Private charters from $3,000/charter. Akumal turtles, Sian Ka'an UNESCO reserve, cenote+reef combos. SEMAR captain and fuel always included. Groups up to 20.
Tulum boat charter quick facts: Speedboats (up to 12 guests) from $3,000/charter. Mid yachts (up to 15 guests) $3,125/charter. Large yachts (up to 20 guests) from $3,250/charter (+$163/guest 16–20). All include SEMAR-certified bilingual captain, fuel, snorkel gear. Most charters depart Akumal Bay (~25 min by road from Tulum). Akumal turtle zone requires a permitted guide — included on private charters. Sian Ka'an Biosphere full-day trips depart Punta Allen. Best season: November through April. WhatsApp: +1 (954) 890-0266.
Tulum's tour scene is dominated by 30-person catamaran party boats and shared turtle-snorkel trips that move in and out of Akumal in herds. A private Nauty 360 charter puts you and your group on your own vessel, on your own timeline — with a permitted guide cleared to enter the protected turtle zone, not just a beach photographer.
The practical difference: a shared Akumal turtle tour costs $80–120 per person and herds you through the bay in 45 minutes with a megaphone guide. For a group of 6, that's $480–720 — a fraction of the $3,000 private charter floor. Private doesn't win on cost at any group size here; it buys full route control and a permitted snorkel guide instead.
| Vessel | Capacity | Price / 8h Charter | Best For | Key Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | up to 12 guests | from $3,000 | Groups, families, full-day snorkel | Fastest, less shade |
| Mid Yacht | up to 15 guests | from $3,125 | Friend groups, comfortable cruising | Slower, more comfort |
| Large Yacht | up to 20 guests | from $3,250 (+$163/guest 16–20) | Events, corporate, large groups | Slowest, most space |
All rates include SEMAR-certified bilingual captain, fuel, snorkel gear, and cooler. Akumal park entry fee (~$15 USD/person) and dock tax ($20 USD/person) apply on top of the charter price; food/drinks extra.
Three distinct day-trips within reach of a Tulum-based charter. Each one delivers a fundamentally different experience — here's what each route gets you and which vessel works best.
The most-requested Tulum charter. Green sea turtles graze on seagrass year-round in Akumal Bay. The protected snorkel zone requires a permitted guide — included on private charters. Visibility 20–30 meters Nov-Apr.
UNESCO World Heritage site south of Tulum. Mangroves, dolphins, lagoon channels, untouched reefs. Full-day trips only. Departs Punta Allen (1.5h transfer from Tulum). Photographers' favorite.
Half day at a cenote (jungle freshwater) plus afternoon offshore reef snorkel. The combo most visitors plan separately, executed in one charter day. Cenote stop adds $40–60/person entry fees.
📅 Last verified: April 2026 — pricing cross-checked vs. GetYourGuide Tulum, TripAdvisor Tulum, and Viator listings.
Most Nauty 360 Tulum charters launch from Akumal Bay, a ~25 min drive north of downtown Tulum. The bay sits inside the protected turtle zone — which is why our included guide must hold an active SEMARNAT permit. Sian Ka'an reserve trips depart further south from Punta Allen. Larger yachts depart from Puerto Aventuras marina (~25 min north of Tulum).
📍 Akumal Bay: 20.3957° N, 87.3149° W · Open in Google Maps → · Permitted operator under SEMARNAT regulations · Wikipedia: Akumal, Sian Ka'an.
Three common alternatives Tulum visitors compare with a private charter: shared Akumal turtle tours, day-tour agencies (Sian Ka'an packages), and DIY snorkel trips from the public Akumal beach.
| Group Size | Shared Akumal Tour ($95/person) | Nauty 360 Charter ($3,000+ total) | Why Go Private |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | $190 | $3,000 | Shared cheaper by $2,810 — go private for full boat control, not savings |
| 4 guests | $380 | $3,000 | Shared cheaper by $2,620 |
| 6 guests | $570 | $3,000 | Shared cheaper by $2,430, but private adds full schedule control + permitted guide |
| 8 guests | $760 | $3,000 | Shared cheaper by $2,240 — still cheaper for cost-only buyers |
| 10 guests | $950 | $3,000 | Shared cheaper by $2,050 — private is a premium experience, not a savings play, at this scale |
| 15 guests | $1,425 | $3,125 (mid yacht) | Shared cheaper by $1,700 — full vessel control, no strangers, permitted guide |
Pricing cross-referenced from Akumal turtle tour operators (Apr 2026 rates), Sian Ka'an day-tour packages on TripAdvisor and GetYourGuide, and Nauty 360 charter rates. Shared turtle tours range $80–120/person depending on operator and season; we used $95 as midpoint. At real market rates, a private Tulum charter does not reach cost parity with a shared tour at any typical group size — you're paying for full boat control, a permitted turtle guide, and zero strangers, not cost savings.
Five operational facts that actually affect your day — gathered from local captains and direct experience operating in Quintana Roo waters.
The protected turtle zone requires a permitted guide. Without one, you can swim in the public beach area but NOT enter the seagrass feeding zone where turtles actually graze. Our captains include the permitted guide.
