Bertram 38′ Convertible Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

The best part of this outing is the freedom of a private 38-foot Bertram boat. Your group of up to eight gets the bay to itself, with time for Puerto Vallarta shoreline views, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling at a rocky spot filled with wildlife. I like the flexible 4- to 8-hour length, and I like that snorkel gear, fishing equipment, water, and fruit are already supplied.

The main drawback is that the $800 price is per group, so it is strongest value when you fill the boat. Hotel transport and towels are not included, and the formal inclusions list only bottled water and chopped fruit, not a full meal or open bar. For a custom six-hour day, ask in advance about extras such as the Ocean Grill stop arranged by one group.

Key points for choosing this Vallarta boat trip

• Private boat for up to eight: You avoid sharing the outing with strangers and can shape the pace around your own group.
• Two very different water stops: See Puerto Vallarta from offshore, then snorkel around rocks where wildlife gathers above and below the water.
• Flexible four- to eight-hour schedule: A shorter trip suits a quick bay outing, while a longer booking leaves room for fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and a meal stop.
• Fishing and snorkel equipment included: You do not need to rent the basic gear separately.
• Good value for a full group: At $800 total, the boat works out to $100 per person for eight people, before any extras.
• Simple beach clothing is best: Wear a swimsuit if you plan to get in the water, soft shoes, and no heels.

A private Bertram boat changes the feel of the day

A private boat is the key reason to consider this trip. You are not following a fixed group schedule or sharing every swim stop with a boatload of strangers. For a family, a group of friends, or three couples traveling together, that privacy can make the cost easier to justify.

The boat is a 38-foot Bertram Convertible, a proper fishing and cruising boat rather than a basic open skiff. The supplied information does not give a passenger layout or cabin details, so I would not book it for luxury interiors alone. Think of it as a comfortable platform for moving around Banderas Bay, seeing the coast, and getting into the water.

Your captain and crew handle the boat while you decide how to use the available time. You can focus on sightseeing, spend more time snorkeling, try fishing, or include kayaking as part of the day. The flexible duration matters here. Four hours gives you a compact bay outing, while eight hours lets the day feel less rushed.

The private format also helps mixed groups. One person can fish while another enjoys the views. Some in your party can snorkel while others remain aboard with fruit and water. That is much easier to arrange on a boat reserved for your group than on a tightly scheduled shared cruise.

Following Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline from the water

The first main part of the outing is a shoreline sightseeing cruise around Puerto Vallarta. From the water, you get a different view of the city than you do from the streets or beach. The boat gives you room to look back toward the coast, take photographs, and watch the shoreline change as you move through the bay.

This portion is also a useful way to settle into the day. You can get comfortable aboard, discuss your priorities with the crew, and decide how much time to spend on each activity. If your group has not agreed on fishing, kayaking, or swimming before departure, this is the moment to sort it out.

Do not expect a formal narrated city tour based on the information provided. A guide may operate in more than one language, but English is the listed language for the experience. The focus is on seeing Puerto Vallarta from the boat, not on a long series of historical explanations.

That distinction matters. If you want a structured sightseeing lecture with a set list of landmarks, this may feel light. If you would rather enjoy the coast at your own pace, the private boat setup is a better fit.

The bay can also be a good choice for people who want more than a ride but less than a full-day fishing charter. You are not limited to staring at the coastline. Fishing gear is included, and the outing is designed around active time on the water.

Snorkeling around wildlife-covered rocks

The second stop is a group of rocks where wildlife gathers. Here, you can snorkel and enjoy views both below and above the surface. That combination is what gives the trip its strongest natural appeal: you are not only looking at Puerto Vallarta from a boat, you are also getting a close look at the water around the bay.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one common nuisance. You do not need to arrange a separate mask and snorkel rental for this outing. You should still bring a swimsuit and any personal items you prefer for the water. Towels are not supplied, so pack one.

The description does not promise a particular species, water visibility, or guaranteed snorkeling conditions. Wildlife and visibility can change with weather and sea conditions. I would treat the stop as a chance to explore a natural rocky area, not as a guaranteed encounter with a specific animal.

The rocky setting may also require a little care when entering or leaving the water. Follow the crew’s instructions, and use the supplied equipment properly. Children must be accompanied by an adult, a practical rule for any boat outing that includes swimming and snorkeling.

If some people in your group do not want to snorkel, they can remain aboard and enjoy the views. That flexibility is one of the better reasons to book a private trip. You do not have to persuade every person to take part in every activity.

Fishing, kayaking, and a day shaped around your group

Fishing equipment is included, so you can add fishing without arranging a separate charter. The available details do not specify the target species, fishing method, or whether catches are expected. Keep your expectations broad, and ask the provider about seasonal fishing plans if that is the main reason you are booking.

Kayaking is also listed among the activities you can enjoy. The information does not clearly state that kayaks are included with every booking, so confirm the equipment and plan before you count on it. This is especially important if kayaking is a must-do rather than a nice extra.

The strongest use of the longer booking is combining activities. A group might cruise the shoreline, spend time fishing, stop at the rocks for snorkeling, and leave room for kayaking or a meal. You should not assume all of that fits comfortably into four hours. The eight-hour option gives you more breathing room.

A six-hour outing may be the practical middle ground. One group used that length to create a custom day and added a stop at Ocean Grill. That does not mean the restaurant stop is automatic, but it does show why you should discuss your plan with the operator before departure.

