Puerto Vallarta: Luxury Yacht Tour with Lunch and Open Bar

The best views begin offshore. This five-hour yacht trip gives you a comfortable way to see the Bay of Banderas, with time for snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, lunch, and an open bar. I like the combination of active water time and easy deck lounging, and I especially like that towels, gear, food, and drinks are included.

The trip also earns points for its friendly service. Guide Charlie received special praise for being kind and accommodating, while other guides were described as helpful and safety-minded when the waves grew. The main drawback is time: you can spend more than two hours aboard just getting to and from the swimming area, leaving a fairly short window for water activities.

At $119 per person, this is not a cheap half-day boat ride. Add the required $28 harbor fee, payable in cash, and your basic cost becomes $147 before any optional photos. You are paying for a polished yacht, food, service, equipment, and the convenience of having everything arranged.

Five things to know before you book

• Majahuitas Cove is the main prize: This rainforest-backed beach south of Puerto Vallarta is where the swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding take place.
• The boat ride is a major part of the day: Plan on about 1.5 hours outbound and another 1.5 hours returning, with scenic views and possible sightings of whales, dolphins, turtles, and tropical fish.
• The boat can feel comfortable rather than crowded: One recent outing carried about 25 people, with lounge areas and four bathrooms, though another account described a boat holding at least 50.
• Your $119 fare does not include everything: Bring $28 cash for the harbor fee. Lunch, an open bar, towels, snorkeling equipment, and a paddleboard are included.
• Morning logistics matter: A departure account described arriving by 8 a.m. for security and harbor payment, with the boat leaving at 8:30 a.m.
• This suits active, able-bodied adults and older children best: The operator says the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.

Setting out across the Bay of Banderas

The trip begins from one of two meeting points at Puerto Vallarta: Las Palmas 39 or Puerto Mágico. The exact boat and meeting details can vary, so contact Vallarta Adventures before departure and confirm where you need to go. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Puerto Mágico is a useful reference point if your hotel is nearby. One recent passenger walked there, arrived around 8 a.m., paid the harbor fee, passed through a metal detector, and boarded for an 8:30 a.m. departure. That account is a helpful reminder to allow time for port procedures rather than arriving at the last minute.

Everyone must pass through airport-style security at the federal cruise port. Bring a passport or ID card, and leave pets, luggage, and large bags behind. The restrictions are sensible for a boat excursion, but they can catch you off guard if you are coming directly from another activity.

Once aboard, the pace becomes much easier. The yacht has comfortable seating, places to stretch out, and space for sunbathing. One account described four bathrooms and about 25 people on board, with plenty of room to lounge. Another described a much larger boat with at least 50 people, so your sense of personal space may depend on the vessel assigned that day.

That difference matters. This is sold as a luxury yacht experience, but luxury here means attentive service, a well-equipped boat, food, and drinks rather than a private charter. If you want silence and total privacy, this is not the right format. If you want someone else to handle the details while you watch the coast, it makes more sense.

The long scenic run south

The first stretch lasts about 1.5 hours. That is a substantial part of a five-hour tour, but the crossing is not dead time. You get changing views of Puerto Vallarta’s coast and the Bay of Banderas, with open water, rocky shoreline, and forested hills around the southern end of the bay.

Keep your eyes on the water. The trip is designed to give you a chance to spot dolphins, sea turtles, whales, and tropical fish. Sightings are never guaranteed, and conditions vary, but one outing reported seeing many whales and dolphins during the boat ride.

Whale sightings are most likely to add excitement during the right season, while dolphins and other marine life may appear at different times of year. The responsible way to view this part of the tour is as a chance to see wildlife, not a promise of a particular animal.

The boat ride is also where the included service begins to matter. You can settle into a lounge seat, order a drink from the open bar, and let the crew manage the route. A fruit snack was served early on one outing, and the food and drink service received strong praise. This is a good setup for someone who wants a social day at sea rather than a bare-bones transport ride.

Still, bring patience. One passenger felt that the day involved more than two hours of navigation for only about 30 minutes in the water, plus a short beach stop. The published schedule gives you 1.5 hours each way, so the boat ride is not an unexpected detail. It is simply important to decide if you enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Majahuitas Cove and the water activities

The main stop is Playa Majahuitas, a secluded beach area south of Puerto Vallarta. Thick tropical rainforest surrounds the cove, giving it a more remote feel than the city beaches. The setting is the reason to choose this tour over a simple harbor cruise.

You get about two hours at the stop, with time for snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, swimming, and relaxing. Snorkeling equipment and a paddleboard are included, so you do not need to rent those separately. Towels are also provided, which is one less item to pack.

The water activities are flexible rather than highly structured. You can join in, spend time on the beach, or remain aboard and enjoy the deck. That makes the tour workable for couples or groups with mixed interests. One person can snorkel while another lounges with a drink, though the exact amount of time in each activity may depend on sea conditions and the crew’s schedule.

Snorkeling conditions can change. One outing had larger waves than usual, but the guides took care to keep people safe. You should expect the crew to adjust the activity if conditions are rough, and you should not assume that the water will be calm simply because the bay looks sheltered from shore.

The cove offers a chance to see tropical fish and perhaps turtles or other marine life. Visibility and sightings are not guaranteed. This is a pleasant coastal snorkeling stop, not a specialist wildlife expedition.

Paddleboarding adds variety, particularly if you do not want to spend all your time swimming. If you prefer to stay dry, the boat’s deck and the beach offer easier options. I like this freedom because a five-hour outing can feel tiring if every minute is treated as a scheduled activity.

