4.9 Quick answer: H2OH private yacht charters for Playa del Carmen guests depart from Puerto Aventuras Marina, about 19 minutes from the Playacar hotel zone. Round-trip transportation from Playacar is $20 USD per person. Choose a two-hour sunset cruise, a three-hour Xpu-Ha swim cruise or a four-hour InHa snorkeling charter, and plan to arrive 20 minutes before departure. Every charter is private to your group, with captain and crew.
Compare yachts, published base rates and included guest allowances on the Playa del Carmen yacht charter page. This guide covers everything around the booking: getting to the marina, choosing the right charter, a sample schedule, what is included and how to compare the full price.
Where you board and how to get there
All H2OH charters board at Puerto Aventuras Marina, not the Playa del Carmen beachfront or ferry pier. Send the complete address of your hotel, resort or villa when you arrange transportation; a property name alone can be ambiguous, especially when a group is staying at several addresses.
- From the Playacar hotel zone: about 19 minutes one way; round-trip transportation is $20 USD per person.
- From downtown apartments or hotels farther along the highway: pickup times differ, so give your full address rather than applying the Playacar estimate. The team confirms your pickup time.
- Arrival: plan to be at the marina 20 minutes before departure. Late arrival does not extend the scheduled return.
Transportation is separate unless your package expressly includes it. See marina directions and transportation for current options. If you arrange your own driver, share the marina directions and agree on the return meeting point before boarding.
Choose the charter that fits your group
Pick one main priority first: reef snorkeling, swimming and time together, or an evening celebration. Different charter lengths have different itineraries, so adding or removing an hour does not keep every stop.
| Charter | Best for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Two-hour sunset or evening cruise | Coastal views, music and an evening together | Every departure catches sunset; check daylight for your date |
| Three-hour Xpu-Ha cruise | Swimming, celebrating and time together | Reef snorkeling is included |
| Four-hour InHa snorkeling charter | A daytime reef-snorkeling outing | All four hours are spent snorkeling |
The captain confirms routes and water activities for conditions, and wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Guests who prefer not to swim can stay aboard while others snorkel. On an equipped yacht you can add Karaoke at Sea; confirm features such as karaoke or a high-dive platform for the specific yacht rather than assuming every vessel has them.
A sample schedule for your yacht day
Work backward from your confirmed departure: marina arrival is 20 minutes earlier, and hotel pickup comes before that.
| Booked option | Marina arrival | Departure | Scheduled marina return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four-hour InHa morning | 8:40 a.m. | 9:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
| Three-hour Xpu-Ha | 9:40 a.m. | 10:00 a.m. | 1:00 p.m. |
| Four-hour InHa afternoon | 1:10 p.m. | 1:30 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
| Two-hour evening at 6:00 p.m. | 5:40 p.m. | 6:00 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. |
Add hotel travel on both sides. A 10:00 a.m. three-hour charter returns to the dock at 1:00 p.m.; it does not put you back at a Playa del Carmen restaurant at 1:00 p.m. These examples apply only to a matching confirmed booking and do not establish availability on every yacht or date. Complete the requested waivers in advance using your booking instructions.
What is included
- Regular all-inclusive charters: captain, crew, meals and an open bar.
- Family Charters: meals and non-alcoholic drinks, without the open bar.
- Custom Series: captain and crew, with food and bar choices priced separately.
An included meal is not a formal seated dinner or a private chef. Decorations, photography, upgraded bottles, a DJ and other services depend on your package; review the optional extras and mention dietary or access needs before confirming.
Compare the full group price, not only the starting rate
The advertised base price applies to a particular charter and included guest allowance. Maximum yacht capacity is a different number: a yacht that can carry 55 guests does not include 55 people in its starting price. Compare the yacht, duration, included guests, additional-guest charges, marina fees, transportation, payment charges and chosen extras.
Count adults and children, then compare Última Pirata, Los Tres Piratas, 4 Piratas and Pura Vida, or browse the full H2OH fleet. Use Build Your Yacht Day with your date and full passenger count. An estimate is not a reservation.
Is a private yacht worth it for your group?
A private charter is worthwhile when keeping your group together, choosing the experience and having your own space matter enough to justify the complete cost. It is not automatically cheaper than a shared excursion.
| Your priority | What a private charter gives you | What could change the decision |
|---|---|---|
| Time together | One yacht for your invited group instead of separate tickets | A very small group may prefer the cost of a shared outing |
| A specific activity | The route and equipment you chose | A swim-and-celebrate charter is not a substitute for reef snorkeling |
| A celebration | Space for the group, a toast, photos and meal service | Passenger capacity is not seated-banquet capacity |
| Budget | One payable total for the whole group | Extras and excluded fees can erase an apparent saving |
Planning a celebration
For a bachelorette yacht party, compare the celebration arrangements each option includes. For a wedding or reception, confirm the layout and any fixed ceremony or dinner time. Larger parties can use the group charter page. Deciding between a yacht and a hotel venue? Read Private Yacht or Resort Event in Playa del Carmen.
What a standard charter does not include
A short H2OH charter does not visit Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, the Tulum ruins or Sian Ka’an, and a snorkeling charter is not a scuba or cave-diving booking. Jet skis, fishing and overnight stays should not be inferred from a standard day charter. Confirm the actual route before combining the charter with other sightseeing.
Frequently asked questions
Do H2OH yachts leave from Playa del Carmen?
No. Every H2OH charter departs from Puerto Aventuras Marina, about 19 minutes from the Playacar hotel zone. Round-trip transportation from Playacar is $20 USD per person.
Which charter is best for snorkeling?
The four-hour InHa charter is the reef-snorkeling option. The three-hour Xpu-Ha cruise includes swimming when conditions allow, but not reef snorkeling.
Is the charter private?
Yes. Your yacht is reserved for your group with captain and crew; it is not a shared boat tour.
How early should we arrive?
Plan to be at the marina 20 minutes before departure, and allow for the drive from your hotel.
A look at H2OH yacht days
Book your Playa del Carmen yacht day
Choose your date, count every passenger and compare yachts on the Playa del Carmen charter page, or send H2OH your date, hotel and group details. Review your itemized estimate, meeting instructions and cancellation and weather terms before payment.
