Riviera Maya · Quintana Roo · Mexico
- Position
- 20.2°N · 87.5°W
- Region
- Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico
How it works
No marina, plenty of water
Tulum is the southern anchor of the Riviera Maya: a town and municipality with roughly 16 km of white-sand coast, the cliff-top archaeological site above the Caribbean and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve stretching away to the south.
We could find no yacht marina in Tulum, and we don't pretend otherwise. Boating here takes three forms. Small local boats run reef snorkel trips just off the coast. Guided tours through the lagoons and canals of Sian Ka'an are run with local cooperatives. And for a private yacht or catamaran day, Tulum guests usually travel north to meet the boat at Marina Puerto Aventuras, the nearest verified full-service marina, or occasionally to Marina El Cid at Puerto Morelos.
That trip north is worth it for a longer day: Puerto Aventuras has catamaran, yacht, fishing and dive operators, and from there a charter can explore the central Riviera Maya coast or, in good weather, cross toward Cozumel. If a shorter snorkel is all you need, a local reef trip may be the better fit.
One more thing to know: the cenotes Tulum is famous for are inland freshwater sinkholes. They are a wonderful land excursion, but they are not part of a boat charter.
Ways onto the water
Choosing the right kind of trip
Reef snorkeling off Tulum
Snorkeling on the reef in front of the coast is one of Tulum's official activities. Trips are short and run by local operators; launch arrangements vary.
Local small boatsSian Ka'an by cooperative
The UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve is visited with guides from local cooperatives, including boat and float trips along the canals near the Muyil archaeological site, with daily visitor limits.
Guided onlyPrivate yacht or catamaran
Full-day private charters for Tulum guests typically depart from Marina Puerto Aventuras, with options for snorkeling, celebrations, fishing or a Cozumel crossing in good weather.
Marina-based
Protected areas
A coast that is carefully protected
Much of the land and sea around Tulum is protected, which is a big part of its appeal and a reason to plan with care.
Tulum National Park
The park that contains the archaeological zone is a land park along the coast. The ruins stand on cliffs of around 12 m above the sea; views from the water are possible on some routes but never guaranteed.
Caribe Mexicano Biosphere Reserve
The marine reserve covers the waters off Tulum, including strictly protected core zones such as the Xcacel–Xcacelito marine area, which are not casual anchoring spots.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Declared in 1986 and listed by UNESCO in 1987, Sian Ka'an covers lagoons, mangroves, forest and sea. Visits are guided and subject to a per-person park fee. Punta Allen, its largest village, lies at the end of a long, rough coastal track.
Akumal Bay
A marine refuge protecting green sea turtle habitat since 2016, popular for snorkeling under its rules.
Seasons
Weather and wildlife
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, peaking from mid-August to mid-October.
Nortes, winter cold fronts between roughly October and April, can bring several windy days.
Sargassum usually arrives between April and October, most heavily from May to August.
Sea turtles are most often seen from May to October, according to the state tourism board.
Planning a Tulum day
- A short reef snorkel or a full private charter?
- Are you happy to travel to Puerto Aventuras?
- Date, group size and any celebration
- Interest in Sian Ka'an or Cozumel
Current fleet & availability
Find the right boat near Tulum
Tell us whether you would like a short reef snorkel or a full private charter, plus your date and group size. We will suggest the most practical departure and check what is available.
Related destinations
Nearby on the Riviera Maya
Tulum FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Yacht Charters in Tulum
Straight answers to the questions travelers ask most about chartering in Tulum. If yours is not here, ask us when you request a quote.
Is there a marina in Tulum?
We have not found a yacht marina in Tulum. Private yacht and catamaran charters for Tulum guests usually depart from Marina Puerto Aventuras, the nearest verified marina, to the north.
Can we take a boat trip from Tulum itself?
Yes, in the form of local reef snorkel trips off the coast and guided tours in the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Launch details depend on the operator.
Can we see the Tulum ruins from the water?
The ruins sit on low cliffs above the Caribbean, and some boat routes pass in view of them, but it is not guaranteed and boats do not anchor below the site.
Are cenotes part of a Tulum boat charter?
No. Cenotes are inland freshwater sinkholes, visited on land excursions rather than by boat.
Do we need a guide to visit Sian Ka'an?
Yes. Visits to the reserve's canals and sites are guided, often through local cooperatives, with daily visitor limits and a per-person park fee.
When can we see sea turtles in Tulum?
The state tourism board suggests May to October. Akumal Bay, north of Tulum, is a protected turtle refuge with its own snorkeling rules.
Can a yacht pick us up in Tulum?
Not as a standard arrangement. Most yachts meet guests at a marina. Ask us and we will confirm what is practical for your vessel.
Is sargassum a problem in Tulum?
It varies by year, usually between April and October and most heavily from May to August.
Can we take a yacht to Cozumel from the Tulum area?
Yes, in good weather, starting from a marina rather than the beach. Full-day yachts and catamarans for Tulum guests usually depart from Marina Puerto Aventuras, and from there a charter can cross toward Cozumel, whose reefs are protected by a national park with its own fee and rules.
Can we go sport fishing near Tulum?
Yes, usually from Marina Puerto Aventuras to the north, where fishing operators are based alongside catamaran, yacht and dive operators. Tell us your date and group size and we will check the fishing boats available.
Can a boat stop at Xcacel?
Not as a casual anchoring spot. The Xcacel–Xcacelito marine area is a strictly protected core zone of the Caribe Mexicano Biosphere Reserve, so we confirm what the reserve allows before planning any stop nearby.