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

Yelapa is best reached by water. This private yacht trip pairs a slow cruise along Puerto Vallarta’s coast with snorkeling at Los Arcos and a beach stop in Yelapa. I like the flexible snorkeling plan, since the crew can shift the water stop to Majahuitas if conditions are poor, and I like the quiet, private setting far more than a crowded day boat. The main drawback is the price: at $1,225 per person, this makes sense mainly for a group that values its own yacht and attentive service.

The seven-hour route includes an open bar, snacks, snorkeling gear, WiFi, air conditioning, and a restroom. I also appreciate that the crew pays close attention to return timing, a big help if you are visiting Puerto Vallarta from a cruise ship. You should still budget separately for lunch in Yelapa and any horseback riding or ATV trip.

Key points to know before you book

• Los Arcos comes first: Reach the famous rock reserve after about 1 hour and 15 minutes of cruising, with time for photographs and possible snorkeling through the caves.
• Majahuitas is the backup water stop: If conditions at Los Arcos are not suitable, snorkeling can move to Majahuitas Beach.
• Yelapa gives you real time ashore: You can eat at a beach restaurant, relax, walk through town, and visit a waterfall.
• The yacht has practical comforts: Open bar, chips and guacamole, other snacks, air conditioning, WiFi, snorkeling equipment, and an onboard restroom are included.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised: Past outings have included humpback whales, dolphins, and rays.
• The price favors groups: The private format and crew service are valuable, but lunch, shore activities, and transport to the marina are separate expenses.

A private day on Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast

This is not a quick boat ride with a few rushed stops. The trip takes about seven hours, and much of that time is spent moving at an easy pace along the coast. That matters because the boat ride itself is part of the experience.

You begin at Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta. From there, the route heads south toward Los Arcos, passing the Puerto Vallarta shoreline. Keep your camera ready for views of the Malecón and the city’s well-known church crown. The cruise to Los Arcos takes roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, so this is a good morning for sitting forward, watching the coast, and settling into the yacht.

The private format is the central selling point. Only your own group takes part, so you are not working around a large boatload of strangers or a fixed public-tour rhythm. That lets the crew spend more time responding to your group, within the limits of weather and sea conditions.

Past outings have included groups of 12 and 14, and the company has used yachts including a 55-foot boat called Ruby and a vessel named Escándalo. The exact boat for your departure is not specified, so I would confirm that point if the yacht itself is important to you.

Los Arcos: photographs first, snorkeling second

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the first main stop. The tall rock formations and cave openings make it one of the most recognizable sights along this part of the coast. Even if you do not get into the water, the stop offers a strong photo opportunity, especially with the cave tunnel behind you.

When conditions are acceptable, the crew leads a snorkeling session around and through the caves. About 30 minutes is allotted at Los Arcos, so this is an active stop rather than a full morning in the water. The crew provides snorkeling equipment, and one outing included praise for the fit of the flippers. That small detail matters. Poorly fitting gear can turn a pleasant swim into a battle with your feet.

Sea conditions control what happens here. If the water is too rough or visibility is poor, the crew can move the snorkeling to Majahuitas Beach. That flexibility is useful, but you should not book this trip expecting a guaranteed cave swim. The route gives you a good chance to snorkel, not a promise of a particular site.

Wildlife is another possible bonus. Humpback whales, dolphins, and rays have been seen on past trips. These sightings depend on the day and season, so treat them as luck rather than part of the guaranteed program. The crew may slow the yacht when something worth watching appears, but that can also affect the pace of the day.

Majahuitas provides a calmer backup

After Los Arcos, the yacht cruises for about 45 minutes toward Majahuitas. The stated plan is to pass by Majahuitas and use it for snorkeling if Los Arcos is not suitable.

This backup plan gives the crew room to work with actual sea conditions instead of forcing everyone into one fixed location. For you, that means the day is less likely to lose its main water activity because of wind or waves at the first stop.

Majahuitas is not listed as a separate long shore visit on this tour. Its role here is mainly as an alternate snorkeling area. If snorkeling is your top priority, ask the crew at the start of the trip how they expect conditions to look and how they decide between the two sites.

Yelapa means lunch, beach time, and a waterfall

From Majahuitas, the cruise to Yelapa takes about 30 minutes. The yacht then spends about two hours in the Yelapa area, where you can go ashore for lunch and free time.

Yelapa is a small coastal community reached by water, and the setting feels different from central Puerto Vallarta. Here you can choose a beachside restaurant, order lunch, and spend time near the water without rushing through a formal sightseeing program. Lunch is not included, so bring room in your budget for food and drinks on shore. The yacht’s open bar does not cover restaurant purchases in Yelapa.

You can also walk through town toward a scenic waterfall. The route is described as a hike, with optional ATV or horseback transport available for about $20 to $30. Those activities are separate from the yacht fare. If you want a quieter afternoon, skip the extra ride and use the time for lunch and the beach.

The two-hour stop is enough for a meal and one additional activity, but it is not an all-day Yelapa visit. You may need to choose between a longer lunch, a waterfall walk, and relaxed beach time. I would decide before arriving, particularly if your group includes children or people who do not want a walk in the heat.

One unusual detail from a past outing was an iguana encounter during the Yelapa visit. That is not a listed feature or a promised part of the tour, but it captures the informal character of the stop. Yelapa is not presented as a polished resort complex. It is a place for a casual meal, a walk, and time by the sea.

The return cruise is part of the value

The trip back to Marina Vallarta takes about two hours. That is a long ride if you have already spent the day in the sun, but it can also be one of the nicest parts of the outing. The route opens up time for drinks, conversation, photographs, and views of the coast from the water.

Past departures have included sunset views and, on one outing, a full moon rising after sunset. Those sights depend on the departure time and date, so they are not guaranteed. Still, the slow return makes this feel more like a full yacht day than a simple transfer to Yelapa.

The crew’s attention to timing is especially important for cruise passengers. One group arranged a private van from near the pier and reached the yacht without trouble, while the crew kept a close eye on the time needed to return to port. If you are sailing on a tight schedule, give the operator your ship’s departure time before booking and confirm the pickup plan. The listed meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta, not the cruise terminal.

What is included on the yacht

The onboard package is generous for a full-day private charter. You receive water, soda, juices, beer, and cocktails through the open bar. Snacks include chips and guacamole, and past trips also served pastries, croissants, bread, and fresh fruit.

The crew has been praised for keeping drinks filled and responding before people had to ask. That kind of service is one reason the cost can make sense for a special occasion or a larger private group. You are paying not only for the boat ride, but also for a crew that handles drinks, gear, timing, and the practical details of the day.

The yacht also has air conditioning, WiFi, and a restroom. Those features matter on a seven-hour outing, particularly in hot weather or with children. The air conditioning does not mean you should ignore sun protection. You will still spend time outdoors at the bow, during snorkeling, and on shore.

A private van transfer is not listed as a standard inclusion. One group arranged one separately for pickup near the cruise pier. I would ask about transportation before the day of departure rather than assuming the marina meeting point is close to your hotel or ship.

Is $1,225 per person good value?

The price is high. At $1,225 per person, this is not a budget beach excursion, and the fare does not include lunch, ATV rides, horseback riding, or other shore purchases.

The value depends almost entirely on your group size and priorities. If you want a private yacht, an open bar, crew service, snorkeling equipment, and a flexible schedule, the package combines many costs into one day. It can also work well for a birthday, anniversary, family gathering, or reunion where privacy matters more than finding the lowest fare.

If you are a couple or a small group mainly interested in seeing Los Arcos and Yelapa, the price may feel hard to justify. A shared boat or simpler water excursion could cost less, though it would not offer the same private setting or level of service.

The yacht comforts also help explain the price. Air conditioning, a restroom, drinks, snacks, WiFi, and a crew focused only on your group are useful over seven hours. Still, I would compare the total cost for your full party, then add lunch and shore activities, before deciding.

Who will enjoy this yacht day most?

This trip suits you if you want a relaxed day on the water rather than a tightly packed list of sights. It works especially well for families, couples celebrating an occasion, and groups that want to talk, eat, snorkel, and set their own pace.

Children must be older than four. A past group included five-year-old twins who enjoyed the outing and nonalcoholic piña coladas, but every family should consider how its children handle a long boat ride, sun, and time on shore.

The tour also suits cruise passengers who can arrange a reliable schedule to and from Marina Vallarta. The crew has experience paying attention to ship timing, but you remain responsible for allowing enough time to reach the meeting point and return to your vessel.

You may want another option if you dislike long stretches on a boat, need a guaranteed snorkeling site, or want lunch included. You should also think twice if your main goal is a full day in Yelapa, since the shore portion lasts about two hours and the rest of the day is spent cruising.

Booking details worth checking

Confirmation is received at booking, and the activity is offered in English. The experience is private, with only your group participating. It is near public transportation, and most people can take part, though the snorkeling portion naturally requires comfort in the water.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The trip depends on good weather. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The listed operating information shows Monday from 10:00 a.m. to noon for the stated date range. Because that information is narrower than the seven-hour tour itself, I would confirm your exact departure time directly before relying on it.

Should you book this private Yelapa tour?

Book it if you want a polished private day with a caring crew, flexible snorkeling, open drinks, and enough time to enjoy the ride itself. The strongest reasons are the quiet yacht setting, the option to shift snorkeling from Los Arcos to Majahuitas, and the chance to combine sea views with a real stop in Yelapa.

I would pass if price is your main concern or if you want a longer Yelapa visit. The high fare becomes easier to defend when divided among a larger group that values privacy and service. Before paying, confirm the boat, departure time, transportation from your lodging or ship, and the expected snorkeling plan.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about seven hours. The cruise to Los Arcos takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, the route to Majahuitas takes about 45 minutes, the cruise to Yelapa takes about 30 minutes, and the return to Marina Vallarta takes about two hours.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and snorkeling is planned at Los Arcos when conditions are suitable. If conditions prevent snorkeling there, the activity can move to Majahuitas Beach.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks purchased at the beachside restaurants in Yelapa are not included.

Are ATV rides and horseback rides included?

No. These shore activities cost approximately $20 to $30 per person and are paid separately.

What drinks and snacks are included?

The yacht includes water, soda, juices, beer, and cocktails. Chips and guacamole are listed as snacks, and past outings have also included pastries, bread, and fresh fruit.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be older than four years. The activity is private, so only your own group participates.