Bacalove Sailing, Snacks Included

Three hours on a sailboat with an all female crew, drifting across the Lagoon of Bacalar with snacks and drinks served on board.

Overview

The trip starts and ends at the Bacalove Sailing dock on Costera Sur, so travellers make their own way there. Once aboard, the boat follows the shorelines, passes over cenotes and mangroves, and stops at two anchor points where everyone can get in the water.

The route typically includes Canal de los Piratas, where the boat pulls up alongside sand banks and passengers have time to walk and wade in the shallows. In winter months the schedule also takes in Bird Island for bird watching. Throughout the sail, the guide explains how the lagoon's cenotes formed, their different shapes and depths, and something of Bacalar's history. Drinks and a freshly made snack, guacamole with chips, plus beer and Paloma cocktails, come as part of the outing.

The tour runs in English and Spanish and suits couples, small groups of friends, and families. Along the way the guide covers the lagoon's ecosystem and how the boat moves with the wind. Reviews repeatedly praise the crew's knowledge of Bacalar's history and ecology.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at the dockTravellers meet at Bacalove Sailing on Costera Sur, 77930 Bacalar. Hotel pickup is not included.
2. Board and set sailAfter boarding, with life jackets available, the boat sails out onto the lagoon for sightseeing and a guided commentary on the area's history.
3. Shorelines and cenotesThe route passes shorelines, mangroves, and the lagoon's cenotes while the guide explains their shapes and depths. Bird watching around Bird Island happens in winter season.
4. Sand banks at Canal de los PiratasThere is time to get off the boat and walk around the sand banks in the shallows of Canal de los Piratas.
5. Two swim stopsThe boat anchors at two spots where passengers can swim and explore at their own pace. Snacks and drinks, including guacamole, beer, and Paloma, are served on board.
6. Return to the dockThe boat arrives back at the Bacalove Sailing starting point on Costera Sur.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help travellers arrive prepared for a day on the water.

• Sun protection. This is three hours of open-water sun exposure. A hat, sunglasses, a long-sleeved shirt or rashguard, and a towel all appear on the operator's what-to-bring list.
• Swim and wade. Bring swimwear. There are two anchor stops for swimming, plus time to walk on the sand banks at Canal de los Piratas. One reviewer described the water as refreshing rather than cold.
• Food and drink. Guacamole and chips are made on the spot, and beer and Paloma cocktails are poured during the sail. Several travellers single out the guacamole and the drinks as a highlight, so there is no need to pack a full picnic, though the listing suggests bringing water.
• Group feel. The tone is relaxed and educational rather than a party cruise. Reviews repeatedly mention a knowledgeable guide who shares history, ecology, and sailing know-how, and who keeps an eye on everyone's comfort and safety.
• Hands-on sailing. Travellers interested in how the boat works may get to help sail it. One reviewer notes being allowed to take the helm and learn how to move with the wind, and the listing lists wind handling among its highlights.
• Photography. The boat carries a Bluetooth speaker, and the trip passes shorelines, mangroves, and Bird Island, so a camera belongs on the packing list. The meeting point is on Costera Sur, which means getting there and back is each traveller's own arrangement.

Common issues. No hotel pickup is included, so travellers need to make their own way to the Bacalove Sailing dock on Costera Sur. Bird watching at Bird Island only happens during winter season, so visitors at other times of year should not expect that stop. Tips for the guide are optional and not included in the price. Some reviewers said clearer pre-trip information on eco rules and what to bring would have helped, so it is worth reading the listing's own packing suggestions carefully before setting out.

Common Questions