Sunrise Paddle, Three Languages

This three-hour morning tour from DayTour Bacalar puts you on a paddleboard or kayak before dawn and paddles out across the Lagoon of Seven Colors while most of Bacalar is still asleep.

Overview

You start at Carmelita Lagoon Club on Boulevard Costera Norte, glide over beds of living stromatolites, then watch the sun come up at secluded Isla Coco, where the group stops for about half an hour of swimming, photos and a floating picnic. After that the paddle continues to Pirates' Canal, another half-hour stop for swimming and photos, before the return to the club.

The timing is the whole point. By reaching Isla Coco and the canal early, the tour arrives before the motorboats and day crowds show up, and reviewers repeatedly describe the morning as calm and relaxed. One French-speaking traveller wrote that setting off at night and eating breakfast on the board facing the rising sun was the highlight of a final day in Mexico.

It suits first-timers as much as experienced paddlers. Several reviewers mention getting patient stability instruction on their first outing, and one noted the group was small enough, five people in their case, to feel easygoing. Guides work in Spanish, English and French, which is handy if you are travelling without much Spanish. Note there is no hotel pickup: you make your own way to the meeting point.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Carmelita Lagoon ClubThe tour starts at Carmelita Lagoon Club on Boulevard Costera Norte in Bacalar. You get your board or kayak and safety gear before setting out.
2. Paddle over the stromatolitesThe outgoing leg crosses calm, crystal-clear water above gardens of ancient stromatolites, living formations the guide explains along the way.
3. Isla Coco sunrise stopA 30-minute stop at secluded Isla Coco for the sunrise, a swim, photos and a floating picnic.
4. Pirates' CanalA 30-minute stop at El Canal de Los Piratas for swimming and photos, timed to arrive before the boats and crowds.
5. Return paddleThe group paddles back to Carmelita Lagoon Club, where the tour ends and the rest of your day is free.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical things shape how this morning goes, from the early start to the no-sunscreen rule.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup or transportation included, so plan your own way to Carmelita Lagoon Club on Boulevard Costera Norte. Budget extra time to arrive before the pre-dawn departure.
• What to bring. The listing asks for a sun hat, swimwear and a towel. Sunscreen is not allowed on this tour, so a hat is your main sun protection.
• Food and drink. Snacks, tropical fruit juice, water and a cooler with ice are included, and the listing promises a floating breakfast. Reviewers often praise the morning coffee and fruit, though some found the breakfast light, so eat something beforehand if you want a full meal.
• First-time paddlers. Several reviewers said this was their first time on a board and that the guide helped them stay stable and explained everything clearly. The calm morning water makes it forgiving for beginners.
• Group feel. One reviewer's group was just five people, which made for a relaxed pace. Reviews overall describe the tour as relaxing and scenic.
• Photos. One reviewer said the guide took beautiful photos of the group during the trip.

Common issues. The main complaint in reviews is that the breakfast feels too light, with some travellers suggesting more food would be welcome. Transportation, tips and hotel pickup are not included, so factor in the cost and time of getting yourself to the club before dawn. One review mentions a swim in a cenote. Group size is not fixed, so a busier departure may feel less personal than the group of five one reviewer described.

Common Questions