Visit Private Beaches around Puerto Vallarta in a Private Yacht

Los Arcos and Playa Paredon give you two very different ways to enjoy Puerto Vallarta from the water. At Los Arcos, you can snorkel and swim around the famous rock arches. At Playa Paredon, you get a quiet beach stop framed by a tall natural rock wall, with paddle boards and clear water for a slower hour.

I like the private format, since your group does not have to share the boat or follow the mood of strangers. I also like the simple all-in setup: snorkeling gear, paddle boards, bottled water, soft drinks, snacks, fruit, guacamole, and margaritas are provided. The main caution is value. At $1,500 per group for about four hours, this makes the most sense for a larger group, and equipment quality or sea conditions can affect the day.

Key points to know before you book

• Los Arcos is the active first stop: Plan on swimming and snorkeling around striking rock formations rising from the sea.
• Playa Paredon is reached only by boat: Its natural wall, quiet setting, and clear water make it the more peaceful stop.
• The yacht is private for up to 15 people: A full group can make the per-person cost far more reasonable than a small party.
• Paddle boards and snorkeling gear are included: Kayaks are not listed among the included equipment, so do not book expecting them.
• Food and drinks are built in: You get water, ice, soft drinks, guacamole, fruit, snacks, and welcome margaritas.
• Allow for weather and equipment uncertainty: Poor weather can cancel the outing, and one serious complaint raised concerns about delayed or poor-condition equipment.

A private yacht day from Marina Vallarta

You meet at E Dock in Marina Vallarta, then return to the same place at the end. The setup is easy to understand: four hours on a private boat, two main stops, and time for swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, photographs, and relaxing between activities.

The private arrangement is the biggest difference from a standard group cruise. You are not sharing the boat with a busload of people, and your companions can spend more time doing the activities they actually want. A group of swimmers can stay active. A group that prefers sun, drinks, and photos can keep the pace gentler.

The boat is described as suitable for groups of up to 15. That capacity matters when you look at the price. At $1,500 per group, 15 people would pay about $100 each before any separate costs. A group of six would pay about $250 per person, while two people would carry the full cost between them. This is a group purchase, not a budget excursion for a couple.

The experience is offered in English, and an experienced captain handles the trip around Puerto Vallarta. No captain names are provided, so I would not book this expecting a named guide or a formal historical tour. The focus is the water, the scenery, and the freedom of a private outing.

Los Arcos brings the best scenery first

Los Arcos gets its name from the large rocky formations that rise from the sea in arch shapes. It is the most recognizable natural feature on this route, and it gives the trip its strongest photo setting.

You have about an hour here for snorkeling, swimming, and enjoying the scenery. The rocks create a memorable backdrop from the boat, and the area is intended for time in the water rather than a land visit. Bring your camera, but protect it carefully around the boat and while swimming.

The snorkeling can be enjoyable, but you should keep your expectations realistic. One sharply negative account described the water as crowded with sea life in an unhelpful way and said there were few fish in the selected snorkeling area. Conditions at sea can change, and a scenic place is not automatically a top marine-life site every day. If your main goal is extensive fish viewing, ask about current water conditions before departure.

For most people, Los Arcos works best as a combined stop. You get the rock formations, a chance to swim, and an hour to use the provided snorkeling equipment. If the water is calm and visibility is good, this can be the liveliest part of the outing. If the water is rough or the snorkeling area is busy, the setting still makes the stop worthwhile for photos and swimming.

Playa Paredon offers a quieter hour

Playa Paredon is accessible only by sea, which gives it a more secluded feel than a beach you can reach by road. The defining feature is a large natural wall beside the beach. It makes a strong backdrop for photographs and gives the stop a sense of place beyond simply stopping to swim.

This is where you can take out the paddle boards and spend time in the clear water. The pace here is likely to feel calmer than at Los Arcos. You can paddle, snorkel, swim, or simply sit aboard and enjoy the setting.

The quiet mood is part of the appeal, but it also means you should not expect a developed beach facility. The information provided does not mention restaurants, bathrooms, beach chairs, or a staffed beach club. Plan to use the boat as your base and rely on the included water and snacks.

You get about an hour at Playa Paredon. That is enough time to try the paddle boards and take photographs, but not enough for a long beach stay with several separate activities. If your group has children or first-time paddle board users, the hour may pass quickly as everyone takes a turn. A smaller group can move between activities more easily.

What comes with the $1,500 price

The package includes use of snorkeling equipment and paddle boards. Bottled water, drinking water, and ice are also provided. Snacks include guacamole and seasonal fruit, and welcome margaritas are included along with other drinks.

This makes the trip feel more like a private day on the water than a bare boat rental. You do not need to arrange your own snorkeling gear, carry a cooler, or plan a separate snack stop. That convenience has real value, especially for a group celebrating a special occasion or trying to keep the day simple.

The word included needs a little care. Paddle boards are specifically part of the package, but kayaks are not listed as included equipment. One complaint described a significant delay while trying to locate paddle boards and said no kayaks were available. Since that account conflicts with the advertised equipment, confirm exactly what will be on board before you go, especially if paddle boarding is central to your plans.

