Puerto Vallarta: Private Yelapa Beach & Snorkel Tour on a Yacht

Los Arcos and Yelapa make a fine pair: one gives you sea caves and snorkeling, the other gives you a slow beach day in a village reached by boat. I like the private yacht setting, where your group controls the pace, and the open bar with snacks, which keeps the long ride south comfortable.

The main catch is price: at $1,225 per person, this is a major splurge. Lunch and shore activities cost extra, and snorkeling depends on sea conditions. You are paying for privacy, room, service, and flexibility, not simply transportation to Yelapa.

Key Things to Know Before You Book

• Los Arcos comes first, about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Marina Vallarta, with photos and a possible cave snorkeling stop.
• Yelapa is the main shore stop, with about two hours to eat, relax, walk to a waterfall, or arrange an ATV or horse ride.
• The yacht has an open bar, including beer, cocktails, water, soda, and juices, plus chips and guacamole.
• Whale and dolphin sightings are possible, especially during the cruise, but they are wildlife encounters, not a promised part of the trip.
• The outing is private, so only your group participates. Children must be older than four.
• You need to budget for lunch and shore activities, with ATVs or horses listed at about $20 to $30.

A Private Yacht Day Along Puerto Vallarta’s Southern Coast

This is a full day on the water rather than a quick boat transfer. You meet at Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta, then spend roughly seven hours moving between open sea, rocky coves, a protected snorkeling area, and Yelapa Beach.

The private format changes the feel of the outing. You are not joining a large public boat with a fixed routine. The crew can pay attention to your group, and the yacht gives you a proper place to sit, move around, use the restroom, and enjoy the ride back.

The boats used for this type of charter have included Escándalo and the 55-foot Ruby. Exact boat assignment can vary, so ask when booking if the vessel matters to you. Past trips have carried groups of 12 and 14 with room for more, but your own group size and yacht choice will determine how much space you have.

The cruise itself is part of the attraction. You will pass Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront and can photograph the Malecón and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, known for its distinctive crown. The ride south is long enough to settle into the day, but you should be comfortable spending substantial time aboard.

What the Open Bar and Yacht Service Really Add

The included food and drink make sense on a seven-hour cruise. You get water, soda, juice, beer, cocktails, and chips with guacamole. Past sailings also included pastries, bread, and fresh fruit, though the formal inclusions specifically list snacks rather than a full breakfast.

That distinction matters. Do not treat the onboard food as lunch. Your proper meal is purchased at Yelapa, and shore food and drinks are not covered by the tour price.

The crew service is one of the strongest reasons to consider a private charter. Philip has handled communication and arrangements, while captains and crew members named on past outings include Carlos, Victor, and Oscar. Charlie is also mentioned as a master diver in connection with a separate snorkeling and scuba experience, so do not assume every trip includes him.

You can expect attentive drink service, help with snorkeling gear, and assistance as the yacht anchors or holds position. The onboard restroom is useful, especially because the ride to Yelapa takes time. Air conditioning and WiFi are also listed, although the appeal here is clearly the sea, not staying connected.

The yacht is not simply a faster way to reach the beach. It gives you a comfortable base between stops. You can sit forward for views, watch the coastline, take photographs, or keep your feet dry if snorkeling is not your thing.

Los Arcos: Caves, Photos, and the First Water Stop

After about 1 hour and 15 minutes, the yacht reaches Los Arcos de Mismaloya. These rock formations rise from the water south of Puerto Vallarta and form one of the area’s best-known coastal photo stops.

The crew positions the boat for pictures, including views toward the cave tunnel. This is a scenic pause even if you never enter the water. Bring a phone or camera that you can use safely around spray, and keep it ready because the boat may not stay in one position indefinitely.

Los Arcos is also the first planned snorkeling site. If the sea is calm enough, the crew can guide you through the caves. The tour supplies masks, fins, and other snorkeling equipment, and one past trip received special praise for well-fitting flippers.

Conditions control this part of the schedule. If the water near Los Arcos is not suitable, the crew may shift snorkeling to Majahuitas Beach. That flexibility is useful, but you should not book this excursion expecting a guaranteed cave swim.

There is a practical limit to what a cave snorkeling stop can be. It is a short part of a much longer day, not a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The value comes from combining water time with the yacht ride and Yelapa visit.

Majahuitas as the Backup Snorkeling Area

The yacht passes Majahuitas Beach on the way to Yelapa. If Los Arcos is too rough, snorkeling can take place here instead.

That arrangement protects the day from turning into a complete loss when sea conditions change. It also gives the crew a second place to consider rather than forcing one fixed stop.

The published schedule allows about 45 minutes to cruise from Los Arcos toward Majahuitas, followed by about 30 minutes to Yelapa. Times on the water can shift with conditions and the captain’s decisions, so think of the route as a framework rather than a minute-by-minute promise.

You should bring sun protection and a dry change of clothes if you plan to snorkel. The supplied details confirm equipment, but they do not specify towels or personal sun gear, so pack what you normally need for a wet boat day.

Yelapa: Beach Lunch and a Waterfall Walk

Yelapa is the main event for many people. After the snorkeling portion, the yacht continues for about 30 minutes to Yelapa Beach, where you go ashore for a casual meal at one of the beachside restaurants.

