Luxury Yacht & Snorkel with All inclusive Open bar and lunch

The best part of this outing is the blend of coastal sailing and a secluded cove. You leave Puerto Vallarta by boat, cruise past sights that are hard to see from shore, then stop at Majahuitas for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and beach time. The crew keeps the food and drinks moving, and names such as Juan Luis, Alex, Diego, and Victor have been singled out for warm, attentive service.

I like the small maximum group of 40, which feels far more manageable than the giant party boats common in Puerto Vallarta. I also like that lunch, gear, and the open bar are included. The main caution is that luxury may be stretching the point: the catamaran is comfortable and well-run, but the meal can be an ordinary sandwich, the snorkel stop may be short, and the beach has few facilities.

Key points at a glance

• Majahuitas Cove is the main prize: Expect lush tropical scenery, a quiet beach setting, and roughly 1 hour 20 minutes at the cove, though the exact water activities can vary.
• The yacht carries no more than 40 people: That is a useful middle ground between a private charter and a crowded party boat.
• Lunch is included, but keep expectations sensible: Guacamole, fruit, shrimp cocktail, snacks, and sandwiches have all been part of the food service, though the exact meal can vary.
• The water program is flexible: Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are supplied, and some departures have included a banana boat ride.
• Sea conditions control the route: Los Arcos, the Malecón, and even the length of the snorkel stop are not guaranteed.
• Budget for possible extra charges: The listed Bay of Banderas fee and reported port charges have not always been described consistently, so confirm the current amount before departure.

A five-hour sail south from Puerto Vallarta

This is a half-day boat outing, not a fast transfer to a beach. The yacht leaves at 8:00 a.m. from Vallarta Adventures at the Maritime Terminal, also called Puerto Mágico, then heads south along the Bay of Banderas.

The ride toward the activity area can take close to an hour. That matters when you picture your morning. You are signing up for a scenic cruise with a few water activities, not five nonstop hours of swimming. The long outward run gives you broad coastal views and a chance to settle into the boat, but anyone hoping for immediate snorkeling may find the pace slow.

The route changes with the sea. On a calm day, the boat may pass Los Arcos, the famous rock formations south of town. It may also pass the Malecón, giving you a view of Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront from the water. These are pleasant additions, but they are not fixed photo stops. The captain chooses the safest route for the conditions.

That flexibility is sensible in the Bay of Banderas. It also means you should not book this trip mainly for a promised Los Arcos visit. Think of those sights as possible bonuses.

What the Leopard catamaran feels like onboard

The boat is described as a deluxe Leopard catamaran, with a maximum capacity of 40 people. That number is important. Forty passengers can still feel cozy, especially when everyone gathers around the serving area or prepares to enter the water, but it is a much more personal setting than a boat carrying close to 100 people.

The vessel has enough room for the group, according to the strongest accounts, and the crew serves food and drinks rather than leaving you to fend for yourself. People who enjoyed the trip often singled out the staff’s energy and attention. Crew members named on different departures include Juan Luis, Sylvino, Judy, Charlie, George, Diego, Alex, Victor, Daniel, and Felipe.

Do not expect a private yacht with endless lounge space. One practical issue is storage. There may not be a good place for large bags or loose belongings, and the beach stop may require you to swim from the boat to shore. Bring only what you can keep secure and dry onboard.

A small waterproof pouch is useful, but do not assume you can carry all your belongings onto the beach. Since the cove is reached from the water, towels, phones, and cameras can become awkward to manage.

Majahuitas Cove and the main water stop

Majahuitas is the centerpiece of the outing. The cove sits south of Puerto Vallarta, backed by tropical forest and reached more easily by boat than by road. The setting is quieter and more secluded than the city beaches, which is why this stop carries much of the tour’s appeal.

The scheduled stop is about 1 hour 20 minutes, but that does not mean every minute is spent snorkeling. The time may include getting in and out of the water, organizing equipment, paddleboarding, swimming, beach time, and any extra activity offered by the crew.

Snorkeling conditions can be good, with colorful fish and occasional sightings of turtles, rays, or other sea life. But this is not a major coral-reef outing. In some conditions, the water has offered plenty of fish but little coral, and visibility or wave action can change the experience. If you are an experienced tropical snorkeler, keep your expectations modest.

The water can also be rough enough to make some people seasick. One useful tip is to consider motion-sickness medicine before departure if you are prone to it. Bring sunscreen as well. The morning may begin cool and pleasant, but time on the water means steady sun exposure.

Life jackets may be required whenever you are in the water. That can feel restrictive if you are used to swimming freely, but it is part of the safety setup for this outing.

Snorkeling, paddleboards, and the banana boat

Snorkeling equipment is included, and stand-up paddleboards are available. The supplied gear is serviceable, though you may prefer to bring your own mask and snorkel if you already have equipment that fits well.

The snorkel period may be shorter than the overall advertising suggests. Some departures have had around 20 minutes of actual snorkeling, followed by beach time and other water activities. That is enough for a casual look at the fish, but not enough for a serious marine-life session.

Paddleboards and floating mats add variety. They are a good fit if you want to move around without committing to a full snorkel session. Some trips have also included a banana boat ride, but it is not clearly listed among the standard inclusions, so treat it as an activity that may depend on the departure.

The banana boat can be rough. Hold on firmly, and use extra care with children. The ride is playful rather than restful, and people have ended up in the water after a sharp turn.

At the beach, the bar selection may be narrower than onboard. Beer, water, juice, and hibiscus water have been available, while premium cocktails are associated more with the yacht. If an island cocktail bar is a major reason you are booking, adjust that expectation.

