The Edit: Wild Wave Bacalar is a budget friendly tour company on Bacalar Lagoon offering sailboat, pontoon and paddle board tours, and we recommend its private sail for adventurous families rather than anyone wanting a relaxing, luxurious day. Sailboat tours last 3 hours with safety gear and two swim stops: shared sails are 750 MXN per person and private sails are 3500 MXN (about 170 USD) for up to 4 people, plus 500 MXN per additional person. Pontoon tours run 2.5 hours (450 MXN shared, from 3500 MXN private), the Paddle Board at Dawn tour is 550 MXN per person, and a shared tour from Costa Maya (Mahahual) with round trip transportation is 2200 MXN per person. Our sail started at Cenote Esmeralda, went into Cenote Negro, stopped to swim at Isla de los Pájaros and an abandoned hotel, and included water, soda, beer and a fresh fruit plate. The boat heeled 25 to 30 degrees and we skipped the Pirates Channel, so we preferred our later private pontoon tour with Delu Travel Tours.

Wild Wave Bacalar Sailing Tour: At a Glance

Detail	Our take
Tour types	Sailboat, pontoon, paddle board and cruise ship tours
Shared sail	750 MXN per person
Private sail	3500 MXN for up to 4, plus 500 MXN per extra person
Pontoon	450 MXN shared, from 3500 MXN private
Paddle Board at Dawn	550 MXN per person
From Costa Maya	2200 MXN per person with round trip transportation
Length	3 hours by sailboat, 2.5 hours by pontoon
Included	Water, soda, beer and a fresh fruit plate
Drone use	Difficult to launch and land on the sailboat
Verdict	Great for adventure; skip it if you want a relaxing day

After months away from our sailboat, we set off on a sailing tour of Bacalar Lagoon. Known as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors,” it’s full of breathtaking spots perfect for adventurous families. This tour is a must-do on your Bacalar vacation!

What Types of Tours do They Offer?

Wild Wave Bacalar stands out with a variety of tours and lagoon view accommodations. Choose from sailboat tours, pontoon rides, or paddleboarding adventures to explore the breathtaking Bacalar Lagoon. Perfect for crafting your ideal getaway!

Sailboat Tours

Wild Wave Bacalar offers three sailboat tour options: a shared group sail, a private dawn tour with breakfast, and a classic private tour. Each lasts 3 hours, includes safety gear, and stops at two lagoon swimming spots. We loved relaxing while the crew handled everything!

Pontoon Tours

Wild Wave Bacalar also offers pontoon boat tours, perfect for groups or private experiences. These 2.5-hour tours provide a stable and comfortable platform, making them a great option for those seeking a relaxed way to explore the lagoon with friends or family.

Arriving by cruise ship in Costa Maya (Mahahual)?

Wild Wave Bacalar’s cruise ship tour is perfect for travelers seeking a hassle free lagoon adventure. With round trip transportation, a 3-hour shared tour, snacks, and two swimming stops, it’s an ideal way to experience Bacalar’s beauty and refresh during your visit.

Paddle Board Tours

Wild Wave Bacalar’s morning paddle board tours are a peaceful way to explore the lagoon before the winds pick up. This 3-hour guided adventure includes paddle boards, dry bags, coffee, snacks, and safety gear, perfect for a serene start to your Bacalar day.

How Much do the Tours Cost?

Sailboat Tours

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, shared tours are available for 750 MXN per person, allowing you to enjoy the experience with other travelers. For a more personalized touch, private tours are 3500 MXN, offering flexibility to choose your ideal time of day. For groups larger than 4, the cost increases by 500 MXN per additional person, for example, 5 people is 4000 MXN, 6 is 4500 MXN, and so on.

