Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE

The best thing about this Puerto Vallarta sailing trip is the freedom to make the day your own. You can sail the Bay of Banderas, stop for swimming and snorkeling, lounge on a water mattress, or aim for a sunset cruise. I especially like the private 41-foot sailboat and the fact that the open bar, snacks, and water gear are already covered.

I also like the crew’s flexible style. Names that come up often include Gonzalo, Victor, Lalo, Eder, and Roberto, and the crew can teach you about sailing or let you sit back with a drink. The main consideration is price: $1,155 is a serious outlay for a group of eight, though it becomes much better value when divided among several people. The five-hour trip also leaves no room for a full-day coastal expedition.

Key points to know before you book

• Your group controls the pace: There is no fixed sightseeing route, so you can favor sailing, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, or sunset views.
• A proper sailing boat: The 41-foot Chica offers more character than a standard motorboat ride and gives you the chance to learn a little about sailing.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, snacks, and a brand-name open bar.
• Water toys come ready to use: Snorkel equipment, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are included.
• Whale season adds a bonus: Humpback whales and other marine life can be seen in season, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
• The cost works best for a group: The listed price covers up to eight people, while larger groups should confirm the arrangements before booking.

Why a private sailing charter changes the day

A private boat gives you something a regular group cruise cannot: control. If your group wants quiet time, the crew can keep the mood relaxed. If you want music, cocktails, swimming, and jokes, the day can take that shape instead.

That flexibility matters in the Bay of Banderas. Conditions, interests, and energy levels can change during a five-hour outing. You might begin with a gentle sail, stop at a calm cove, and later spend time on paddle boards. Or you can keep moving along the Puerto Vallarta coast and focus on the views.

I would choose this trip for a family celebration, birthday, bachelor or bachelorette outing, couples traveling together, or a small group that dislikes being tied to a large boat schedule. The crew has also handled groups with children, though the booking information does not give a minimum age or detailed child policy.

The experience is private, but it is not a private yacht with unlimited space. The boat is 41 feet long, so eight people should have a comfortable setup, while larger groups may feel more crowded. The description allows for groups up to 16, but the advertised rate is for up to eight. If you have more than eight people, settle the capacity and price with Chica Locca Tours before paying.

Starting at Paradise Village Pier

Your meeting point is the Paradise Village Public Pier in Nuevo Vallarta, at Blvrd Nayarit. This is the home marina for Chica Locca Tours, and the boat departs from here.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own way to the pier, and you must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation. The marina is near public transportation, which helps, but you should still allow enough time to find the public pier and gather your group.

The first 20 minutes are listed for the marina stop. Think of this as the time to meet the crew, settle aboard, and get oriented rather than a separate sightseeing stop. The exact departure plan is customizable, so confirm the meeting details and preferred style of outing after booking.

A practical tip: bring the mood you want with you. Tell the crew if you are hoping for a calm romantic cruise, active water time, a birthday celebration, or a sunset sail. The whole point of a private charter is that the crew can shape the outing around your group instead of following a rigid script.

Sailing across the Bay of Banderas

Most of the five-hour experience takes place on the Bay of Banderas and along the Puerto Vallarta coastline. This is the part where the boat itself becomes the attraction.

You can sit near the bow, watch the coastline slide past, and enjoy the movement of a real sailing boat. If conditions and the captain’s plan allow, you can also learn how to sail. The crew can explain what is happening, or you can simply relax and let them handle the work.

This is a good choice if you want scenery without spending the entire day on organized land excursions. The bay gives you open water, coastal views, and the chance to change pace. The setting also works well for photographs, and a photographer can be reserved for an added cost if you want someone else to document the day.

The crew is a major part of the experience. Gonzalo, Alejandro, Romero, Victor, Eder, Alonso, Lalo, and others have been praised for being friendly, professional, attentive, and good at reading a group’s mood. That combination is useful on a private boat. You want safety and competence, but you also want the crew to know when to give you space.

Some groups have enjoyed playful hosts and lively music. Others have valued the crew’s explanations about the area. You can ask for the balance that suits your party. A good private charter should not force a party atmosphere on a couple seeking a peaceful afternoon, and this boat’s customizable format gives you a fair chance to avoid that.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding

The water activities are not an afterthought. Snorkel equipment, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are included, so you do not need to rent basic gear separately.

The boat can head toward a secluded bay for swimming and water play. The exact location is not fixed, which is useful because the crew can adjust the plan to the day and your interests. You might spend a short time snorkeling, then switch to a paddle board, or stay in the water longer if the group is having fun.

The snorkel equipment is one of the better value points. You avoid the extra cost and hassle of arranging gear, and the crew can help direct you toward the activity. Still, the provided information does not promise a particular reef, water clarity, or marine species. I would treat snorkeling as a pleasant part of the charter, not the sole reason to book it.

The same applies to wildlife. Humpback whales are present in season, and some outings have passed close to whales. That can be an unforgettable bonus, but no responsible operator can guarantee a sighting. If whales are your top priority, ask about the current season and conditions before booking.

Food, breakfast, and the open bar

The all-inclusive setup covers a surprising amount for a half-day charter. Drinks range from water, coffee, juices, sodas, and mineral water to beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne.

The phrase open bar is useful here because it means you are not counting every soft drink or cocktail as the afternoon unfolds. It also makes the price easier to understand for groups celebrating a special event. Drink responsibly, of course, especially if you plan to swim or use a paddle board.

