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

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta yacht trip is the freedom of a private six-hour boat day. You can cruise past the coast, snorkel around the arches of Mismaloya, fish, sunbathe, and spend time at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas without sharing the yacht with a large crowd.

I like the generous setup: room for up to 12 people and a captain, sailor, kayak, snorkel gear, towels, drinks, snacks, and fuel included. I also like that the crew can take you to beaches reached by boat and that captains Gabriel and Carlos have earned praise for attentive service. The main catch is that beach lunch costs extra, and one recent booking included a 400-peso fee to return to the yacht after lunch.

Key points at a glance

• Los Arcos snorkeling: See fish in the clear water around Puerto Vallarta’s famous rock arches.
• Private yacht for up to 12: Your group gets the boat, crew, and schedule without sharing space with strangers.
• Two beach choices: Spend time at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas, with regional food available at an extra cost.
• More than a sightseeing cruise: Sport fishing gear and a kayak are included, along with snorkel equipment.
• Food and drinks onboard: You get 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, two bags of chips, and one ice pack.
• A full six hours: The advertised package combines five hours with one free hour, giving you a substantial day on Banderas Bay.

Six hours on Banderas Bay

This is a private yacht outing built for people who want the sea to be the main event. You spend the day on Banderas Bay, with Puerto Vallarta’s coastline, mountains, and open water providing the setting.

The boat carries up to 12 people, so the price makes the most sense for a family or a full group of friends. At $1,050 per group, the simple division is about $87.50 per person if all 12 places are filled. A smaller group pays more per person, but you still get privacy, a dedicated captain and sailor, fuel, port tax, and use of the onboard equipment.

I like this format for a group with different interests. One person can snorkel while another fishes. Someone else can stay dry on deck with a beer, listen to music, or use the kayak. A shared public cruise often forces everyone into the same activity at the same time. Here, the private setting gives you more control.

The schedule is not listed as a rigid sequence of timed stops, so you should think of this as a flexible boat day rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. The captain and sailor guide the trip, and the exact order of cruising, snorkeling, fishing, and beach time can depend on conditions and your group’s wishes.

Cruising past Puerto Vallarta’s coast

The first pleasure is simply being on the water. From the yacht, you can look back toward the coast and mountains while moving through Banderas Bay. The wide views are a good reason to book this instead of choosing a land-based day trip.

The boat includes fuel, port tax, and crew, which matters because those costs can otherwise appear as unpleasant extras. Towels, life jackets, and an ice pack are also supplied, so you do not need to pack as if you are provisioning a small expedition.

The onboard supplies are practical rather than lavish. You receive 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, and two bags of chips. That covers a light start to the day, but it is not a full lunch for 12 people. If your group wants a longer meal, bring cash for food at the beach or confirm what you may bring onboard before departure.

A Bluetooth sound system lets your group provide the music. That can make the yacht feel more personal, but remember that a private boat does not mean everyone has the same idea of a perfect soundtrack. A little agreement before departure will keep the mood pleasant.

Snorkeling around the arches of Mismaloya

The main water stop is the famous rock formation known as Los Arcos, near Mismaloya. The arches rise from the sea and create one of Puerto Vallarta’s best-known settings for snorkeling.

Snorkel equipment is included, along with life jackets. You can expect to look for fish in the water around the rocks, and one booking reported seeing many fish in this area. The water is described as clear, but sea conditions can change, so visibility is never guaranteed on every outing.

Los Arcos works well for mixed groups because you do not need to be a serious snorkeler to appreciate the setting. Confident swimmers can spend more time in the water, while others can stay aboard and enjoy the view. If you are not comfortable in the sea, use the life jacket and tell the crew before entering the water.

This is also where the tour feels most distinct from a standard bay cruise. You are not only looking at the coast from a distance. You have the chance to get into the water near one of the area’s signature natural sights.

Bring comfortable clothes and shoes, as requested for the activity. A cash supply is also useful because food on the beach is extra, and one booking reported a 400-peso charge connected with returning to the yacht after lunch. That fee is worth clarifying before you leave the boat for your meal.

Fishing, kayaking, and time on deck

Sport fishing gear is included, which adds a welcome second option to the water time. One group caught a fish during the outing. That does not mean a catch is assured, but the equipment gives you a real chance to try instead of treating fishing as a vague promise.

The kayak provides another way to enjoy the bay. The supplied information does not specify the kayak’s size or how long you can use it, so ask the crew about the plan once onboard. It may suit a quiet paddle near a beach or a short change of pace while the rest of your group relaxes.

You can also simply stay on the yacht. This matters more than it sounds. A six-hour boat day can feel long if every minute is packed with activities, but the option to lie back, dry off with a supplied towel, enjoy a drink, and watch the coast gives the day a comfortable rhythm.

The crew is a key part of that comfort. Captains Gabriel and Carlos have been singled out for being friendly, attentive, and careful about keeping people supplied and comfortable. You may not have those exact crew members, but the advertised service includes a captain and sailor, with English and Spanish available.

Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas

The yacht can take you to Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas for beach time. These stops give you a change from the boat and let you spend part of the day on shore.

Playa Colomitos is the smaller, more tucked-away choice of the two, while Playa Animas is another established beach stop in the area. The supplied details do not promise a set amount of time at either beach, so ask the crew how the stop fits into your six-hour schedule.

You can try typical regional dishes at the beach, but food is not included in the yacht price. This is one of the tour’s few significant extra costs. The meal can add a genuine local touch, yet the price may feel high if you have already paid for a private boat and are expecting lunch to be covered.

The 400-peso return fee deserves special attention. One booking reported paying that amount to get back to the yacht after lunch. It may relate to the local beach transfer arrangement, but the available details do not explain it fully. Ask exactly how you will return to the yacht and whether any charge applies before ordering food or leaving the boat.

That small bit of planning can prevent an awkward surprise. Carry cash, as the tour specifically advises, and keep enough aside for beach food and any return transfer.

What the $1,050 price really buys

At first glance, $1,050 is a serious price for a day on the water. The value becomes clearer when you look at the group structure. This is not a per-person public cruise. The entire yacht is reserved for up to 12 people, and the price includes the captain, sailor, fuel, port tax, and equipment.

For 12 people, the cost works out to about $87.50 each. For six people, it rises to $175 each. A group of four pays about $262.50 per person. The more seats you fill, the stronger the value becomes.

You also avoid paying separately for snorkel gear, life jackets, towels, a kayak, fishing equipment, drinks, and fuel. That does not make the trip inexpensive for a small party, but it makes the advertised price easier to understand.

The best comparison is not with a basic shared boat ride. Compare it with another private yacht charter that includes crew, fuel, equipment, and several hours on the bay. If privacy and flexibility matter, this package can be a good deal for a large group.

The supplies are still limited. Twelve beers and 12 bottles of water match a full group at one per person, while two bags of chips are only a snack. Plan to eat at the beach, bring suitable food if allowed, or ask before departure what additional provisions you may arrange.

Who will enjoy this yacht day most

I would recommend this experience most strongly to families, couples traveling with friends, birthday groups, and anyone marking a special occasion. The private format lets you set the tone, and the six-hour duration gives you time to do more than one activity.

It is also a good match for groups with mixed energy levels. Strong swimmers can snorkel, a hopeful angler can use the fishing gear, and less active members can stay on deck or enjoy the beach. The kayak adds another choice without making it the center of the day.

You should think twice if you want a fully catered luxury charter. The included food is only snacks, and beach dishes cost extra. You should also be comfortable with a day that includes sun, water, and changing plans rather than a precise schedule.

This is not the best choice if you are traveling alone or as a couple on a tight budget. The group price rewards filling the boat. A shared excursion may cost less for a small party, though it will not provide the same privacy.

Practical preparation for the boat

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that work for a boat and beach. Bring cash for regional food and possible beach-related charges, including the reported 400-peso return fee after lunch.

The tour provides towels and life jackets, but the supplied details do not mention sunscreen, hats, dry bags, or reef-safe sun protection. You should ask what personal items are permitted and protect anything electronic from spray.

The live guide service is available in Spanish and English. The private group format also means you can communicate directly with the crew about your preferred mix of snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, beach time, and rest.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting. Check available starting times when booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the supplied details.

A good fit for an easygoing private day

The strongest feature here is not one single stop. It is the combination of privacy, equipment, beach access, and unhurried time on the bay. You can see Los Arcos, look for fish, try fishing, stop at a beach, and still have time to relax.

The main limitations are clear enough to manage. Lunch is extra, snacks are modest, the exact schedule is not detailed, and you should ask about the 400-peso return charge before leaving the yacht. Those points do not ruin the experience, but they affect the final cost and your expectations.

The consistently high rating fits the parts of the service that matter most on a private boat: a good vessel, a friendly crew, and attentive care. Captains Gabriel and Carlos received especially strong praise for making a group of six comfortable throughout the day.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta yacht adventure?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,050 cost and want a private day with several ways to enjoy the water. The package is especially appealing if your group values privacy, snorkeling at Los Arcos, beach time, and the freedom to mix activity with rest.

Choose another option if you are a small party watching every peso or if you expect a full lunch and unlimited drinks to be included. Before departure, confirm the beach schedule, lunch arrangements, and the possible 400-peso return fee.

For the right group, this is a flexible and well-stocked way to see Banderas Bay, with enough time to make the day feel like your own.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta private yacht tour?

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

How many people can join the private yacht?

The yacht is available for a private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment and life jackets are included, with snorkeling planned around Los Arcos near Mismaloya.

Are food and drinks included?

The yacht provides 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, two bags of chips, and one ice pack. Lunch and typical regional dishes at the beach cost extra.

Which beaches can the yacht visit?

The activity can take you to Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.