Sargassum seaweed accumulates on Caribbean coast May through October. Akumal beach surface looks brown in those months — but the offshore reefs (where you snorkel) often remain clear. Captains relocate snorkel stops based on conditions.
There is no full-service marina inside Tulum proper. Speedboat charters depart Akumal (25 min north). Larger yachts typically depart Puerto Aventuras (35 min north). Sian Ka'an trips depart Punta Allen (1.5h south). Build the transfer time into your day.
Charter operators quote USD. Cenote entry fees ($40–60/person) and Akumal park fees (~$15) are easier in Mexican pesos (MXN) cash — ATMs may charge international fees in tourist areas.
Private speedboat charters from Tulum start at $3,000/charter for up to 12 guests, including SEMAR-certified bilingual captain and fuel. Mid-size yachts (up to 15 guests) run $3,125/charter. Large yachts (up to 20 guests) start at $3,250/charter. Akumal launch is the closest departure point to downtown Tulum (~25 min by road).
Most-booked routes from Tulum: Akumal Bay turtle snorkeling, Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO, full-day), cenote+reef combos (jungle freshwater + Caribbean reef). Custom routes are possible with private charters — the captain advises based on conditions and your interests.
Most Tulum-based charters depart from Akumal Bay (~25 min north of Tulum). Some larger yachts depart from Puerto Aventuras marina. Sian Ka'an reserve trips depart from Punta Allen (1.5h transfer). Departure point is confirmed at booking based on the route you choose.
November through April is the optimal season: calm Caribbean seas, water visibility 20–30 meters at Akumal, no major weather cancellations. Whale shark season is June-September (departs further north from Cancun). Sargassum is heaviest May-October — visibility drops at Akumal beach but offshore reefs remain clear.
Yes, Akumal Bay is one of the most reliable green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) feeding grounds in the Mexican Caribbean. Turtles graze on seagrass year-round in the bay. Snorkeling is regulated — only certified guides may enter the protected zone. A private charter lets you visit with a permitted guide and skip the mass-tour crowds.
Message us on WhatsApp at +1 (954) 890-0266 with your preferred date, group size, and route. We respond within 2 hours during business hours and lock in availability with a 50% deposit via PayPal.
To rent a boat in Tulum, message us on WhatsApp with your dates, group size and preferred route (Akumal turtles, Sian Ka'an, cenote+reef combo). We confirm vessel availability within 2 hours. All Tulum boat rentals depart from Akumal Bay (25 min by road from downtown Tulum) and include a SEMAR-certified bilingual captain plus fuel. No platform commissions — you book directly with the operator.
In our pricing, a Tulum boat charter typically refers to a speedboat or open lancha (up to 12 guests, $3,000/charter — the most common option). A Tulum yacht charter usually means a mid-size yacht ($3,125/charter, up to 15 guests) or large yacht (from $3,250/charter, up to 20 guests). Both include captain, fuel and snorkel gear. Yachts offer more shade and onboard space; speedboats are faster between routes.
Yes — our smallest Tulum private boat charter is the speedboat (up to 12 guests, $3,000/charter). Even with a group of 2-4 guests, the entire boat is yours: no shared seats, no fixed schedule. The price is per vessel, not per person, so smaller groups pay the same total but enjoy more space.
Tulum yacht rentals at Nauty 360: mid-size yacht for up to 15 guests ($3,125/charter), large yacht for events up to 20 guests (from $3,250/charter). Both depart from Akumal Bay or Puerto Aventuras marina depending on group size. Custom multi-day Sian Ka'an itineraries available on request.
Yes. Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve trips from Tulum depart from Punta Allen (1.5h transfer south of Tulum). Speedboat charters access the lagoons, dolphin pods and mangrove channels of the UNESCO reserve. Full-day only — book 2-3 days ahead due to permit requirements. CONANP entry fee included.
Tulum and Cancun yacht rentals are priced independently — Tulum starts at $3,000/charter for the entry vessel, Cancun starts at $1,350/charter. The difference is also in routes and crowds: Tulum charters access Akumal turtles, Sian Ka'an and the southern reefs (less crowded); Cancun charters focus on Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. Choose Tulum for nature/turtles, Cancun for island hopping/whale sharks (Jun-Sep).
Every Tulum boat rental includes: SEMAR-certified bilingual captain, fuel for the booked route, snorkel gear (mask + fins), life jackets, ice and a cooler, on-board safety equipment, pre-trip route consultation. Akumal turtle zone permit is included for Akumal-bound charters. Add-ons available: catering, open bar, drone photography.
Need details on a specific destination or experience? These pages go deeper than this hub.
Speedboats from $3,000/charter. Captain and permitted Akumal guide included. Same-day availability for most dates. Message us now and we'll confirm within 2 hours.
Our largest vessel in the 8h Tulum tour seats up to 20 guests — stable platform, full crew, perfect for bachelorettes, birthdays, and corporate groups. See group rates in the table above.
See group rates ↓Every Tulum charter includes a certified captain and full crew for the day — Akumal turtles, Sian Ka'an reserve, or a custom multi-stop route. See all 3 vessels and rates below.
See rates & vessels ↓