The same complaint raised a second concern about promised photographs that were never delivered. The trip is clearly designed to produce good pictures, but you should not assume that professional photos are part of the package unless the operator confirms this in writing. Bring your own waterproof phone case or camera if pictures matter to you.

How much time you really get

Four hours sounds generous, but the clock includes the whole outing from Marina Vallarta and back. You have roughly one hour at Los Arcos and one hour at Playa Paredon, leaving the rest for the boat ride, anchoring, moving between activities, and returning to the marina.

That is a useful length for a half-day plan. You can fit the yacht trip into a morning or afternoon and still have time for another Puerto Vallarta activity. It is not a full-day sailing trip, and you should not expect a long coastal cruise with many beach stops.

The two-stop structure also gives the day a clear rhythm. Los Arcos supplies the main rock scenery and water activities. Playa Paredon offers a quieter setting and paddle board time. If your group wants hours of open-water cruising, the schedule may feel short. If you want a concentrated boat outing without giving up an entire day, four hours is practical.

The sea conditions matter more than the brochure

Snorkeling and paddle boarding depend heavily on wind, waves, visibility, and boat positioning. Even a good captain cannot guarantee clear water or abundant fish. The best version of this trip has calm water, a comfortable boat ride, and enough visibility to make Los Arcos and Playa Paredon feel distinct.

The experience requires a strong physical fitness level. That is important because the main activities involve getting into the water, swimming, snorkeling, and using a paddle board. The provided information does not promise an easy-access setup for people with limited mobility, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has physical limitations.

Poor weather can cancel the outing. If that happens, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. This is a strict policy, so do not book casually if your schedule is uncertain.

I would also avoid planning this as the one irreplaceable event of a short trip unless you have a backup plan. Puerto Vallarta weather can affect time on the water, and the policy gives you protection for a weather cancellation but not for a change of personal plans.

Who gets the most value from this boat trip

This outing fits a group that wants privacy and flexibility more than a low price. Families, groups of friends, and small celebrations can make good use of a private boat, particularly if they can fill much of the 15-person capacity.

It also suits people who want several easy activities in one package. You can snorkel, swim, paddle board, photograph the rock formations, and relax with drinks without arranging separate rentals. The food is simple rather than a full meal, but guacamole, fruit, snacks, water, and margaritas cover the basics for a half-day.

The trip is less suitable for a couple on a tight budget. At $1,500 for the group, the private setting is a luxury. It is also not the best choice for someone seeking a serious marine-life expedition, a long sailing route, or a guided cultural tour. The captain’s role is to operate the boat and show you the area, not to provide a detailed lecture program.

The high rating and strong recommendation rate point to a generally well-liked experience, with the most praise directed at the friendly crew, beautiful views, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and relaxed boat-day atmosphere. Still, the one very negative account matters because it raises concrete concerns about equipment, time lost, and photo follow-up. I would treat those issues as things to verify, not as proof that every departure will have the same problem.

Practical questions to settle before departure

Contact the provider before the day of the trip and confirm that paddle boards will be available on board. Ask whether the boat carries only paddle boards and snorkeling gear, or any other water equipment. Since kayaks are not included in the stated package, plan on not having them.

Ask how the four hours are timed and how much time is normally spent at each stop. The planned structure gives you about an hour at Los Arcos and an hour at Playa Paredon, but sea conditions and boat movement can affect the exact schedule.

If you want photographs taken by the crew, ask who takes them and when you will receive them. Do not rely on a verbal promise if the photos are important to your group.

Wear swim-ready clothing and bring any personal sun protection or camera gear you need. The provided details confirm water, ice, snacks, fruit, guacamole, margaritas, and soft drinks, but they do not state that sunscreen, towels, or personal photo equipment are supplied.

The departure point is E Dock at Marina Vallarta, and the boat returns there. The marina is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta, but no hotel pickup is included in the information provided.

Should you book this private yacht experience?

Book it if you have a sizeable group, want your own boat, and value a relaxed mix of snorkeling, paddle boarding, swimming, scenery, snacks, and drinks. Los Arcos gives you the striking rock formations, while Playa Paredon adds a quieter beach stop that can feel more personal than a standard coastal cruise.

Think twice if your group is small, your budget is limited, or you expect professional-grade snorkeling, kayaks, guaranteed fish sightings, or delivered photographs. Before paying, confirm the equipment and photo arrangements directly with Float – Boat Rentals.

For a full group that wants a private half-day on the water, the cost can make sense. For two or three people, it is a costly way to spend four hours. The best reason to choose this trip is privacy and convenience, not a promise of perfect snorkeling or a bargain price.

FAQ

Where does the yacht trip begin?

The activity begins at E Dock in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Where does the trip end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at E Dock, Marina Vallarta.

How long is the experience?

The trip lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The private group can include up to 15 people, and only your group participates.

What places does the boat visit?

The two stated stops are Los Arcos and Playa Paredon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddle boards included?

Yes. Use of paddle boards is included. Kayaks are not listed among the included equipment.

What food and drinks are provided?

The package includes bottled water, drinking water, ice, soft drinks, guacamole, seasonal fruit, snacks, and welcome margaritas.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the activity to be canceled, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed.