Puerto Vallarta: Private Yelapa Beach & Snorkel Tour on a Yacht

Los Arcos and Yelapa make a fine pair: one gives you sea caves and snorkeling, the other gives you a laid-back beach day. This private yacht trip also leaves room for the pleasures between stops, such as whale watching, dolphin sightings, fresh fruit, and a cold drink on deck. Captain Carlos, Victor, Oscar, and Philip have all been involved in past outings, depending on the boat and crew.

I like the private format, since your group sets the tone instead of sharing a rigid schedule with strangers. I also like the practical comforts: a restroom, air conditioning, WiFi, snorkeling gear, chips and guacamole, and an open bar with beer and cocktails. The main caution is price: at $1,225 per person, this is a major splurge, and lunch plus shore activities cost extra.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos comes first, after about 1 hour and 15 minutes of cruising from Marina Vallarta.
• Snorkeling depends on sea conditions, with Majahuitas serving as the backup location.
• Yelapa gives you roughly two hours ashore for lunch, beach time, a waterfall walk, horses, or ATVs.
• The yacht is private, so only your own group takes part.
• The open bar and snacks are included, but lunch and shore excursions are not.
• The return cruise takes about two hours, with possible whale, dolphin, ray, sunset, or moonrise sightings.

Why this private yacht day works so well

This is not just a boat ride to Yelapa. It is a full day on the water, with the coast providing much of the entertainment. You leave from Marina Vallarta and cruise south past Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline, with time to photograph the Malecón and the city’s famous crown-topped church.

The private setup matters. You can spread out, choose a forward seat, ask for another drink, or spend longer watching wildlife without being tied to a large group’s mood. One past outing carried 12 people aboard a 55-foot yacht called Ruby, with room for more. Other trips used the yacht Escándalo. The exact boat can vary, so ask which vessel is assigned to your date if size and layout matter to you.

The crew also appears to make the day feel cared for rather than self-service. Drinks are replenished, snorkeling equipment is fitted, and the captain can slow down for whales or other marine life when conditions allow. That kind of attention is a large part of what you are paying for.

Still, you should view this as a luxury charter, not a bargain excursion. At $1,225 per person, the value improves sharply for a group that wants privacy, a polished boat, and personal service. For one or two people, the cost is harder to justify unless the yacht setting is the main point of the day.

The long, easy cruise from Marina Vallarta

Meet at Bruma Café & Cocktails on Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. The day begins with a relaxed cruise rather than an immediate activity, and the first leg to Los Arcos takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

That travel time can be a pleasure if you treat the boat as part of the attraction. Sit forward for broad views, take photographs of the Puerto Vallarta shoreline, and keep an eye on the water during the whale season. Past outings have included humpback whales, dolphins, and rays, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The onboard service helps this opening stretch. Water, soda, juice, beer, cocktails, chips, and guacamole are included. Some trips have also featured pastries, croissants, bread, and fresh fruit. That extra food is useful because the shore lunch comes later and is not included.

You also have air conditioning, a restroom, and WiFi on board. These are small details until you spend several hours at sea. If someone in your group needs a break from the sun, or if the water becomes choppy, the indoor comforts can make the difference between a pleasant outing and a tiring one.

Los Arcos: caves, photographs, and the first swim

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the first major stop. This cluster of rock formations is one of the most recognizable sights along the coast, and the cave tunnel gives you an especially good setting for photographs.

The boat may hold position while you take pictures, which is helpful when several people want a clear shot. Afterward, the crew can lead a snorkeling session through the caves if sea and weather conditions are suitable.

That condition matters. Los Arcos is exposed to changing water movement, and the advertised snorkeling experience is not guaranteed at this exact spot. If the crew decides it is not safe or comfortable, the boat continues toward Majahuitas, where you can snorkel instead.

You receive snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own. Past outings have included colorful fish, and one account praised the fit of the fins. Even so, equipment comfort varies from person to person. If you have a favorite mask or snorkel, bringing it may be sensible, but the supplied gear is part of the package.

The Los Arcos stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for photographs and a short swim, but not for a long, unhurried snorkel session. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask the crew before departure how much time they expect to devote to it.

Majahuitas as the backup snorkeling stop

The cruise from Los Arcos to Majahuitas takes about 45 minutes. You pass Majahuitas Beach on the way to Yelapa, and this is where snorkeling takes place if Los Arcos is unsuitable.

That backup plan is one of the tour’s better practical features. You are not simply told that snorkeling has been canceled because the first site is rough. The crew has another location in the schedule, giving you a better chance to get into the water.

The tradeoff is time. With a seven-hour tour, several hours are spent moving along the coast, and the exact amount of time in the water depends on conditions and the day’s pace. The appeal here is variety: photographs at Los Arcos, a possible swim at one of two sites, and a beach stop at Yelapa.

If you want a dedicated snorkeling charter with long time in the water, this may not be the right choice. If you want snorkeling as one part of a private coastal day, the arrangement makes good sense.

Yelapa Beach, lunch, and a waterfall walk

From Majahuitas, the boat cruises about 30 minutes to Yelapa. This is the longest shore stop, with about two hours for you to choose your own pace.

