Boat rental in Playa del Carmen — Cozumel, the Mesoamerican Reef, Puerto Morelos and tips for 2027

Playa del Carmen lies on the Riviera Maya, the Caribbean coast of Mexico between Cancún and Tulum, opposite the island of Cozumel. Just offshore runs the Mesoamerican Reef, the largest barrier reef in the Americas, and by boat you can reach Cozumel's protected reefs, the reef park at Puerto Morelos, the marina at Puerto Aventuras and the turtle bays around Akumal. This guide explains where you can go by boat, which rules apply and when it is best to head out.

What we currently offer

To be clear: no boats or trips are currently published for Playa del Carmen on the location page, which is why this guide does not give prices. If you would like a boat in Playa del Carmen, send us a request via the contact page and we will see what can be arranged.

Where the boats leave from

Ferries to Cozumel leave from the main pier at the end of Calle 1, and small snorkelling and fishing boats launch straight from the beach in the town centre. Larger yachts and catamarans usually sail from the marina at Puerto Aventuras, about 10 nautical miles south, from Puerto Morelos to the north or from the marinas in Cancún. See also the page boats in Cozumel.

Where to go

• Cozumel (about 10–12 nautical miles): Mexico's largest Caribbean island. Its west coast is a national marine park with famous reefs such as Palancar and Columbia, known for drift diving and snorkelling in very clear water.
• The reef off Playa del Carmen: shallow reefs right in front of the town, good for a short snorkelling trip; in winter, roughly from November to March, local dive operators take experienced divers to see bull sharks.
• Puerto Morelos (about 18 nautical miles north): a calm fishing village with a reef national park just a few hundred metres offshore, ideal for snorkelling.
• Puerto Aventuras and Akumal (about 10–18 nautical miles south): a marina town and the bays at Akumal, known for sea turtles; at Akumal, swimming with turtles is regulated and only allowed in marked areas, with a guide.
• Sport fishing: offshore you can fish for sailfish, mahi-mahi, tuna and barracuda, with sailfish season peaking roughly from March to June.

For the rest of the coast, read our guide to boat rental in Cancún, and for the Pacific side of Mexico the guide to boat rental in Puerto Vallarta.

Rules and tips

• Captain. In Mexico, trips and rentals are usually arranged with a licensed operator and a captain. Check their permits and what is included.
• Marine parks. The reefs of Cozumel and Puerto Morelos are national parks; there is a park fee (often a wristband), and touching coral, feeding fish and anchoring on the reef are not allowed.
• Sunscreen. Many parks and operators require biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen; a rash guard is an even better choice.
• Current. The Cozumel channel has a strong northbound current; that is why dives are done as drift dives with the boat following the divers.
• Sun and water. The Caribbean sun is strong even when it is cloudy; bring a hat and plenty of water.

Season and weather

• November to April is the dry season: pleasant temperatures and clear water. In winter, northerly winds (nortes) can occasionally roughen the channel for a day or two.
• May to October is hot and humid, with short tropical showers. The sea is warmest, around 29–30 °C, in late summer.
• Sargassum can arrive from roughly spring to autumn, usually worst from May to August.
• Hurricanes. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, peaking from August to October; trips then depend on the forecast.

A boat in Playa del Carmen with Crystalium Booker

We currently have no boats in Playa del Carmen, but we are happy to help you look into the options. Send us a request via the contact page with the date, number of guests and preferred route. Do you rent out a boat in Playa del Carmen or elsewhere in Mexico? List it with us and we will present it to guests in 29 languages.