Cozumel: Luxury Sailing & Snorkeling Catamaran with Lunch

Summary

Sailing turquoise cozumel waters snorkeling reefs paddleboarding and lunch

You’ll sail Cozumel’s clear waters on a luxury catamaran with hotel pickup included, snorkel colorful reefs with a local guide, enjoy fresh lunch onboard plus an open bar, and try paddleboarding or swimming before heading back salty-haired and happy.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely kicked off our sandals when the catamaran crew in Cozumel handed us cold drinks—limey, sharp, a little sweet. The sun was already high but the breeze kept it easy. I caught myself grinning at nothing as we left the dock, watching pelicans skim the water and a couple of locals waving from their fishing boats. Our guide—Miguel, I think?—pointed out a patch of reef just ahead, said it’s his favorite spot for snorkeling because “the fish here are nosy.” He wasn’t kidding. The second my mask hit the water, these little yellow guys darted right up to my face like they owned the place.

Snorkeling in Cozumel is wild—there’s this hush underwater except for your own breath and flashes of color everywhere. Miguel showed us how to spot a tiny blue tang (the one from that movie), and I tried to follow but got distracted by some weird brain-shaped coral. When we climbed back on deck, salt drying on my skin, someone had already set out lunch—fresh ceviche with tortilla chips that actually tasted homemade. I probably ate too much but honestly, who cares?

After lunch there was time for paddleboarding or just floating around. I tried standing up but mostly wobbled and laughed until I fell in—no one judged; even the crew joined in joking about it. There was music playing softly (some Spanish pop song I didn’t know) and people sprawled out on cushions with another round from the open bar. It felt like time slowed down for a bit out there. The light on the water was almost too bright to look at directly—I still think about that view sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxury sailing and snorkeling in Cozumel

• Board luxury catamaran
• Sail to Cozumel
• Snorkel at coral reefs
• Swim in calm waters
• Paddleboard on Caribbean
• Enjoy cocktails onboard
• Savor light lunch

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Cozumel sailing tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation is included from most hotels in Cancun and Riviera Maya.

What’s included with lunch on board?

A light lunch is served onboard, such as fresh ceviche and snacks.

Can kids join the catamaran tour?

The minimum age to board is 4 years old; for water activities like snorkeling or paddleboarding it's 8 years old.

Is there an open bar during the tour?

Yes, there’s a fully stocked open bar available throughout your time onboard.

Do you need to be able to swim for snorkeling?

Yes, guests should be relatively fit and able to swim for water activities like snorkeling or paddleboarding.

Are guides bilingual?

Yes, professional staff speak both English and Spanish.

How long do you spend snorkeling?

The exact time can vary depending on conditions but there’s plenty of time dedicated to snorkeling at selected reef spots.

Is snorkel gear provided?

Yes, top-notch snorkel gear is included if weather permits.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and return from most Cancun or Riviera Maya hotels, all catamaran sailing fees, professional bilingual staff guiding you through snorkeling (with gear provided if weather allows), paddleboards available for use, life jackets for safety, a freshly prepared light lunch served onboard along with an open bar throughout the trip before heading back in the afternoon.