Puerto Vallarta: Private Swim & Snorkel Yacht Tour w/Open Bar

Los Arcos is the star of this private yacht outing. After roughly 90 minutes at sea, you reach Puerto Vallarta’s famous rock formations for a guided swim and snorkel session with Captain Carlos. The trip then shifts to easy beach time at Las Gemelas, with floats, a paddle board, lunch, and drinks close at hand.

I like the private group setup, since your party of up to 12 does not have to share the boat with strangers. I also like the crew’s personal touch. Ernesto is described as getting in the water to guide swimmers and point out marine life, while Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo keep the mood friendly and attentive.

The main consideration is time. This is not a quick harbor cruise. The long run to Los Arcos and back means much of the day is spent aboard, and the total schedule can reach five hours. That is a plus if you enjoy being on the water, but less so if you want several hours on dry land.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main event: Plan on about 90 minutes of cruising before a 45-minute swim and snorkel stop at the national preserve.
• A private boat changes the pace: Your group of up to 12 can enjoy the stops without sharing the activity with other parties.
• Las Gemelas adds a slower second stop: Swim, use the floats or SUP board, sunbathe on the cushions, and eat lunch aboard.
• The open bar is included: Water, soft drinks, juices, beer, and cocktails are part of the package.
• The Malecon appears from the water: The return cruise offers views of Puerto Vallarta’s boardwalk and the city’s iconic crown-topped church.
• The price makes more sense for a full group: At $1,978.64 per group, the cost is easier to justify when divided among several people.

Setting out from Marina Vallarta

Your meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. The tour returns to the same place, which keeps the start and finish simple. The activity is offered in English, and a mobile ticket is accepted.

The boat has a restroom, WiFi, and air conditioning listed among its amenities. Those details matter on a half-day outing. You may spend long stretches cruising between stops, so a place to cool down and a restroom on board are practical comforts, not mere extras.

This is a private activity for your own group, with a maximum of 12 people. That makes it a natural fit for a family gathering, a group of friends, or a special occasion. You can share the boat, food, and open bar without adding unfamiliar people to the mix.

The listed operating hours are Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with availability shown from May 1, 2024 through January 18, 2027. Check the exact date and departure details when booking, since the published hours are specific rather than broad.

The long cruise south to Los Arcos

The run from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos takes about one hour and 30 minutes. That is a substantial part of the outing, so I would treat the ride itself as part of the experience rather than a simple transfer.

You get time to settle into the boat, watch Puerto Vallarta recede, and enjoy the open water. The yacht provides a comfortable base, but the schedule does not rush you from one sight to another. If you like boat time, this slow approach feels fitting. If you prefer constant activity, bring that expectation down a notch.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is a protected marine area known for its tall rock formations and sea life. The boat stops for about 45 minutes, giving you time to swim or use the provided snorkeling equipment.

Captain Carlos leads the snorkel outing. That is useful for anyone who wants more than a quick look beneath the surface. You can expect guidance in the water and an introduction to the marine life in the area, though the exact animals and water conditions can vary.

The crew’s approach is one of the strongest parts of this experience. Ernesto has been singled out for entering the water, guiding the group, and helping people make the most of the stop. That kind of hands-on help can matter if you are not a confident snorkeler or simply want someone to direct your attention.

The 45-minute stop is long enough for a proper swim, but it is not an all-day snorkeling session. You will want to get your equipment on and make good use of the time. The boat includes snorkeling gear, so you do not need to arrange that separately.

Swimming and lunch at Las Gemelas Beach

After Los Arcos, the yacht cruises for about 15 minutes to Las Gemelas Beach. The shorter ride creates a clean break between the active snorkel stop and the more relaxed middle section of the day.

Here you have about an hour to swim, use the floats, try the stand-up paddle board, or stretch out on the boat’s cushions. This is the part of the outing that lets everyone choose a pace. One person can get in the water while another stays aboard with a drink.

Lunch is served on the boat. The meal includes sandwiches and a trio of salads. That is a sensible menu for a day on the water: easy to eat, not overly formal, and suited to a group with different appetites.

The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails. Alcohol is included, but you can also keep it simple with water or a soft drink. Since the boat still has a long cruise back to Marina Vallarta, pacing yourself is wise.

Las Gemelas is a beach stop, but the experience remains boat-centered. You are not promised a long walk on shore or a beach club visit. The emphasis is on swimming, floating, paddle boarding, sunbathing, and eating aboard the yacht.

That distinction is worth noting. If you want a private platform for water time, the stop fits well. If you want to spend most of the hour with your feet in the sand, confirm how the boat handles the stop before you book, since the supplied details focus on activities from the yacht.

The Malecon from the water

The return cruise to Marina Vallarta takes another hour and 30 minutes. Along the way, the boat passes Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon, the city’s popular boardwalk.

Seeing the Malecon from the water gives you a different view of the city. You can take photos of the shoreline, the boardwalk, and the distinctive church with its crown-like top. This final stretch turns the return journey into a sightseeing segment rather than a quiet ride straight back to the marina.

I like this part because it adds a city view to a trip otherwise focused on sea and beach. You get the rock formations at Los Arcos, a swim stop, a beach break, and then a look back toward Puerto Vallarta itself.

