Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

A full day on the bay earns its keep. This six-hour cruise pairs Yelapa’s waterfall with snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, meals, and an open bar. I like the easy all-in-one format, especially when the crew keeps food and drinks moving without making you plan every detail.

I also like the choice of moods onboard. You can join the music and social energy, or find a quieter shaded seat upstairs. The main caution is time: you are fitting water activities, lunch, Yelapa, and the waterfall into one outing, so some people may want longer to swim or snorkel.

At $117.60 per person, this is good value if you plan to use the meals, drinks, equipment, and entertainment. It is less appealing if your main goal is serious snorkeling or a long, quiet afternoon on the beach.

Key points to know before booking

• Two meeting points: Check in at Chica Locca Tours at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village, depending on the option you select.
• The boat is a catamaran: It is marketed as a mega yacht, but you should picture a spacious, comfortable catamaran rather than a private luxury yacht.
• Snorkeling time is limited: The first stop includes snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, slides, and swimming, but the schedule also makes room for Yelapa and the waterfall.
• Food and drinks are included: Breakfast, fajitas, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas are part of the package.
• The waterfall requires a walk: The trail takes about 15 minutes, though one section can feel steep or tiring for anyone with limited mobility.
• The atmosphere is social: DJs, dancing, group activities, and friendly crew members make this a lively boat day, not a quiet nature cruise.

From Puerto Vallarta to the open water

Your day begins with check-in at the selected departure point. If you are meeting at Puerto Mágico, remember that this is a federal maritime port with security screening. Liquids, drugs, weapons, electronic cigarettes, and vapes are not allowed through the port security area.

Once onboard, the crew settles you into the catamaran as the boat heads south across Banderas Bay. The seating includes shaded areas, and the boat has room to move around rather than forcing everyone into one cramped row.

Breakfast is simple and practical: fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. It is enough to get you started without weighing you down before the water activities.

The scenery is one of the pleasures of the outbound ride. You get broad views along the Puerto Vallarta coast and the southern edge of the bay. During whale season, you might also spot humpback whales, and dolphins have been seen during the cruise.

The bar opens early and remains available throughout the day. The selection includes water, mineral water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. The open bar adds real value, but it also shapes the mood. This is a festive excursion, and the crew encourages people to socialize.

Playa Chica Locca brings the action

After about an hour of sailing, the boat reaches Playa Chica Locca near Quimixto. This is the main water-activity stop, so it is the place to make your priorities clear.

You can use the snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattress, and waterslides. The yacht also has a second-deck jump point for confident swimmers who want a more dramatic entrance. You do not have to join every activity. You can sit in the shade, watch the action, or swim at your own pace.

The snorkeling can be enjoyable, especially when the water is clear. One recent outing allowed about 40 minutes in the water, with plenty of fish visible. But conditions in the bay can change, and cloudy water is possible. The cruise is not best viewed as a dedicated snorkeling expedition.

There has also been a practical concern with equipment availability when the boat is full. The maximum group size is listed as 115 people, and a large group can mean more competition for snorkels and water toys. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask at check-in how equipment is being managed and get organized early.

The crew keeps the first stop lively. Music, drinks, and water activities run together, so the setting feels more like a floating beach club than a quiet marine outing. That is a plus for couples, families with older children, and friends who want variety. It may be tiring if you prefer a calm boat ride.

Lunch arrives fresh from the beach kitchen

After the first water stop, the crew serves guacamole and blue corn chips, along with other snacks such as potato chips. An onboard massage is also available, and you can sign up during the trip.

Lunch is Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. The food is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and brought to the boat. That detail matters because lunch is not just a prepackaged snack tossed onto a buffet. It is served as a proper hot meal during the cruise to Yelapa.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you need to request them when booking. Do not wait until you are hungry at lunchtime.

Food and drink are among the strongest parts of the day. The crew keeps plates, snacks, and beverages coming, and the service is often praised for being attentive without long gaps. The staff also keeps the boat clean during the trip, which becomes especially useful after swimming and beach visits.

The massage is complimentary, but it is not always announced clearly enough for everyone to notice. If that interests you, ask about signing up soon after boarding. It is easy to miss when the music, drinks, and water activities begin.

Yelapa offers a different kind of afternoon

Yelapa is a small coastal village where two rivers meet the sea. Reaching it by boat gives you a change of pace from the open-water party atmosphere.

The yacht docks at a pier, and you can choose how to spend the stop. You can walk into the village, relax on the beach, stay onboard, swim in the bay, or join the walk to the waterfall.

