Private Yacht, Sightseeing, Snorkeling and Private beaches

Set sail for a quieter side of Vallarta. This private yacht outing gives your group a flexible half-day on Bahía de Banderas, with coastal views, beach stops, fishing, snorkeling, and time around Los Arcos de Mismaloya. You get the boat to yourselves, up to 12 people, which makes the trip feel more personal than a standard shared cruise.

I especially like the private setting and the included gear. You can play your own music through Bluetooth, bring lunch, fish from the boat, or simply stretch out and enjoy the view. I also like that snorkeling equipment, a kayak, bottled water, a cooler with ice, and an onboard restroom are included. The main drawback is price: at $1,015 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger party or a special occasion.

The trip lasts about three to four hours, though the listed stops account for roughly two and a half hours of scheduled activity. Snorkeling conditions can vary, and the water may feel cool at certain times of year. Since the booking is non-refundable unless poor weather forces cancellation, choose your date carefully.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• A yacht reserved for your group: The private format works especially well for families, couples, birthday outings, and friends who want control over the pace.

• Los Arcos is the main natural attraction: The protected rock formations offer the best chance to see colorful fish, octopuses, and sea turtles.

• Beach time is flexible: The route passes Playa Las Gemelas, Punta Negra, and the Bungee area, with chances to swim or enjoy the shore.

• Fishing is included as an option: Rods are provided, so you can cast a line while the yacht is moving or stopped.

• Bring your own meal and drinks: Lunch and alcohol are not included, but plates, cups, a cooler, ice, and bottled water are supplied.

• The cost is easier to justify with a full group: At up to 12 people, the price works out to about $85 per person before any food or drinks you bring along.

Leaving Marina Vallarta for Bahía de Banderas

The meeting point is on Calle Popa in Marina Vallarta. From there, the yacht heads south through Bahía de Banderas, with views back toward downtown Puerto Vallarta and the mountains behind the city.

That opening stretch is one of the best parts of the trip if you enjoy being on the water without a packed schedule. You are not being rushed from one attraction to another. You can sit upstairs for more privacy, listen to your own music through Bluetooth, or stay near the crew and ask about the places along the coast.

The boat includes a restroom, which matters on a three to four hour outing. You also get bottled water, a cooler with ice, plates, and cups. Those basics make it easier to bring your own lunch or snacks without turning the trip into a packing project.

The crew’s approach appears flexible. If you want a relaxed ride, you can simply enjoy the yacht and the views. If your group wants more activity, you can swim, snorkel, fish, or use the kayak. That freedom is a major reason to choose a private trip instead of a fixed group cruise.

Playa Las Gemelas and the Southern Beaches

The first part of the route focuses on the coast south of Puerto Vallarta. You pass Playa Las Gemelas, Punta Negra, and the Bungee area while looking back at the city and the surrounding mountains.

Playa Las Gemelas is a good early stop because it gives you a chance to settle into the boat and decide how active you want the rest of the outing to be. You can swim for a while, enjoy the beach, or remain onboard. The timing is flexible enough for your group to shape the stop around your interests.

The route allows about two hours for this first section. That is a useful amount of time for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can get in the water, children can enjoy a shorter swim, and anyone who prefers a dry afternoon can stay aboard without feeling left out.

Fishing rods are provided during this part of the trip. I would treat fishing as a pleasant extra rather than the main purpose of the excursion. The information provided does not promise a catch, so the value is in trying it from the yacht while taking in the coastline.

One important detail: the route includes beach areas and swimming opportunities, but the schedule does not promise extended time on a private beach. If your priority is a guaranteed secluded beach visit, confirm the exact stop and access details before booking. The stronger promise here is a private boat, not a guaranteed private shoreline.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya and the Snorkeling Stop

After the beach section, the yacht continues to Los Arcos de Mismaloya. These tall rock formations are among Puerto Vallarta’s best-known coastal sights, and the surrounding water is a nationally protected area.

The scheduled stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a focused snorkeling session, but it is not a long open-water expedition. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment to look for colorful fish, octopuses, and sea turtles. Conditions will affect what you see, so keep expectations sensible. Marine life is never guaranteed, and water clarity can change.

If you would rather not snorkel, you can relax and enjoy the rock formations from the yacht. The crew can also take pictures, which is a useful touch for anyone who wants a few record shots without having to manage a phone around salt water.

The protected status of Los Arcos adds value beyond the scenery. This is not simply a photo stop beside interesting rocks. It is a recognized marine area where the main appeal comes from the life in the water as well as the formations above it.

A practical tip: bring a towel and swimwear, even if you are unsure about snorkeling. The schedule includes opportunities to get in the water before Los Arcos, and you may change your mind once you see the setting. One past outing also noted that the water was a little cool in March, so the time of year can affect how long you want to stay in the water.

