The Playa boat day, done right.
Catamaran or private yacht?
For groups of 8–14, a private catamaran is almost always the right call: more deck space, shallower draft for swim stops over the reef, and roughly half the price of a comparable yacht. Choose a yacht only when the group is 6 or fewer, the budget is open, and someone in the group genuinely cares about the boat itself. For everyone else, the catamaran is the better day.
Where to launch from
Two real options: Playa marina (closest, smallest selection of boats) or Puerto Aventuras (20 minutes south, much bigger fleet, better catamarans). For most private charters we book Puerto Aventuras — the 20-minute van ride is worth it for the boat upgrade. Skip Cancún departures unless you're already staying up there; the drive eats the day.
How to time the day
Boat at 10am, back at the dock by 4pm. Earlier than 10 and the group hates you; later than 4 and you've lost the window to shower and reset before dinner. Two swim stops, one with snorkel, one for the photo. Lunch served onboard around 1pm — book a chef rather than the boat's standard catering; the difference is enormous and the cost is marginal.
What to bring (and what to skip)
Bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a soft cooler with extra ice, a Bluetooth speaker as backup, motion sickness tablets for anyone unsure, and one cover-up per person for the ride back. Skip: glitter, glass, anything you don't want stained with rosé. The boat will provide towels, snorkels, and basic bar — your job is to upgrade the bar (mezcal, tequila blanco, cold rosé, electrolytes) and the music.