Fishing and snorkel tour in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta

This is a private six-hour boat day that mixes fishing with snorkeling, swimming, food, and time on the bay. You may fish for jack crevalle, bonito, tuna, dorado, sailfish, or marlin, then stop in the water or near a quiet beach. I like the freedom of having the boat to yourself and the chance to turn your catch into fresh food. The main drawback is that this is not a serious, fishing-only charter.

I especially like the fresh ceviche and guacamole prepared from the day’s catch when the boat has the right cooking service, and I like that the crew can make the day work for children, grandparents, and mixed-interest groups. You should also know that boats and crews can vary. Past outings have ranged from polished yachts with a chef and bartender to older boats with equipment and maintenance problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Fishing is part of a wider boat day: Expect time for snorkeling, swimming, food, and sightseeing, not nonstop angling.
• The price covers a private group: The listed rate is $1,075 for up to 15 people, which can be good value for a large family or friend group.
• The boat leaves from Paradise Village Public Pier: You arrange your own transportation to Blvrd Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta.
• Fresh food can be a highlight: A successful catch may be prepared as ceviche, with fruit, snacks, and drinks such as bottled water supplied.
• Boat quality deserves a direct question: Ask which boat is assigned and what crew services are included before you pay.
• Weather matters: You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and poor weather may lead to a new date or full refund.

A fishing trip with snorkeling built into the day

The most useful way to picture this outing is as a custom private boat excursion, not a dedicated offshore fishing campaign. You leave Nuevo Vallarta, spend part of the morning or day trying for local fish, then use the boat to reach good places for snorkeling and swimming.

That mix is the reason I would recommend it to a family group with different interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can sit in the shade with fruit and water. The private format also means you are not sharing the schedule with a boatload of strangers.

The fishing list is appealing: jack crevalle, bonito, tuna, dorado, sailfish, and several kinds of marlin are named as possible catches. Still, fishing is fishing. A six-hour trip may produce a memorable catch, but no charter can promise a particular species or size. The outing works best when you treat the fish as one part of the day rather than the only reason to go.

Leaving from Paradise Village Public Pier

Your meeting point is Paradise Village Public Pier on Blvrd Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta. The tour ends back at the same pier, and transportation to the marina is not included.

That makes the starting point simple once you arrive, but you need to plan your own taxi or other ride. One group reached the marina with a roughly ten-minute taxi ride from its resort, though your travel time will depend on where you are staying. The confirmation is provided at booking, so check the exact meeting instructions and arrival time before departure.

The pier is in Nuevo Vallarta, not central Puerto Vallarta. That distinction matters when you compare this tour with excursions leaving from the downtown waterfront. If you are staying in Puerto Vallarta, add transport time and cost to the advertised price.

What the six-hour schedule is likely to feel like

The exact order can change with weather, fishing conditions, and the crew. A common pattern is to leave the pier, fish while moving around the bay, stop for snorkeling or swimming, eat aboard, and return to the marina.

The first stretch usually gives the anglers in your group their best chance to focus. You may fish for the catch of the day while the captain and sailor manage the boat and gear. A successful haul can provide enough fish for everyone to take a turn, but a quiet fishing period is also possible.

Once the crew has finished the fishing portion, the day becomes more social. Past outings have included snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, jumping from the boat, and swimming. Those activities are not all listed as guaranteed parts of this package, so ask ahead if a particular water activity matters to you.

The snorkel stop is valuable for groups that would grow restless on a fishing-only charter. The supplied snorkeling equipment means you do not need to pack your own mask and snorkel, though bringing your own properly fitted gear is sensible if comfort matters to you. Towels are not included, so pack one.

A later stop may be at a quieter beach or an anchorage where you can swim and eat. This kind of pause is often the most relaxed part of the day. You are no longer waiting for a bite, and children can spend their time in the water while adults enjoy the food and views.

Fresh ceviche, fruit, and the value of the catch

The food is more than a minor extra. When the boat catches fish and has a chef or cook aboard, the catch may be turned into fresh ceviche, often served with guacamole. That gives the fishing a clear purpose, especially for people who do not care about bringing home a trophy fish.

The onboard food service has varied by boat. One larger yacht had chef Francisco preparing ceviche with notable attention to presentation. Another group praised chef Sebastian’s guacamole. Those details suggest what may be available on certain boats, but a chef is not listed among the standard inclusions, so do not assume every six-hour booking includes the same menu or staff.

The stated inclusions are bottled water, chopped fruit, snacks, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, a captain, and a sailor. That is a useful base package. You still need to clarify whether lunch, soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, or a chef are included in your exact booking.

The food can also depend on luck. If the boat catches little or nothing, you should not expect a full fish-based meal from the catch. Bring any special snacks you need, especially for children, because the listed refreshments are limited to snacks, fruit, and bottled water.

Boat comfort and crew service

Boat assignment is the biggest practical question I would ask before booking. The rate and description do not identify one fixed vessel, and past outings have used different boats, including Canuwa II, Florero, Nicole, Karina, Karina II, and Isabella.

That variety can work in your favor. A large group once used the Florero Yacht and found it roomy and comfortable, with a captain, chef, bartender, service staff, and photographer. Another group of eight enjoyed a day aboard Canuwa II with attentive service, food, swimming, and drinks.

