A fishing and snorkeling tour in the Riviera Maya gives you both in one private trip: a few hours trolling for barracuda, kingfish or mahi mahi, then a swim on the reef in clear Caribbean water. You get the whole boat, an English-speaking captain and mate, all the fishing and snorkel gear, drinks and fresh ceviche, from $450 for 3 hours out of Puerto Aventuras Marina.
Not everyone in a group wants to hold a rod all morning, and not everyone wants to spend the whole day in a mask. The Fish & Snorkel trip solves that. It's one of our three charter styles, alongside 100% Fishing and a fully Custom day, and it's the one families and mixed groups ask about most. This guide covers how the day runs, what you might catch and see, which boat and trip length to pick, 2026 prices and how to get to the marina from Playa del Carmen, Tulum or Puerto Morelos.
Quick answer: book a 4 hour Fish & Snorkel charter from Puerto Aventuras Marina. You fish first while everyone is fresh, then stop on the reef for a swim before heading back. Prices are per boat, not per person: $550 for 4 hours on the 32' Blackfin (up to 6 guests), plus a $15 per person dock fee. Snorkel gear, licences, drinks and snacks are included.
What is a fishing and snorkeling tour?
It's a private fishing charter with a snorkel stop built into the plan. The Riviera Maya sits on the Mesoamerican Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, and it runs just off the coast here. That means the reef and the deep blue water where the bigger fish live are both close to the marina, so you can do both in one morning without spending half the trip travelling.
Your boat only
Every charter is 100% private. Your group, your crew and your plan, with no strangers on board.
Fish first, swim after
Blue water is about 15 minutes from the dock. The crew trolls while the bite is on, then finds calm, clear water for the swim.
Everything on board
Rods, tackle, bait, licences and snorkel gear are all included. Just bring a swimsuit and a towel.
How a Fish & Snorkel day runs
- Meet at Puerto Aventuras Marina. Arrive about 15 minutes early. The crew helps everyone on board and runs through the plan.
- Head offshore and troll. Within about 15 minutes you're in blue water with lines out. The mate sets the rods and hands one over the second a fish hits, so first timers and kids can reel in without any experience.
- Ceviche from the catch. If you land something good to eat, the crew makes fresh ceviche and guacamole right on board.
- Swim the reef. On the way back the captain picks a reef spot with calm, clear water. Masks, snorkels and fins are on board, and because it's your boat, you stay in as long as the group likes.
- Back to the dock. Your fish is cleaned and bagged to take with you. Billfish are always released.
Want it the other way round, or more time on one than the other? Just tell the crew. The plan bends to your group and the conditions on the day.
What you might catch and see
The fishing off Puerto Aventuras is good all year. Barracuda bite in every season, and kingfish, tuna and wahoo are strong through the winter. Bonito peak from October to December, and sailfish, marlin and mahi mahi peak in May and June. Our Fishing Info page has the full picture, and the barracuda guide covers the fish you're most likely to meet on a short trip.
On the reef, expect warm, clear water, coral heads and plenty of colourful reef fish such as parrotfish and sergeant majors. What you see changes with the spot and the day, which is part of the fun. The crew knows the calm, shallow areas that suit beginners and kids, and the better spots for confident swimmers.
Who the fishing and snorkeling combo suits
Families with kids
This is the trip we recommend most for families. Kids love the action of trolling, and when attention starts to drift, a swim on the reef resets everyone. The boats have shade and a clean head (toilet), and younger kids usually snorkel in a life vest so they can float and look down without effort. Since the boat is private, you can head in early if the little ones have had enough.
Couples
One of you wants a fish, the other wants a swim. The 32' Blackfin is a quick, comfortable boat for two, and you can add unlimited margaritas ($30 per person) or a bottle of prosecco for the ride home.
Mixed groups and friends
Groups of up to 10 fit on the 38' Luhrs Express and up to 15 on the 45' Viking Express. The keen anglers get their time on the rods, everyone else gets the sun deck and the reef, and nobody spends the day waiting on someone else's plan.
Fishing and snorkeling tour prices for 2026
The Fish & Snorkel trip uses the same per-boat prices as our other private fishing charters. Prices are for the whole boat, not per person, in US dollars:
| Boat | Guests | 3 hrs | 4 hrs | 6 hrs | 8 hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32' Blackfin | Up to 6 | $450 | $550 | $750 | $1,000 |
| 38' Luhrs Express | Up to 10 | $670 | $750 | $1,050 | $1,150 |
| 45' Viking Express | Up to 15 | $700 | $880 | $1,150 | $1,450 |
A family of five on the 32' Blackfin for 4 hours pays $110 each. Ten friends on the 38' Luhrs for 4 hours pay $75 each. There's a $15 per person dock fee, paid in cash at the marina, and fishing licences are included. A 30% deposit holds your date and is fully refundable if bad weather cancels the trip.
