Reviewed · PUERTO VALLARTA CATAMARAN CRUISES

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE

5.0 · 43 reviews Operated by Chica Locca Tours · Bookable on Viator
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The best thing about the Chica Sailing Adventure is the freedom to shape the day. You can spend your five hours sailing the Bay of Banderas, stopping at a quiet cove for snorkeling and paddle boarding, or timing the trip for a sunset. I like the private format and the choice of a relaxed or more active outing.

I also like the included food and open bar, which cover ceviche, guacamole, chips, fruit, muffins, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, and more. The main drawback is practical: the $1,155 price covers up to eight people, while the wider tour description refers to groups of up to 16, so you should confirm the exact boat capacity and price for your party before paying.

Key points at a glance

  • A private 41-foot sailboat: Your group gets the boat and crew to itself, with no fixed public-tour schedule.
  • Five hours on Banderas Bay: The cruise includes time for sailing, coastal views, swimming, snorkeling, and water activities.
  • Food and drinks are included: Expect ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, fresh fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, sodas, and a full bar.
  • Water toys come ready to use: Snorkel gear, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are provided.
  • Whale season adds a bonus: Humpback whales and other marine life may be seen at the right time of year, but sightings are not guaranteed.
  • You choose the mood: The crew can arrange a romantic sunset, an active sailing day, or an easygoing swim stop.

A private sailing day with room to make your own plan

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - A private sailing day with room to make your own plan

Many boat tours give you a fixed route and a fixed lunch stop. This one works differently. You meet the Chica Locca crew at the Paradise Village Public Pier, then decide how you want to use the time on the water.

That flexibility matters. A group celebrating a birthday may want music, cocktails, swimming, and a sunset. A family may prefer a sheltered bay, paddle boards, and time on the water mattress. A couple may want a quieter cruise with the sails up and fewer planned activities.

The crew can also let you learn a little about sailing instead of simply carrying you from one stop to the next. If you want to help with the sailing, say so early. If you would rather stretch out, eat, and watch the coast, that is fine too.

The boat is a 41-foot sailing vessel, large enough to feel comfortable for a private group but not so huge that the outing becomes anonymous. The price is listed at $1,155 per group of up to eight, so the value improves sharply when several people share the cost. For two people, it becomes a costly half-day. For six to eight, it can compare well with several separate activity bookings, especially since drinks, snacks, equipment, and crew service are included.

The description also refers to groups of up to 16. Since the quoted price is for up to eight, I would ask Chica Locca to confirm the maximum number and any added charge before booking a larger party.

More catamaran days from Puerto Vallarta:

Starting at Paradise Village Public Pier

The meeting point is Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier at the Paradise Village Public Pier in Nuevo Vallarta. Allow time to find the pier and arrive ready to board. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the marina.

The pier is more than a formality. It is where you meet the crew, settle into the plan, and make sure everyone understands the day. The operator asks you to choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation, so do not skip that step.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. That timing is worth noting if your vacation schedule is tight. I would book before the last minute and wait for confirmation before treating the charter as fixed.

Once aboard, the crew can talk through the choices. You might set out along the Puerto Vallarta coast, circle parts of the bay, or head toward a quieter swimming area. There is no single promised route, so weather, sea conditions, wildlife, and your group’s wishes can shape the day.

Four hours around the Bay of Banderas

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - Four hours around the Bay of Banderas

The main cruise lasts about four hours after the short marina portion. The Bay of Banderas gives you a broad setting for the outing, with views of the Puerto Vallarta coastline and plenty of open water for sailing.

The appeal is not a checklist of sights. It is the change of pace. On shore, you spend your vacation moving between restaurants, beaches, and hotel areas. On a private sailboat, the day has fewer edges. You can listen to the water, watch the coast recede, and let the crew decide when to make the next stop with your input.

If your group wants real sailing time, make that clear. Some private charters can spend much of the day motoring to an activity site, but this experience is designed around sailing as well as swimming and snorkeling. The crew can explain the basics or let experienced sailors take a greater interest in the boat.

The coast also looks different from the water. Puerto Vallarta and the bay are not just a backdrop for the activities. They give you a moving view throughout the trip, particularly if you choose an afternoon or sunset departure.

Swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boards

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - Swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boards

The water activities are among the strongest reasons to choose this charter. Snorkel equipment, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are included, so you do not need to rent each item separately.

The crew can take you to a secluded bay for swimming and water time, but the exact place is not fixed. That gives the captain room to consider conditions and your group’s interests. It also means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed named beach or a specific reef.

Snorkeling is a good fit for people who want an active break without committing the whole day to an organized excursion. You can get in the water, try the gear, and return to the boat when you have had enough. The paddle boards add another option for people who prefer to stay near the surface rather than snorkel.

The water mattress is useful for a slower afternoon. It gives non-swimmers and tired swimmers a way to enjoy the stop without taking part in every activity. Families should still pay attention to the conditions and follow crew directions, since the tour information does not promise a sheltered location every time.

A water tube is also provided. The exact use depends on conditions and the crew’s plan, so think of it as an included extra rather than the central feature of the trip.

Whales in season and wildlife along the way

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - Whales in season and wildlife along the way

During humpback whale season, you may see whales in the bay. The area also supports varied marine life, which can make the cruise more interesting even when you are not swimming.

Keep expectations sensible. Wildlife sightings depend on the time of year and nature, not on the company’s control. The charter can give you a chance to look for whales, but it cannot promise close encounters or a particular number of animals.