Food planning deserves a clear note. Chopped fruit and bottled water are included. The formal details do not list lunch, a restaurant meal, or alcoholic drinks. If you want a restaurant stop, a larger meal, or other beverages, ask what can be arranged and what will cost extra.

What the $800 group price really buys

The listed price is $800 per group, with up to eight people aboard. At the full eight-person limit, that is $100 per person. For four people, it becomes $200 each, and for two people, $400 each. The value depends heavily on how many people share the boat.

For a full group, the price compares favorably with the privacy and flexibility you receive. You are paying for an exclusive boat, crew, equipment, and the ability to shape a half-day or longer outing. The group can split its time among sightseeing, fishing, snorkeling, and other water activities instead of paying for several separate tours.

For a small party, the calculation is less attractive. Two people may prefer a shorter shared cruise if their priority is simply seeing the coast. The private format still has value for a special occasion or for people who dislike fixed group schedules, but the per-person cost rises quickly.

The included items help keep the starting price clear. You receive snorkel equipment, fishing gear, bottled water, and chopped fruit. You do not receive hotel pickup, drop-off, or towels. Those omissions are not serious problems, but you need to plan around them.

The highly positive overall score, 4.7 out of 5 from 46 ratings, and a 93 percent recommendation rate point to a dependable experience for many types of groups. The strongest praise centers on the captain and crew, the service, snorkeling, food handling, and the fun of customizing the day. That matches the trip’s main appeal: personal service on a private boat rather than a rigid sightseeing circuit.

Captain and crew service matter more here

On a private boat, the crew can make a bigger difference than on a simple point-to-point cruise. The available feedback gives the captain and crew high marks, with particular praise for service and entertainment. For you, that means the day should feel more active and social than a bare boat rental.

Still, the information does not provide the crew’s names, so I cannot give you a named guide to request. The provider is Mike’s Fishing & Tours, and the trip may be operated by a multilingual guide. English is offered, which should help English-speaking groups plan the day.

Do ask questions before leaving the dock. Tell the crew if your priorities are snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, shoreline sightseeing, or a meal stop. A private booking gives you the best chance of making the schedule fit your group, but only if you explain what you want.

The word entertainment appears in the feedback, but the formal description does not promise a particular show, music setup, or program. Treat that as a possible part of the crew’s service, not a guaranteed feature.

Timing, clothing, and practical planning

The outing lasts approximately four to eight hours. That range is wide enough to affect your whole day, so choose the length carefully. A four-hour trip works for a compact cruise with one main water stop. A longer booking makes more sense if your group wants several activities or a meal break.

Wear beach-casual clothing. Soft shoes are recommended, and heels are not suitable. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to snorkel or swim, plus a towel because towels are not included.

Bottled water and chopped fruit are supplied, but you should not treat that as a full lunch. If you book the longer option, ask about food and drink plans before you go. The Ocean Grill stop was part of a custom six-hour plan, not a listed standard stop.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The experience is near public transportation, so you can arrange your own way to the departure area, but the exact meeting point is not provided here. Check the confirmed booking details carefully.

Mobile tickets make it easy to keep the reservation on your phone. Confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, though children must remain with an adult.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Missing the outing because a cruise ship arrives late or does not arrive is not covered by a refund, so cruise passengers should be especially careful with timing.

Who will get the most from this boat trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to a group of six to eight people. At that size, the $800 cost spreads across the group, and you can make good use of the private setting. Families and groups of friends benefit from being able to mix quiet sightseeing with active water time.

It also suits groups with different interests. The swimmer can snorkel, the angler can fish, and the person who prefers to stay dry can watch the coast from the boat. A private crew can usually make that arrangement easier than a shared activity with one fixed plan.

The trip is less ideal if you want a guaranteed fishing catch, a formal city history tour, or a full meal included in the price. Those details are not promised. It is also a weaker value for only one or two people unless privacy is your top priority.

I would be cautious about booking it as a tight cruise-day excursion unless you have generous time around your ship schedule. Late or missed cruise arrivals do not qualify for a refund, and boat trips also depend on good weather.

Should you book the private Bertram outing?

Book this trip if you have a group large enough to share the $800 cost and want a flexible day on Banderas Bay. The private boat, included fishing and snorkel gear, fruit, water, and choice of four to eight hours create a useful package for an active group.

Before paying, settle three points: your preferred duration, the exact activities you want, and any meal or kayak arrangements. Bring a towel, skip the heels, and do not assume lunch or drinks are included. If you want a private, adaptable boat day rather than a fixed sightseeing cruise, this is a strong choice. If you are a small group seeking only a simple coastal ride, compare the per-person cost first.

FAQ

How much does the private boat trip cost?

The experience costs $800 per group for up to eight people.

How long does the boat trip last?

The outing lasts approximately four to eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

What equipment is included?

Snorkeling equipment and fishing gear are included. Bottled water and chopped fruit are also provided.

Are kayaking and fishing available?

Fishing and kayaking are listed among the activities. Fishing gear is included, but the provided details do not confirm kayak equipment arrangements, so ask the provider before booking if kayaking is essential.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The experience is near public transportation.

What should I wear and bring?

Wear beach-casual clothing, soft shoes, and a swimsuit if you plan to swim or snorkel. Bring a towel because towels are not included. Heels are not suitable.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The trip requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. late or non-arrival of a cruise ship does not qualify for a refund.