Custom 46′ Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

The best part of this outing is the freedom of having a 46-foot boat reserved for your group. You can spend the day fishing, looking for whales and dolphins, swimming, snorkeling, or simply admiring Puerto Vallarta from the water instead of following a fixed group schedule.

I like the supplied fishing and snorkeling gear, and I like the personal touch of fresh fish prepared on board when the catch allows it. The main consideration is that fishing may not feel like a traditional deep-sea fishing trip, so set your expectations carefully if catching a large fish is your main goal.

Key Points

• Private boat for your group: No unrelated passengers share the vessel.
• Flexible 4 to 10-hour outing: A short trip works for a quick taste of the bay, while a full day gives you more time for fishing and swimming.
• Fresh food from the catch: Fish may be prepared as ceviche or sashimi on board.
• Whales and dolphins are possible highlights: Wildlife sightings depend on nature and conditions.
• Fishing and snorkeling equipment included: You do not need to arrange the basic gear yourself.
• Useful extras included: Bottled water, chopped fruit, a captain, a sailor, and a whale-watching certificate are provided.

A Private Boat Changes the Day

This is not a seat on a crowded sightseeing boat. Mike’s Fishing & Tours provides a private 46-foot boat, so only your group takes part. That matters in Puerto Vallarta, where a day on the Bay of Banderas can feel very different when you are not trying to hear a guide over a large crowd.

You have a captain and sailor on board, along with fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, bottled water, and chopped fruit. The staff can help shape the day around your group’s interests. One group may care most about fishing. Another may want time in the water and a chance to look for whales.

The private format also makes this a practical choice for families, couples, friends, and cruise passengers who want their own space. You are not promised a completely custom route, but you are booking a boat for your group rather than joining strangers.

The trip runs for roughly four to 10 hours. That is a wide range, and it affects the experience. Four hours gives you a compact outing in the bay. A longer booking gives you more time to combine fishing, snorkeling, wildlife watching, and beach visits without making every activity feel rushed.

Fishing in the Bay of Banderas

The Bay of Banderas has several species that attract anglers, along with beaches and snorkeling spots. Fishing is one of the central reasons to book this boat, and the necessary gear is included.

Still, keep the fishing style in perspective. This may not match the experience of a highly specialized offshore fishing charter aimed at trophy fish. One outing was described as less traditional than expected, with fishing and snorkeling not unfolding in the classic way the group had imagined.

That does not make the trip a poor choice. It simply means you should view fishing as one part of a broader day at sea. You might catch enough for the crew to prepare fresh food, or you might spend more time enjoying the water and scenery. The exact catch depends on conditions, timing, and luck.

When fishing goes well, it adds a memorable food experience. The captain has prepared fresh ceviche from the fish caught during the outing, and another group enjoyed sashimi and ceviche at the end of the day. That is a fine contrast to a standard boat excursion where the food comes from a cooler and has nothing to do with the day’s activity.

If you are booking mainly to catch a particular species or land a very large fish, ask for current details before paying. The information provided does not identify target species, fishing methods, or guaranteed catch results.

Whale and Dolphin Watching from the Water

The Bay of Banderas offers attractive wildlife possibilities, particularly during whale season, though the timing of that season is not specified here. The boat includes a whale-watching certificate, and sightings have included both whales and dolphins.

One outing produced views of around six whales. Another included a whale and dolphins along with fishing. These are memorable additions, but they are not guaranteed. Wildlife keeps its own schedule, and a private boat cannot promise that animals will appear on demand.

The boat format gives you a good setting for looking out across the water. You can watch from the deck, listen for activity, and enjoy Puerto Vallarta from an angle you cannot get on land. If you see whales, the certificate gives you a small keepsake of the experience.

A photographer may also be present on the outing, based on one reported experience. Photos were available for purchase. Treat that as an optional extra, not as part of the listed inclusions. If you care about pictures, bring a phone that is secure around water and ask about photography before the boat leaves.

Snorkeling, Beaches, and Time in the Water

Snorkeling equipment is included, and the bay has several snorkeling areas and beaches to visit. This gives the excursion more variety than a fishing-only charter.

The exact snorkeling location is not specified, so conditions may affect what you see. Water clarity, weather, and the day’s route all matter. The boat can take you to suitable areas in the bay, but you should not book this as a guaranteed reef or marine-life tour.

The same applies to beach stops. The bay includes beaches worth visiting, but the available details do not identify a particular beach or promise a set number of stops. Ask the operator about the planned route if a specific beach or snorkeling area matters to you.

Bring a towel. Towels are not included. You should also plan sensible sun protection, though the supplied information does not list sunscreen or other personal items. Bottled water and chopped fruit are provided, which helps with the basics during a long outing.

If your group contains swimmers and non-swimmers, the private boat is useful. People who want to enter the water can do so when the schedule allows, while others can remain on board and enjoy the views. Do not assume every activity will receive equal time, especially on the shorter four-hour option.

Fresh Ceviche Makes the Catch More Memorable

The most distinctive food detail is the possibility of eating fish caught during your own outing. The captain has prepared fresh ceviche, and sashimi has also been served from the catch.

That creates a direct link between fishing and lunch. You are not just checking a fish off a list. You may see it prepared and eat it soon after. For many people, that will be the flavor of the day they remember most.

There is an important qualification: the supplied information does not promise that every trip will produce a catch or that ceviche and sashimi will always be prepared. The experience depends on fishing success and the crew’s preparation.

Chopped fruit is included, along with bottled water. No other meal, drinks, or special dietary arrangements are identified. If someone in your group has food allergies or dietary restrictions, ask the provider before departure rather than assuming the on-board food will suit everyone.

Crew Service and On-Board Comfort

The captain and sailor are included, and the crew has been described as friendly, attentive, welcoming, and accommodating. That is especially valuable on a private trip because the crew’s manner shapes the entire day. A helpful crew can make first-time fishers feel comfortable and can keep the schedule moving without making it feel rigid.

The boat itself has been described as clean and in good condition. A Bluetooth connection was available on one outing, allowing the group to play its own music. This is a pleasant private-boat detail, but it should not be treated as a formally listed feature or a guarantee for every departure.

The 46-foot size provides a more substantial platform than a small open fishing boat. Even so, you are spending several hours on the water. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan ahead. The supplied information does not state that medication, shaded seating, meals, or climate-controlled areas are provided.

The crew has also shown flexibility with drop-off arrangements. On one occasion, passengers from a cruise ship were taken to a dock near the ship. That suggests the operator may be able to help with practical arrangements, but transportation is not included and cruise passengers should confirm the exact meeting and return details before booking.

How the Time Length Affects Value

No price is provided, so I cannot judge the exact cost per person. The value depends heavily on your group size and the number of hours you choose.

For a private group, the boat can offer good value compared with paying individual fares on several separate activities. You receive the vessel, captain, sailor, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, water, fruit, and a whale-watching certificate in one booking. If you fish, snorkel, see wildlife, and enjoy fresh food, the outing covers a lot in one day.

A shorter four-hour trip makes sense if you want a taste of the bay or need to fit the boat around other Puerto Vallarta plans. It may feel tight if you want serious fishing, snorkeling, beach time, and wildlife watching all in one go.

A longer booking gives the day room to breathe. You can spend time fishing without giving up every other activity, and you have more opportunity for wildlife sightings. The tradeoff is simple: the longer the trip, the more important it becomes that everyone in your group enjoys being on a boat.

Ask for the total private-boat price, the exact duration, what is included in the chosen time period, and the planned route. Those answers will let you compare the experience fairly with a group fishing trip or a separate whale-watching cruise.

Who Will Enjoy This Boat Most

I would recommend this outing to people who want variety and privacy more than a narrowly focused fishing charter. It suits a group that likes the idea of fishing in the morning, looking for whales or dolphins, stopping to snorkel, and relaxing with fruit and water between activities.

Families may appreciate the private setting, since the group can spend its time together without worrying about strangers or a large shared schedule. Friends can also make more of the day by bringing music if Bluetooth is available and enjoying the boat as their own base on the water.

It is a particularly appealing choice for people who value the food element. Fresh ceviche or sashimi made from the day’s catch is not guaranteed, but it can turn an ordinary fishing outing into a much more personal experience.

I would be more cautious if you want a highly technical fishing expedition, a guaranteed whale encounter, a named snorkeling site, or a fixed list of beach stops. Those details are not specified, and one outing felt less like traditional fishing than expected.

Practical Details Before You Book

The experience is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

Transportation itself is not included. If you are staying outside the immediate Puerto Vallarta area, arrange your own way to the departure point. Cruise passengers should confirm whether a nearby dock drop-off can be arranged for their particular sailing schedule.

Most people can participate, but the information does not give specific guidance for mobility limitations, pregnancy, children, or medical conditions. If anyone in your group has a special need, contact the provider before booking.

The activity depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so watch the local cut-off time.

Bring a towel, since none is supplied. You will also want personal sun protection and any preferred drinks or snacks beyond the included water and chopped fruit. Ask about the day’s route, the fishing style, the expected time in the water, and the availability of photography before setting out.

Should You Book Mike’s Fishing & Tours?

Book this private boat if you want a flexible day on the Bay of Banderas with fishing, snorkeling, wildlife watching, beach views, and the chance to eat fish caught by your group. The attentive crew, clean boat, private format, and occasional fresh ceviche or sashimi add real appeal.

Choose another option if your top priority is a specialized, traditional fishing charter with a guaranteed target species or a precise snorkeling itinerary. For everyone else, especially groups who want several ocean activities in one private outing, this is a well-rounded Puerto Vallarta choice with a strong reported rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 19 ratings.

FAQ

How long is the private boat experience?

The outing lasts approximately four to 10 hours, depending on the option selected.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private tour, and only your group participates.

What location does the boat visit?

The experience takes place in the Bay of Banderas near Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. The bay offers fishing areas, snorkeling spots, and beaches.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing gear is included.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are whales and dolphins guaranteed?

No guarantee is stated. Whale and dolphin sightings have occurred, but wildlife sightings depend on conditions.

Is food included?

Chopped fruit and bottled water are included. Fresh ceviche or sashimi may be prepared from fish caught during the outing, but this is not stated as a guaranteed inclusion.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included.

Are towels provided?

No. You need to bring your own towel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you can receive a full refund or choose a different date.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.