Clear Boat Tour in Cancun 1.5 hours great for pictures

Wonderful Surprise on Our Last Day in Cancún

We did this activity on the last day of our stay in Cancún, mainly as a way to fill our time before leaving. We honestly didn’t have very high expectations, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise and a truly memorable experience. We had the opportunity to take some incredible photos, and despite the presence of sargassum, the crew took us to a fantastic spot where we could really enjoy the experience. Overall, we were pleasantly surprised and very happy we decided to do this activity.

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Scam/tourist trap

This was the most disappointing experience of our trip. It was advertised as a tour with a great opportunity to take photos, but in reality we were captive for most of the trip, idling in. A boring spot while the crew took mandatory photos of everyone. The whole experience was just a sales pitch for expensive photographs. The boat rushed to a single location where we spent well over an hour—about 85% of the entire trip—sitting and waiting while the photographer took pictures of other passengers. There was essentially no sightseeing, and even the ride to and from the photo location felt rushed. If this experience had been described honestly as a photo session on a boat, we never would have booked it. The photo sales were extremely aggressive. We were told that if we waited until we returned to the dock, the company’s bosses would charge us more for the photos, so we should buy them immediately from the crew instead. They also threatened us saying we were lucky and “we better not tell.” As we returned to the marina, the captain idled about a minute from the dock for roughly ten minutes while another couple finished purchasing their photo package.. There were several other issues that left a bad impression. At one point, a child began crying, and the guide joked, “If you keep crying, we’ll throw you in the sea.” Whether intended as humor or not, it was inappropriate. On the ride out we passed over a sea turtle, and only some passengers saw it. Instead of slowing down or turning around so everyone could enjoy the sighting, the guide simply said we should have been paying better attention and continued on. The dock fee was another unpleasant surprise. It was US$28 per person—more than the cost of the booking itself. Throughout Cancun and Isla Mujeres we paid dock fees ranging from US$10–20 for other excursions, so this seemed unusually high. When I asked why, I was told it was because I booked through TripAdvisor. I can’t verify whether that’s true, but I wish the total cost had been much clearer before booking. The listing also stated that everyone would receive two beers or two waters, but everyone on our boat only received one. The final disappointment was management’s response. I politely explained that I believed the experience had been misleadingly advertised and requested a refund because we would not have booked it had we known the majority of the trip would be spent waiting during a photo shoot. The curly-haired manager told me he would not refund a cent because we already took the tour. My biggest regret isn’t the money—it was losing valuable vacation time on an experience that didn’t match its description. If you’re looking for sightseeing or a genuine boat tour, I’d recommend choosing a different company. Not sure if all the clear boat tours feel this much like. A hustle, but this one stank.

Response from the operator: Dear Guest, Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review. We are genuinely sorry to learn that your experience did not meet your expectations. We value all feedback, especially when it helps us identify opportunities to improve both our service and the information we provide to future guests. First, we would like to clarify that the Clear Boat experience is designed differently from a traditional sightseeing cruise. Its main attraction is the transparent boat itself, allowing guests to enjoy unique underwater views while visiting a designated area with the best water clarity. During this stop, guests have the opportunity to take professional photographs if they wish. Purchasing these photos is completely optional, and we regret if the process made you feel pressured. That is certainly not the experience we want our guests to have, and we will discuss your comments with our operating team to ensure that all photo offers remain respectful and never interfere with the enjoyment of the tour. Regarding the time spent at the photo location, the itinerary is intentionally designed so that every guest has the opportunity to enjoy the transparent boat and, if desired, have photos taken in the clearest section of the lagoon. We understand that this format may not suit every traveler, and we recognize that we can do a better job of explaining this aspect of the experience before booking. We are also sorry to hear about the guide's comment toward the child. Even if it was intended as a joke, we agree that it was inappropriate and does not reflect the level of professionalism we expect from our staff. We will address this directly with the operations team. Regarding the sea turtle sighting, these encounters occur unexpectedly in a protected marine environment. For safety reasons and to comply with local navigation regulations, the captain cannot always stop or turn the vessel around without considering weather conditions, surrounding traffic, and wildlife protection guidelines. We would also like to clarify the dock fee. The **US$28 per person** is **not charged by our company** and is **not additional revenue for us**. It is a mandatory **marine dock and environmental fee** established by the marina and local authorities, and every guest must pay it regardless of where the reservation is made. We are sorry if its purpose was not explained clearly enough before your visit, and we continue working with our booking partners to make these mandatory fees as transparent as possible before arrival. Concerning the beverages, our standard service includes the refreshments specified in the booking confirmation. If you did not receive what was included, we sincerely apologize, and we will investigate this with the operating team to ensure that future guests receive exactly what is advertised. Finally, we regret that our discussion after the tour left you feeling unheard. While refunds cannot always be authorized once a service has been completed, we believe every guest deserves to feel respected and listened to. We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, and we will use your feedback as part of our ongoing efforts to improve both our customer service and the overall guest experience. We understand that we were not the highlight of your vacation as we had hoped to be, and for that we are sincerely sorry. Thank you again for your honest feedback. It gives us the opportunity to improve and provide clearer expectations for future travelers. Kind regards, Discovering Cancun Team

via Tripadvisor

Great Experience, Beautiful wildlife!!

This was such a great experience! The wildlife you get to see is amazing! I seen Stingrays, Sea Turtles, Starfish, and many very cool varieties of fish. I highly recommend this to anyone

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5 star , great English

Great tour Guide . We seen quite a bit of marine life .

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Unforgettable Transparent Boat Experience in Cancun

This experience on a transparent boat in Cancun is fantastic for capturing unforgettable photos of the Mexican Caribbean. I went with my friends, and we came away with amazing memories of the turquoise sea you have to try it. I highly recommend it since you can see a great variety of marine life in its full splendor. My captain, Juan, was very attentive and helpful, and my friends and I were really happy with the experience.

via Tripadvisor