What Makes the Private Yacht Format Worth the Cost

The $1,015 price covers the whole group, with a limit of 12 people. That is a high upfront price for two people, but the calculation changes with a larger party.

For six people, the cost is about $169 per person. For 12, it is about $85 per person. Those figures do not include lunch or alcohol, but they do include the boat, crew, snorkeling gear, fishing rods, kayak, water, ice, cups, plates, and restroom.

The private format is the real value. You are not sharing the boat with strangers, waiting for a large group to board, or following a rigid social schedule. A couple can keep the day quiet and private. A family can adjust the pace around different swimming abilities. A birthday group can bring food, play music, and make the yacht the main event.

The experience also has a personal-celebration angle. One outing included a birthday celebration with homemade ceviche, and another group arranged food delivery to the boat through Uber Eats. Those details suggest that the crew can help make the day feel tailored, though homemade ceviche and food delivery should not be treated as standard inclusions.

If you are booking for only two people, compare the price with shared sailing or snorkeling options in Puerto Vallarta. You will pay a premium here for privacy, space, and control. If you have eight to 12 people, the price becomes much easier to defend.

Food, Drinks, Music, and Onboard Comfort

Lunch is not included, and alcoholic drinks are not included either. You can bring your own meal, however, and the yacht provides plates, cups, a cooler, and ice. Bottled water is also included.

That setup gives you more control than a standard excursion menu. You can bring food your group actually likes instead of accepting a fixed lunch. It also lets you plan a birthday meal, picnic, or simple snacks around the schedule.

The yacht has Bluetooth, so you can play your own music. This is a small feature, but it helps set the mood on a private trip. Keep the volume considerate if the crew needs to communicate with you, especially around swimming and snorkeling stops.

The upper part of the yacht offers more privacy. That may matter most to couples or groups who want quiet time between activities. The boat was described as clean, safe, and comfortable, with attentive service and regular checks to see if anything was needed.

Do not assume that every food item pictured or mentioned elsewhere is included. The confirmed inclusions are water, ice, plates, cups, and the equipment listed. Plan to bring lunch and any alcohol yourself.

Who Will Enjoy This Outing Most

I would recommend this yacht trip to people who value privacy more than the lowest possible price. It fits couples looking for a special day, families who want room to spread out, and groups celebrating a birthday or another occasion.

It is also a strong choice for groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another fishes. Someone else can use the kayak, swim near a beach, or remain on deck. That flexibility is harder to find on a shared tour.

The outing may be less suitable if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. Los Arcos receives about 30 minutes in the schedule, so this is a sightseeing cruise with snorkeling, not a dedicated full-day marine excursion.

It may also disappoint anyone expecting a luxury meal service or an all-inclusive bar. Food and alcohol are extra, and you need to organize those yourself. The yacht provides the setting and equipment, while you supply much of the picnic side of the day.

Timing, Weather, and Booking Details

The operating hours shown for this experience are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Sunday. The actual outing lasts approximately three to four hours and returns to the Marina Vallarta meeting point.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is private, and only your group participates. Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation.

Weather matters. If poor weather causes cancellation, you receive the choice of a different date or a full refund. In normal circumstances, however, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed. I would avoid booking this as a last-minute gamble if your plans may shift.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of about 26 days before departure. That is worth noting if you are visiting during a busy holiday period or planning a birthday outing. Reserve early, then check your confirmation for the exact meeting details.

Should You Book the Puerto Vayacht Experience?

Book it if you want a private yacht, flexible beach time, a short snorkeling stop at Los Arcos, and the freedom to bring your own food and music. The most praised qualities are the friendly service, clean boat, private atmosphere, scenic route, and care taken with special occasions.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to a group of six or more. At that size, the per-person price becomes more reasonable, and the private space has real value. For two people, the outing can still be memorable, but you are paying a large premium for exclusivity.

Choose another tour if you want a long snorkeling session, included lunch and cocktails, or guaranteed beach seclusion. Also keep in mind that the water may feel cool during some months and that weather can affect the schedule.

For the right group, this is less about checking off a list of sights and more about having your own boat for an easy half-day on the bay. That is the reason to book.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht tour cost?

The price is $1,015 per group of up to 12 people. Lunch and alcoholic drinks are not included.

How long does the yacht experience last?

The outing lasts approximately three to four hours. The beach and coastal portion takes about two hours, followed by about 30 minutes at Los Arcos de Mismaloya.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Calle Popa in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The yacht returns to the same meeting point at the end.

Is the yacht shared with other people?

No. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates. The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with a kayak, fishing rods, bottled water, a cooler with ice, plates, cups, and an onboard restroom.

Can I bring lunch and alcohol?

You can bring your own lunch. Plates, cups, a cooler, and ice are provided. Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Under normal circumstances, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.