Puerto Vallarta Private Yacht Adventure: 5 Hours + 1 Hour Free.

Los Arcos is the star of this private Banderas Bay yacht trip. You cruise past Puerto Vallarta’s coast, snorkel around the famous rock formations near Mismaloya, then spend time at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas. With six hours on the water, the day has room for both sightseeing and unhurried beach time.

I like the private group setup, which gives a family or group of friends the boat to themselves rather than squeezing onto a large shared excursion. I also like the useful extras: snorkeling gear, a kayak, fishing equipment, towels, drinks, snacks, and fuel are already covered.

The main catch is the cost and the beach lunch. The price is $1,050 for up to 12 people, which can be good value with a full group, but less so for only two or three people. Food on the beach costs extra, and one recent outing also involved a 400 peso fee to return to the yacht after lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos snorkeling: See fish around the celebrated rock formations near Mismaloya, with snorkel gear and life jackets supplied.
• Private yacht for up to 12: You share the boat only with your own group, making this a strong choice for families and friends.
• Six hours on Banderas Bay: The advertised five-hour yacht service includes one extra free hour, giving you more breathing room for swimming and beach time.
• Colomitos or Animas stop: You can be dropped at one of two coastal beaches for swimming, relaxing, and buying regional food.
• Captain and sailor included: The crew handles the boat while you enjoy the coast, music, snacks, and drinks.
• Whales, dolphins, and fishing are possible bonuses: Sightings and catches cannot be promised, but one outing saw both whales and dolphins, while another caught a fish.

Six hours across Banderas Bay

This is not a quick harbor cruise. You have a private yacht for six hours, which matters because Banderas Bay gives you several ways to spend a day. You can sit on deck and watch the coast, snorkel near Los Arcos, try the fishing gear, paddle the kayak, or get off at a beach.

The route is built around Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast. From the water, you see the meeting point of sea, mountains, and shoreline without dealing with road traffic. The boat gives you a different view of Puerto Vallarta, one based on coves and rock formations rather than streets and hotels.

The extra hour is useful. A five-hour trip can feel rushed once you allow time for cruising, anchoring, snorkeling, and getting to shore. Six hours gives your captain more flexibility, though the exact order and length of each stop can depend on conditions and your group’s wishes.

Because the boat is private, your day can suit the people you brought. A family with children may want more time near the beach. Friends may prefer music, drinks, and sun on deck. A group interested in fishing can make use of the sport fishing gear. You are not locked into a fixed shared-boat mood.

Los Arcos and the Mismaloya snorkel stop

The most memorable planned activity is snorkeling near Los Arcos, the large rock formations off Mismaloya. This is the visual centerpiece of the outing, and it also gives you a chance to see fish in the clear coastal water.

Snorkel equipment, life jackets, and towels are included. That keeps the planning simple, especially if you do not want to pack or rent gear separately. You should still bring comfortable clothing and shoes, as requested, and cash for purchases on shore.

Conditions in the water can change. Visibility, current, and marine life are never fully under the crew’s control. One recent outing found plenty of fish around Los Arcos, so this is a real snorkeling stop rather than a sightseeing pass, but you should not treat a particular animal sighting as guaranteed.

Give yourself time to enjoy the setting even if you are not a strong swimmer. You can stay on the yacht, use a life jacket, or take in the arches from the water without making the snorkel the whole point of the day. The crew includes a captain and sailor, so you have assistance on board while the boat is positioned for the stop.

Beach time at Colomitos or Playa Animas

After the yacht portion, you can be dropped at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas. These stops add a land-based pause to a day that might otherwise be spent entirely on the boat.

Colomitos is the smaller beach option named in the tour details, while Animas is another popular southern-coast stop. The exact choice is part of the experience, and you should confirm with the crew which beach fits the day’s plan.

The appeal is simple: get off the boat, stretch your legs, swim, and eat something local. Regional dishes are available on the beach at an extra cost. Bring cash, since it is specifically listed among the things to carry, and keep the lunch cost separate from the yacht price.

There is one practical detail worth knowing before you order lunch. One recent outing included a 400 peso fee to get back to the yacht after eating. That may affect how the return is arranged, so ask the crew about the transfer before leaving the boat. A beach meal can be pleasant, but it is not included, and returning to the yacht may involve an additional charge.

The beach stop is best for people who want variety. If your ideal day means staying on the yacht from start to finish, it may feel like an interruption. If you enjoy mixing swimming, food, and time ashore, it gives the trip a better rhythm.

What is actually included on the yacht

The inclusions are practical rather than fancy. You receive fuel, port tax, a captain, a sailor, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, towels, a kayak, Bluetooth sound, fishing gear, drinks, snacks, and ice.

The food and drink allowance is modest but useful:

• 12 beers
• 12 bottles of water
• Two bags of chips
• One ice pack

That supply is sized around the maximum group, not a full catered lunch. With 12 people, each person would have one beer and one bottle of water, plus a share of the chips. If your group wants more drinks, a larger meal, or specific food, plan to buy it separately.

The kayak gives you another way to enjoy a quiet cove or beach stop, although the available time and location will depend on the crew and conditions. Bluetooth sound lets your group choose the mood, so bring a phone with the music you want if that matters to you.

