Puerto Vallarta Private Yacht Adventure: 5 Hours + 1 Hour Free.

Set sail for a more personal day at sea. This six-hour private yacht trip gives your group its own boat on Banderas Bay, with time for coastal views, snorkeling at Los Arcos, fishing, beach stops, snacks, and cold drinks. You are not being moved through a packed boat schedule. You get a captain, a sailor, and a plan that can suit your group’s pace.

I like the privacy and the generous equipment list, especially the kayak, snorkel gear, fishing gear, towels, and Bluetooth sound system. I also like the chance to reach Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas by boat, then order regional food on the beach if you want a proper meal. The main consideration is cost: $1,050 is a serious spend for a small group, and lunch is extra. One recent outing also involved a 400 peso fee to return to the yacht after lunch, so ask about beach transfer costs before ordering.

• Six hours on a private yacht: The $1,050 rate covers a group of up to 12, not each person.
• Los Arcos snorkeling: The rocky arches near Mismaloya are the main underwater stop, with snorkel equipment provided.
• Beach time at Colomitos or Animas: You can be dropped off to swim, relax, or buy regional dishes at your own cost.
• Fishing and kayaking included: Sport fishing equipment and a kayak add options beyond sunbathing.
• Captain and sailor included: Gabriel and Carlos received especially warm praise for attentive service on one six-person outing.
• Food and drinks are simple but useful: You get 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, two bags of chips, and one ice pack.

Six Hours Across Banderas Bay

This is best understood as a private day on the water rather than a tightly scripted sightseeing cruise. You spend roughly six hours with your own group, captain, and sailor, moving along the Puerto Vallarta coast and choosing how much time to give the sea, the beaches, snorkeling, fishing, and relaxation.

The route centers on Banderas Bay, where the views combine open water, Puerto Vallarta’s coast, and the mountains behind it. You can sit on deck with a drink, use the Bluetooth sound system for your own music, or let the scenery do the work. The private format matters here. A group of six can spread out comfortably, while a full group of 12 will naturally make the yacht feel busier.

The advertised package is five hours plus one free hour, for a total of six hours. Check the available start times when booking, since the exact departure schedule is not fixed in the information provided. You will have a Spanish and English-speaking guide, so mixed-language groups should be able to communicate with the crew.

The crew’s role is a large part of the value. They handle the boat, fuel, port tax, and the basic setup, leaving you to enjoy the day. The strongest praise has gone to the captain and sailor’s attentiveness, with Gabriel and Carlos singled out for making sure a group had drinks, comfort, and help throughout the day.

Puerto Vallarta’s Coast from the Water

The first pleasure is simply seeing Puerto Vallarta from Banderas Bay. From the yacht, you get a broad view of the shoreline, the blue sea, and the mountain backdrop. It is a calmer way to see the coast than trying to fit several land stops into one busy day.

The trip is also useful for groups with different ideas about what makes a good beach day. One person can sunbathe on deck while another fishes. Someone else can use the kayak, and swimmers can wait for the snorkeling stop. That flexibility is hard to get on a standard group boat, where the schedule and activity choices are set for everyone.

The yacht includes towels, life jackets, snacks, water, and beer. Those basics matter more than they sound. You do not need to pack a full beach setup, and you have something cold to drink between activities. The included food is modest, however. Two bags of chips are snacks, not lunch, and the 12 beers and 12 water bottles are a fixed allotment rather than an unlimited bar.

Bring comfortable clothing and shoes, plus cash. Comfortable shoes are useful for the yacht and beach, while cash will help with food and any extra costs at the beach. The package does not include a full meal, so do not board expecting lunch to be covered.

Snorkeling Beneath the Arches at Los Arcos

The most distinctive stop is Los Arcos, the group of dramatic rock formations near Mismaloya. The boat takes you to the arches for snorkeling, where you can use the supplied equipment and look for fish in the clear water.

This stop gives the tour its strongest sense of place. You are not simply swimming off a generic beach. The rock formations create the setting, and the surrounding water supports fish watching. One outing produced plenty of fish sightings while snorkeling, which suggests the stop can be rewarding when water conditions cooperate.

The word snorkeling should still be read realistically. This is not a specialist marine excursion with a naturalist or a long technical session. It is one part of a private yacht day. The quality of the experience can change with visibility, sea conditions, and how comfortable you are in the water.

Life jackets and snorkel gear are included. If you are not a confident swimmer, ask the crew for guidance and use the safety equipment provided. The tour also includes towels, which makes it easier to return to the yacht without carrying a wet beach towel from your hotel.

Los Arcos may be the busiest-feeling portion of the day if other boats are in the same area. The private yacht gives you privacy on your own vessel, but it does not make a popular natural attraction private. Even so, arriving by your own boat lets your group control the amount of time spent in the water instead of following a large group’s whistle.

Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas

After time on the water, the yacht can take you to Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas. These beach stops offer a change of pace: sandy shore, swimming, rest, and the chance to eat a regional dish at an extra cost.

This part of the day is especially useful if your group wants more than a boat ride. You can get off the yacht, stretch your legs, and settle into a beach afternoon. Colomitos and Animas are reached from the water, which gives the stop a sense of escape from the main Puerto Vallarta routine.

The food option deserves a clear warning. Typical regional dishes are available on the beach, but they are not part of the $1,050 package. One outing found lunch very good but somewhat expensive. There was also a 400 peso fee to get back to the yacht after lunch, so confirm exactly how the return works before you sit down to eat.

