Puerto Vallarta: Private Swim & Snorkel Yacht Tour w/Open Bar

The best views come from the water. This private Puerto Vallarta yacht trip combines snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya, swimming at Las Gemelas Beach, lunch, and a cruise past the Malecon. I especially like the private setup for groups of up to 12 and the open bar, since you are not sharing the boat with strangers.

I also like the way the day mixes active time with easygoing time. You can snorkel with Captain Carlos, use the paddle board and floats, or stretch out on the boat cushions. The main consideration is the price: at $1,978.64 per group, it makes the most sense for a larger party rather than two or three people.

The crew can make a good outing feel personal. Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo received especially warm praise for their service, with Ernesto joining the water activities and explaining local marine life. The long cruising periods are part of the experience, but you should be comfortable spending much of the five-hour outing on the boat.

Key Points Before You Book

• Los Arcos is the main nature stop: You get about 45 minutes to swim or snorkel at the Los Arcos National Preserve.
• The tour is private for up to 12 people: Your group has the yacht and crew to itself.
• Las Gemelas adds a slower beach hour: Swim, use the floats or paddle board, sunbathe on the cushions, and eat lunch on board.
• The open bar is included: Drinks include water, sodas, juices, beer, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages.
• The Malecon appears from a different angle: The return cruise passes Puerto Vallarta’s boardwalk and its iconic church with a crown.
• Plan for a long boat day: Cruising takes about three hours in total, with roughly 90 minutes each way to and from the main stops.

Why This Private Yacht Trip Works for Groups

A private boat changes the feel of a day on the water. You are not working around a large group’s schedule or trying to find space among people you have never met. If you are celebrating with family or friends, the cost can be shared among as many as 12 people, which makes the per-person figure about $165 when the boat is full.

That price includes more than transportation. You get a private yacht experience, snorkeling equipment, a stand-up paddle board, floats, lunch, an open bar, onboard WiFi, and a restroom. The air-conditioned vehicle is also listed among the included features, though the supplied details do not explain exactly how it is used in relation to the boat.

The private format is also useful for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays on board. Someone else can paddle board, swim, or simply sit on the cushions with a drink. That flexibility is hard to get on a tightly scheduled shared excursion.

The tradeoff is value at the smaller end of the group limit. A couple paying the full group price would be spending nearly $1,000 each, which is a steep price for a half-day outing. For eight to 12 people, the math looks much better.

Meeting at Marina Vallarta

The starting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. This gives you a clear place to meet before setting out, and the location is near public transportation.

The listed operating hours show Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for the stated date range, which runs from May 1, 2024 through January 18, 2027. Since the boat ride itself lasts about four to five hours, confirm the departure time when you book. Your trip ends back at the same meeting point.

You will receive confirmation at the time of booking. The activity is offered in English, and mobile tickets make arrival simple. Children must be older than four, and the tour notes say most people can participate.

The boat has a restroom, which matters on a long outing. WiFi is also included, though you will probably care more about the views than your phone once you leave the marina.

The Cruise to Los Arcos Takes About 90 Minutes

The ride to Los Arcos de Mismaloya takes about an hour and a half. That is a significant part of the day, so you should not think of this as a quick snorkeling transfer. The cruise itself is part of the outing, with time to sit back, talk, have a drink, and watch the coast pass by.

Los Arcos is the main stop for swimming and snorkeling. The rock formations sit within a national preserve, giving this part of the trip a more natural setting than the later city views. You get about 45 minutes here, enough for a focused swim or snorkel session rather than an all-day exploration.

Captain Carlos leads the snorkel expedition. Snorkeling equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring your own mask and gear. The tour description says you can see many forms of natural wildlife, but it does not promise particular fish, sea turtles, or other animals. Keep expectations sensible: marine sightings are never guaranteed.

The crew’s approach appears to be one of the strongest parts of the experience. Ernesto was praised for explaining the area and marine life and for getting into the water to guide the group. That kind of hands-on help can make a real difference if you are unsure about snorkeling or want more than a quick look below the surface.

The 45-minute limit is worth noting. If you are a strong swimmer who wants an extended snorkel session, this may feel short. If your group includes first-time snorkelers, it may be enough, especially since the day also includes swimming and paddle boarding at the next stop.

Las Gemelas Beach Brings a Slower Hour

After Los Arcos, the boat cruises about 15 minutes to Las Gemelas Beach. The spelling appears as both Las Gemelas and Gamelas in the supplied details, so use Las Gemelas when checking your plans.

This stop lasts about one hour and is less structured than the snorkeling stop. You can swim, use the floats, try the stand-up paddle board, or sunbathe on the comfortable cushions. That choice is useful for groups with different energy levels. Not everyone wants to spend the entire day in the water.

Lunch is served on board at Las Gemelas. The meal is a sandwich with a salad trio. That is a practical boat lunch, not a full restaurant meal, and it fits the relaxed nature of the stop. Since alcoholic drinks, water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails are included, you do not need to arrange your own refreshments for the afternoon.

