Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the mix: you get a full day on the water, a snorkel and paddleboard stop at Playa Chica Locca, and time ashore in Yelapa. Meals, snacks, drinks, and water equipment are included, so you can settle in without tracking extra costs.

I like the attentive service and the choice of moods on board. Hosts such as Ricky and DJ David bring plenty of energy, while the upper level offers a quieter place to sit. I also like that the crew keeps serving food and drinks throughout the cruise, with a complimentary massage available on board.

The main drawback is time. Six hours sounds generous, but it is divided among cruising, water activities, lunch, Yelapa, and the waterfall walk. Snorkeling time may be around 40 minutes, and the Yelapa trail includes an uphill section that may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• A catamaran marketed as a mega yacht: Expect a large, comfortable party catamaran rather than a private luxury yacht.
• Two water stops: Playa Chica Locca offers snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, slides, and floating equipment.
• Yelapa adds a real sense of place: You can visit the village, relax on the beach, or walk about 15 minutes to the waterfall.
• Food and drinks are included all day: Breakfast, fajitas, guacamole, chips, soft drinks, coffee, and premium alcoholic drinks are covered.
• The atmosphere is flexible: Ricky and DJ David can keep the boat lively, but the upper deck has quieter music and comfortable seating.
• Book your meeting point carefully: Choose Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village when you reserve, since hotel pickup is not included.

What this six-hour cruise is really like

This is not a quiet sightseeing boat with a few snacks in a cooler. Chica Locca Tours runs it as a social day on Banderas Bay, with music, drink service, water toys, hosted games or announcements, and a crew that stays busy looking after the boat.

That makes the experience a good match for you if you want your day organized from start to finish. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, eat, visit Yelapa, or simply sit back with a drink. The tradeoff is that you do not control the schedule. The boat has several jobs to do in roughly six hours, and each one takes a slice of your day.

The route follows the Puerto Vallarta coast toward the southern end of the bay. Banderas Bay is a major marine area and a seasonal place to spot humpback whales. Dolphins and whales have also been seen during the cruise, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

At the end of the day, the boat returns to the original departure point. The tour generally finishes early enough to leave you time for other plans, but allow for the full approximate duration rather than building a tight dinner reservation around the return.

Boarding at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village

You choose between two meeting locations when booking: Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise ship terminal or Paradise Village. This choice matters because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

At Puerto Mágico, check-in takes place at the Chica Locca Tours office inside the cruise terminal area. You then pass through port security before boarding. The terminal is a federal maritime port, so do not bring drugs, weapons, liquids, electronic cigarettes, or vapes. Searches may take place.

Once aboard, you find comfortable seating, including shaded areas. The boat has multiple spaces, which helps because the day can feel very different depending on where you sit. The main areas suit the social side of the cruise, while the upper level has been described as a calmer spot with quieter music.

The group can reach up to 115 people. That is a sizeable crowd, and the experience feels more like a hosted party cruise than a small private sailing. On the other hand, a large catamaran gives you room to move around and more than one place to escape the loudest music.

Breakfast begins the trip on an easy note

The cruise starts with fresh seasonal fruit and pastries, along with coffee and juices. It is a simple breakfast, but it is useful because you can eat before the first water stop instead of arriving hungry.

The open bar begins as soon as you board and continues through the return trip. Included choices cover water, mineral water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas.

This is where the all-inclusive pricing has real value. If you ordered several drinks, lunch, breakfast, and snacks separately on a boat or at a beach restaurant, the bill could climb quickly. You should still pace yourself. Alcohol, sun, swimming, and boat movement are a poor combination when you overdo any one of them.

The crew’s service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Food and drinks are offered often, and the staff also keeps the boat clean. One especially practical detail is drink service while you are in the water, so you do not need to return to the deck every time you want a refreshment.

Playa Chica Locca is the main water-play stop

After about an hour of sailing, the boat reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is the part of the day for getting wet and using the equipment included in your fare.

You can snorkel with the provided gear, use a kayak, try a standup paddleboard, float on a water mattress, or use the boat’s water slides. There is also a second-deck jump for confident swimmers. The setting combines open water with forested coastal views, which makes this more than a simple swim break.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the day. The water can be cloudy, and visibility may not be good enough for a major reef experience. Still, good conditions can bring plenty of fish, and some departures have allowed about 40 minutes in the water.

Equipment supply deserves attention. One departure ran short of snorkels, which is a serious problem when snorkeling is a central reason for booking. This appears to be an operational concern rather than a stated feature of every departure, but you should ask at check-in if snorkeling gear is available for everyone in your group.

Time is another issue. Several aspects of the trip share the same schedule, and some people have wanted more time for swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. If your priority is spending hours in the water, choose a dedicated snorkeling trip instead. This tour is broader, with food, entertainment, Yelapa, and the waterfall included.

After the water stop, the crew serves guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips. You can also sign up for an onboard massage. The massage is included, but it may not be obvious unless the crew explains the option, so ask early if you want one.

