Puerto Vallarta: Private Swim & Snorkel Yacht Tour w/Open Bar

Los Arcos is the star of this private Puerto Vallarta yacht trip. After about 90 minutes on the water, you reach the rock arches at Mismaloya for a guided snorkel with Captain Carlos, then continue to Las Gemelas Beach for swimming, paddleboarding, floating, and lunch on board. I like the private format and the fact that the yacht carries up to 12 people, so you are not sharing the day with a large crowd. I also like the mix of activity and downtime, with snorkeling first and a slower beach stop afterward.

The main consideration is the amount of cruising. You spend about an hour and a half reaching Los Arcos and another hour and a half returning to Marina Vallarta, so this is as much a scenic boat outing as it is a snorkeling trip. If you want a quick swim with little time on the water, this may feel too long. If you enjoy being aboard a yacht, the travel time becomes part of the experience.

Key points at a glance

• Los Arcos snorkeling: Captain Carlos leads the water time at this protected rock formation, with snorkeling equipment provided.
• Private yacht for up to 12: Your group has the boat to itself, which makes the schedule more relaxed and personal.
• Las Gemelas Beach break: Swim, use the floats or SUP paddle board, sunbathe on the cushions, and enjoy lunch aboard the yacht.
• Open bar included: Water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails are part of the package.
• Malecon views from the sea: The return route passes Puerto Vallarta’s boardwalk and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
• Four to five hours on the water: Plan for a half-day outing, including long cruising stretches between stops.

Why this yacht trip works best as a half-day outing

This is not a simple transfer to a beach. It is a private day on the Bay of Banderas, with time built in for snorkeling, swimming, food, drinks, and views of Puerto Vallarta from offshore. The yacht carries only your party, up to 12 people, so you can enjoy the boat without adjusting to a busload of strangers.

The schedule runs roughly four to five hours. The numbers tell you how the day feels: around 90 minutes to Los Arcos, 45 minutes at the snorkeling site, about 15 minutes to Las Gemelas Beach, one hour at the beach, and another 90 minutes back to Marina Vallarta.

That leaves plenty of time for the boat itself. You can sit on the comfortable cushions, look back at the coast, order a drink, or use the WiFi on board. The air-conditioned interior gives you a cooler place to retreat, and a restroom is available on the yacht.

I would think of this as a private coastal cruise with two water stops, not as a nonstop snorkeling excursion. That distinction matters. The long cruise may be a pleasure for people who like open water and shoreline views. It may test the patience of anyone who wants to spend nearly the entire outing in the sea.

Leaving Marina Vallarta for Los Arcos

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. This gives you a clear starting point in one of Puerto Vallarta’s main marina areas. The activity ends at the same meeting point, which keeps the day simple.

Once you are aboard, the first major leg takes about an hour and a half. The long run to Los Arcos is useful to know before booking, especially if you are traveling with young children or anyone who gets restless on boats. Children must be over four years old to participate.

The reward is time to settle into the yacht. You have access to drinks, shaded or air-conditioned space, a restroom, and the open view of the coast. Since this is a private charter, your group can spend that time together without the fixed feel of a large shared boat.

The crew is an important part of the experience. Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo are specifically associated with this charter, and Ernesto is described as getting into the water to guide the group. That hands-on approach is useful at a snorkel site, particularly if you want help finding marine life or feel unsure in the water.

Snorkeling beneath the Los Arcos rock formations

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the main natural attraction on the route. The rock formations rise from the water near the southern end of Puerto Vallarta, creating the setting for the trip’s snorkeling stop. You get about 45 minutes here, with equipment supplied.

Captain Carlos leads the snorkel expedition. That is more helpful than simply being handed a mask and pointed toward the water. You have someone directing the water activity and helping you pay attention to the marine life around the preserve.

The supplied information does not promise a particular species or water condition, so keep expectations sensible. You will see natural wildlife, but the exact visibility and activity can vary. The appeal is the chance to swim and snorkel around a protected coastal landmark, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting basic gear separately. Still, you should be comfortable in the water before choosing this activity. The tour is suitable for most people, but the snorkeling stop remains optional in spirit because the itinerary also includes a yacht, beach time, floats, and a paddle board.

I like that the crew does not treat Los Arcos as a quick photo stop. The boat remains for 45 minutes, giving you enough time to get in, look around, and return aboard without turning the entire day into a rushed swim.

One hour at Las Gemelas Beach

After Los Arcos, the yacht cruises for about 15 minutes to Las Gemelas Beach. The shorter transfer gives you a quick change of scenery, from rock formations and snorkeling to a more relaxed beach stop.

Here, you have about an hour to choose your pace. You can swim, use the floats, try the SUP paddle board, or simply stretch out on the yacht’s cushions and sunbathe. This flexibility is valuable for a mixed group. One person can take the paddle board while another stays dry with a drink and a book.

Lunch is served on board. The meal includes sandwich lunch and a salad trio. That arrangement keeps the day moving and avoids the need to leave the water area to find food. It also means lunch is practical rather than a formal restaurant meal, so you should book this for the boat experience, not for a long culinary event.

Las Gemelas is also where the pace slows down. After snorkeling, you may want a quiet hour with no schedule beyond swimming and eating. The one-hour stop is long enough to enjoy the break, though it is not a full beach day.

