Thrilling Cancun Activities: Spinnaker vs. Parasailing!

Isla Mujeres Catamaran with Spinnaker Activity is very popular in Cancun!

In your quest for the top attractions and activities to do in Cancun, Mexico, you may have heard about Cancun catamaran excursions. Most of them include spinnaker activity, but what does that mean? A lot of people mistake it for parasailing (including the travel agent at my Cancun Hotel Zone hotel). She got me very excited, only to be disappointed (at first)! Even though it was not what I expected, spinnaker turned into a unique and memorable experience for me!

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and the full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, but that does not affect any of my evaluations. If you do decide to make a purchase, I’d appreciate it if do so through my affiliate links to support my blog and enable me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

What is a spinnaker on Isla Mujeres Catamaran?

A spinnaker is a sail designed specifically for sailing off the wind from a reaching course to a downwind. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when it is deployed, called flying.

That’s the technical term I found on Wikipedia. But here is how spinnaker activity actually works in a real-life Catamaran Sail to Isla Mujeres:

• You will jump off the catamaran into the ocean without any life jacket and swim towards the swing.
• You have to try sitting on the swing and hang tight. When the wind picks up, you will ascend!
• Now you’re flying! Right in front of the catamaran!
• People will cheer you on! You can either jump into the ocean from the height for a more thrilling experience or chill watching the beautiful views from above till descending. The staff will send the float to get you to the catamaran so you don’t have to swim back

You can book this activity through almost any Catamaran Sails to Isla Mujeres. You can call or email the tour operators to make sure that it is included with no extra charge. I personally used Albatros Catamaran Sail and I would recommend them. You can book the Albatros Sailing “Plus” Package at a discount through the Go Cancun Pass I list out below, then upgrade to the Platinum tier at the dock. The Platinum tier gives you access to a better private beach club and higher quality of food for lunch.

Isla Mujeres Catamaran tickets at a discount:

There are two ways to buy the Isla Mujeres Catamaran tickets at a discount:

1. Cancun Go Pass All-Inclusive: The one-day pass starts at $89 and you can visit as many attractions as you like in one day. To maximize the value of your pass, I suggest you add parasailing before your luxury catamaran tour and a dinner cruise after you get back. It will save you around $70-$100 for the activities.
2. Cancun Explorer Pass: You can pick 3 Cancun Attractions for $99 and visit them at your own pace over 60 days. The Albatros Sailing “Plus” Package – Luxury Catamaran Tours – is included and you can add 2 other attractions or activities of your choice. You will find more information on how to maximize the value of the Cancun Go Pass in my article about top things to do in Cancun.

Where to Stay

Since you will feel wet and cold upon return, I highly recommend staying nearby. Temptation Cancun Resort, Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa, and Villa del Palmar Beach Resort have the dock accessible through the beach, so they are very convenient. You can check out my Cancun hotel reviews for more info on these resorts.

What is parasailing?

Parasailing is a popular recreational activity all over the world so you are probably more familiar with this term. If not, you can watch this brief reel to see what parasailing is like. Up to three people can be towed behind a boat while being attached to the canopy wing that will take you up to the sky as the boat is moving.

If you book parasailing through the Cancun Go Pass, you will get a 25% discount on the photo and video packages.

Which is better: Parasailing or Spinnaker?

Both of them are the top things to do in Cancun, but I personally prefer spinnaker. It is a uniquely thrilling experience that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Parasailing, on the other hand, is quite common. You can do that on a lot of beaches in the US and Asia, but if you have never done it before, it is also worth trying!

In terms of choosing tours, an Isla Mujeres Catamaran Sail would also win! In addition to spinnaker activity, you will enjoy snorkeling in turquoise water and watching the beautiful sunset. You can also watch other people do spinnaker, even watching them is fun! In Isla Mujeres, you can relax at the beach or pay $35 extra to take a golf cart tour and drive around the island. I recommend booking or upgrading to the Platinum package since you will be on a nicer catamaran with fewer people, better food, better drinks, and a better beach club!

If you want to combine both experiences, I suggest getting Cancun Go Pass for the best deal. You may be able to squeeze both experiences in a day as well as a 24-hour car rental using the 1-day pass for only $89. For more info on how to make the most of your Cancun Go Pass, visit the article about top things to do in Cancun.

So, which one did you end up choosing? Please let me know in the comments below and don’t forget to watch out for the dumb mistakes to avoid in Cancun!