Lunch, drinks, and what the all-inclusive label means

The food service is one of the stronger parts of the day, but the exact presentation varies. You may receive guacamole and chips, fruit, shrimp cocktail, snacks, dessert, and a deli-style sandwich or charcuterie-style lunch.

Some people have found the food fresh and satisfying. Others expected a more polished meal and received a fairly ordinary sandwich. A seafood allergy deserves advance attention. Shrimp has been included on some departures, and it is not wise to assume a full alternative meal will automatically be available.

The premium open bar is available onboard throughout the cruise. Beer, cocktails, mango margaritas, and other adult drinks have been part of the service, with crew members often bringing refreshments directly to your seat.

There is one important practical point: the phrase unlimited open bar does not mean every drink is offered at every stop. The beach setup may have only beer, water, or juice. Also, service consistency can vary by departure, so tell a crew member clearly if you need a drink or have been missed.

The lunch and bar help justify the $119 price, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for a boat trip, food, and equipment. The value is weaker if you want a high-end meal, a long snorkel session, or a truly private yacht setting.

The views from Los Arcos to the Malecón

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. From the bay, you see Puerto Vallarta from a different angle, with the waterfront and southern coastline opening up around you.

Los Arcos may appear along the route. These rock formations are among the area’s most recognizable coastal sights, but the boat may pass at a distance or skip them if the sea is rough or the captain follows a different course.

The Malecón may also be visible from the water. This is a nice change from walking the boardwalk, since you see the city’s shoreline as a single sweep rather than as a string of individual streets and sculptures.

Whale sightings are possible during the season, and boats have stopped when humpback whales appeared along the route. Marine life is never guaranteed, but keep your phone ready during the outward and return rides. You may also spot dolphins or turtles.

Why the crew matters so much

The crew is the most consistently praised part of this outing. Names vary by sailing, but the pattern is clear: the staff sets the mood, explains the activities, serves the food, and keeps the group moving.

That matters on a boat. A well-run crew can make a 40-person group feel relaxed rather than chaotic. Crew members have helped with snorkeling, kept drinks filled, guided water activities, and marked birthdays and other celebrations with extra attention.

The experience can have a lively social feel, especially after the water activities, when music, dancing, and cocktails become part of the ride back. If you want a silent, private sail, this is not the right format. If you want a friendly boat day with service and a bit of party energy, it is a better match.

An onboard photographer may take posed and action pictures during the cruise, snorkeling, and beach stop. The photos are not included in the ticket price. Digital packages have been offered for around $100, so decide early if you want pictures or simply tell the photographer you are not interested.

Drones are prohibited because of federal rules protecting the flight path of endemic birds. Do not pack one and expect to use it at the cove.

Meeting point, fees, and cancellation rules

You meet at Vallarta Adventures, Terminal Marítima at Puerto Mágico, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The outing returns to the same place. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the terminal.

Arrive early enough to handle check-in and any port procedure. The fee information deserves special attention because the published details and on-site accounts have not always matched. The tour information lists a $40 per-person Bay of Banderas admission fee, while some departures have charged 40 pesos per person and an additional 30-peso port fee. Confirm the current amount when booking and bring local cash.

The minimum age is 10. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable boarding a boat, using a swim ladder or entering the water, and taking part in water activities. The cove may require a swim to shore, so this is not ideal if you need a dry, step-on beach transfer.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time. Weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a refund. The same applies if the minimum number needed to operate is not reached.

Who gets the most value from this yacht day

I would choose this trip for a couple, family with older children, solo visitor, or small celebration group that wants several elements in one booking. You get a boat ride, food, drinks, snorkeling, paddleboards, and a beach cove without arranging each piece separately.

It also works well for birthdays and bachelorette groups. The crew has experience keeping celebrations lively, and the 40-person limit avoids the scale of a huge party vessel.

I would be more cautious if your priority is serious snorkeling. The marine life can be enjoyable, but the stop may be brief and the underwater setting is not a coral-reef spectacle. I would also look elsewhere if you want a luxurious lunch, private space, or a long stretch of quiet beach time.

At $119 per person, the price is fair when you use the inclusions and enjoy the full boat experience. It is less convincing if you mainly want to reach Majahuitas, spend hours on the sand, and skip the bar. The boat, staff, food, and activities make up the value, not the beach alone.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want an easy, social morning on the Bay of Banderas with strong service, a manageable group size, and several activities bundled together. The best reasons are the friendly crew, scenic sailing, Majahuitas setting, included drinks, and the chance of whales or dolphins along the route.

Think twice if the word luxury creates a very specific picture in your mind. This is a comfortable, well-served catamaran outing, not a private yacht charter. Bring motion-sickness medicine if needed, pack light, confirm the extra fee, and treat the snorkel stop and Los Arcos visit as condition-dependent. With those expectations, this is a good-value way to spend a half-day on the water.

FAQ

How long is the yacht and snorkel tour?

The experience lasts approximately five hours and begins at 8:00 a.m. It ends back at the Vallarta Adventures terminal.

Where does the tour depart?

You meet at Vallarta Adventures, Terminal Marítima at Puerto Mágico, Heroica Escuela Naval, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio 30-G1, in northern Puerto Vallarta.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is described as deli-style, with food such as sandwiches, fruit, guacamole, chips, shrimp cocktail, snacks, and dessert depending on the departure.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included. Some departures have also offered a banana boat ride.

Is the open bar available during the entire tour?

An unlimited premium open bar is included onboard. At Majahuitas, the available drinks may be more limited, with beer, water, juice, or hibiscus water offered.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Weather or an insufficient number of bookings may also lead to a rescheduled trip or full refund.