The name is sometimes written as Gamelas in the tour details. You should look for Las Gemelas Beach when checking maps or discussing the route.

Open bar, lunch, and the practical comforts

The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails. That is a meaningful part of the price on a private half-day charter because you do not need to plan separate drinks for the group. It also makes the cruise back to the marina feel less like dead time.

The package includes lunch, snorkel equipment, and the SUP paddle board. You also have an onboard restroom, air conditioning, and WiFi. Each feature solves a small problem: lunch prevents a mid-trip food search, gear saves packing or rental time, and the restroom matters during a four to five hour outing.

The air conditioning may be especially welcome after time in the sun. You can move between the open deck and cooler interior space instead of having to endure the heat for the whole charter.

The menu is limited to sandwiches and a salad trio in the information provided. If anyone in your group has dietary needs, ask the operator before booking, since no special meal details are listed. Do not assume that the included lunch covers every preference.

Returning along the Puerto Vallarta Malecon

The return to Marina Vallarta takes about an hour and a half. Instead of simply retracing the route, the yacht cruises along the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta’s popular boardwalk.

This gives you a different view of the city. From the water, you can photograph the shoreline, the boardwalk, and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commonly recognized by its crown-topped tower. It is a pleasant final chapter because you see Puerto Vallarta from offshore after spending much of the day facing the open coast.

The Malecon pass also helps explain the long return time. You are not just heading straight back as fast as possible. The route includes time for photos and a city view from the yacht.

If you want to take pictures, keep your phone or camera ready during this part of the trip. The route offers photo opportunities, but the exact timing and position of the yacht can change with conditions.

What the $1,978.64 group price really means

The price is $1,978.64 per group of up to 12 people. At the maximum group size, that works out to about $164.89 per person. That calculation makes the charter more attractive for a full family group or a group of friends who would otherwise book several separate seats.

The value comes from privacy, not only from the number of included items. You are reserving the yacht for your own party, with a captain and crew, rather than buying a seat on a crowded shared excursion. You also receive lunch, an open bar, snorkel equipment, a paddle board, floats, and the coastal sightseeing route.

For a smaller group, the per-person cost rises quickly. Six people would pay roughly $329.77 each if the total price remained the same. Two or four people may still value the privacy, but the financial case is weaker.

I would book this for a group that plans to use the boat fully. If your party will snorkel, swim, eat lunch aboard, enjoy the open bar, and take photos along the Malecon, the inclusions add up. If you only want a short ride to Los Arcos, a less costly shared option may make more sense.

Who will enjoy this private charter most

This outing suits people who want control over their day. Your group can enjoy a more personal setting, and the activities cover several interests without splitting the group into separate excursions.

It is a good fit for:

• Families with children over four who want swimming and a private boat.
• Friends sharing a group cost of up to 12 people.
• Couples or small groups who place a high value on privacy.
• People who want snorkeling but also prefer beach time, food, and drinks.
• Anyone who likes coastal sightseeing from the water, including Malecon views.

It is less suited to someone seeking an intense, all-day snorkeling program. The itinerary includes only about 45 minutes at Los Arcos and one hour at Las Gemelas, with substantial cruising between those stops.

The trip also depends on good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy protects your money, but it also means you should keep some flexibility in your Puerto Vallarta schedule.

Booking details worth knowing before you go

Confirmation is received at the time of booking. The tour is offered in English, and the activity is near public transportation. The stated meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta, and the return is to that same location.

The listed operating information shows Monday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM for the stated date range of May 1, 2024 through January 18, 2027. Since the hours are presented in a limited format, confirm the available departure time for your date when booking.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cutoff uses local Puerto Vallarta time.

Bring the practical basics for a water day: swimwear, sun protection, and a way to keep personal items secure. The supplied information confirms the boat has snorkeling equipment, floats, a paddle board, drinks, lunch, air conditioning, WiFi, and a restroom, so you do not need to arrange those separately.

Should you book the Los Arcos yacht tour?

Book it if you want a private half-day on the water with a real mix of activities. The strongest reasons are the private yacht, Captain Carlos’s guided snorkeling at Los Arcos, the easy beach stop at Las Gemelas, the open bar, and the Malecon views on the way home.

The crew is another reason to take it seriously. Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo are singled out for warm service, and Ernesto’s willingness to get in the water and guide the group adds a personal touch to the snorkel stop.

Skip it if you want maximum snorkeling time, a low-cost outing for only one or two people, or a short transfer with little cruising. The 90-minute ride each way is a central part of the experience.

For a group of up to 12 that wants its own boat, lunch, drinks, water activities, and a relaxed view of Puerto Vallarta from the sea, this is a strong-value charter. Just book it knowing that the journey between stops is part of the day, not empty space between attractions.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour begin?

The tour begins at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the private yacht tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four to five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to 12 people.

What happens at Los Arcos de Mismaloya?

You have about 45 minutes to swim or snorkel at Los Arcos National Preserve. Captain Carlos leads the snorkeling activity, and equipment is provided.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

What can I do at Las Gemelas Beach?

You can swim, use the floats, try the SUP paddle board, or sunbathe on the yacht’s cushions. The stop lasts about one hour.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes sandwiches and a salad trio served on board.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be over four years old to participate.