The cruise time also explains why the tour lasts four to five hours. The stated travel times add up to roughly three hours and 15 minutes, while the two main stops total about one hour and 45 minutes. In practice, that points toward the longer end of the advertised duration.

What the private format is really worth

The price is $1,978.64 for the group, up to 12 people. That is not a casual, inexpensive boat ride for one or two people. For a full group, though, the cost works out to about $165 per person before any separate considerations.

The value comes from combining several costs in one booking. You receive a private yacht, crew service, snorkeling equipment, a paddle board, lunch, and an open bar. Water, soft drinks, juices, beer, and cocktails are included, along with a restroom and WiFi on board.

The private format is especially useful if your group has mixed interests. Some people can snorkel while others remain on the boat. At Las Gemelas, one person can paddle, another can swim, and someone else can relax with lunch. You are not forced into a single activity every minute.

The price is harder to justify for a very small party. Two people would be paying the full group rate, and the package may feel expensive compared with a shared excursion. Four to 12 people can spread the cost and make the arrangement more attractive.

The strongest value is also personal service. The crew named for this trip, Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo, received very high marks for attention and hospitality. Ernesto’s willingness to get in the water is particularly useful because it turns snorkeling into a guided activity rather than simply handing you equipment.

Food, drinks, and useful comforts

A boat day is easier when you do not have to plan every drink and meal. The included sandwich lunch and salad trio remove the need to return to the marina or find a beach restaurant during the short schedule.

The open bar is broad enough to cover basic preferences. You get water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails. I would still think of the drinks as a convenience rather than the sole reason to book. The real attraction is the combination of private cruising, water activities, and a crew serving everything aboard.

The yacht also lists air conditioning, a restroom, and WiFi. Air conditioning can be welcome after time in the sun, while the restroom is important on the long outward and return cruises. WiFi is a small bonus, especially if you want to share photos or stay connected.

The boat’s comfortable cushions matter during the stretches when you are not swimming. With around three hours of stated cruising time, you will appreciate having room to sit back rather than treating the yacht as a place you only use between activities.

Who will get the most from this yacht tour

I would recommend this for people who want a private day on the water and are happy with a balanced schedule of cruising, swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. It suits groups that value service and privacy more than the lowest possible price.

Families can participate as long as children are over age four. The supplied information says most people can take part, but swimming and snorkeling are central activities, so each person should be comfortable with the water or prepared to remain aboard during those portions.

The tour also works well for a group with different energy levels. The schedule includes active time at Los Arcos and Las Gemelas, but it also includes plenty of sitting, eating, and sightseeing from the boat.

I would think twice if you want a long snorkeling session, a full beach day, or a tightly packed sightseeing tour. The snorkeling stop lasts about 45 minutes, and the beach stop about one hour. The rest of the time is spent cruising.

Weather is another practical factor. The experience requires good conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

How this compares with a basic boat outing

A standard boat trip may take you to a viewpoint, give you a short swim stop, and return to port. This experience adds a private setting, food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, a SUP board, and crew assistance.

The difference is not only the number of inclusions. It is the ability to use the time your way. A private group can share the boat without adapting to another party’s habits, and the crew can give more direct attention to the people in your group.

The tradeoff is the fixed group price and the long cruising time. You are paying for the boat and service across the whole party, not buying a cheap individual seat. The trip also gives you less time at each stop than a dedicated beach or snorkeling day.

The perfect match is a group that sees the yacht itself as part of the occasion. If the boat ride, open bar, and shared time matter as much as the destinations, the price has a stronger case.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta yacht tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the $1,978.64 price, want a private setting, and enjoy a relaxed day that mixes snorkeling with comfort. The combination of Los Arcos, Las Gemelas Beach, lunch, an open bar, and the Malecon gives you a broad look at Puerto Vallarta from the water.

I would give extra weight to the crew. Captain Carlos leads the snorkel stop, and Ernesto, Nico, and Hugo are credited with warm, attentive service. Ernesto’s hands-on help in the water is a useful detail for anyone who wants guidance rather than a loose, self-directed swim.

Skip it if you are traveling as only one or two people and mainly want the lowest-cost way to see Los Arcos. Also look elsewhere if your priority is a full day on the sand or several hours devoted only to snorkeling.

For the right group, this is a polished private outing with enough activity to keep the day interesting and enough open space to let you relax.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour start?

The tour starts at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Marina Vallarta.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately four to five hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

The private yacht can accommodate a group of up to 12 people.

What happens at Los Arcos?

You have about 45 minutes to swim or snorkel at Los Arcos National Preserve. Captain Carlos leads the snorkeling activity, and snorkeling equipment is provided.

How long is the cruise to Los Arcos?

The cruise from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos takes about one hour and 30 minutes.

What can I do at Las Gemelas Beach?

You have about one hour to swim, use the floats, try the SUP paddle board, or sunbathe on the yacht’s cushions.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes sandwiches and a trio of salads, served on board.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be over four years old. The provided information also states that most people can participate.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The activity is offered in English.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation deadline?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.