Every charter includes an English-speaking captain and mate, rods, reels, tackle and bait, snorkel gear, a cooler with ice, water and soft drinks, a fresh fruit platter, chips, and guacamole plus ceviche made on board from the catch of the day. The 6 and 8 hour trips add ham and cheese sandwiches. You're welcome to bring your own drinks and snacks, or add beer, wine, margaritas and sandwiches through our additional services at least 24 hours ahead.
Check availability
Pick your date, group size and trip length. We confirm by email, usually within 24 hours.
How long should your fishing and snorkeling trip be?
- 3 hours: a taste of both. Fishing close to the reef edge plus a short swim. Good for young kids or a tight schedule.
- 4 hours: the sweet spot for most groups. Real time offshore and an unhurried snorkel stop, and you're back for lunch.
- 6 hours: the best choice if someone has their heart set on a sailfish or marlin, with plenty of time left for the reef.
- 8 hours: a full day on the water for keen anglers, with time to fish deep, swim and relax.
When you book, tell us you'd like the Fish & Snorkel option and roughly how you'd like to split the day. If you're torn between this and a pure fishing trip, our deep sea fishing guide explains what the extra hours offshore get you.
Getting to Puerto Aventuras Marina
Puerto Aventuras sits on Highway 307 between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and the marina is sheltered, so boarding is easy for all ages. Private, air-conditioned roundtrip transport can be added to your booking. Sample prices:
- Playa del Carmen: $160 for 1 to 6 guests, $200 for 1 to 14
- Tulum: $180 for 1 to 6 guests, $200 for 1 to 14 (Tulum hotel zone from $220)
- Puerto Morelos: $200 for 1 to 6 guests, $240 for 1 to 14
Driving yourself? There's free parking across the street from the Dolphin Discovery in Puerto Aventuras. We'll send the exact meeting point with your confirmation. Staying further away? See our guides to fishing in Playa del Carmen and fishing in Tulum, or check the drive time from your hotel on our list of fishing charters near Riviera Maya resorts.
What to bring for a fishing and snorkeling day
- Swimsuit on under your clothes, plus a towel and a dry change for the ride home.
- Reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreen harms the coral you're about to swim over.
- A rash guard or light long-sleeve shirt for sun on the water and in it.
- A hat and polarized sunglasses for spotting fish and birds.
- Seasickness tablets, taken before you leave the hotel if anyone is prone to it.
- Cash for the dock fee and a tip for the crew.
- A waterproof phone pouch or action camera for the reef. The snorkel gear is already on board.
Photos and specs for every boat are on the fishing boats page.
Fish in the morning, swim the reef before lunch
Private Fish & Snorkel charters from Puerto Aventuras with an English-speaking crew. Tackle, bait, licences, snorkel gear, drinks and ceviche included.
Check AvailabilityFrequently asked questions
Can you go fishing and snorkeling on the same tour in the Riviera Maya?
Yes. Our Fish & Snorkel charter combines trolling offshore with a swim on the reef in one private trip from Puerto Aventuras Marina. Snorkel gear is included on every boat.
How much is a fishing and snorkeling tour in the Riviera Maya?
Prices are per boat, from $450 for 3 hours or $550 for 4 hours on the 32' Blackfin (up to 6 guests), plus a $15 per person dock fee. Licences, gear, drinks and snacks are included.
How long is a fishing and snorkeling tour?
You can book 3, 4, 6 or 8 hours. Four hours suits most families and groups. Choose 6 hours if you want a real shot at sailfish or marlin as well as time on the reef.
Is the fishing and snorkeling tour good for kids?
Yes. It's our most popular trip for families. Kids reel in fish with the crew's help, then cool off on the reef. The boats have shade and a toilet, and the trip is private, so you can head in whenever you like.
Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?
No. Masks, snorkels and fins are on board. Bring a swimsuit, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen.
Where does the tour leave from?
Puerto Aventuras Marina on Highway 307, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum. Roundtrip transport can be added from Playa del Carmen ($160), Tulum ($180) or Puerto Morelos ($200) for 1 to 6 guests.
What happens if the weather is bad?
A 30% deposit holds your date, and it's fully refundable if bad weather cancels the trip.