Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Private Boat Tour with BBQ Option

The lagoon changes color as you move through it, and your boat doesn't have to share the water with anyone else.

A private boat tour of Bacalar's Seven Color Lagoon reserves a pontoon or sailboat exclusively for your group, with a certified guide leading you through turquoise freshwater, cenotes, Bird Island and the Pirate Channel. You choose between a 3-hour cruise with fruit and drinks, or a 4-hour option that adds an onboard BBQ with grilled shrimp, beef and vegetable skewers. Both include a one-hour kayak rental, Casa China Beach Club access and the lookout tower. Swimming stops are part of the itinerary. Life jackets are provided.

The experience

What makes this different from a shared tour is the boat itself. It's reserved for your group alone, which means you set the pace and the stops. Your certified guide knows the lagoon's history and the stories behind the Pirate Channel and the cenotes, but the rhythm of the day is yours. You swim when you want, stay in the shade when you want, and if someone in your group wants to play their own music through the Bluetooth sound system, that happens too. The water is freshwater, so it's gentler than the sea, and the color shifts from turquoise to deep blue as you move through different depths.

The two options split on time and food. The Private Pontoon Adventure runs three hours and includes seasonal fresh fruit, a natural fruit drink, soft drinks, bottled water and up to five beers per adult. The Private Boat & Onboard BBQ stretches to four hours and adds a freshly grilled meal prepared right on the boat: shrimp, beef and vegetable skewers with homemade guacamole and chips, with vegetarian options available if you ask. Both come with a cooler and ice to keep everything cold. Either way, you're swimming at cenotes and exploring the Pirate Channel, with time to float and take in the scenery.

After you step off the boat, your access doesn't stop. Both options unlock Casa China Beach Club for the rest of the day, a one-hour kayak rental to paddle the lagoon on your own, and access to the lookout tower for views across the water. You get a 10% discount on food and drinks at the beach club too. The marina is inside Casa China Bacalar, and you'll need to arrive 30 minutes early in your swimsuit so check-in and boarding go smoothly. Bring a towel, hat, sun protection and sunscreen. The water conditions can shift with weather, so your guide may adjust swimming stops if needed for safety.

What’s included

• Your tour includes a certified guide in English or Spanish.
• seasonal fresh fruit and a natural fruit drink.
• soft drinks and bottled water.
• up to five beers per adult.
• a one-hour kayak rental.
• Casa China Beach Club access for the rest of the day with a 10% discount on food and drinks.
• access to the lookout tower.
• and a cooler with ice to keep everything cold. If you choose the Onboard BBQ option, add freshly grilled shrimp, beef and vegetable skewers with homemade guacamole and chips, with vegetarian options available on request.

Options for this experience

2 options

Lagoon Boat TourUp to 10 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 08:00, 11:00 and 15:00Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon: See the famous pirate channel and discover the oldest organisms on Earth: the stromatolites, or living stones. Transportation not included: Transportation from Costa Maya is not included. Please also take your cruise schedule at port into account. Duration: 3 hours. This tour departs directly from Bacalar. Easy-to-follow directions will be sent to you once your reservation is confirmed. Snacks: Enjoy a tropical fruit snack on board and swim in the crystal-clear waters that make this lagoon unique in the world! Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon: Discover the lagoon of seven colors aboard a comfortable boat with a very friendly and professional crew. Boat shared tour: Enjoy the beauty of the Bacalar lagoon on a 3-hour shared boat tour.

Laguna GrillUp to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10:00 and 15:00Transportation from Costa Maya is not included. Please also take your cruise schedule at port into account. Duration: 4 hours. This tour leaves directly from Bacalar. Clear, easy-to-follow directions will be sent once your reservation is confirmed. Lunch: Tasty surf and turf skewers (vegetarian options available), served with a cold beer, fresh fruit water, or soft drink. Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon: Explore the most beautiful spots on the lagoon while learning about its history and mysteries. Boat: A distinctive way to sail to places away from the crowds aboard a comfortable boat. Private tour: Enjoy the beauty of the Bacalar lagoon on a 4-hour private boat tour.

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDepartures at 08:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 15:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Next Experience Travel

Is this one for you?Choose the three-hour pontoon if you want a morning or afternoon on the water without a big time commitment. Pick the four-hour BBQ option if you're hungry and want to turn the boat into a floating meal. Either way, having the boat to yourself means no schedule pressure and no strangers. Just your group, your guide and the lagoon at whatever pace suits the day.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What's the difference between the pontoon and the sailboat options?

The Private Pontoon Adventure is a spacious, shaded boat with comfortable seating and runs for three hours with fruit and drinks. The Private Boat & Onboard BBQ option lasts four hours and includes the grilled meal. You can choose between a pontoon or a sailboat for this one, depending on what appeals to you.

Can I swim in the Seven Color Lagoon, or is it just sightseeing from the boat?

Swimming is built into the tour. You stop at cenotes and other spots in the lagoon where you can get in the water. Life jackets are provided, and your guide will let you know which stops are good for swimming based on the day's conditions.

What is the Pirate Channel, and what will I see there?

The Pirate Channel is one of Bacalar's historic landmarks, and your guide will share the stories and history behind it as you cruise through. It's one of the named stops your guide takes you to during the tour.

Does the price include getting to Casa China Bacalar, or do I need to arrange my own transport?

Ground transportation is not included. You're responsible for getting to Casa China Bacalar, where the marina is located. Free on-site parking is available if you're driving, and public transportation options are nearby. Detailed directions and a map will be provided after you book.

What happens if the weather turns bad on the day of my tour?

The itinerary and swimming stops may be modified for safety if weather or water conditions change. Your guide will make those calls on the day to keep everyone safe, but the core experience (the private boat and the lagoon) stays on track.

Is the kayak rental included, or is that an add-on?

A one-hour kayak rental is included in both options, along with Casa China Beach Club access and the lookout tower. You can use the kayak rental whenever you want during your time at the beach club.