Puerto Vallarta: Luxury Yacht Tour with Lunch and Open Bar

Puerto Vallarta’s best boat days are about more than sun on the deck. This five-hour yacht trip carries you across the Bay of Banderas to Majahuitas Cove, where rainforest, clear water, snorkeling, and paddleboarding give the outing some real activity. You may also spot dolphins, sea turtles, tropical fish, and, in season, whales.

I like two things here: the crew handles the practical details, from towels and equipment to lunch and drinks, and the boat gives you several ways to enjoy the day. You can swim, paddle, snorkel, or simply claim a lounge seat and watch the coast slide past.

The main catch is time. A good portion of the five hours goes toward cruising, and the stop at Majahuitas can feel short if you want serious snorkeling and beach time. Group size also varies by boat, so this is not guaranteed to be an intimate sailing trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Majahuitas Cove is the main attraction: Expect a tropical beach, rainforest surroundings, swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.
• The boat ride takes time: The scheduled cruise is about three hours total, split between the outward and return journeys.
• Lunch and an open bar are included: Snacks, food, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are part of the onboard service.
• Crew service gets high marks: Charlie is specifically praised for being kind and attentive, while other crew members help keep the day organized and safe.
• The harbor fee costs extra: Bring $28 in cash per person, paid separately before departure.
• This is not a small, fixed-size tour: Boats may feel comfortably spacious with around 25 people, but another departure may carry 50 or more.

Setting out across the Bay of Banderas

You meet at one of the listed departure points, Las Palmas 39 or Puerto Mágico. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the harbor on your own. If you are sailing from the federal cruise port, expect airport-style security and a metal detector before boarding.

The separate $28 harbor fee per person is payable in cash. This is the kind of cost that can spoil an otherwise smooth morning if you do not know about it in advance, so keep the money ready. You also need a passport or ID card.

Departure times can vary, but one morning schedule has guests arriving around 8:00, boarding at about 8:30, and returning around 1:30. Confirm the exact time and meeting point with Vallarta Adventures before setting out. The company uses different boats from different locations, and the pickup details are not identical every day.

Once aboard, the outing settles into a relaxed rhythm. You have lounge seating, deck space for sunbathing, bathrooms, food service, and drinks. One boat described in the available details had four bathrooms and about 25 people, which felt spacious. Another account described a boat carrying at least 50 people. That difference matters: the feel can range from pleasantly social to fairly busy.

The first part of the trip is scenic cruising. You leave the built-up waterfront and head south along the coast, with the Bay of Banderas opening around you. The water and coastal views are the main show during this stretch. Keep your eyes open for dolphins and whales, especially during the cooler months when whale sightings may be possible, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

Why the boat ride matters

It is easy to look at a five-hour tour and picture five hours at the beach. That is not quite how this outing works. The schedule gives roughly 1.5 hours cruising out, two hours at Majahuitas, and another 1.5 hours returning.

That travel time is not dead time. You get a broad view of Puerto Vallarta’s coastline, time to settle into the boat, and a chance to watch for marine life. The crew may serve fruit or another light snack early in the trip, and drink service continues during the day.

Still, you should book with the right expectation. If your main goal is snorkeling, two hours at the cove is a modest amount of time once you account for getting equipment, entering the water, swimming, and drying off. One account described about 30 minutes of snorkeling, followed by time at another swimming area. If you want a full beach day, this will feel too brief.

The boat itself is part of the value. You are not simply being transported to a beach in a basic water taxi. You get a comfortable platform with seating, shade or sun options depending on where you sit, towels, food, and an open bar. At $119 per person, that package makes more sense for someone who wants a polished half-day on the water than for someone focused only on reaching Majahuitas.

Majahuitas Cove and its rainforest setting

Majahuitas Cove is the central stop, and it gives the trip its strongest sense of place. The beach sits south of Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by tropical rainforest. From the water, the coast feels quieter and more natural than the city waterfront.

The cove is used for several activities. You can snorkel with the provided equipment, try the stand-up paddleboard, or swim from the boat or near the beach. The water can be calm enough for an easy outing, but conditions change. Larger waves were reported on one departure, and the crew took extra care with safety. Expect the captain to adjust the plan if the sea is rough.

Snorkeling here is best approached as a pleasant taste of local sea life, not a guaranteed underwater spectacle. Tropical fish are possible, as are turtles and other marine creatures, but visibility and wildlife depend on weather, water conditions, and timing. You may see dolphins or whales during the cruise rather than at the cove itself.

Paddleboarding adds a nice option for anyone who does not want to snorkel. It also helps spread people out. Some will swim, some will sit on the beach, and others will remain aboard with a drink. That mix is useful for couples or families with different ideas of a perfect boat day.

The main limitation is that Majahuitas is not an all-day beach visit. Two hours passes quickly, especially when the group is getting in and out of the water. If you want to hike, explore at length, or spend hours alone on the sand, choose a longer coastal excursion instead.

Lunch, drinks, and the easy part of the day

After the active part of the outing, lunch is served aboard. The food has been described as tasty, and the tour includes both lunch and an open bar. Hors d’oeuvres or fruit are also part of the food service, giving you something to eat before the main meal.

The open bar changes the mood of the trip. You can settle into a deck chair after snorkeling without worrying about buying each drink separately. Staff circulate with drinks, and attentive service is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Charlie, in particular, is praised for being accommodating and kind.

That said, the open bar is not the only reason to choose this trip. If you do not drink alcohol, you still receive value from the boat, lunch, equipment, towels, and guided coastal outing. If you do drink, the package can compare well with paying separately for a boat ride, meal, rental equipment, and drinks.

Bring practical sun protection, but do not bring large luggage or bulky bags. Pets are not allowed. Towels are included, which saves space in your day bag, though you should still pack a passport or ID card and whatever basic sun protection you need.

How crowded will the yacht feel?

The answer depends on the boat assigned to your departure. One account describes around 25 people and plenty of room to lounge. Another describes at least 50 people, with a much more mass-tourism feel.

This is important because the word luxury can create the wrong picture. The yacht offers comfortable seating, onboard service, bathrooms, food, and water equipment. It does not guarantee a private charter or a small group. You may share the experience with a lively crowd, particularly on a busy date.

For the best chance of a calm spot, arrive on time and choose your preferred seating area early if boarding arrangements allow it. The crew will handle the safety and service, but you control some of your comfort by deciding where to sit, when to swim, and how much time to spend away from the busiest part of the deck.

If you want a quiet, private sailing experience, ask about group size before paying. If you are happy with a social boat, the changing group size is less of a concern. The photos from the boat are another optional extra. A photographer may take pictures during the day, with packages reportedly priced around $160, so decide in advance if you want to consider them.

Value at $119 per person

At $119, this is not the cheapest way to get onto the water in Puerto Vallarta. You also need to add the $28 harbor fee, bringing the known total to $147 per person before any optional photo purchase or other personal costs.

The price makes sense if you value convenience. Your boat, guide, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard, towels, lunch, drinks, and coastal sightseeing are bundled together. You do not need to rent gear, find food at Majahuitas, or plan your own route across the bay.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a short boat transfer and a long beach visit. Much of the day is spent cruising, and the actual water activities may be limited by sea conditions and group timing. A person who wants constant snorkeling may find the experience too polished and too brief at the cove.

I see this as a full-service half-day outing, not a bargain beach transfer. It works best when you want the boat itself to be part of the experience. You pay for the comfortable ride, open bar, crew service, lunch, and simple planning as much as for the destination.

Who should book this yacht trip?

I would suggest it for couples, families, and groups of friends who want a social day on the water with several activity choices. It is especially suitable if one person wants to snorkel while another prefers sunbathing, drinks, or sightseeing.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see more of the Puerto Vallarta coast without arranging several separate bookings. The English and Spanish guides, supplied equipment, and included meal keep the day easy to manage.

You should think twice if you have limited mobility. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments. Boarding, moving around the vessel, getting into the water, and using the beach can be difficult.

This is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes boat motion. One departure had bigger waves, and the tour operates rain or shine. The crew makes safety adjustments, but weather and water conditions remain part of the deal.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your plans are still moving, but they do not remove the need to confirm the meeting location and departure time.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour?

Book it if you want a comfortable, service-focused boat day with lunch, drinks, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and a rainforest-backed cove in one package. The crew service is a real strength, and the boat gives you plenty to do even when you are not in the water.

Skip it if you want a private yacht, a quiet small-group trip, or several uninterrupted hours at the beach. The group size can vary, the harbor fee is extra, and the scheduled time at Majahuitas is shorter than the five-hour headline suggests.

My practical advice is to confirm the departure point, ask which boat is operating, bring $28 cash for the harbor fee, and treat the wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. With those expectations, this is a polished and enjoyable way to see the Bay of Banderas.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. The schedule allows about 1.5 hours for the outward cruise, two hours at Playa Majahuitas, and 1.5 hours for the return cruise.

What is included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, towels, lunch, and an open bar are included. The tour also includes a guide in English or Spanish.

Is the harbor fee included?

No. A $28 harbor fee per person is payable in cash and is separate from the tour price.

Where does the tour depart?

The listed meeting locations are Las Palmas 39 and Puerto Mágico. Contact Vallarta Adventures before the tour to confirm the exact meeting point.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. Bring a passport or ID card. All visitors entering the federal cruise port must pass through airport-style security.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.