Best Sailboat Tour in Bacalar: Seven Colors Lagoon
A sailboat tour of Bacalar Lagoon covers the same water as motorized alternatives, but the experience differs in ways that matter. No engine vibration, no fuel smell, and no outboard noise competing with the guide. The hull moves at a pace that lets you study the color gradients — the seven shades shift with depth and sediment composition, not a photo filter — and the absence of a wake keeps the water clear around you.
The main stop on the route is the Lake of Seven Colors, where the palette runs from pale turquoise in the shallows to near-black indigo in the deepest channels. Your guide explains the transitions and the ecology behind them, giving you actual context for what you're looking at. Bacalar's lagoon is among the more ecologically sensitive bodies of water in the Yucatan region, and the sail-only approach is part of what earns this tour a 4.96-star rating from guests who've also tried other Bacalar excursions.
Pricing starts at $38 USD per person — one of the lower entry points for a guided bacalar lagoon boat tour on the water. That rating draws from 1,600+ reviews, enough volume to reflect consistent delivery rather than luck. Guests consistently cite guide knowledge and the quiet of sailing as what separates this from other Bacalar boat tours they've taken. High season (December through April) fills departure slots days in advance — book the sailboat early to hold your spot.
Morning departures before 10 a.m. give you the flattest water and clearest light for reading the color bands — afternoon wind can roughen the surface. Conventional sunscreen is banned on the lagoon; bring reef-safe only. Pack a light layer for the return leg if you're out past 4 p.m. Bacalar town center is a short walk from most departure docks, convenient for lunch or coffee after.
After one too many lagoon tours where the outboard motor drowned out everything the guide was saying, finding a sailboat tour that actually lets you hear yourself think feels like a minor miracle — the 4.96-star rating from 1,600+ guests suggests I'm not the only one who noticed. The Lake of Seven Colors hits differently when you're drifting into it quietly, watching the water shift from turquoise to deep indigo without a wake churning things up. If you're serious about doing Bacalar right, this sailboat is the one worth booking ahead.
Included
- Alcoholic drinks
- Bottled water
- On-board snacks
- 1Lake of Seven Colors
The sailboat covers the Lake of Seven Colors on its way toward Cenote Negro (locally called La Bruja), a cenote that drops to 180 meters. A swim stop at Pirate Canal is followed by a final stop at Bird Island, where the water is warm and shallow; drinks and seasonal fruit are served on deck between stops. The tour runs in rain or shine.
3hFree admission
Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure to receive a full refund. Cancellations made within 24 hours of the start time are non-refundable.
Standard policy — partial or full refund depending on timing
- Viator4.9 · 57
- Tripadvisor5.0 · 1,543
- Service animals permitted on board
- Public transit accessible nearby
- Lap seating required for infants
- Open to all fitness levels
Other tours the community booked around here.
Bacalar Boat Tour and Visit to Cenotes
Sailing Tour through the Lagoon of the 7 Colors
Bacalar Lagoon Sightseeing Boat Tour with Open Bar and Snacks
Bacalar 101- Private Tour of the Lagoon of the 7 Colors
Pirate's Channel & 3 Lagoons Kayak or SUP/Paddle Tour +Meditation
Private Sailboat + Captain for a Day Experience
Sunrise Paddleboard Tour in Bacalar Lagoon
