What to Expect on a Riviera Maya Catamaran and Snorkeling Tour

The best snorkeling in the Caribbean is often found at the reefs that can only be reached by boat, so for a day of fun, book a catamaran tour and enjoy a Riviera Maya snorkeling tour.

Off the coast of Riviera Maya, you will find one of the most amazing reefs in the world. This reef is home to atolls, mangrove forests, cays, lagoons, and estuaries. If you love marine life, or just love lounging on a boat sipping cocktails in the sun, you must book a catamaran tour and do some Riviera Maya snorkeling. Read on for some great ideas on what to expect and how to prepare.

Booking Your Catamaran Tour

This isn’t something that you want to take lightly or leave till the last minute, and despite popular belief, the best value isn’t always just trying to find the cheapest option from a guy with a fishing boat on the shore when you get there. You want to put your trust in someone who has been doing it a long time and is accountable for the kind of experience you have. We have a long-standing tour that will serve you well for this purpose.

When booking your catamaran tour, you’ll want to get the following information: All of which we provide.

  • How long is the tour?

  • Where do you depart?

  • Can they pick you up at your location, or do you have to go meet them? If so, do they provide transportation?

What You Can Expect for the Day

If you are doing a half-day catamaran tour and Riviera Maya snorkeling tour, a morning departure will have you on the water during the cooler part of the day and back at port in time for an afternoon siesta. An afternoon departure will be a bit warmer, but that just makes the swimming more refreshing and the cocktails more thirst-quenching, and you may be able to see a lovely sunset depending on your return time.

Here are typical things to expect on a catamaran and snorkeling tour:

  • Bilingual Guide - This is to make sure no one feels left out of the experience

  • Guided snorkeling - for safety and your enjoyment our tour is guided to make sure you only enjoy the time, rather than stress.

  • A Life Jacket to ensure a safe experience

  • Snorkel equipment - you will not need to provide any of this on your own.

  • Paddle Boards

  • Beverages throughout the tour (alcohol is served only after water activities)

  • Light gourmet lunch

  • Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van from most hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen

What to Bring

For day trips, you can pack lightly. If you will be on or in the water during the full catamaran tour, you can easily get away with just wearing a swimsuit and bringing a towel and sunscreen (be careful certain sunscreens are prohibited to keep the waters they way they need to be, biodegradable sunscreen only), and possibly a light cover-up and hat.

What About Sea Sickness?

This will depend on your tolerance for motion, and the surf that day. Taking an antihistamine like Dramamine to prevent motion sickness is always a good idea. You do not want to be miserable and stuck on a ship. If you are not sure what your tolerance is, definitely consider doing a different tour if you haven’t been out on the water before to get your sea legs, or, more accurately, sea stomach.

If you do feel a little uneasy, don’t try to tough it out yourself. The crews of the catamaran tours are always very helpful in these situations. They will help you cool down, get you to sip some cool water, and perhaps have a cold compress for the back of your neck. They deal with this every day and are there to help you enjoy your trip. Do not guzzle ice cold water. This will only make you feel worse.


A catamaran tour can be one of the most thrilling and relaxing experiences of your vacation, and a Riviera Maya snorkeling tour is an event like no other. If you’re ready to explore the Caribbean and see rays, squid, octopus, sea turtles, and rainbows of colorful tropical fish, book a tour with Cancun Adventures today.

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