Lunch is not included, so bring a payment method and expect to choose and pay for your own food and drinks. This is a better setup for people who like choosing their own meal than for anyone who wants a fully prepaid day.

You have about two hours ashore. That is enough time for lunch and some beach rest, but it is not a long village stay. If you want to hike to a waterfall, begin by keeping track of time. A walk inland takes away from your meal and beach time, and the yacht’s return schedule still matters.

Optional ATVs and horses are also available at an additional cost of about $20 to $30. These activities are not part of the tour price, and the information provided does not promise availability on every date. Ask locally before committing, and make sure you know how much time the outing will take.

A small boat may carry you from the yacht to shore, depending on how the yacht is positioned. This can add a short transfer to the beach experience. If you have mobility concerns, ask the operator about boarding, the beach landing, and the walk to the restaurants before paying.

Yelapa works best when you accept its informal rhythm. You are not being led through a formal attraction with a long lecture. You get a beach, a meal, a possible waterfall walk, and time to wander at your own pace.

The Two-Hour Cruise Back to Marina Vallarta

The return cruise takes about two hours, making it a substantial part of the day. This is when the comfort of the yacht matters most. After swimming, walking, and eating, a cramped boat ride would feel tiresome. A private yacht gives you room to settle in with a drink and watch the coast pass.

Past outings have included whale sightings, dolphins, and rays. Humpback whales are especially possible during the Puerto Vallarta season, but no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed. The captain may slow down if something appears, as happened on earlier trips, but your return schedule still controls the overall timing.

Sunset and moonrise have also been part of some return cruises. These are dependent on the date and departure timing, so treat them as possible bonuses rather than promised features. The coast is often at its most attractive when the light softens, and the ride home can feel less like dead time than part of the day’s reward.

If you are visiting Puerto Vallarta from a cruise ship, discuss timing carefully with the operator. One private group was collected near the pier and returned with enough attention to make its ship departure. That kind of planning is valuable, but you should still allow a safe buffer and confirm the pickup and return arrangements yourself.

Is $1,225 Per Person a Fair Price?

This price is hard to justify if you are comparing it with a standard group boat trip. At $1,225 per person, the tour is aimed at people who place a high value on privacy, personal service, and a yacht rather than the lowest possible fare.

The value improves for a larger group that can share the private charter cost, especially since group discounts are offered. The listing still presents the price per person, so ask exactly how the discount works and whether the quoted amount changes with your group size.

You are paying for several things at once:

• A private boat and crew
• A full coastal route to Los Arcos and Yelapa
• Snorkeling equipment
• An onboard restroom and air conditioning
• WiFi on the yacht
• An open bar
• Chips and guacamole
• A flexible, group-only setting

You are not paying for lunch, ATVs, horses, or other shore purchases. Those extras can raise the final cost, especially if everyone in your group wants an activity in Yelapa.

I would consider the price reasonable only if your group wants a private yacht day and will use the boat for most of the seven hours. If you mainly want to sit on Yelapa Beach, a less expensive transfer or group excursion may serve you better.

Who Will Enjoy This Yacht Day Most?

This tour suits families, couples marking a special occasion, and groups of friends who want the day arranged around their own interests. The private setup also works well when some people want to snorkel and others prefer to remain aboard.

Children must be older than four. A past group included five-year-old twins who enjoyed the yacht and nonalcoholic piña coladas, but every family should judge its own child’s comfort around open water and boat movement.

The trip is also a good fit if you enjoy a mix of activities rather than one main pursuit. You get photographs, snorkeling, an open-water cruise, a beach lunch, and optional walking or riding in Yelapa.

It is less suitable if you dislike long boat rides, need a tightly scheduled sightseeing program, or want guaranteed snorkeling conditions. The 2-hour return can feel long if the sea is rough or you have run out of interest in the view.

The tour says most people can participate and that it is near public transportation. Still, the precise accessibility of the yacht, any small-boat transfer, beach landing, and waterfall route is not explained. Ask before booking if those points affect your plans.

Weather, Timing, and Cancellation Details

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. The activity ends back there. The supplied operating information shows Monday hours from 10:00 a.m. to noon for the listed period, but that does not clearly match a seven-hour sailing schedule, so confirm your exact start time directly before the day of departure.

Should You Book the Yelapa Yacht Tour?

Book it if you want a private, service-heavy day with a real yacht, an open bar, two coastal stops, and room to set the pace. Los Arcos gives you the best photo and snorkeling opportunity, while Yelapa provides the beach time and village outing that make the long cruise worthwhile.

I would especially recommend it for a group splitting the cost, a family that values private attention, or a couple celebrating something important. The crew service, comfortable boats, good snorkeling equipment, and possible whale and dolphin sightings add real appeal.

Skip it if $1,225 per person feels uncomfortable, if you want lunch included, or if you prefer a short excursion with little time at sea. For everyone else, confirm the boat, start time, group discount, and shore arrangements, then book with realistic expectations: this is an expensive but flexible yacht day, not a bargain beach transfer.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The onboard open bar includes water, soda, juices, beer, and cocktails.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks purchased at Yelapa’s beachside restaurants are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Where does snorkeling take place?

The first snorkeling option is at Los Arcos. If conditions prevent snorkeling there, it may take place near Majahuitas Beach.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be older than four years of age.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.