Snacks include ceviche, freshly made guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. Morning departures also include fresh seasonal fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. This is enough to keep most people going for five hours, but it is not the same as a full meal.

You can add a hot Mexican fajita lunch for 200 pesos per person. Based on the food-focused praise from past outings, I would consider this add-on if you are booking around lunchtime or want something more substantial than ceviche and snacks. Confirm the meal request when planning your charter rather than waiting until the boat departs.

The food and drink service also helps the boat feel less like a bare transportation platform. Crew members have served drinks while people swam, kept snacks moving, and helped with celebrations. A birthday cake has even been arranged quickly during one outing, but I would not assume that service is standard. Ask ahead if your group has a special request.

Sunset sailing and special occasions

A sunset cruise is one of the strongest uses of this boat. You get the changing light over the bay, a private setting, and the ability to pair the evening with cocktails and a fajita meal.

I would choose a later departure for couples, anniversaries, birthdays, or a small group that wants a memorable finish to the day. The crew can keep the tone relaxed and let the scenery do the work. It is also a good option for anyone who finds large sunset cruises too noisy or impersonal.

The tradeoff is that a sunset-focused trip may leave less time for snorkeling and paddle boarding, depending on the departure time and the plan you choose. You should decide which matters more before you book. The company can customize the charter, but five hours is still five hours.

For celebrations, tell the crew what you want in advance. The private format gives them room to help with music, food timing, drinks, and the overall feel of the day. The service style has been described as warm and personal, with some groups feeling close to the crew by the time they return to the marina.

What the $1,155 group price really means

The listed rate is $1,155 per group of up to eight people. At full capacity, that works out to about $144 per person for five hours, before any optional extras such as the fajita lunch or photographer.

That is not a bargain in the ordinary excursion sense. It is a private charter, however, and the price includes the boat, crew, landing and facility fees, drinks, snacks, breakfast on morning trips, and water equipment. If eight people share the cost, the value becomes much stronger than booking separate seats for a premium cruise.

For two people, the calculation changes. A couple pays the full group rate unless a smaller private price is available at booking, so this is a luxury splurge rather than an economical activity. The first couple-focused experience can be wonderfully personal, but you need to be comfortable paying for privacy.

For families or friends, the math is more appealing. A group of six to eight can share the fixed price and enjoy a custom plan without paying separately for every drink, snorkel rental, and water toy. Ask about the larger group option if you have more than eight people, since the description mentions charters up to 16 but gives a rate for eight.

The practical drawbacks to weigh

The largest limitation is the lack of a set route. Some people love that freedom. Others want a guaranteed stop, named beach, or tightly planned sightseeing program. Here, you are paying for flexibility, not a checklist of landmarks.

Hotel transportation is another cost and task to handle yourself. The pier is near public transportation, but pickup and drop-off are not included. You should also confirm your exact meeting arrangement because selecting the meeting place is required before the reservation is submitted.

Weather and sea conditions will affect the experience. The boat may not sail at a fast pace, and the water activities may be less appealing on a rough day. The provided details do not give a weather cancellation policy, so ask the operator what happens if conditions make the planned outing unsafe.

Finally, the five-hour length is generous for a half-day but short for a full coastal adventure. If you want extensive whale watching, a long beach stop, a full meal, hours of snorkeling, and a sunset, you may need to prioritize. The captain and crew can help build the day, but they cannot fit everything into one afternoon.

Who should book Chica Sailing Adventure

I would book this for a group that values privacy, personal service, and control over the schedule. It works especially well for birthdays, anniversaries, family gatherings, bachelor or bachelorette events, and friends who want a boat day without strangers aboard.

It also suits couples who are happy to spend for an intimate experience. The boat, crew attention, open bar, and snacks create a comfortable setting, but the fixed group price is hard to justify if you only want a low-cost harbor ride.

You should choose another option if your top priority is a guaranteed whale encounter, a specific snorkeling site, hotel transportation, or the lowest possible price. You should also ask about group capacity if your party is larger than eight.

Final call: a flexible, well-serviced day on the bay

I would book Chica Sailing Adventure when the group can share the cost and wants a custom day rather than a standard cruise. The strongest reasons are the private boat, capable crew, included food and drinks, and ready-to-use water equipment.

The most useful booking tip is to decide your main goal before you contact the operator. Say clearly if you want sailing instruction, a secluded swimming stop, a sunset, whale watching in season, or a celebration. With realistic expectations about weather, price, and the five-hour limit, this can be one of the more memorable ways to spend a day around Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long is the Chica Sailing Adventure?

The experience lasts approximately five hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at the Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, at the Paradise Village Public Pier on Blvrd Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

How many people can join?

The listed price covers a group of up to eight people. The experience information also describes the charter as suitable for groups of up to 16, so larger groups should confirm the arrangements and price before booking.

What activities are included?

Included activities can include sailing, snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, and use of a water mattress and water tube. The exact plan is customizable.

Is food included?

Yes. Snacks include ceviche, fresh guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. Morning trips also include seasonal fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes drinks such as beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, soft drinks, juices, coffee, water, and mineral water.

Is the fajita lunch included?

No. A hot Mexican fajita lunch is available for an additional 200 pesos per person.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The tour is near public transportation, and you must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.