep and full of starfish — and the crew kept the open bar going the whole way back. Snorkeling on the reef was easy even for the kids.
The Isla Mujeres catamaran is a long day but worth it. Playa Norte is the nicest beach I've ever seen, the buffet was solid, and the sail back at sunset with a drink in hand was perfect. Book the earlier boat if you can.
We just used the round-trip ferry to spend a day in Cozumel on our own, and it could not have been simpler. Modern boat, air conditioning, maybe 35 minutes across. The open ticket meant we came back whenever we wanted.
Swimming with the whale sharks off Cancún was a bucket-list moment. The boat ride out is a bit bumpy, so take the seasickness pill they recommend, but seeing an animal that size next to you is worth every peso. Small group, great guide.
From the $38 Cozumel ferry to VIP catamaran cruises, private reef charters and seasonal whale shark swims, we gather every kind of Playa del Carmen boat tour in one place so you can pick the right day out.
We lay out real prices, ratings, durations and tour types so you can match the right boat trip to your budget, your schedule and your group — no guesswork, no inflated claims.
The tours here run with licensed Riviera Maya operators using modern boats, proper safety gear and bilingual crews, with strong review histories on the platforms that back them.
Most boat tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before and reserve-now-pay-later, so you can lock in a date and keep your plans flexible if the weather or your schedule shifts.
It depends on the day you want. For most visitors the all-inclusive VIP catamaran cruise to Cozumel's El Cielo sandbar is the best all-rounder — you sail, snorkel a marine-park reef, and get an open bar and food on board. If you just want to reach Cozumel cheaply and quickly, the round-trip ferry at about $38 is unbeatable; for a full-day island escape, the Isla Mujeres catamaran with an open bar and buffet is hard to top; and in summer the whale shark swim is a genuine bucket-list trip. Compare all of them side by side in the table above.
The boat tours on this page run from about $38 to $170 per person. The round-trip ferry to Cozumel is around $38 and Xcaret's luxury ferry about $43. Catamaran cruises are the value pick — roughly $48 for the Isla Mujeres sail with open bar and $76 for the VIP Cozumel catamaran. The combined Tulum, cenote and Akumal turtle day is about $95, a private Puerto Morelos snorkeling charter around $130, and the seasonal whale shark swim about $170. Some island tours add a separate dock or marine-park fee, so check what's included before you book.
The crossing takes about 30 to 40 minutes each way on a modern, air-conditioned catamaran ferry. Boats leave the downtown Muelle de Playa del Carmen pier roughly every hour throughout the day, and your round-trip ticket is an open ticket valid for six months, so you can pick any return sailing. Xcaret's premium luxury ferry makes the same crossing in around 45 minutes with a bit more comfort. It's the fastest, cheapest way to get out on the water and over to the island.
Government-authorized whale shark tours run each year from roughly May 15 to September 17, with July and August the peak months when the largest groups gather. The swims take place in the open water off Cancún and Isla Mujeres, where these gentle giants — the biggest fish in the ocean — come to feed, and boats depart with a marine guide, life vests and gear included. Because it's a summer-only, weather-dependent trip in deeper water, book ahead and take a seasickness tablet before the ride out.
Most people don't. Catamarans have two hulls, which makes them far more stable than a single-hull boat, and the sheltered water inside the Mesoamerican Reef is usually calm, especially in the November-to-April dry season. If you're prone to motion sickness, take a Dramamine or Bonine about an hour before departure, sit toward the middle of the boat, and keep your eyes on the horizon. The longer open-water trips, like the whale shark swim, are bumpier than the coastal catamaran cruises, so plan accordingly.
Wear a swimsuit under light clothes and bring a towel, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen, which is required at the marine parks. Pack a dry bag or waterproof phone pouch, a GoPro if you have one, and some cash in pesos for tips, extra drinks and any separate dock fee. Most catamaran and snorkeling tours provide gear, life vests and instruction, so you don't need your own equipment. If you get seasick, add a motion-sickness tablet to take before you sail.
Many do, but not all. The full-day catamaran cruises to Isla Mujeres and the private Puerto Morelos snorkeling charter include round-trip hotel transport, and the whale shark and Tulum-cenote-Akumal trips typically include pickup from set zones. The round-trip Cozumel ferries do not include transport — you make your own way to the downtown pier, which is an easy walk from the center of Playa del Carmen at the foot of Fifth Avenue. Each tour's details spell out exactly what transport is included.