What to bring on a yachtin Cancún. And what to leave.
Most guests overpack for a day on the water and still forget the one thing that matters at the marina gate. Here is what is already on board, what to bring, and what to leave at the hotel — from the people who see a lot of beach bags.
Already on board
Before you pack, know what you do not need to carry. On a Zamá day charter in Cancún the boat already has a licensed captain and crew, 24 waters, 24 sodas and 24 beers on ice, a full snorkel set for every guest, life jackets in every size, shade and a salon below deck, a private bathroom, and a sound system you can connect your phone to. Fuel and port fees are covered.
So you do not need a cooler, snorkel gear, a speaker or a pile of water bottles. You can bring extra drinks and your own food if you like.
The eight things to bring
1. A photo ID. The marina asks for one. A photo of your passport on your phone is not always enough — bring the real thing or a driving licence.
2. Cash in pesos. The marina charges a gate fee of 180 pesos per person, paid in cash at the entrance. Bring a little more for the beach club or a drink on Isla Mujeres, and for the crew tip if you want to leave one (optional; 10–15% is common).
3. Reef-safe sunscreen. Ordinary sunscreen is not welcome on the reef; look for mineral (zinc oxide) formulas labelled reef-safe and put it on at the hotel so it soaks in before you swim. The sun on the water is stronger than it feels.
4. A hat and sunglasses with a strap. The crossing is breezy and loose hats end up in the sea.
5. Swimwear under your clothes, plus a dry change. There is a bathroom on board, but arriving ready to swim saves time; a dry set for the ride back is a gift to yourself.
6. A towel each. Hotel towels are fine — check your hotel’s rule on taking them out.
7. A small dry bag or waterproof phone pouch. For phones, cards and the ID when you swim ashore or jump off the back.
8. Light cover-up and flip-flops. Something for lunch on the island, and sandals you can kick off — most guests go barefoot on deck.
What to leave at the hotel
Jewellery and watches you would hate to lose in the sea, more than one bag per person (space on deck is shared by up to fifteen), and anything you cannot get wet. Leave the big camera if you have booked the photographer and drone add-on — the crew will take the pictures you want.
Groups, kids and seasickness
Groups: one person collects the cash for the gate fee and one carries a small first-aid basics bag (plasters, painkillers, any personal medication). If it is a celebration, tell us before the day — decorations ($200) and a photographer with drone ($300) are arranged in advance, not at the dock.
Kids: there are life jackets in every size, but bring a rash vest or UV shirt and their own snack favourites. The stops are in calm, shallow water.
Seasickness: the only real motion is the twenty-minute open-water crossing; the stops are calm. If you are prone to it, ask a pharmacist before the trip, eat a light breakfast, and sit at the back of the boat looking at the horizon.
The short list
Photo ID · pesos for the 180-peso gate fee and the island · reef-safe sunscreen · hat and strapped sunglasses · swimwear on, dry clothes in the bag · towel · dry bag or phone pouch · cover-up and flip-flops. Be at Marina Mundo Marino, Blvd. Kukulcán km 6.5, at 9:45 for a 10:00 departure. We send the exact pin and parking notes after you book.
Questions people ask
Yes — the marina asks for a photo ID. Bring your passport or a driving licence.
Drinks are included (24 waters, 24 sodas, 24 beers), and you can bring your own food or add catering. Many groups eat on Isla Mujeres.
Yes, pesos for the marina’s gate fee of 180 pesos per person, paid at the entrance, plus anything you buy on the island. The crew tip is optional.
Yes. There is ice on board and a sound system you can connect your phone to.
Reef-safe mineral sunscreen, applied at the hotel before you leave.