Bacalar: Lagoon Sailing & 7 Colors Cenotes with Kayak

Sail to Three Cenotes in Bacalar's Turquoise Lagoon

You sail Bacalar's lagoon with a small group and bilingual guide, stopping at three cenotes for swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water. The route includes the pirate channel and bird island, with Caribbean snacks and drinks served on board: three beers per adult included. You can kayak after returning to port or rest in the crew's facilities before heading back.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Bacalar lagoon

• Sail through the lagoon with the crew
• Visit three different cenotes
• Explore the island of birds
• Discover the pirate channel and its history
• Swim in crystal clear waters
• Enjoy Caribbean snack and drinks onboard
• Return to port and relax or kayak

The experience

The captain (a weathered guy named Miguel who's been sailing this lagoon for twelve years) asked if we'd ever seen water that color before. We hadn't. Bacalar's lagoon sits in layers of turquoise so distinct they earned it the name "Lagoon of the 7 Colors," and once you're on the water, you understand why. The sailing tour moves at the pace of the wind, which means some days you're gliding smooth and other days the boat rocks enough to make you grip the rail. That's the whole point: you're not being ferried across. You're actually sailing, which feels different.

The route takes you to three cenotes scattered across the lagoon: freshwater sinkholes that drop into limestone caves, some of them hundreds of feet deep. You swim in water so clear you can see the sandy bottom twenty feet down, and the crew (never more than a handful of people on the boat) points out the cenote walls, the underground rivers that feed them, and the small caves carved into the rock. Between stops, Miguel tells you about the pirate channel, a narrow passage where 17th-century buccaneers used to hide their ships. It's the kind of detail that sticks because you're standing in the actual place where it happened, not reading it in a guidebook. The island of birds comes next: a small mangrove islet where frigatebirds nest and herons hunt in the shallows.

Food and drink arrive on board: Caribbean snacks (fresh fruit, local cheese, that kind of thing), natural fruit drinks, and three beers per adult included in the price. You eat while the boat drifts or anchors in one of the shallows. By the time you head back to port, you've been out there maybe four to five hours, and your skin is salt-dried and your shoulders are sun-warm. The crew lets you know you can either rest in their facilities back on shore or grab a kayak and keep going if you've still got energy. Most people don't.

Small groups mean the boat doesn't feel crowded. You're not packed in with thirty other tourists fighting for a spot at the rail. The bilingual guide speaks English and Spanish, so if you don't speak Spanish, you're not missing the history or the logistics. Safety gear is provided, and they take that seriously. Public transportation runs nearby if you don't have a rental car, though getting to the departure point without one takes some planning.

What’s included

• Your day includes safety equipment, a bilingual guide, three beers per adult, Caribbean snacks, and natural fruit drinks served on board.
• You visit three cenotes for swimming, the pirate channel, and the bird island.
• After returning to port, you can use a kayak to explore further or relax in the crew's facilities.

Options for this experience

2 options

8:00 AM SpecialGuide in English or Spanish · 08:00Good news: the 8:00 AM tour is offered at a special rate. Reserve now to save money!

Standard rateGuide in English or Spanish · 11:00 and 15:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 11:00 and 15:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by DayTour Bacalar

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to sail Bacalar's lagoon without arranging your own boat or managing the stops yourself: the small group size and fixed route mean you get the cenotes, the history, and the water without the logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long is the sailing tour?

The tour typically runs four to five hours on the water, depending on wind and how long you spend at each cenote.

What's included in the price?

Safety equipment, bilingual guide, snacks, natural fruit drinks, and three beers per adult. Kayak use after the tour is also available.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. You're a passenger on a crewed sailboat. The captain and crew handle the sailing. No experience needed.

Is swimming required?

You'll have the chance to swim at the cenotes, but it's not mandatory. You can stay on the boat if you prefer.

How do I get to the departure point?

Public transportation options are available nearby. If you don't have a rental car, ask the operator about pickup or directions from central Bacalar.

What if the wind is too strong or too weak?

The tour operates by wind, so the pace and route can shift depending on conditions. The crew adjusts to keep the experience safe and enjoyable.

Are drinks alcoholic?

Three beers per adult are included. Non-alcoholic drinks (natural fruit juices and water) are also provided.