Lunch is fresh fajitas served from the beach kitchen

Lunch arrives as Mexican fajitas prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and delivered by boat. The meal includes chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa.

The food is more substantial than the usual packaged excursion lunch. It gives the day a proper pause after swimming and before the Yelapa visit. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available, but you need to request them when booking.

The meal also helps explain the price. At $117.60 per person, you are paying for a hosted six-hour boat outing, breakfast, lunch, snacks, open bar, water equipment, entertainment, and the staff needed to keep all of that moving. It is not the cheapest way to reach Yelapa, but it can be a solid value if you plan to use the included food, drinks, and activities.

If you do not drink alcohol or prefer a quiet, independent visit, the value is less clear. You may pay for a party atmosphere and services you do not care about. For a group that wants an active social day with food included, the price is easier to justify.

Yelapa brings a slower second half

Yelapa is a small coastal village in a sheltered bay. The name refers to the place where two rivers meet the sea, and the setting feels different from the open-water portion of the trip.

The yacht docks at a pier, giving you choices. You can walk into the village, sit on the beach, join the guided walk, swim near the boat, or remain on board with drinks and snacks. This flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can head toward the waterfall while another avoids the walk and relaxes on deck.

The waterfall is reached by a short trail described as about 15 minutes. It is accessible for many people, but it is not completely flat. Some visitors have described the route as a large uphill walk, so take that seriously if you have limited mobility, balance problems, or trouble walking in heat.

Bring sturdy footwear if you plan to walk up, not just loose sandals. The waterfall offers a chance to cool off and swim, and it also gives you a different view of Yelapa than staying on the beach. Still, do not expect a long village visit. The stop has to fit around lunch, boat time, and the return cruise.

The most common scheduling complaint is not that Yelapa is uninteresting. It is that the stop can feel short. You may have to choose between the village, the beach, and the waterfall rather than enjoying all three at a leisurely pace.

The ride home keeps the party going

The return trip follows Banderas Bay back toward Puerto Vallarta. Music and dancing may continue, and the crew may point out marine life when conditions are right.

The onboard photo team takes action shots during the day and displays them on the return. Photos cost extra, and they are not part of the tour price. If you buy them, keep your receipt and confirm the email address used for delivery. A delayed photo delivery has been a source of frustration for at least one booking.

The return is also a good time to move to a quieter area if the main deck feels too loud. That choice of space is one of the more useful features for couples and families who want both fun and downtime.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this tour for you if you want several experiences packaged into one day:

• You enjoy a friendly, social boat atmosphere.
• You want food and drinks included instead of arranging meals yourself.
• Your group has mixed interests, with some people wanting water sports and others preferring shade.
• You would like to see Yelapa and its waterfall without arranging separate transport.
• You like hosted entertainment and do not mind music or a lively crew.
• You are comfortable with a group that may include as many as 115 people.

Families can make it work, and the experience has suited older adults who prefer to stay on the boat or skip the waterfall walk. Still, the boat atmosphere may be too loud for very young children or anyone seeking a peaceful sail.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is serious snorkeling, long beach time, or an intimate sailing trip. Cloudy water, limited equipment, and the divided schedule can disappoint if you book this expecting a specialist snorkel excursion.

Practical details that affect your day

The tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the departure. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the meeting location must be selected before you submit the reservation.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Gratuities are optional and not included. You do not need to bring snorkeling equipment, kayaks, or paddleboards, since those are supplied, but bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and a hat. The sun can feel strong on the open bay, and shade is helpful even with shaded seating available.

Free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a rescheduled date or a full refund.

The experience is recommended by 96 percent of customers and carries a 4.8 rating from 2,515 reviews. Those numbers point to a consistently popular outing, but they do not erase the specific cautions: check the snorkel supply, expect a busy schedule, and understand that the vessel is a catamaran rather than a private superyacht.

Should you book the Yelapa yacht adventure?

Book it if you want a social, all-inclusive day that combines a comfortable catamaran ride, food, open-bar service, water toys, and a short Yelapa visit. The attentive crew, strong food service, and hosts such as Ricky and DJ David add much of the fun.

Skip it if you want maximum time snorkeling or a quiet, small-group trip. Before booking, decide what matters most: the package of activities and easy service, or long stretches of independent time in the water. For the first choice, $117.60 is reasonable. For the second, a more focused excursion may serve you better.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa cruise depart from?

You can choose to meet at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the Puerto Vallarta cruise ship terminal or at Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including the boat ride, the Playa Chica Locca water stop, time in Yelapa, the waterfall option, meals, and the return trip.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point you selected.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are also included.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, mineral water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other listed beverages. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress are included. The tour also has water slides and other water toys.

How long is the walk to the waterfall?

The walk from Yelapa is described as about 15 minutes. The route includes an uphill section and may not suit everyone.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you should request your preference when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If bad weather or an unmet minimum causes the tour to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.