From $680/day. Licensed SECTUR captain, fuel, cooler and life jackets included. Isla Mujeres in 30 min — whale shark season June to September. Confirmed in under 2 hours.
Nauty 360 operates private captained boat charters in Cancun, Mexico. Rates start at $680/day (lancha, 12 guests). Includes SECTUR-certified captain, fuel, life jackets and cooler. Departures from Puerto Cancun Marina. Isla Mujeres: 30 min. Whale shark season: June–September. 4.9★ across 216 verified Google reviews. Reservations via WhatsApp +1 (954) 890-0266; 50% deposit, confirmed in under 2h.
All prices include captain, fuel, life jackets and cooler with ice. No hidden fees. Prices in USD.
| Vessel | Capacity | Full Day (8h) | Best For | Main Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancha 29 ft | Up to 12 guests | $680 | Isla Mujeres, whale shark, reef snorkel | No shade deck; open boat |
| Lancha 40 ft | Up to 16 guests | $1,250 | Larger groups, Contoy full day | Higher fuel burn on long routes |
| Yacht 60 ft | Up to 18 guests | $2,650 | Cozumel, premium day, corporate | Slower speed; best for comfort |
| Catamaran 52 ft | Up to 25 guests | $2,890 | Large groups, sunset cruises, bachelorette | Less maneuverable in tight coves |
💡 The group math on whale shark charters: A lancha charter for 10 people at $680 total = $68/person. A shared whale shark group tour typically runs $150–$200/person, puts 15–20 strangers on the same boat, and rotates swimmers on a strict schedule. Private = more time in the water at half the cost per person for groups of 6+.
Your captain navigates. You decide how long to stay at each stop.
The most-requested day charter from Cancun. Anchor at Playa Norte, snorkel the MUSA underwater sculpture museum at 8–10 meters depth, or golf cart the 8-km island. Strong choice for half-day and full-day groups of any size.
Half-day or full-dayMid-June to mid-September, whale sharks aggregate in the warm Caribbean current between Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. SEMARNAT allows two swimmers per shark at a time. Your captain navigates directly to the aggregation zone. Permits cap daily participants — advance booking essential.
Seasonal — Jun to SepA protected bird sanctuary with 150+ nesting species, pristine beaches, and zero commercial development. Daily access capped at ~200 visitors — permits are required and arranged by Nauty 360 in advance. Best paired with a whale shark morning for a full combo day.
Permit required — book earlyThe Mesoamerican Barrier Reef — second-largest barrier reef on earth — runs through Puerto Morelos. Visibility regularly hits 15–20 meters. Excellent for snorkeling stops with minimal boat traffic. Often combined with Isla Mujeres on full-day charters.
Best visibility: Dec–AprFully protected from open-water swell — ideal when weather is rough outside, for groups with children, or for sunset cruises. Dolphins spotted frequently. Mangrove channels require a shallow-draft lancha; not navigable by catamaran.
Year-round — calm watersUnderstanding the difference saves time and avoids booking the wrong product.
| Factor | Private Captained Charter (Nauty 360) | Bare-Boat Rental |
|---|---|---|
| Captain provided? | Yes — SECTUR-certified, bilingual | No — you operate the vessel |
| License required? | None — just show up | Valid boating license + local knowledge |
| Legal requirement | Fully compliant with SECTUR/SEMARNAT | Rare in Cancun; most operators won't offer it |
| Route flexibility | Full — captain navigates wherever you want | Full, but offshore navigation requires experience |
| Safety coverage | Captain handles emergencies, VHF radio, flares | Renter's responsibility |
| Best for | Any group; first-timers and experienced boaters | Licensed sailors with Caribbean experience only |
Mexican maritime law (SEMAR) requires a certified captain aboard any vessel carrying paying passengers for tourism. All Nauty 360 charters are fully captained — which is both the legally required option and the better experience. Your captain knows the whale shark zones, reef entry points, and the Contoy permit process.
Cancun has two distinct seasons. Here is what each means for your charter.
| Period | Sea Conditions | Visibility at Reef | Whale Sharks | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec – Apr | Calm, 0.5–1.5m swell typical | 18–25 m | Not present | ⭐ Peak season — all routes open |
| May – Jun | Generally calm; isolated storms | 15–20 m | Early season (late Jun) | ✅ Excellent — fewer crowds |
| Jul – Sep | Variable; morning calm, afternoon chop | 12–18 m | Peak aggregation | 🦏 Best for whale sharks; book AM departures |
| Oct – Nov | Hurricane tail; rougher swells possible | 10–15 m | Season ends mid-Sep | ⚠️ Plan B ready; lagoon routes safe |
One operational detail most guides skip: afternoon winds in the Cancun hotel zone typically increase from 1pm onward, driven by sea-breeze patterns off the Caribbean. For Contoy or whale shark routes, Nauty 360 departs at 7:00–8:00 AM to complete offshore legs before wind builds. Charter groups wanting a relaxed 10 AM start are better routed to Isla Mujeres or the lagoon, where conditions stay manageable through midday.
Across more than 500 completed charters departing from Puerto Cancun Marina, the following patterns hold consistently:
Three steps, no booking platform fees, no middlemen.
Send your date, group size, and preferred route to +1 (954) 890-0266. We respond in under 2 hours with availability, vessel recommendation, and a confirmed quote. No form required.
Once you confirm the quote, a 50% deposit secures your vessel, captain, and departure time. Balance is settled the day before departure. For whale shark and Contoy charters, we handle all permit arrangements at this stage.
Your captain meets your group dockside at the agreed time. Bring sunscreen (reef-safe recommended in national park zones), towels, and whatever food and drinks you want — the cooler is already stocked with ice and water.
A private boat charter in Cancun starts at $680 USD for a full day (8 hours) aboard a 29 ft lancha for up to 12 guests. Larger lanchas (40 ft, up to 16) run $1,250/day. Luxury yachts (60 ft) are $2,650/day. A 52 ft catamaran for groups up to 25 costs $2,890/day. All prices include a licensed captain, fuel, life jackets and cooler with ice and water.
A charter includes a licensed captain, fuel and equipment — you arrive and direct where to go. A bare-boat rental means you operate the vessel yourself. Mexican maritime regulations require a certified captain on tourist vessels, so nearly all operators in Cancun only offer captained charters. Nauty 360 is captain-only — this is both the legal standard and the practical preference for most groups.
Yes, from mid-June to mid-September. The whale shark aggregation zone is approximately 10–15 nautical miles northeast of Isla Mujeres. SEMARNAT regulations allow two swimmers per shark at a time. Nauty 360 runs dedicated whale shark charters during season — advance booking required as daily permits are capped by the government.
From Puerto Cancun Marina, Isla Mujeres is approximately 8 nautical miles and 25–35 minutes by lancha at normal cruising speed. A 52 ft catamaran takes 50–70 minutes. The crossing runs through the protected Bahia de Mujeres bay, making it smooth even in moderate wind conditions.
Every Nauty 360 Cancun charter includes a SECTUR-certified bilingual captain, fuel for the agreed route, life jackets, a Bluetooth sound system, and a cooler with ice and water. Snorkel gear, food, alcoholic beverages and gratuity are not included but can be arranged before departure. Whale shark charters include snorkeling vests as required by SEMARNAT.
Yes. Isla Contoy is a federally protected national park managed by CONANP, with a daily visitor cap of approximately 200 people. A special entrance permit is required and must be arranged in advance. Nauty 360 handles all permit logistics as part of the Isla Contoy full-day charter package.