Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is the mix of open-water fun and Yelapa’s jungle setting. You sail by catamaran, stop for swimming and water activities, then continue to Yelapa for a waterfall walk and a beach lunch. It feels less like a simple boat ride and more like a full day away from the resort strip.

I like two things in particular: the crew keeps food and drinks moving, and Yelapa gives the outing a real sense of place. Guides such as Jorge, Alex, Diego, and Johnny Cash have drawn especially warm praise for keeping the mood lively. The main caution is snorkeling quality, which can change sharply with weather, water clarity, equipment, and the number of boats in the bay.

• Yelapa waterfall walk: A jungle path leads inland from the beach toward a waterfall, with an optional paid ATV ride for a faster and more expansive visit.
• Catamaran day at sea: The boat carries up to 40 people and includes music, dancing, drinks, meals, and several water activities.
• Snorkeling conditions vary: Some outings produce good fish sightings, while others encounter murky water, jellyfish, or aging equipment.
• All-inclusive does not mean every cost is covered: A MX$32 pier and reef fee is extra, and waterfall transportation may also cost more.
• Strong crew service: The staff is repeatedly praised for being friendly, attentive, entertaining, and safety-minded.
• A long, active day: The scheduled start is 9:15 a.m., and the return can run late, especially with loose timing or cruise-ship arrangements.

A Full Day from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa

This is an eight-hour excursion from Puerto Vallarta’s Puerto Magico, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Hotel Zone North. You return to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

The advertised group limit is 40 people. That is not a tiny sailing trip, but it is also not a giant party vessel. The feel will depend on where you sit and how the crew manages the crowd. Several people enjoyed the social atmosphere, music, games, and dancing. Others found the music too loud, especially on the upper deck, and wished there were more quiet space.

The catamaran is the main stage for the day. You are not simply being ferried to a beach. The crew serves breakfast, opens the national bar, organizes equipment, explains activities, and keeps the trip moving. That can be a pleasure if you want a lively vacation day. If you prefer a calm sail with long stretches of quiet, this may feel busy.

Timing deserves attention. The formal start is 9:15 a.m., but the full day can stretch beyond eight hours. One account describes an 11-hour outing, and another notes that timing can be loose for people working around a cruise-ship departure. If you have an evening flight, a dinner reservation, or a ship to catch, leave a wide buffer.

Breakfast, Bar Service, and the Social Side

The morning begins with a continental breakfast of bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. It is a practical start rather than a full hot meal. You will appreciate it because the first part of the trip includes boat time and water activities, and nobody wants to begin an active day hungry.

Lunch is served later, with a choice of dishes connected to the Vela Roja à la carte restaurant. The choices include fish steak, beef fajitas, chicken, shrimp quesadilla, plain quesadilla, beef burger, shrimp, fish ceviche, and shrimp cocktail. Food is often praised, though not every dish receives the same reaction. Beef was described as hard by one person, while another found the meals very good.

The national open bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, beer, brandy, soft drinks, juice, and water. The phrase open bar needs a little context. The bar may not open immediately. One account says service began about three hours into the cruise, after the first water stop. That may be part of the day’s schedule, but you should not expect a drink in hand from the first minute.

Crew service is one of the safest reasons to book this trip. The staff serves drinks directly, checks on people, and keeps the boat cheerful. Names that come up in connection with especially good service include Jorge, Alex, Diego, and Jonathan, known as Johnny Cash. English ability may vary among crew members, even though the tour is offered in English and guides are listed as Spanish and English speaking.

The Majahuitas Stop and Snorkeling Gamble

The first major activity is the stop in the Yelapa and Majahuitas area. You can use the snorkeling equipment, swim, kayak, or paddle board. Life jackets are provided, and on-board insurance is included.

This is where expectations need the most care. Water clarity in the bay can be excellent on one day and poor on another. Some people saw plenty of fish, a manta ray, dolphins, or even whales on the wider trip. Others could see almost nothing because the water was murky, sometimes with visibility of less than a meter.

Storms, boat traffic, and local conditions can affect the experience. One account after a storm found snorkeling disappointing. Another described the water as dirty and complained that many boats stirred up the bay. That does not mean every stop will be poor, but snorkeling should be treated as a bonus rather than the central reason to pay for the tour.

Equipment quality also appears inconsistent. Some people found the gear clean and useful. Others had goggles that leaked or equipment that did not work properly. You may need to show picture identification to receive equipment, so keep that requirement in mind. Jellyfish are another possible concern, since one person was stung and received help from the crew.

A further point is destination accuracy. The excursion is presented as a Yelapa and Majahuitas outing, but one account says the boat did not stop at Majahuitas as expected. The precise anchorage may vary, or the stop may not feel like a visit to a named beach. If seeing a particular snorkeling site is your top priority, ask for clarification before booking.

Still, the water stop has real value even when the fish are hiding. You can swim, paddle board, or kayak, and the boat provides a pleasant setting for sun and sea air. Bring realistic expectations, and you are less likely to feel that the day failed because the water was cloudy.

Arriving at Yelapa by Smaller Boat

Yelapa is the more distinctive half of the excursion. It is a small coastal community reached from the water, with a beach, narrow paths, local businesses, and a route toward a waterfall. The setting feels different from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone because the visit centers on walking and the village rather than a resort pool.

Getting ashore requires a transfer to a smaller boat. This matters for anyone with mobility limits, balance concerns, or discomfort stepping between vessels. You may also need to manage an uneven route after landing. The activity is best suited to people who can handle a boat transfer and a walk through town and toward the falls.

Do not picture a long, independent afternoon to wander wherever you please. The time in Yelapa is organized around the waterfall walk and the meal. One person expected more free time in town and found the structure limiting. That is useful to know: you are buying a guided day with a Yelapa visit, not an unstructured beach escape.

The beach itself receives mixed impressions. Some people find it beautiful and special, while others dislike the cleanliness, cold water, or steep drop-off near shore. Facilities can be basic. One account noted missing toilet seats and napkins, so keep your expectations closer to a rustic coastal stop than a polished resort.

Walking to the Waterfall or Paying for an ATV

The waterfall walk is the most consistently praised activity on land. The route passes through the town and jungle, and the waterfall provides a welcome change from the boat and beach. You get a glimpse of daily life in Yelapa as well as a short nature outing.

The walk may not suit everyone. If you want to cover more ground or reduce the walking effort, an ATV option may be available for an additional charge. Several people strongly preferred the ATV, describing the ride through narrow streets as exciting and saying it offered better views and photo stops. Another person advised taking the ATV rather than walking.

That extra cost is not clearly part of the advertised all-inclusive price, so ask before committing. The same applies to transportation connected with the waterfall. One person was surprised to be asked to pay for the ride there, while the main price already includes the boat, food, drinks, and listed water equipment.

The waterfall itself is worth prioritizing if you choose this excursion. Even people who disliked the snorkeling often considered the falls the highlight. You may have to choose between spending more time at the beach and taking the inland route, so listen carefully to the guide’s timing.

Lunch at the Beach and the Ride Home

After the Yelapa portion, lunch is served at the Vela Roja restaurant, according to the provided details. The menu has enough range for a mixed group: fish, fajitas, chicken, quesadillas, burgers, ceviche, and shrimp cocktail. That variety helps families and groups avoid being locked into one dish.

Food quality is generally described as satisfactory to very good, but this is not a destination restaurant visit where you control every detail. One account disliked a meal at a place called Oasis, while other accounts praised the food and found it fresh and tasty. If lunch is a major part of your decision, consider it convenient included food rather than the culinary reason to book.

The return sail is designed as entertainment time. Music, dancing, games, drinks, and crew-led activities can make the trip back pass quickly. Several people called the crew fun and attentive, and one outing timed the return with a sunset. Sightings of dolphins and whales have also occurred, though wildlife is never guaranteed.

The same party atmosphere can be a drawback. Loud music may make conversation difficult, and the boat’s motion can affect anyone prone to seasickness. One person reported many people feeling sick and criticized the boat’s handling, while others simply recommended taking motion-sickness medicine for a full day at sea. If you know you need medication, take it according to your normal routine before the boat ride rather than waiting until nausea begins.

Is the $87.04 Price Good Value?

At $87.04 per person, the price is reasonable if you use several included features. You receive maritime transportation, breakfast, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, life jackets, music, the waterfall portion, guides, and on-board insurance. A day that combines transport, meals, equipment, and entertainment can cost more when booked in separate pieces.

The value weakens if you mainly want clear snorkeling or a quiet beach visit. Murky water, limited time in the water, poor-fitting gear, a late bar opening, or an unexpected extra charge can change how the price feels. The MX$32 pier and reef fee is specifically excluded, and waterfall transportation or ATV use may add another payment.

I would judge the price by your priorities. Families and social groups who want many activities in one package may get good value. A serious snorkeler should compare this with a smaller boat that focuses on reefs and water quality. Someone seeking peace may prefer a simpler beach trip without loud music and a full bar.

The current score is 3.9 from 89 ratings, which fits the mixed nature of the day. The crew and Yelapa experience receive more consistent approval than the snorkeling, timing, and extra-fee structure.

Who Should Book This Puerto Vallarta Cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full vacation day with variety. You can eat, swim, paddle, walk, drink, listen to music, and see a coastal community without arranging each part yourself. It works especially well for families with older children, couples who enjoy a social boat, and solo visitors who like meeting people during organized activities.

You should think twice if you need quiet, precise timing, strong English explanations throughout the day, or easy access for mobility issues. The boat transfer to shore and the waterfall walk require physical confidence. The group size can reach 40, and the schedule may run long.

Snorkeling enthusiasts should book only with flexible expectations. The water may be clear enough for fish and rays, but it may also be cloudy after weather or heavy boat use. Bring your interest in the wider day, not just an underwater checklist.

Practical Details Before You Reserve

The meeting point is Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. The listed start time is 9:15 a.m., and the tour ends back at that same meeting point.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and most people can participate. The activity requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a way to secure your belongings on the boat. Since picture identification may be needed for snorkeling equipment, keep an ID accessible. Comfortable shoes will help for Yelapa’s town and waterfall route.

The extra MX$32 fee is per person and covers pier and reef charges connected with Yelapa and Majahuitas. Ask about ATV or waterfall transportation costs before boarding, since those may not be part of the package.

Should You Book It?

Book this cruise if you want an energetic, all-day introduction to the coast south of Puerto Vallarta, with Yelapa’s waterfall as the anchor. The crew, food service, drinks, and range of activities are the strongest parts, and the trip can deliver a memorable family or group day.

Skip it if clear snorkeling is non-negotiable, if loud music bothers you, or if you need a short and tightly timed excursion. For the best chance of enjoying it, treat snorkeling as one option among several, ask about the exact Majahuitas stop and all extra fees, and leave your evening free. Yelapa is the reason to go. The snorkeling is simply a pleasant possibility.

FAQ

How long is the Yelapa and Majahuitas cruise?

The experience is listed as approximately eight hours, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Actual timing can be longer, so leave extra time after the tour.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins and ends at Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. Lunch options include fish steak, beef fajitas, chicken, shrimp or plain quesadillas, beef burger, shrimp, fish ceviche, and shrimp cocktail.

What drinks are included?

The national open bar includes rum, beer, tequila, brandy, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water.

Are snorkeling equipment and water activities included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, and life jackets are included.

Is the pier and reef fee included?

No. A fee of MX$32 per person for the piers and reefs at Yelapa and Majahuitas is not included.

Are guides available in English?

The tour lists Spanish and English guides. English ability may vary among individual crew members.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility issues?

The shore transfer requires moving from the catamaran to a smaller boat, and the waterfall portion involves walking. Anyone with mobility concerns should consider these requirements carefully.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund when canceling at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Poor-weather cancellations qualify for a different date or a full refund.