That fee could be a small nuisance or a meaningful extra, depending on the size of your group. Ask the captain or booking contact whether the charge applies to your chosen beach, whether it is per person, and how payment is handled. Since the supplied details do not explain the charge, it is better to treat it as a possible cost rather than assume the beach stop is all-inclusive.

Fishing, Kayaking, and Time to Do Nothing

The inclusion of sport fishing gear gives the day another option. You might try to catch something between the main stops, and one group did catch a fish. No catch is guaranteed, but the equipment means fishing is available without arranging a separate charter.

The kayak is another worthwhile inclusion. It gives you a way to explore close to the boat or near a beach stop, depending on the crew’s instructions and conditions. It will appeal most to active groups, while others may prefer to remain on deck with a drink and music.

I like that the activity list leaves room for doing very little. A private yacht trip can become tiring if every minute is packed with snorkeling, fishing, beach time, and kayaking. Here, the yacht itself is part of the experience. You can sit in the sun, talk with your group, watch the coast, and let the captain handle the route.

The crew’s attentiveness can make or break this kind of day. Gabriel and Carlos were praised for checking on comfort and needs throughout the trip. That is exactly what you want from a private charter: not constant chatter, but helpful service when you need it.

What the $1,050 Price Really Buys

At $1,050 per group of up to 12, the maximum cost works out to $87.50 per person if the boat is full. For 12 people, that is a reasonable way to buy six hours of private boat time, especially with fuel, port tax, crew, equipment, drinks, snacks, and towels included.

For a group of six, the same yacht costs $175 per person. That is still defensible if privacy matters and you plan to use several parts of the package, but it is not a budget boat ride. For two or three people, the per-person cost rises sharply. I would consider a smaller group only if you place a high value on privacy, comfort, and control of the day.

The package has more value for families and groups who would otherwise book several separate activities. You get snorkeling, fishing equipment, a kayak, a beach stop, and a six-hour boat window in one booking. You also avoid paying separately for fuel or port charges.

The limits are just as important. Lunch is not included. Beach food can be pricey, and the possible 400 peso return fee adds another wrinkle. The included snacks are light, and the fixed 12-beer and 12-water allotment may not suit a full group spending six hours in the sun. Ask what additional drinks or food you may bring or buy before departure.

Compared with other boat options, the price becomes more attractive when shared by a larger group. A private yacht also lets you celebrate a birthday, family occasion, or reunion without strangers onboard. If your main goal is simply to see Los Arcos at the lowest possible price, a shared boat will likely be a better fit.

Who Will Enjoy This Yacht Most?

I would recommend this trip to families, friend groups, and couples traveling with several other people. It works particularly well for a group that cannot agree on one activity, since fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and deck relaxation all fit into the same day.

It also suits people who want attentive service without booking a luxury mega-yacht. The yacht is described as beautiful, and the crew receives consistently warm praise for being friendly and attentive. The experience is comfortable, but the details provided do not support expecting a full-service restaurant, open bar, or high-end catering.

This is a good match for confident swimmers and casual water enthusiasts. Life jackets are provided, and the crew is present, but the activity still takes place at sea. If your group includes people who dislike boats, snorkeling, or sun exposure, six hours may feel long.

Families should think about the pace and the children’s comfort. The private format makes it easier to take breaks, but there is no specific children’s program listed. Parents should bring any personal necessities their children require, since the supplied package only promises the stated drinks, snacks, towels, and equipment.

The trip is less suitable for a solo visitor or a very small group on a tight budget. The private price is designed to be shared. It makes the most sense when several people split the cost and actually use the yacht for the full six hours.

Practical Details Before You Go

The booking includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting. Check the available starting times before choosing a date.

The tour is private, and the maximum group size is 12. The captain and sailor speak Spanish and English. Some booking content may appear in its original language, but the listed guide languages are clear.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Bring cash for beach food and possible extra charges. The supplied information does not list hotel transportation, so do not assume transfers to or from your accommodation are part of the booking.

The yacht includes life jackets, but the package does not list sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, or a phone case. Those are sensible personal items for six hours on bright open water. The tour does provide an ice pack, but the information does not promise a cooler full of extra drinks.

Whale and dolphin sightings are possible during the right conditions. One February outing saw both, but wildlife is never guaranteed, so treat those sightings as a welcome bonus rather than a promised feature.

Should You Book This Private Yacht?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost, want a private setting, and plan to use more than one activity. The strongest reasons are the six-hour window, Los Arcos snorkeling, the beach choice, included fishing and kayaking equipment, and a crew known for friendly, attentive service.

Think twice if you want a cheap boat trip, a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or an all-inclusive lunch. The $1,050 rate is good value for a full group, but extra food and a possible 400 peso return fee mean you should budget beyond the headline price.

For a family celebration or a group day at sea, this is an appealing Puerto Vallarta choice. For a couple or a small group, compare the total cost against shared boat tours before booking. The best value comes when you fill the yacht, stay for the full six hours, and make good use of the water activities.

FAQ

How long is the private yacht experience?

The experience lasts six hours. It is described as five hours plus one additional free hour.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The price covers a private group of up to 12 people.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel gear and life jackets are included, and snorkeling takes place around Los Arcos near Mismaloya.

Are food and drinks included?

The package includes 12 beers, 12 bottles of water, two bags of chips, and one ice pack. Regional dishes at Playa Colomitos or Playa Animas cost extra.

Are fishing gear and a kayak provided?

Yes. Sport fishing equipment and a kayak are included, along with towels and a Bluetooth sound system.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.