Bacalar: Sailboat Lagoon Tour & Cenote Swimming

A sailboat cuts through seven shades of blue, and you're steering toward the deepest cenote in Mexico

You board a sailboat at Casa Sirena marina and navigate the seven-color lagoon toward Cenote Negro, a 180-meter-deep sinkhole where the water turns dark blue. You swim in the Pirate Canal, eat seasonal fruit and drink beer on deck, then finish at Bird Island before returning to the dock. The whole tour runs on wind and sail, not motors, which keeps the lagoon undisturbed and you present.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and swim in Laguna de Bacalar

• Meet at CASA SIRENA marina
• Receive tour information and instructions
• Board the sailboat
• Sail through the lagoon of 7 colors
• Visit Cenote Negro (Cenote de la Bruja)
• Stop at Pirate Canal for swimming
• Enjoy snacks with fruits, beers, and water
• Continue to Bird Island for swimming
• Return to the dock

The experience

The lagoon at Bacalar doesn't photograph the way you expect. The water shifts from turquoise to jade to deep indigo depending on where the sand drops away, and from the deck of a sailboat (not a motorboat, which matters here). You see the color changes happen in real time as the captain navigates toward Cenote Negro. That cenote sits 180 meters down, a sinkhole so deep the water above it turns almost black, and it's the kind of detail that makes you understand why the locals call this place magical. Wild Wave Bacalar runs these sailboat tours with a focus on keeping the lagoon itself intact, which is why you're on canvas and wind instead of fuel and noise.

The morning starts at Casa Sirena, the marina where Wild Wave operates, and the captain arrives fifteen minutes before departure to walk through what's coming. You board one of their sailboats and head out across the lagoon, and the first real stop is the Pirate Canal: a narrow passage where the water stays shallow enough to swim in, and the crew gives you time to get in and float around without rushing. After that comes the snack break, which is when the captain brings out seasonal fruit, cold beer, and bottled water, and you sit on the boat while the lagoon spreads out around you. It's a small thing, but it's the kind of detail that separates a tour from just being on the water.

The last stop before heading back is Bird Island, where the water is warm and clear enough that you can see straight down, and by then you've been on the sailboat long enough that the rhythm of it (the gentle tilt, the sound of water against the hull) feels like the whole point. The tour runs regardless of rain, so weather doesn't cancel it, and the whole experience takes up half a day without eating into the rest of your schedule. If you're staying in Bacalar or passing through the Riviera Maya, this sailboat tour is the way to see the lagoon without the crowds or the engine noise.

What’s included

Your half-day sailboat tour includes pickup at Casa Sirena marina, a captain and crew, navigation of the seven-color lagoon with stops at Cenote Negro, the Pirate Canal (with swimming time), Bird Island (with swimming time), and a snack break featuring seasonal fruits, beer, and bottled water before returning to the dock.

Before you book

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

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 88 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 30 · 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tours Wild Wave Bacalar - Velero, paddle, pontón.

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Bacalar's lagoon without a motorboat engine or the crowds that come with larger tours. The sailboat keeps the water and your experience quiet, and the fixed stops mean you're not deciding where to go or how long to stay.

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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: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

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.

What's included in the tour?

Seasonal fruit snacks, beer, and bottled water are provided. Entry to the lagoon and swimming areas is included. You bring your own swimsuit and towel.

Can you swim during the sailboat tour?

Yes. You swim in the Pirate Canal and at Bird Island. The crew designates permitted swimming areas and supervises from the boat.

What is Cenote Negro?

Cenote Negro (also called Cenote de la Bruja) is a natural sinkhole in the lagoon with a depth of 180 meters. The water above it appears dark blue because of the depth. You pass it during the tour but don't swim in it.

Do I need sailing experience?

No. The captain and crew handle the boat. Passengers sit, relax, and enjoy the lagoon. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels.

What time does the tour start?

The captain arrives 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time at Casa Sirena marina to brief the group. Specific start times depend on the booking you choose.

Can infants go on the sailboat tour?

Yes. Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult's lap during the tour.

Are there public transportation options to reach the marina?

Yes. Public transportation is available near Casa Sirena marina, though you may want to confirm current routes and schedules when you book.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a change of clothes. The tour provides snacks and drinks, but you can bring additional items if you prefer.