But the mixed boat history also calls for caution. Some outings involved an unexpected boat change, older equipment, poor bathroom conditions, smoke from an engine, or snorkeling gear that did not fit well. Those are not minor annoyances on a six-hour private charter. Ask in writing for the assigned boat, the number of fighting chairs if fishing is your priority, the condition of the bathroom, and the type of snorkeling gear.

The captain and sailor are included. Additional staff are not clearly guaranteed. In some cases, crew members named Antelmo, Cesar, Ruben, Kevin, or a photographer named Ed helped shape the day. Treat those names as examples of past crew arrangements, not a promise that they will be aboard your trip.

Fishing quality for anglers

I would book this for casual anglers and mixed groups, not for someone planning a serious fishing campaign. The product description includes impressive species such as sailfish and marlin, but a six-hour fishing and snorkel itinerary gives you less dedicated fishing time than a charter built around one target species.

You may catch tuna, bonito, jack crevalle, dorado, or another fish in the bay. One seven-hour outing produced two fish of about 15 pounds and a yellowfin tuna without traveling far. Another four-hour trip produced tuna and a small shark. Those examples show the possibility of good action, but they do not set a normal result.

The fishing can be a wonderful group activity because the crew may help everyone take a turn. One outing produced enough fish for each person to reel something in. That is ideal for families, especially when some people are new to fishing.

If you want to fish from early morning until return, book a fishing-only charter and confirm the vessel before paying. A serious angler may be frustrated by the time spent snorkeling, swimming, preparing food, or moving between stops. The mixed format is the strength of this tour, but it is also its limit.

Snorkeling and swimming for non-anglers

The water portion gives the tour its broad appeal. You can use the supplied snorkeling equipment, swim near the boat, and possibly spend time near a beach or quiet anchorage. The bay setting lets your group enjoy the sea even if the fishing is slow.

I would bring a towel, sun protection, a dry bag, and a spare shirt. Towels are specifically excluded, and you should protect phones and cameras from splashes. The supplied equipment is convenient, but equipment quality has not been consistent on every boat, so ask about sizing if you need children’s gear or have a poor fit with standard masks.

Jumping from the boat, kayaking, or paddle boarding has occurred on some outings, but these extras are not part of the stated core inclusions. Ask before booking if they are important to your group. Do not assume a six-hour booking includes every toy or water sport seen on a particular vessel.

Group size, price, and real value

The price is $1,075 per group of up to 15 people. At the full group limit, that works out to about $72 per person before transportation and tips. For a large family or group of friends, that can be strong value because you get a private boat, captain, sailor, fishing gear, snorkel equipment, water, fruit, and snacks.

For only two or three people, the same rate feels much harder to justify. You are paying for the vessel and crew, not for individual seats. The private format is useful if you want control over the pace and do not want to share the boat, but a shared excursion may cost less for a small party.

The advertised capacity is up to 15 people. One past group numbered 19, but you should not use that as a reason to exceed the stated limit. Ask about seating, shade, storage, bathroom access, and the amount of room available on your assigned boat.

Tips are not included. Transportation and towels are also extra. The listed price is therefore not the complete door-to-door cost, but it does cover the main working parts of the day.

Who should book this private boat day

I think this tour suits:

• Families with children and grandparents
• Groups with both anglers and swimmers
• Friends who want a private schedule
• Casual fishers who would enjoy eating the catch
• Visitors who prefer one boat day with several activities

I would be more cautious if you are booking mainly to catch a particular billfish, need a polished luxury yacht, or expect a fixed boat and identical crew service. In those cases, confirm the vessel and fishing plan directly.

The tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the activity. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. If anyone in your group has mobility, medical, or swimming concerns, ask the operator for boat-specific details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe boarding arrangements.

Booking details worth confirming

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the activity is offered with a mobile ticket. Since boat assignments can change, I would send a short message before departure asking four questions:

• Which boat is assigned?
• Is the trip focused equally on fishing and snorkeling?
• Is food beyond fruit and snacks included?
• Are drinks, a chef, and extra water activities part of this booking?

That quick check can prevent the biggest mismatch. It also helps you know if the trip is designed for your group or if you should choose a dedicated fishing charter instead.

The cancellation policy is friendly if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather may lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Puerto Vallarta fishing and snorkel tour?

Book it if you want a private day on the water with several ways to enjoy it. The strongest features are the flexible group format, the mix of fishing and swimming, and the possibility of fresh ceviche made from your catch. It is especially good for families and friend groups where not everyone wants to fish all day.

Before paying, confirm the boat, crew services, food, and water equipment. That step matters because the experience can range from a comfortable yacht day with strong service to a less polished outing with older gear. If fishing is your only goal, choose a fishing-only charter. If your group wants fish, snorkeling, swimming, snacks, and a relaxed bay outing, this is a sensible choice at full capacity.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Paradise Village Public Pier on Blvrd Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Paradise Village Public Pier, the same meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the private tour cost?

The listed price is $1,075 per group, for up to 15 people.

What is included?

The tour includes bottled water, snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, a captain, a sailor, snacks, and chopped fruit.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.

Are towels provided?

No. Towels are not included, so you should bring your own.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather cancels the activity, you may be offered another date or a full refund.