Cozumel: Private Snorkel & El Cielo Sandbar Charter

A 29-foot boat, starfish at your fingertips, and no one else on the water

You board a private 29-foot boat at the cruise pier and choose your own pace: snorkel Cozumel's Marine Park reefs with full gear provided, then anchor at El Cielo sandbar to wade among starfish in crystalline water. An open bar and fresh lunch are included throughout, and the bilingual crew handles all navigation and timing so you return to the ship stress-free. Half or full day available.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private snorkel and sandbar charter

• Board the “First Lady” boat
• Snorkel Cozumel Marine Park reefs
• Relax at El Cielo sandbar
• Enjoy open bar drinks
• Savor fresh Mexican lunch
• Use shaded seating and marine toilet onboard

The experience

The "First Lady" sits at the dock, twin 350HP engines gleaming, and you're the only group boarding. That's the whole point of this private charter in Cozumel: no cattle-call boat, no schedule that isn't yours. The crew speaks English and Spanish, the boat holds ten people max, and you leave the cruise pier minutes after stepping off the gangway. Half-day or full-day, you call it. Snorkel the Marine Park reefs with all gear included, or skip straight to El Cielo sandbar and wade into water so clear you'll see starfish moving on the sand beneath your feet.

The boat itself is the difference. Shaded seating, plenty of space to move, a full marine toilet onboard. This isn't roughing it. The open bar runs all day: Tecate Light, Corona, Captain Morgan rum, tequila, margaritas, Cuba Libres, plus water, Coke, juice. Lunch arrives fresh: guacamole and chips, ceviche, grilled fish and shrimp, tacos, quesadillas, chicken fajitas, fruit, salsas. If you're vegetarian, tell them when you book and they'll adjust. The crew handles everything: navigation, snorkel spots, timing, the whole rhythm of the day. You just show up at the pier.

What makes this work for cruise passengers is the logistics. You're not renting a car, not figuring out how to get back by 4pm, not negotiating with a driver at the dock. The boat leaves when you're ready and returns when the charter ends: no guessing, no stress about missing the ship. All licenses and US safety standards are in place. The crew knows the reefs, knows where the starfish congregate, knows the weather patterns. If you want to snorkel one reef and hit the sandbar at sunset instead, you say so and it happens.

Book the half-day if you want the core experience: snorkel and sandbar, back by early afternoon. Full-day gives you time to drift, swim longer, eat without rushing. Either way, you're on a boat that's yours alone, with people who speak your language and a bar that doesn't run out. That matters when you've got six hours in port and you want them to feel like more than a checkbox.

What’s included

Private charter of the 29-foot "First Lady" with bilingual crew, all snorkeling equipment, entry to Cozumel Marine Park, open bar with beer, rum, tequila, and mixed drinks, fresh lunch including ceviche, grilled fish and shrimp, tacos, quesadillas, and fajitas, bottled water and juices, and use of onboard facilities including shaded seating and marine toilet.

Options for this experience

3 options

4-Hour CharterGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeLasts 4 hours

5-Hour CharterGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeLasts 5 hours

6-Hour CharterGuide in English or Spanish · No fixed timeLasts 6 hours

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

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 1,199 per group, with a live guide in English and Spanish, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate7 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.4 with pickup ›

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by First Lady Charters

Is this one for you?Book this if your cruise stop is short and you want snorkeling and a sandbar without arranging a separate boat, guide, or return time. The private charter means you control the schedule and never wait for other groups.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

How long does the charter take?

Half-day or full-day options. You choose the duration when you book.

Is snorkel gear included?

Yes, all snorkeling equipment is provided.

What's included in the open bar?

Bottled water, juices, Coca-Cola, Sprite, Tecate Light, Corona, Captain Morgan rum, tequila, margaritas, and Cuba Libres.

How many people can go on the boat?

Up to 10 guests maximum on the "First Lady."

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the dock?

The boat departs from the cruise pier, so you walk straight from your ship.

What if I'm vegetarian?

Vegetarian options are available. Let the crew know when you book.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult.

What's El Cielo sandbar?

A shallow sandbar famous for starfish and extremely clear water, located near Cozumel.

Are the crew bilingual?

Yes, the crew speaks both English and Spanish.

What safety standards apply?

The boat holds all required licenses and meets US safety standards.