Bacalar sailing tour from Tulum: 7 shades of blue

Sail a quiet lagoon of seven distinct blues, no motors, no crowds.

A private sailing tour from Tulum to Bacalar lagoon combines 3.5 hours on the water with swimming, snorkeling and sightseeing at the colonial fort, pirate's channel, bird island and fossil sites. Hotel pickup and drop-off, lunch, snorkeling gear and a professional guide in your choice of language are included. The sailboat itself means no engine noise and a laid-back pace that lets you absorb the water and the history around you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail and explore Bacalar lagoon

• Embark on sailing boat
• Sail across lagoon's 7 colors
• Swim and snorkel in lagoon
• Visit Bacalar fort and pirate's channel
• Explore bird island and lake fossils
• Discover secret spots in lagoon
• Enjoy eco-friendly, motor-free sailing

The experience

Bacalar lagoon sits inland from the Riviera Maya coast, known for water so clear and layered in color that it looks unreal: seven distinct shades of blue depending on depth and light. The tour leaves from your Tulum hotel in the morning and heads south to the lagoon, where you board a sailboat instead of a motorboat. That choice matters: no engine noise, no fuel smell, just wind and water and the sound of the guide pointing out what you're passing. The boat moves slowly enough that you can actually see the place.

The route covers the fort, a colonial structure with pirate history; the pirate's channel, a narrow waterway where ships once hid; bird island, where you can spot local species; and fossil sites embedded in the lakebed. You stop to swim and snorkel in the clearest water most people ever see, and the guide handles the navigation while you handle the camera. Lunch and snacks come with the tour, along with snorkeling gear and a life vest. The whole day runs about 12 hours door-to-door, but the water time itself is 3.5 hours of actual sailing and stops.

A guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian or French, and the boat stays small: groups max out at six people, so it never feels crowded. If your hotel sits north of Tulum or south toward Playa del Carmen, extra pickup fees apply depending on distance. Check your confirmation email for the exact pickup time and any surcharges that might apply to your location.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Tulum location.
• professional guide in English, Spanish, Italian or French.
• snorkeling equipment and life vest.
• lunch and snacks.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• use of the sailboat for the full 3.5-hour sail across the lagoon.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (4 to 59 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Mexico Kan Tours

Is this one for you?This is a private tour, so the boat and guide are yours alone: groups stay under six people. Choose it if you want to move at your own pace across the lagoon without the noise and schedule of a group motorboat tour, and if you prefer a guide who can answer questions and adapt the stops to what interests you most.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 4): 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 makes Bacalar lagoon different from the Caribbean beaches around Tulum?

Bacalar lagoon is an inland body of water, not the ocean, so it stays calm and clear. The water displays seven distinct shades of blue based on depth, and the lagoon holds colonial history. The fort and pirate's channel are actual sites from centuries past. It's also quieter and less crowded than the beach resorts, which is why the tour markets it as a getaway from the Riviera Maya.

Can I snorkel in the lagoon, or is it just for swimming?

You can do both. The tour includes snorkeling stops at multiple points across the lagoon, with snorkeling gear provided. The water clarity makes it worth doing, and the guide will point out what to look for underwater.

How much time do I actually spend on the sailboat versus traveling to and from Tulum?

The sailing and stops on the lagoon itself take 3.5 hours. The full day is 12 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, so the rest covers the drive south, the boat setup, lunch and the return journey to your hotel.

Do I need any sailing experience, or is this for everyone?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. You're a passenger on the sailboat, not crewing it. The guide handles the sailing. Snorkeling experience isn't required either, though basic comfort in water helps.