This hour is also where the private setup has its clearest benefit. Your group can settle into its own rhythm rather than follow a large boat’s fixed routine. You might eat first, swim afterward, or spend the whole stop on the cushions. The exact order is not specified, so the crew can presumably guide the timing on the day.

The beach stop is not described as a long shore visit. The focus is on anchoring near Las Gemelas and using the boat’s equipment. If you want a substantial walk on the sand, make sure you understand that the activity centers on swimming, floating, paddle boarding, and relaxing aboard the yacht.

Returning Along the Puerto Vallarta Malecon

The return cruise takes about an hour and a half and passes the Malecon, Puerto Vallarta’s popular boardwalk. Seeing the city from offshore gives you a different view from the usual street-level walk.

This portion is especially useful for photographs. You can take in the waterfront, watch the city from the boat, and capture the iconic church with its crown. The tour description calls out many photo opportunities, so keep your phone or camera handy during the return ride.

The Malecon cruise also helps round out the day. Los Arcos provides the natural setting, Las Gemelas gives you swimming and lunch, and the return route shifts the focus toward Puerto Vallarta itself. You get both coast and city without adding another separate sightseeing stop.

The same practical warning applies here as on the outward ride: an hour and a half is a long time on the water. If you want nonstop activity, the cruising may feel slow. If you see the boat ride as part of the appeal, it gives you time to unwind after snorkeling and swimming.

What the Crew Adds to the Day

The strongest praise is aimed at the crew’s service. Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo were singled out for creating a welcoming atmosphere and paying close attention to the group. Ernesto’s role is especially notable because he joined the snorkeling and helped explain the marine life.

Captain Carlos is identified as the person leading the snorkeling expedition. Having a named captain and a crew member involved in the water activity gives the excursion a more personal feel than a simple boat transfer.

Of course, the exact crew working your departure may vary. Still, the names provide useful context about the team behind the experience and the kind of service the operator aims to provide. You can reasonably expect the crew to be central to the day, not just people handling the boat and drinks.

The yacht itself is described as comfortable, with cushions for sunbathing and a restroom on board. The available details do not specify the yacht model, cabin layout, shaded areas, or maximum cruising speed. If those details matter to you, ask before booking.

Food, Drinks, and Equipment Included

The open bar is a major part of the package. Included drinks cover water, sodas, juices, beer, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages. That makes budgeting easier and suits a social group that wants to spend the day celebrating or relaxing.

Lunch is simple but convenient: a sandwich and salad trio served on board. You avoid losing time going ashore for a meal, and the food fits the schedule. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify alternatives, so ask the provider in advance.

Snorkeling equipment is provided, as is a stand-up paddle board. Floats are also available at Las Gemelas. This saves you from bringing or renting the main gear needed for the water activities.

The tour includes an onboard restroom and WiFi. Those are small details until you are several miles from shore. The boat also lists air conditioning, although the information does not clarify whether that applies to a cabin, transfer vehicle, or another part of the setup.

Who Should Book This Experience?

I would recommend this trip most strongly to a group of friends or family members who want a private day on the water and can share the price. It suits people who like having several choices rather than following one activity from start to finish.

It is also a good match for a mixed-age group, as long as children are over four and participants can take part in the activities. Swimmers and snorkelers have Los Arcos, while less active members can relax on board, enjoy lunch, or take in the coast.

The tour is less suitable if your main goal is a long snorkeling session. You get about 45 minutes at Los Arcos, followed by a separate hour at Las Gemelas. It is also not the best fit if you want a low-cost boat ride for just two people.

Weather matters. The experience requires good weather, and a cancellation for poor conditions results in a choice of another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Puerto Vallarta Yacht Tour?

Book it if you have a larger group, want privacy, and value the combination of snorkeling, swimming, food, drinks, and coastal sightseeing. The strongest reasons are the private boat, the flexible Las Gemelas stop, and the crew’s personal approach, especially during the snorkel session.

Think twice if you are watching every peso, traveling as only two people, or want several hours of continuous snorkeling. The long cruises and short Los Arcos stop make this a broad half-day experience, not a specialist snorkel expedition.

For the right group, the price can be fair because the boat, crew, lunch, drinks, equipment, and restroom are bundled together. I would choose it for a family celebration or a group of friends who want a relaxed private outing, then confirm the departure time, food needs, and yacht details before paying.

FAQ

How long does the private yacht tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours. The schedule includes about 90 minutes cruising to Los Arcos, 45 minutes snorkeling, 15 minutes to Las Gemelas, one hour there, and about 90 minutes returning to Marina Vallarta.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The tour begins at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private activity is for one group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a stand-up paddle board and floats at Las Gemelas Beach.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes a sandwich and salad trio. The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, cocktails, and other alcoholic beverages.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.