Fishing gear is included as well. One outing produced a catch, but fishing is a bonus, not a promise. I would treat it as something fun to try between the main stops rather than the reason to book the yacht.

How much value do you get for $1,050?

The listed rate is $1,050 for the private group, with up to 12 people. At the full capacity, that works out to $87.50 per person before any beach food or extra shore charges.

That is a reasonable structure for a large family or group of friends. You are paying for six hours of private use, a captain and sailor, fuel, port tax, gear, drinks, and the freedom to avoid a shared boat. A full group can make the price compare well with buying many separate seats on a premium boat outing.

For four people, the cost becomes $262.50 per person. For two people, it becomes $525 each. That changes the calculation quickly. I would book this for a larger group unless privacy is important enough to justify the higher per-person price.

The private format has value beyond the arithmetic. You can relax without coordinating with strangers, play your own music, and shape the day around your group. Families may also appreciate having the yacht to themselves, especially when different people want different activities.

Do not forget the costs outside the listed rate. Lunch at Colomitos or Animas is extra, and a 400 peso return fee was reported on one outing after lunch. Bring cash for the beach and confirm the current return arrangement with the crew.

The crew and the feel on board

The service is handled by a captain and sailor, with English and Spanish available. That makes the trip workable for English-speaking visitors while keeping local Spanish communication in place.

Captain Gabriel and mate Carlos were named for one especially well-received outing. They kept a group of six comfortable, supplied, and attended to throughout the day. That group also managed snorkeling, private beaches, fishing, and time in the sun without feeling crowded.

Crew assignments can vary, so you should not assume Gabriel and Carlos will be on every departure. Still, their approach gives you a useful picture of the service: attentive help, friendly interaction, and an effort to keep the group comfortable from start to finish.

The yacht itself is repeatedly described as beautiful and comfortable. That matters on a six-hour trip. A boat that feels cramped or poorly arranged can make a long day tiring, while a comfortable deck gives you a place to sit, listen to music, and watch the bay between activities.

Wildlife sightings and what you should expect

Banderas Bay can provide more than scenery. One outing saw a number of whales and dolphins, as well as fish during the Los Arcos snorkel stop. Those sightings add real excitement, especially if you are visiting during a period when whales are present.

Still, wildlife is never a scheduled attraction. The crew can take you through the bay and to snorkeling areas, but no one can guarantee whales, dolphins, or a fishing catch. I would see these as welcome additions to an already worthwhile boat day.

The same applies to the number of fish at Los Arcos. The snorkel site is included because it offers a chance to see marine life, but water conditions and timing affect what you find. Bring realistic expectations, then enjoy the rock formations and water even if the fish are less active.

Who will enjoy this private yacht most

This trip fits a group that wants control over its day. Families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and small reunions can all make good use of the private format.

I would especially consider it if your group wants several activities in one outing:

• Cruising along Puerto Vallarta’s coast
• Snorkeling near Los Arcos
• Trying sport fishing
• Using a kayak
• Listening to your own music
• Relaxing on deck
• Eating at a beach restaurant

It is less suitable for a solo visitor or a pair looking for the lowest-cost way to see the bay. The group rate favors numbers.

It also suits people who want a mix of comfort and activity. You do not need to snorkel, fish, or kayak all day. You can stay aboard with a beer or water, enjoy snacks, and watch the coast while others in your group get in the water.

What to bring and small details that matter

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that work for both the boat and the beach. You will want practical clothing rather than anything formal, especially if you plan to snorkel or swim.

Bring cash. You may need it for regional dishes at the beach, and a return fee of 400 pesos was charged on one recent outing. Since food is not included, cash also gives you a simple way to handle shore purchases.

The included towels and snorkeling equipment reduce the amount you need to pack. The water, beer, chips, and ice cover basic refreshments, but do not mistake them for a full lunch. If your group has particular dietary needs or wants more substantial food, ask what you may bring or arrange.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging a larger group. Starting times depend on availability, so check before booking.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta private yacht?

Book it if you have a medium or large group and want a full day that combines Los Arcos snorkeling, coastal views, a beach stop, fishing, and relaxed time on a private boat. The six-hour length, included equipment, and attentive crew service make it more than a short sightseeing cruise.

Think twice if you are only two people, watching every peso, or expecting a fully catered yacht experience. The $1,050 rate makes the most sense when divided among many people, and beach food plus possible return charges add to the final cost.

My practical advice is to gather your group first, confirm the beach and return arrangements, and ask how the time will be divided among snorkeling, fishing, and shore time. If you want privacy and a flexible day on Banderas Bay, this is a strong choice. If you mainly want a cheap boat ride, choose a shared excursion instead.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta private yacht trip?

The experience lasts six hours. It is described as five hours plus one additional free hour.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people.

What is the price for the private yacht?

The listed price is $1,050 per group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included, and the route includes snorkeling near Los Arcos in the Mismaloya area.

Which beaches can you visit?

The yacht can drop you at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas for beach time.

Is lunch included?

No. Regional food at the beach costs extra.

Are drinks and snacks included?

Yes. The package includes 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, two bags of chips, and one ice pack.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish, with a live guide.