If whale watching matters most to you, mention it when you arrange the trip. The crew has room to shape the route, and the timing of your cruise may affect what is possible. One particularly memorable outing included seeing three whales from the sailboat, while another group encountered pods close to the boat. Those moments can be extraordinary, but they should be treated as a fortunate bonus.

What is included in the all-inclusive setup

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - What is included in the all-inclusive setup

The food and drinks make this more than a bare boat rental. The open bar includes brand-name drinks, with water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne listed among the options.

The standard food offering includes fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. Morning trips add fresh seasonal fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. That is enough to keep a half-day outing comfortable, though it is not the same as a full restaurant meal.

You can add a hot Mexican fajita lunch for 200 pesos per person. Several groups found this a worthwhile addition, especially for an afternoon and evening cruise. I would add it if you expect to be hungry after swimming or if the outing overlaps with a normal meal time.

The bar and snacks are also part of the convenience. You do not need to pack a cooler or plan a separate lunch stop. Still, the listing does not spell out every dietary option, so tell the operator about allergies, vegetarian needs, or other restrictions before departure rather than assuming the regular menu will suit everyone.

The crew makes the difference

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - The crew makes the difference

The crew is a major part of the experience. Names connected with these sailings include Gonzalo, Victor, Alex, Eder, Alonso, Lalo, Rameses, Tontino, Roberto, Alejandro, and Romero. The exact team will vary, but the service style is consistent in the descriptions available: friendly, attentive, professional, and willing to adjust the day.

That matters on a private boat. A captain who simply steers while the rest of the crew disappears can make an expensive charter feel thin. Here, the crew is expected to keep drinks filled, prepare or serve food, explain the area, help with water equipment, and read the mood of the group.

The strongest examples include crews helping couples, families, and larger celebrations. One birthday group even received a cake arranged during the outing. Another group praised the way the crew handled cocktails and food while family members swam.

Music and atmosphere can also be adjusted. One group appreciated that the crew read the mood and chose music to match it. If you want a quiet sail, a party feel, or a balance of both, tell them. Private does not automatically mean silent or festive. You have a say.

Sunset sailing, celebrations, and special occasions

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - Sunset sailing, celebrations, and special occasions

A sunset cruise is one of the clearest ways to use the flexible schedule. You get open views across the bay, changing light on the coast, and a natural end point for a celebration. Lalo and his crew received special praise for making an afternoon sailing comfortable and enjoyable around sunset.

The boat also suits birthdays, anniversaries, bachelor or bachelorette gatherings, and reunions. The private setting lets your group celebrate without sharing a boat with strangers. You can bring your own group dynamic, while the crew handles the food, drinks, sailing, and water equipment.

For a celebration, tell Chica Locca the occasion at the time of booking. The crew has shown flexibility with cakes and special moments, but no cake or decoration is listed as a standard inclusion. Treat that kind of help as something to request, not something guaranteed.

Is $1,155 a good value?

Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE - Is $1,155 a good value?

The answer depends on your group size. At eight people, the listed price works out to roughly $144 per person before any optional additions. For five hours on a private 41-foot boat, with a crew, open bar, snacks, water equipment, marina fees, and the ability to set the plan, that is a reasonable package for a special day.

For two people, the per-person cost is much higher. A couple who wants privacy, a sunset, and attentive service may still consider it worthwhile, but budget-minded couples could find a shared cruise less expensive.

The value also comes from what you do not have to arrange separately. Snorkel gear, paddle boards, a water mattress, a tube, drinks, and snacks are already covered. Add the fajita lunch at 200 pesos per person if you want a more filling meal.

Remember that hotel transportation is not included. You should also confirm the group limit, meeting point, food preferences, and any extra charges for a group larger than eight before finalizing the booking.

Who should book this charter?

I would choose this sailing for a group that values privacy and control more than a fixed schedule. It suits families with older children, couples marking a special occasion, friends sharing a birthday, and groups that want both water activities and relaxed time aboard.

It is also a good pick if people in your party want different things. One person can snorkel, another can paddle board, and someone else can stay on deck with a drink. The crew can keep the day moving without forcing everyone into the same activity.

I would hesitate if you want a strict sightseeing itinerary, a guaranteed whale sighting, or a low-cost boat ride. The route is flexible, and that means the final shape of the day depends on your choices and conditions.

Most travelers can participate, but the activity includes boarding a sailboat and using water equipment. If anyone in your party has mobility concerns or needs special assistance, ask Chica Locca before booking rather than assuming the setup will work.

Should you book Chica Sailing Adventure?

Book it if you want a private, flexible half-day on Banderas Bay and your group will make good use of the boat, crew, drinks, and water equipment. The best plan is to decide before boarding what matters most: sailing, swimming, snorkeling, wildlife, or sunset.

I especially like this option for six to eight people sharing the cost. Confirm the group capacity, choose the meeting point, ask about the fajita lunch, and tell the crew about your preferred pace. If you want a private celebration with plenty of room to adjust the day, this charter earns serious consideration.

FAQ

How long is the Chica Sailing Adventure?

The experience lasts about five hours. The listed plan includes a short period at the Paradise Village pier and about four hours cruising around the Bay of Banderas.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, at the Paradise Village Public Pier on Boulevard Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

How many people can join?

The listed price of $1,155 is for a group of up to eight people. The tour description also refers to groups of up to 16, so confirm the exact capacity and price for your party before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the meeting pier.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other drink choices.

What food is included?

Regular snacks include ceviche, fresh guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. Morning tours also include seasonal fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices.

Is lunch included?

A hot Mexican fajita lunch is available for an additional 200 pesos per person. It is not part of the standard food inclusion.

Are snorkeling and paddle board equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube are provided for use during the charter.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes made within that period are not accepted.

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