The marina is the reason Puerto Aventuras exists. It was dug out of the coast in the 1980s to create a sheltered anchorage for private yachts and fishing boats, and it remains the functional and social centre of the resort. The quayside is lined with restaurants and shops, and in the evenings the wooden docks fill with people watching the boats.
Sportfishing is the serious draw for many visitors. The waters off the Riviera Maya offer sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, barracuda, and grouper depending on the season. Half-day and full-day charters are available from several operators based at the marina; full-day trips targeting blue marlin run further offshore and are best booked a day ahead. Most operators practice catch-and-release for the billfish.
Snorkelling and dive trips to the outer reef also depart from the marina. The reef here is in reasonable shape and easy to reach — a 15-minute boat ride puts you above healthy coral with good fish life.