Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this six-hour cruise is its mix of easygoing yacht time and active stops. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, slide into the sea, hike to a waterfall, or simply sit back with a drink while the crew keeps food moving.

I like the generous all-inclusive setup and the choice between lively music and quieter seating. I also like the attentive crew, with hosts such as Ricky Ricardo bringing energy and DJ David helping keep the ride fun. The tradeoff is simple: this tour packs in many activities, so snorkeling and beach time can feel short.

Key points to know

• Two departure choices: Meet at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village, depending on the option you book.
• A full food-and-drink plan: Breakfast, fajitas, guacamole, chips, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and mixed drinks are included.
• Water time at Playa Chica Locca: Use the snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattress, slide, and second-deck jump.
• Yelapa includes options: Walk to the waterfall, explore the village, relax on the beach, or remain aboard the catamaran.
• Onboard extras: A massage may be available, and a photographer takes pictures that you can buy separately.
• Plan for a busy six hours: You get a lot for the price, but anyone wanting a long, quiet beach stay may prefer a simpler excursion.

A lively catamaran ride across Banderas Bay

Chica Locca’s Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure is best understood as a social catamaran day, not a private yacht charter. The boat offers comfortable seating, shaded areas, food service, music, water toys, and a crew focused on keeping the atmosphere moving.

The trip begins with check-in at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point when booking. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so allow time to reach the dock on your own.

Once aboard, you settle into the seating area and cruise south along Banderas Bay. The bay is known for seasonal humpback whales, and dolphins or whales may appear during the ride. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the wide views of Puerto Vallarta and the coast give you something to watch even when the sea is quiet.

Breakfast comes early in the form of seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. The open bar begins as well, with water, mineral water, soft drinks, coffee, juices, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas.

I suggest pacing yourself. An unlimited bar can turn a pleasant day into a long one if you start too quickly, especially under the Mexican sun.

Playa Chica Locca brings the water activities

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran reaches Playa Chica Locca near Quimixto. This is the main water-play stop, and it gives you the most active part of the morning.

You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and water mattress. There is also a waterslide and a second-deck jump for anyone who wants a little more excitement. The crew provides instruction and helps organize the equipment, but the stop is not a formal, specialist snorkeling expedition.

That distinction matters. Snorkeling conditions in the bay can change with water clarity, weather, and sea conditions. Some people see plenty of fish, while others find the water cloudy or wish they had more time to swim. One practical complaint has involved equipment running short, so if snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask about gear availability at check-in and get organized early.

The strongest feature here is choice. You do not have to snorkel. You can paddle, float, jump, swim, take a drink, or stay in the shade. That makes the stop work well for mixed groups where one person wants activity and another prefers to relax.

The crew continues serving drinks during the water stop, and snacks usually follow, including fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips. An onboard massage may also be available. It is described as included, but you may need to sign up rather than simply wait for the masseuse to find you. Ask early if you want a treatment.

Lunch is a real part of the value

After the first water stop, lunch arrives before or during the run toward Yelapa. The meal consists of Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. The food is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and brought out by boat.

For an all-inclusive day at $117.60 per person, this matters. You are not paying separately for a restaurant lunch, bar tab, snorkeling rental, kayak, or paddleboard. The price also covers breakfast and snacks, which makes the cost easier to understand as a complete outing rather than just a boat ticket.

The meal is casual and practical, not a fine-dining event. It suits the setting: hot food, simple sides, and plenty of chances to eat between activities. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available if you request them when booking.

Food and service receive some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. The crew keeps plates, drinks, and snacks moving, and they work hard to keep the boat clean. That attention is useful on a day when wet feet, sand, food, and drink can quickly make a deck untidy.

Yelapa offers a slower change of pace

Yelapa is a small coastal village reached by boat, with a sheltered bay and a more rustic feel than central Puerto Vallarta. The name is commonly explained as meaning where two rivers meet the sea. Here, the pace changes from catamaran entertainment to a choice of short land activities.

The boat docks at a pier, and you can choose how much effort you want to make. You can walk into the village, relax on the beach, swim near the boat, or take the trail toward the waterfall.

The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes, but do not mistake that for a flat stroll. The route includes an uphill section, and some people may find it tiring. If you have limited mobility, older family members, or anyone who dislikes uneven paths, staying near the beach or boat may be the better plan.

The waterfall itself is a pleasant reward and a popular place for a quick swim or a photograph. It is not an all-day hike. The charm is in the combination of a short walk, a natural pool, and a look at Yelapa beyond the beach.

Time is the main limitation. The tour must fit in the cruise, water activities, lunch, waterfall visit, and return trip. Several details of the experience point to the same conclusion: you may wish for more time to swim, paddleboard, or explore the beach. If you want hours in Yelapa, book a trip built around Yelapa alone instead.