Pontoon Boat

Tour in the Lagoon of Bacalar from Costa Maya (Mahahual)

Pontoon tours are a great option! Shared tours cost 450 MXN per person, while private tours start at 3500 MXN for up to 4 people. For groups larger than 4, the cost increases by 500 MXN per additional person, for example, 5 people is 4000 MXN, 6 is 4500 MXN, and so on.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, a shared Lagoon of Bacalar tour from Costa Maya (Mahahual) costs 2200 MXN per person. This price includes round-trip transportation, making it a convenient and enjoyable option for cruise passengers.

Paddle Board Tour

The Paddle Board at Dawn tour costs 550 MXN per person, offering a peaceful and scenic early morning adventure on the lagoon.

Did they have food or snacks?

During the tour, we were provided with refreshing drinks like water, soda, and beer to keep us hydrated while exploring the lagoon. A highlight of the experience was the fresh fruit plate, which was served at our second swim stop.

The fruit was a perfect treat after taking a dip in the cool, clear waters of the lagoon. It added to the relaxing, laid-back vibe of the tour, making it not just about the sights but also about enjoying some tasty snacks while taking in the beautiful surroundings.

How Did Our Tour Go And Is It What We Expected?

Our tour began at Cenote Esmeralda, one of the largest cenotes in the Bacalar Lagoon. We chose to go around noon, hoping to see the lagoon’s vibrant turquoise colors come alive under the midday sun.

We were greeted by a young couple, Jose and Cami, who were our guides for the day. Jose gave us a brief overview of the tour, outlining potential stops and giving us the option to visit the Pirates Channel. However, he strongly suggested we skip that and instead head to an abandoned hotel on the southern side of the lagoon.

We felt a little hesitant about this change, especially since the Pirates Channel was a location we had been excited to see. It was a bit of a forceful interaction, and we felt like we didn’t have much of a say in the matter, but we decided to go along with it since Jose seemed confident that this new spot would be a better choice.

We sailed into the Cenote Negro and then headed to Isla de los Pájaros for a swim. After that, we made our way to the abandoned hotel instead of the Pirates Channel. We enjoyed some fresh fruit and a quick rain shower at the hotel before sailing back to the dock.

Overall, the tour was close to what we expected, but there were a few key differences. We had hoped to visit the Canal de los Piratas and capture some drone footage, but it was going to be difficult on a sailboat, and unfortunately, we didn’t get to see it.

We felt a little disappointed about missing out on this iconic spot. Another small issue was the boat’s excessive listing. While we’re used to sailing, having the boat tilted at a 25-30 degree angle wasn’t necessary and made the experience less relaxing than we had anticipated.

What we didn’t expect was Cami, the helper, who had a persistent cough and sounded like she was recovering from Covid. Thankfully, neither of us got sick after the interaction, but given that Amanda had recently completed a round of antibiotics for a lung infection, we would have appreciated a heads-up about this beforehand.

Despite these minor setbacks, we still enjoyed the tour, but it wasn’t quite the relaxing day cruise we had hoped for. After this tour, we were super hungry despite the snacks so we went to a restaurant close by! If you want to read about some of the best restaurants in Bacalar, check out this blog post!

We ended up booking a tour with Delu Travel Tours after, and it turned out to be our favorite boat tour in Bacalar! We’re excited to share about that experience here, as it truly exceeded our expectations and offered a much more relaxing and enjoyable day on the water.

Are They Accommodating When Taking Photos and Using an Aerial Drone?

They were accommodating with photos as much as they could be, given the nature of the sailing tour. However, I didn’t use the drone during this tour because of the boat’s setup, it would’ve been difficult to launch and land the drone safely. I would only recommend trying it if you have experience flying in tight spaces like this.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wild Wave Bacalar

Should You Take Your Family on a Private tour With Wild Wave Bacalar?

I recommend this tour for the cost of 3500 MXN or about 170 USD. It’s a more budget friendly option compared to the tour we experienced with Delu Travel Tours. If you are looking for adventure and want the excitement of being on a sailboat for the day then yes. If you are looking for a relaxing and luxurious tour I would avoid this one.