The waterfall trail takes about 15 minutes. It is accessible for many people, but it is not completely effortless. Some sections can feel steep, and the walk may be uncomfortable for anyone with limited mobility or poor balance. Wear shoes that can handle an uneven, wet path, and do not assume flip-flops will be ideal.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip beneath the cascade or simply enjoy the setting and take photos. The stop is scenic, but it is shorter than a dedicated Yelapa village visit. You are not getting several hours to explore every side street or linger on the beach.

This is where the itinerary requires a choice. If you want the waterfall, leave the boat promptly and follow the group. If you want the best chance for a relaxed swim, skip the walk and stay near the yacht. Trying to do everything can make the stop feel rushed.

Some people find they have less time for swimming and beach exploration than expected. That is not a flaw in the destination. It is the tradeoff created by combining a boat party, snorkeling, lunch, a village visit, and a waterfall in roughly six hours.

A catamaran, not a private yacht

The title may lead you to picture a large private yacht with a small personal crew. The actual vessel is a spacious catamaran designed for a group excursion.

That distinction matters. Catamarans are well suited to this kind of outing because they offer broad deck space, comfortable seating, shaded areas, and room for water equipment. You get more stability and social space than on a small speedboat.

You do not get the quiet or exclusivity of a private charter. With a possible maximum of 115 people, the feel can change greatly depending on the number booked. A smaller departure may feel relaxed and personal. A full boat will be louder and busier, particularly around the bar and water toys.

The upper level can be a useful escape from the music. One area is described as having quieter music, giving you a place to sit and watch the bay without being in the center of the party.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David are known for keeping the energy up, bringing people together, and making the six hours pass quickly. The style is playful and outgoing rather than formal.

That enthusiasm usually works well, but the social tone is not for everyone. If you want a silent morning at sea, bring realistic expectations. You are booking a hosted group adventure.

What the $117.60 price really covers

At $117.60, the price looks reasonable once you count what is included. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, breakfast, a hot fajita lunch, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, the floating water mattress, entertainment, and access to the Yelapa and waterfall stops.

A similar day planned separately would require arranging transport, meals, drinks, water equipment, and a boat. The package removes that work. I especially like the value for people who want a simple vacation day where the details are handled onboard.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not eat much, and plan to spend most of the day on the beach. It is also not the best match for someone who wants extensive snorkeling time, because the activities compete for space in the schedule.

Gratuities are not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to reach your selected meeting point yourself. Photos are sold separately by the onboard photographer.

The operator currently has a 4.8 rating from 2,515 reviews, with 96 percent of customers recommending the experience. Those numbers suggest strong overall satisfaction, especially with the crew, food, drinks, and fun atmosphere. They should not hide the recurring limitations: limited swim time, changing snorkeling conditions, and the occasional equipment shortage.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several experiences in one day:

• A social boat ride with music and group energy
• Easy access to drinks and meals
• A chance to swim, snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard
• A short visit to Yelapa and its waterfall
• A comfortable day where you do not need to arrange each detail

It suits couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people onboard. One family even found the day comfortable for a senior parent, though the waterfall walk should be considered carefully.

You may want another tour if you are seeking a quiet sailing trip, a serious snorkeling session, a long beach afternoon, or a small private boat. You should also think twice if you dislike loud music, group entertainment, or an open-bar atmosphere.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, a towel, a swimsuit, and sturdy footwear for the waterfall walk. The operator supplies the listed water equipment, but you are responsible for the basics that keep you comfortable in the sun.

Booking details that can save trouble

You must choose your meeting point before completing the reservation. The options are Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village, and the selected location affects where you begin the day.

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the excursion. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Most people can participate, but the waterfall walk and water activities require a reasonable level of mobility. If you need a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meal, note it when booking.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations inside that period are not refunded. The tour depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.

Should you book the Yelapa adventure?

Book it if you want a well-fed, well-served day on the bay with many activities packed into one outing. The crew, open bar, hot food, comfortable catamaran, and mix of water time and Yelapa sightseeing make the $117.60 price fair.

Book with care if snorkeling is your top priority. Conditions may be cloudy, equipment can be limited on a full departure, and the schedule gives you only a set amount of time in the water.

My practical verdict is simple: this is a fun all-inclusive boat party with a waterfall stop, not a dedicated snorkeling cruise or a private yacht charter. If that description matches your idea of a good Puerto Vallarta day, it is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa cruise depart from?

You can select either Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village when booking. You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes chicken and beef fajitas with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress are included. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and equipment availability may be more limited when the boat is full.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded.