Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

Yelapa is the real prize on this full-day boat trip. The small coastal village, beach, waterfall walk, and ride south from Puerto Vallarta give you a taste of Mexico beyond the resort strip. The crew creates much of the fun, with food, drinks, music, games, and dancing on the return trip.

I like the mix of activities: you can snorkel, kayak, or paddle board before lunch, then choose a beach stay or head toward Yelapa’s waterfall. I also like the simple all-inclusive setup, with breakfast, lunch, beer, liquor, soft drinks, and water covered in the main price. The catch is that snorkeling can be poor after storms or when the bay is crowded, and the day may run longer than the advertised eight hours.

Key points to know before you book

• Yelapa is the strongest part of the day: The village and waterfall walk offer more character than the snorkeling stop.
• Snorkeling conditions change: Some outings produce fish sightings, while murky water can make the activity disappointing.
• The crew drives the atmosphere: Alex, Diego, Jorge, and Jonathan, also called Johnny Cash, are among the guides praised for keeping the boat lively.
• The package includes plenty: Breakfast, deli-style lunch, an open national bar, equipment, water activities, and onboard insurance are included.
• Expect a long day on the water: The listed duration is about eight hours, but one outing lasted 11 hours.
• Bring extra cash: Ground transportation is not included, and a MX$32 per-person pier and reef fee is required. Waterfall transport or ATV rides may also cost extra.

A long coastal day with Yelapa as the main event

This is not a quiet boat ride. It is a social catamaran outing with music, an open bar, group activities, and a full schedule. You leave from Puerto Magico at 9:15 a.m. and return to the same meeting point in Puerto Vallarta.

The boat ride south is part of the experience. You’ll see beaches and coves from the water, then stop at the Majahuitas area for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddle boarding. Later, the boat continues to Yelapa, where you can spend time near the beach, walk toward a waterfall, and eat at the Vela Roja a la carte restaurant.

I would choose this trip for a relaxed group day, not for a carefully paced nature expedition. You get plenty of variety, but the schedule depends on boat loading, transfers, sea conditions, and group coordination. That can mean lines at the start and less time in the water than you hoped.

The group limit is 40 people. That is large enough to create a party atmosphere, but small enough that the crew can generally serve food and drinks without the boat feeling enormous. If you want silence, private guiding, or a short outing, this is the wrong shape of tour.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta by catamaran

The meeting point is Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Hotel Zone Norte. You must arrange your own way there, since ground transportation is not part of the package.

Allow time for check-in and equipment arrangements. One useful detail is that a picture ID may be needed to receive snorkeling gear. The beginning can involve several lines, so arriving prepared and not cutting it close will make the morning easier.

Breakfast is continental: bread, coffee, seasonal fruit, yogurt, and granola. It is a practical start rather than a grand meal. Once underway, the crew handles service and begins the day’s entertainment.

The onboard bar includes tequila, rum, vodka, beer, brandy, soft drinks, juice, and water. One important timing issue is that the bar may not open immediately. On some departures, drinks started after the first activity rather than from the moment the boat left the pier.

Music and dancing are a major part of the return ride. The mood can be friendly and playful, especially when crew members lead games or encourage people to join in. The volume, however, may be too high if you want to talk on the upper deck. I would bring a light layer, sun protection, and motion-sickness medication if you normally need it on boats.

Majahuitas: bring realistic snorkeling expectations

The water stop near Majahuitas is designed to give you several choices. You can use the provided snorkeling equipment, take a kayak, or stand on a paddle board. Life jackets are available, and the crew helps organize the water activities.

The snorkeling is the least predictable part of the trip. On a clear day, you might see fish, rays, dolphins farther away, or other marine life. One outing had a memorable manta ray sighting, and another group saw plenty of fish. Whales were also spotted on one return journey, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

After rain, storms, or heavy boat traffic, visibility can drop sharply. Some departures found the water so cloudy that almost nothing was visible. A few people also had trouble with older or poorly fitting masks, while others found the equipment clean and functional.

That variation matters. If your main reason for booking is underwater viewing, you may be disappointed. If you see snorkeling as one option among several, the stop works better. You can switch to kayaking or paddle boarding, swim, or simply enjoy the boat and the cove.

Be aware of jellyfish. One person was stung during a snorkeling stop, and the crew provided help. This is not a warning to avoid the water, but it is a reason to listen to the safety briefing and use the life vest if you are not a confident swimmer.

The stop can also feel short. The full outing has several moving parts, and some people wished for more time to snorkel. If you want a long, guided session at the best possible reef location, look for a smaller snorkeling-focused excursion instead.

Yelapa gives the day its character

Yelapa is a small coastal community reached by boat, and it feels different from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. The appeal is not polished resort convenience. It is the chance to walk through a compact village, spend time near the beach, and see a waterfall in a jungle setting.

The waterfall walk is one of the most worthwhile parts of the trip. You can take a guided route through town and toward the falls. The walk has uneven surfaces and is not a good match for everyone with mobility limitations.

You may also be offered paid transportation to the waterfall, including an ATV option. Several people found the ATV ride worth the extra cost because it offered a faster way to see more of the town and reach viewpoints. Francisco was singled out as a strong ATV guide, with stops for photographs and a route through narrow streets.

The price of that add-on is not included in the advertised tour price, so ask before agreeing. The same goes for other local transportation. If you want to keep spending under control, confirm exactly what is included in your beach and waterfall plan.

Yelapa’s facilities are basic. Do not expect the finish of a resort restaurant or a fully polished public beach. Reports include limited restroom upkeep and missing table supplies. That is part of the tradeoff: you get a more local-feeling stop, but not resort-level service.

The beach itself receives mixed reactions. Some people find it beautiful and special, while others dislike the water quality, steep drop, or general upkeep. Conditions can change, and your experience will depend on the weather, tide, crowds, and where the boat puts you ashore.

Lunch at the beach, with a useful range of choices

Lunch is served at the Vela Roja a la carte restaurant. The menu includes fish steak, beef fajitas, chicken, shrimp quesadillas, a natural quesadilla, beef or shrimp burgers, fish ceviche, and shrimp cocktail.

That range is helpful for a mixed group. You can choose a hot meal, seafood, or a simpler burger or quesadilla. Food opinions are also mixed. Some people found it genuinely good, while others thought the beef was tough or the meal at a beach restaurant was poor.

I would treat lunch as convenient rather than a reason to book the tour. The value comes from having food available during a busy day, not from expecting a special dining experience. If you have dietary needs, ask the crew what can be adjusted before ordering.

The open bar continues around the meal and on the boat. Drinks are served rather than simply left for everyone to prepare, which many people appreciate. As always, pace yourself. You still have a boat ride back, and the day can stretch well beyond the scheduled time.

The return ride is part cruise, part party

The trip back is often when the crew turns up the entertainment. Music, dancing, games, and drinks make the return feel less like a transfer and more like a floating social event.

This is where individual crew members matter. Alex was praised for guiding a family outing, Jorge was described as warm and engaging, and Jonathan, known onboard as Johnny Cash, was praised for his humor and energy. Diego was also singled out for working hard and looking after people.

The crew generally receives the strongest praise in the overall experience. They serve drinks, help with activities, keep an eye on safety, and try to make the group feel included. English ability can vary, though. Some people found that instructions were not always repeated clearly in English, leaving them unsure about where to line up or what came next.

I would pay close attention during the morning briefing. If you miss an instruction about equipment, identification, transfers, or meeting times, it may be hard to catch up later. Ask directly when something is unclear.

Seasickness is another real concern. The boat may feel rough to some people, and one departure had several people feeling ill. Take your usual motion-sickness medicine before leaving if you need it. Sit where you feel most stable, stay hydrated, and do not assume an open bar will make a rough crossing easier.

