A yacht for fifteen in Cancún.What it costs, and what it takes.
Most yacht listings in Cancún are built for six or eight people. If you are travelling as ten, twelve or fifteen — a family reunion, a birthday, a bachelorette, a team — the questions change: does everyone fit, how does the bill split, and how do you get fifteen people to a marina on time?
The price for a big group
A private charter in Cancún is priced per boat, not per person. With Zamá, the Isla Mujeres day charter is $1,150 for a Sea Ray Sundancer 440 or 455 for six hours, for up to fifteen guests. The more of you there are, the less each person pays:
| Group | Day charter ($1,150) | Sunset (from $900) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 people | $115 each | $90 each |
| 12 people | $96 each | $75 each |
| 15 people | about $77 each | $60 each |
From about twelve people a private boat costs the same as, or less than, a shared catamaran seat — we did the full comparison in private yacht vs catamaran. The only extra paid on the day is the marina’s gate fee of 180 pesos per person per group. A tip for the crew is optional; 10–15% is common.
One organiser pays the 30% deposit by card to hold the date ($345 for the day charter) and the balance is settled at the marina, in cash or by card, so the group can collect its share before the day.
Does everyone fit?
Fifteen is the legal passenger limit on these boats, set by the port authority, and we never go over it — that number includes children and babies. Within it, there is room: a bow sun pad that seats five or six, a cockpit with lounge seating around a table, and a cabin below with a salon, shade and a private bathroom. In practice a group of fifteen spreads out between sun at the front, shade at the back and the swim platform at anchor.
If you are more than fifteen, the honest answer is two boats sailing together, not one overloaded boat. Ask us and we will quote both on the same route.
What is included, and what is not
Included: a licensed bilingual captain and a crew member, all fuel and port fees, 24 waters, 24 sodas and 24 beers on ice, a full snorkel set for every guest, life jackets in every size, a snorkel stop on the reef and time at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres. You can bring your own food, drinks and music.
Not included: the marina’s gate fee, the optional tip, and the add-ons — decorations $200, photographer and drone $300, catering $25 a person. For a big group, catering and a second cooler of drinks are the two things most worth arranging in advance; with fifteen people, 72 drinks go faster than you expect.
Getting fifteen people there on time
The day charter leaves at 10:00 from Marina Mundo Marino, Blvd. Kukulcán km 6.5, in the hotel zone. Ask everyone to be there at 9:45. The six hours start at departure, so a late car costs the whole group beach time.
For a group, split into cars by hotel and leave a buffer, or book one van for everyone so the group arrives together. Bring cash for the gate fee and the island, reef-safe sunscreen, towels and a change of clothes. We send the exact pin, parking notes and a what-to-bring list after you book.
Day charter or sunset?
For a big group with mixed ages, the six-hour day to Isla Mujeres gives everyone something: snorkelling for the active ones, the beach club for the rest, lunch on the island. The four-hour sunset charter suits a celebration — a birthday toast, a bachelorette before dinner — and leaves the day free. If the group wants action too, the Signature package adds a jet-ski hour and a drone-and-GoPro crew to the day charter, from $1,600.
Questions people ask
With Zamá, $1,150 for the whole boat for a six-hour Isla Mujeres day, about $77 each at fifteen. The sunset charter is from $900 for four hours. The marina’s gate fee of 180 pesos per person is paid on the day.
Fifteen, including children and babies — it is the passenger limit set by the port authority. Larger groups book two boats sailing together.
Yes, a private bathroom in the cabin, plus a shaded salon below deck.
Yes. 24 waters, 24 sodas and 24 beers are included, and you can bring anything else or add catering at $25 a person.
One person pays the 30% deposit by card to hold the date; the balance is paid at the marina in cash or by card. Cancellation is free up to seven days before.