Bacalar Lagoon: Sailing Tour, Cenotes & Pirate Channel Snacks

Summary

Sail Bacalar’s 7 Colors Lagoon, swim cenotes, taste Caribbean snacks

You’ll sail Bacalar’s famous Lagoon of 7 Colors by wind power, stopping to swim in three cenotes and visit the legendary Pirate Channel. Along the way you’ll snack on fresh Caribbean bites, sip cold drinks, and hear stories from your local guide as you glide past bird islands and mangroves. It’s peaceful, colorful, sometimes surprising—a real break from busy days.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped onto the sailboat at Bacalar’s little dock and I immediately noticed how quiet it was compared to the motorboats—just a soft creak of wood and the flap of canvas overhead. Our guide, Diego, grinned and handed out cold fruit drinks (I spilled a bit on my shorts right away, classic me). The water really does have those wild blue stripes you see in photos—almost too bright. There were only six of us plus crew, which made everything feel relaxed. Diego pointed out where the lagoon gets its seven colors—something about minerals and light, but honestly I was too busy staring at all that turquoise.

The first stop was a cenote right in the lagoon. The water shifted from pale blue to this deep navy circle, almost like someone dropped ink into it. We jumped in (a bit colder than I expected) and floated around while Diego told us stories about pirates sneaking through here centuries ago. He even tried to teach us how to say “cenote” properly in Spanish—Li laughed when I tried; probably butchered it. There was this faint smell of wet limestone and something sweet from the trees along the shore. We sailed on past the island of birds—so many white egrets just standing there like they owned the place.

The Pirate Channel was next. It’s narrower than I pictured, with mangroves crowding both sides and sunlight glinting off the water so bright you had to squint. Diego explained how ships used to hide here (hard to imagine now with all this peace). We anchored for snacks—fresh pineapple and these salty little pastries I still think about—and clinked beers together before one last swim. Nobody seemed in a rush to get back; time kind of stretches out when you’re just drifting along like that.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sail and explore Bacalar lagoon

• Sail through the lagoon with the crew
• Visit three different cenotes
• Explore the island of birds
• Discover the famous pirate channel
• Learn about the history of the place
• Swim in crystal clear waters
• Enjoy Caribbean snack and drinks onboard
• Return to port and relax
• Optional kayak to continue exploring

Top questions

How long is the sailing tour on Bacalar Lagoon?

The exact duration isn’t listed but expect several hours including stops for swimming and snacks.

Are snacks and drinks included on this Bacalar sailing tour?

Yes, Caribbean snacks, natural fruit drinks, and three beers per adult are included.

Does the tour include swimming stops at cenotes?

Yes, you’ll stop at three different cenotes during the sailing tour.

Is hotel pickup included for this Bacalar Lagoon tour?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; public transport options are nearby.

Is this sailing tour suitable for kids or infants?

Infants can join but must sit on an adult’s lap for safety reasons.

Do I need previous sailing experience for this trip?

No experience needed—the crew handles all navigation; just relax onboard.

Is there a guide who speaks English during the tour?

Yes, a bilingual guide is included with every sailing group.

Can people with heart conditions join this sailing tour?

This activity isn’t recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.

What’s included

Your day includes all safety equipment on board, a bilingual local guide throughout the sailing trip, healthy Caribbean-style snacks served mid-tour along with natural fruit drinks and up to three beers per adult before returning to port where you can relax or take out a kayak if you want more time on Bacalar’s water.