What the $87.04 price really covers

At $87.04 per person, the price is reasonable if you use several parts of the package. You receive maritime transportation, breakfast, lunch, an open national bar, soft drinks, water, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, life jackets, music, a waterfall activity, and onboard insurance.

The package saves you from paying separately for a meal, water equipment, and drinks. It also gives you an entire day of transport between several coastal stops. For a group that wants food and entertainment bundled together, that is solid value.

The price does not cover everything. You pay for your own ground transportation to Puerto Magico. There is also a MX$32 pier and reef fee per person. Paid waterfall transportation, including an ATV option, may be offered during the Yelapa portion.

The boat’s condition and organization affect the value. Some people found the process disorganized, the equipment old, or the service less polished than expected for the price. Others felt the friendly crew, food, drinks, and full day made the cost worthwhile.

My advice is to book this for the whole package, not for one perfect feature. You are paying for a social boat day with Yelapa, not a dedicated reef trip or luxury yacht charter.

Who will enjoy this day most

You are likely to enjoy this outing if you want a family-friendly mix of swimming, beach time, food, and music. It also suits couples and solo visitors who like meeting people and do not mind a group setting.

The trip works well for people who want options. You can snorkel, kayak, paddle board, walk to the waterfall, choose an ATV ride, eat lunch, or stay on the boat and enjoy the bar. You do not need to take part in every activity.

It is less suitable if you have mobility issues. Getting to shore may require transferring from the catamaran to a smaller boat, and boarding again can be awkward. The waterfall route and uneven town surfaces add another challenge.

You should also reconsider it if loud music, long boat rides, or uncertain snorkeling conditions bother you. The day can be delayed, extended, or affected by weather. A weather cancellation allows a new date or full refund, but poor visibility in the water does not necessarily cancel the trip.

The tour is offered in English, with guides speaking Spanish and English, but the amount of English explanation may vary. If clear, detailed commentary is important to you, ask questions early and stay close during instructions.

Practical details that make the day easier

Pack reef-safe sun protection, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a dry bag for your phone. Bring cash for the MX$32 fee and possible paid activities in Yelapa.

Wear footwear that works for both a boat and an uneven walk. Flip-flops may be fine on the beach but less useful on the waterfall route. If you choose the ATV ride, follow the operator’s instructions and secure loose belongings.

Keep your schedule open after the listed eight hours. One outing lasted 11 hours, and cruise-ship schedules may require special timing. If you are visiting Puerto Vallarta on a cruise ship, confirm the return time with the operator before booking.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. The cut-off uses local Puerto Vallarta time.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas cruise?

Book it if you want a busy, social day that combines Yelapa, water activities, meals, drinks, and entertainment. The crew is often the highlight, and the waterfall walk gives the trip a strong sense of place. The all-inclusive price is fair when you take advantage of the food, bar, and equipment.

Skip it if excellent snorkeling is your top priority, if you need a quiet boat, or if mobility and boat transfers may be difficult. The most reliable part of the outing is Yelapa and the crew, not the underwater visibility.

My best advice is to go for Yelapa, treat snorkeling as a bonus, ask about extra costs before leaving, and prepare for a long day. That approach matches what this trip does best.

FAQ

Where does the cruise start?

It starts at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone Norte.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:15 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the Puerto Magico meeting point.

How long is the experience?

The listed duration is approximately eight hours, though the day may run longer. One reported outing lasted 11 hours.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Ground transportation to Puerto Magico is not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

Are kayaks and paddle boards included?

Yes. Kayaking and paddle boarding are included among the water activities.

What food is included?

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

What drinks are included?

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

Is there an additional fee?

Yes. A pier and reef fee of MX$32 per person is not included. Ground transportation and possible paid waterfall or ATV transportation are also separate.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather may result in a new date or full refund.