A small caution: one account described only about 30 minutes of snorkeling, followed by time near another area where people could swim to an island. The official schedule allows two hours at Majahuitas, but the exact breakdown may shift. Ask the crew how much time you will have for each activity once you arrive.

Lunch, drinks, and the ride home

After the water stop, the boat begins the 1.5-hour return to Puerto Vallarta. Lunch is served during this part of the outing, and the open bar remains available. Food was described as tasty, with attentive drink service throughout the day.

The included lunch helps justify part of the price. You are not paying $119 for transport alone. The fare covers the yacht ride, crew service, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard, towels, lunch, and open bar. If you would otherwise pay separately for a meal, water gear, and a boat trip, the package becomes easier to defend.

Even so, the value depends on how you use the day. Someone who spends most of the stop swimming and snorkeling, enjoys the food, and appreciates a well-served boat may consider it worthwhile. Someone who wants a long beach stay or hours in the water may find the schedule too compressed.

Alcohol is included, but the open bar should not be the only reason to book. You are still spending much of the day in transit, and drinking heavily on a moving boat is a poor match for swimming and paddleboarding. The better approach is to enjoy the service in moderation and keep enough energy for the water.

The return ride also gives you a final chance to sit on deck and watch the coast. On a sunny day, that relaxed finish may feel like part of the attraction. In rough weather, the long crossing could feel less comfortable. The tour operates rain or shine, so weather flexibility is important.

Group size, service, and the luxury question

The strongest part of this experience is the crew. Guides were praised for friendly service, careful attention, and help in bigger waves. Charlie was singled out for being especially accommodating, which suggests that the staff can make a real difference when the boat is busy or conditions are less than perfect.

The word luxury needs a little context. You get lounge seating, an open bar, lunch, water equipment, towels, and crew service. You do not get a private yacht or a completely personal itinerary. Group size can vary by boat, and the accounts range from around 25 people to at least 50.

That range is worth considering before you pay. A group of 25 may feel pleasantly social without becoming crowded. A group of 50 or more may feel more like a polished shared excursion. Ask Vallarta Adventures which boat is scheduled if group size is a major concern.

Photography may also be offered during the day. One passenger reported that onboard photos were available for about $160, but this price was not included in the tour fare and may vary. Do not treat souvenir photos as part of the package, and decide in advance if you want to spend extra on them.

Is $147 a fair price for five hours?

The listed fare is $119, but the required $28 harbor fee brings the practical starting cost to $147 per person. Since the fee must be paid in cash, prepare for that expense before you reach the port.

At that price, the tour is good value for people who want convenience. You receive a full boat outing, a rainforest-backed coastal stop, snorkeling and paddleboarding, lunch, drinks, towels, and service. You also avoid arranging separate transport, water gear, and food.

The value is weaker if your priority is maximum time on the beach. A large share of the day is spent cruising, and the active portion may feel brief if sea conditions, group movement, or the schedule limit water time.

I would compare it with the cost of a basic boat trip before booking, but not only on price. The cheaper option may not include a meal, open bar, towels, or the same level of service. The more expensive private option may give you more control and privacy. This shared yacht sits between those two choices.

Who should book this yacht tour?

I would recommend it to couples, friends, and families who want a comfortable day on the water without planning every detail. It is especially suitable if you like scenic cruising, casual snorkeling, a beach stop, and a social atmosphere.

It also works well for a group with different energy levels. You can swim, paddleboard, or snorkel, then return to the deck for lunch and drinks. The open format means you do not have to be athletic to enjoy the outing.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a private sailing experience, a long beach stay, or serious snorkeling. It may also be a poor fit if you have limited mobility, use a wheelchair, or dislike boat rides that can become rough. The operator specifically says the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users.

The tour runs rain or shine. Check the forecast, but do not assume poor weather will automatically cancel the outing. You should be comfortable with that uncertainty before booking.

My verdict: book it for the boat day, not just the beach

I like this excursion most as a complete day at sea. The crew service, comfortable yacht, included lunch, open bar, and choice of water activities create an easygoing package, and the chance of seeing whales or dolphins adds a welcome bit of excitement.

I would book it if you enjoy the cruise itself and accept that Majahuitas may provide only a limited period for snorkeling and swimming. I would skip it if your main goal is several hours on a quiet beach or a private boat with a custom route.

Before paying, confirm your meeting point, arrive early enough for the harbor fee and security, bring cash for the $28 charge, and pack only what you need. With those details handled, this can be a polished and enjoyable introduction to Puerto Vallarta’s coast.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour?

The tour lasts five hours. The schedule includes about 1.5 hours cruising to the coastal stop, about two hours at Playa Majahuitas, and about 1.5 hours returning to Puerto Vallarta.

What is included in the tour price?

Snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, towels, lunch, and an open bar are included.

Is the harbor fee included?

No. You must pay a $28 per-person harbor fee in cash.

Where does the tour depart from?

There are two possible pickup locations: Las Palmas 39 and Puerto Mágico. Contact Vallarta Adventures before departure to confirm the exact meeting point and boat details.

Can I snorkel and paddleboard during the tour?

Yes. The Playa Majahuitas stop includes time for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding. Swimming and free time are also part of the stop.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also be prepared to pay the harbor fee in cash.

Can I bring luggage or pets?

No. Pets, luggage, and large bags are not allowed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.