The boat atmosphere depends on your seating choice

This is not a silent sightseeing cruise. Music, dancing, drinks, and group energy are part of the design. Ricky Ricardo is known for hosting with a big personality, while DJ David helps maintain the musical side of the trip.

That atmosphere suits people who like meeting others and joining in. The crew encourages fun and brings people together, but the catamaran also has shaded and quieter seating. The upper level may offer lower music, giving you a place to sit back when the main deck gets too lively.

I would choose your seat with the whole day in mind. Stay near the action if you want games, dancing, and easy access to drinks. Look for a quieter spot if you want to read, watch the coast, or take a break from the sound.

The crew receives consistent praise for attentiveness. They serve drinks, clear surfaces, help with equipment, and keep an eye on safety. One practical strength is the visible work ethic: this is a large operation, with capacity for up to 115 people, yet the staff aims to keep service personal.

Still, a maximum group size of 115 means the experience can feel crowded on a full departure. A smaller group can make the massage, water equipment, and service feel easier to access. If a quiet, private day is your goal, this is not the right format.

Is the all-inclusive price a good deal?

At $117.60 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour outing that includes transport by boat, meals, snacks, open bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and entertainment.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several parts of the package. A person who eats breakfast and lunch, enjoys the water toys, has a few drinks, and visits the waterfall receives a broad set of inclusions without keeping a running tab.

The value is weaker if you do not drink, dislike group entertainment, or mainly want a long snorkeling session. You are still paying for the bar, food service, staff, boat, and activities even if you use only a small part of them.

I also like that the package includes shaded seating and comfortable areas. On a six-hour water outing, those basics are not minor details. A place to sit out of the sun can make the difference between an enjoyable day and an exhausting one.

Gratuities are not included. Tips are optional, but you should budget for one if the crew takes good care of you. Souvenir photographs also cost extra. A photographer works aboard the boat, and you can arrange to buy pictures at check-in or onboard.

Who should book this Yelapa excursion?

I would recommend this tour to:

• Couples who want scenery, food, drinks, and a social boat atmosphere.
• Families with mixed interests, since some people can swim while others relax.
• First-time visitors to Puerto Vallarta who want to combine coastline views with Yelapa.
• Older family members who can manage the boat but may prefer to skip the waterfall walk.
• Anyone who likes an all-inclusive price and does not want to arrange separate rentals or meals.
• People who enjoy a host-led day with music, group energy, and plenty of crew contact.

I would be more cautious if you want serious snorkeling, long stretches of quiet, or a private sailing experience. The snorkeling is one part of a larger day, not the whole purpose. Yelapa is also a short stop within a packed schedule, not a full village stay.

Bring a hat, swimsuit, sunscreen, and towel. The boat supplies the listed water equipment, food, and drinks, but sun protection remains your responsibility. The port has strict security rules, and you should not bring drugs, alcohol, weapons, electronic cigarettes, vapes, or other prohibited liquids through Puerto Mágico.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can take part, but the waterfall route may not suit everyone. Public transportation is nearby, and the tour may use a multilingual guide.

The return cruise gives the day a final lift

The ride back across Banderas Bay is part of the entertainment rather than dead time. You may see more coastline, spot marine life in season, dance, or simply settle into a shaded seat with a final drink.

The crew’s photo team displays action shots on the return trip. These pictures are optional purchases, so do not assume they are included in the price. If you buy photos and do not receive them promptly, keep your booking details and contact the operator through the information attached to your reservation.

The trip lasts about six hours and often returns with enough afternoon left for another activity. That shorter format is useful if you want a major water outing without giving up the entire day.

Weather can affect the schedule. If poor conditions cancel the tour, you can be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refundable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full-service day on the water with Yelapa, a waterfall, food, drinks, water toys, and a lively crew. The staff service, plentiful food, comfortable seating, and broad list of included activities make the $117.60 price fair for the right audience.

Think twice if snorkeling is your single priority, if you need a long beach stop, or if you dislike music and group entertainment. For most people, the smartest expectation is not a pure snorkeling tour and not a private yacht charter. It is a fun, well-fed catamaran day that gives you a taste of several Puerto Vallarta highlights in one outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

You can choose to meet at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village. You must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours, including the boat ride, Playa Chica Locca water stop, Yelapa visit, waterfall walk option, and return trip.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes chicken and beef fajitas with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are also included.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, mineral water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other available drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress are provided. Water conditions can affect visibility, and equipment availability should be confirmed at check-in if snorkeling is especially important to you.

Is the waterfall walk difficult?

The walk takes about 15 minutes and includes an uphill section. It is accessible for many people, but those with limited mobility or difficulty walking on an incline may prefer to remain at the beach or aboard the boat.

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 for a refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to another date or a full refund.