Yelapa is reached from the water, and a small boat may carry you from the yacht to shore. Once there, you can have lunch at one of the beachside restaurants. The meal is not included, so bring money or a payment method suitable for the restaurant you choose. Food and drinks bought ashore are your responsibility, even though the yacht’s bar is included.

You can keep the stop simple: walk along the beach, eat lunch, and sit near the water. Or you can head through town toward a waterfall. The walk offers a change from the boat and beach, but it is not the same experience for everyone. You may prefer a slow meal and shade, especially after snorkeling and hours in the sun.

Optional horses and ATVs are also available, at roughly $20 to $30. These activities are not part of the charter price. Since the shore stop lasts about two hours, ask about timing before renting anything. You do not want an exciting ride to turn into a rushed return to the boat.

Yelapa is the emotional center of the day for many people because it gives you a real pause from the yacht. The coast is scenic, but a few hours on shore lets you eat local food, walk through town, and see more than just the waterline.

The two-hour return to Marina Vallarta

The trip back takes about two hours, so do not think of departure from Yelapa as the end of the experience. It is another long cruise, this time with the sun lower in the sky.

Past outings have included sunset views and even a full moon rising over the water. Whales and dolphins have also appeared during return cruises. Again, none of these sightings is promised, but the timing gives you a reasonable chance for changing light and a more relaxed atmosphere than the morning run south.

This is where the yacht format earns its keep. On a crowded boat, the return can feel like transport. On a private charter, you can sit with your group, listen to the crew’s suggestions, take photographs, and order another drink without fighting for space.

If you are prone to seasickness, remember that the day includes several hours underway. The boat has air conditioning and a restroom, but those features do not remove the motion of the sea. Consider your comfort before committing to a full seven-hour charter.

What the crew and yacht add

The strongest part of this experience is the level of personal service. Philip has arranged private transport for some groups arriving near the cruise pier, while the standard meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta. If you are coming from a cruise ship, confirm the pickup plan well in advance rather than assuming the marina meeting point is beside the pier.

Captain Carlos and Victor have worked together on past trips, while Captain Oscar led the crew aboard Ruby on another outing. Charlie is associated with snorkeling and water instruction in one account. The assigned crew may differ, but the pattern is clear: you should expect an attentive team that handles drinks, equipment, boat positioning, and timing.

Families can also fit this outing. Children must be older than four, and five-year-old twins have taken part safely on a previous trip, including virgin piña coladas. That does not mean every child will enjoy seven hours at sea, so think about your child’s tolerance for sun, boat motion, and a long return cruise.

The yacht is described as clean, comfortable, and well maintained. You may find cushioned seating toward the bow, useful for watching the shore and wildlife. Because boats vary, ask about seating, shade, and the assigned vessel if those details are important.

What is included, and what will cost extra

The package includes:

• Open bar with water, soda, juice, beer, and cocktails
• Chips and guacamole
• Snorkeling equipment
• Air-conditioned space
• Restroom
• WiFi
• Private use of the activity for your group

You pay separately for lunch and drinks at Yelapa. Horses and ATVs cost about $20 to $30, and those prices are separate from the $1,225 per-person charge.

The price needs careful thought. If you are splitting the cost among a large family or group, privacy and personal service may make it worthwhile. If you are booking for just two people, the same price buys a very high-end day, but not necessarily the best value if your main goals are only a short snorkel and a beach lunch.

Group discounts are available, so ask for the exact total rather than assuming the listed per-person figure is final for your party. Also ask whether transportation from your hotel or cruise pier is included, since the stated meeting point is in Marina Vallarta.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this trip to a group that values space, comfort, and control over the schedule. It suits families, anniversary celebrations, reunions, and friends who want the boat itself to be a major part of the day.

It also suits people who like several activities in one outing: coastal photographs, wildlife watching, snorkeling, a beach lunch, a waterfall walk, and a sunset cruise home. You do not need to choose between an active day and a restful one. Yelapa lets you decide how much energy to spend.

I would be more cautious if you are seeking a low-cost excursion, a long technical snorkeling session, or a tightly scheduled sightseeing tour. Sea conditions can change the snorkeling plan, wildlife sightings are uncertain, lunch is extra, and much of the day is spent cruising.

Children over four can participate, but parents should consider the full duration. Seven hours is a long time for a young child, even with snacks, drinks, and a beach stop.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The tour is listed as suitable for most people and is near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The tour also requires good weather, so if poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta. The tour returns there after the cruise.

Should you book the Yelapa yacht tour?

Book it if you want a private, polished day where the boat, not just the destination, is the attraction. The combination of Los Arcos, flexible snorkeling, Yelapa, open-bar service, and a long scenic return gives you a full Puerto Vallarta experience without the feel of a standard group excursion.

Before paying, confirm the assigned yacht, crew, group discount, transportation plan, and expected snorkeling time. If the $1,225 price fits your group budget, this is a strong choice for a special occasion. If value is your main concern, compare less expensive shared boats and accept less privacy and fewer included comforts.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Marina Vallarta.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling may take place at Los Arcos or Majahuitas, depending on sea conditions.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and food or drinks purchased at Yelapa are not included.

Are drinks included on the yacht?

Yes. The open bar includes water, soda, juice, beer, and cocktails.

Are horses and ATVs included?

No. Shore activities such as horses and ATVs cost approximately $20 to $30 per person.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be older than four years of age.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.