Private Yacht, Sightseeing, Snorkeling and Private beaches

Los Arcos is the main prize here: those giant offshore rocks mark one of Puerto Vallarta’s best places to see fish, octopus, and sea turtles. You get there by private yacht, not a crowded shared boat, with time to stop near Playa Las Gemelas and other southern beaches along the way.

I like two things right away. First, the boat is reserved for your group of up to 12, so you can set a relaxed pace and play your own music through Bluetooth. Second, the crew supplies the useful gear, including snorkels, fishing rods, a kayak, a cooler with ice, and a restroom. The main catch is the price: $1,015 per group is excellent value for 10 to 12 people, but costly for just two.

Key things to know before you book

• Los Arcos is the snorkeling focus: Spend about 30 minutes near the protected rock formations, with chances to see colorful fish, octopus, and sea turtles.
• The yacht is entirely private: Only your own group participates, which makes this a good fit for families, couples, and birthday outings.
• The route includes southern beaches: You sail past Playa Las Gemelas, Punta Negra, and the Bungee, with a possible swim stop.
• The boat comes ready for a casual day: Snorkeling equipment, fishing rods, kayak, bottled water, plates, cups, ice, and a restroom are included.
• Bring your own food and drinks: Lunch and alcohol are not included, though the cooler and ice make it easy to bring them.
• Weather matters: The experience needs good conditions, and a poor-weather cancellation leads to a new date or a full refund.

A private way to see Puerto Vallarta from the water

This outing works best when you want the sea day to feel like your own. You are not joining a large party boat with a fixed mood or a packed schedule. Your group has the yacht, the crew, and the route for roughly three to four hours.

That private setup changes the value. A couple pays the full $1,015, which is a serious splurge. Split between six people, it comes to about $169 per person. With 12 people, it is about $85 per person, making the cost far easier to justify than it first appears.

The boat leaves from Calle Popa in Marina Vallarta and returns to that same meeting point. Since the listed operating hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., you are looking at a daytime outing rather than an evening cruise. The mobile ticket is useful, but confirmation can take up to 48 hours and remains subject to availability.

I would choose this trip for a group that values privacy more than the lowest possible fare. You can talk, listen to your own music, swim, fish, snorkel, and settle into the shaded or upper part of the boat without sharing the day with strangers.

Sailing south past Playa Las Gemelas

The trip begins with a cruise through the southern part of Bahía de Banderas. From the water, you get broad views of downtown Puerto Vallarta, the surrounding mountains, and the shoreline beaches that are easy to miss when you stay in town.

Playa Las Gemelas is the first named stop. The route also passes Punta Negra and the Bungee. Depending on what your group wants, the crew can stop so you can swim or spend time on the beach. The schedule gives this first portion about two hours, although the exact balance between sailing, fishing, swimming, and relaxing depends on your group.

This is where the private format earns its keep. If half the group wants to fish and the rest wants to sit quietly, you do not have to force everyone into the same activity. Fishing rods are provided, though no catch is promised. Think of fishing here as something pleasant to try while the boat is moving or paused, not as a dedicated fishing expedition.

The views are a major part of the experience. You see Puerto Vallarta from an angle that gives the city a strong backdrop of mountains and open bay. If you are hoping for a full beach day, keep your expectations measured. The beach stops are part of the route, but the tour’s main purpose is cruising, snorkeling, and enjoying the yacht.

What makes Los Arcos worth the ride

After the beach section, the yacht continues to Los Arcos de Mismaloya. The rock formations are among Puerto Vallarta’s best-known coastal sights, and the area is nationally protected. That protection helps explain why the stop is treated as a place to observe marine life rather than simply swim anywhere you please.

The snorkeling portion lasts about 30 minutes. You receive snorkeling equipment, and the area can offer sightings of colorful fish, octopus, and sea turtles. Marine life is never guaranteed, so you should treat those animals as possible highlights rather than promised encounters.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused look, but it is not a long snorkeling session. If you want hours in the water, this will feel brief. If you prefer a mixed outing with scenery, beach time, sailing, and a short swim, the timing is more sensible.

You can also skip the snorkeling and enjoy the rocks from the boat. The crew can take pictures while you relax, which suits anyone who wants the scenery without spending the whole stop in the water.

One practical note comes from the timing of the outing. A March departure had good snorkeling but cooler water. If you are sensitive to cool water, bring a towel and use the beach and boat time as part of the experience rather than counting on a long swim.

A boat set up for easy group time

The included equipment is practical rather than decorative. You get snorkeling gear, fishing rods, a kayak, a cooler with ice, plates and cups, bottled water, and a restroom on board. That list covers many small needs that can otherwise turn a short boat trip into an uncomfortable one.

The kayak is especially useful if your group wants another way to get on the water near a suitable stop. The supplied fishing rods give you something to do while sailing. Bottled water and the cooler help, but you still need to bring the food and drinks you want for the day.

Lunch is not included, and neither is alcohol. I would plan this before arriving at the marina. The cooler and ice make it practical to bring your own meal, and food can become part of the fun of a private charter. One outing included homemade ceviche, and another group arranged food delivery to the boat, but you should not treat either as a standard inclusion.

The yacht also has Bluetooth, so you can play your own music. That is a small detail, but it matters on a private trip. Your music can help set the mood for a birthday, a family afternoon, or a quiet outing for two.

The upper part of the boat offers extra privacy. The crew checks whether you need anything, but the overall setup allows you to settle in without constant attention. Cleanliness and a helpful crew were important strengths of the experience, especially for people booking a private yacht as a special occasion.

Why the private price can make sense

At $1,015 per group, this is not a bargain excursion for two people. For a couple, the cost is $507.50 each before any food or drinks you bring. You are paying for the yacht to remain private, not just for access to Los Arcos.

For a larger party, the numbers look much better:

• Two people: about $507.50 each
• Six people: about $169 each
• Eight people: about $127 each
• Twelve people: about $85 each

The maximum group size is 12. If you can fill the boat, the price compares more favorably with separate activities, especially since snorkeling gear, fishing rods, a kayak, water, ice, and the restroom are included.

I would not book this solely for the snorkeling. Thirty minutes at Los Arcos is worthwhile, but the complete experience is the combination of the boat, views, beach stops, private space, and flexible pace. The price is easiest to defend when your group will use all of those parts.

For a birthday or family gathering, the private setting adds real value. A birthday outing included special attention from the crew, and the boat format gave the group room to make the day feel personal. Still, special food or celebrations should be confirmed before you assume they are part of the standard package.

Who will enjoy this outing most

This is a strong match for families and groups of friends who want several choices in one trip. One person can snorkel, another can fish, someone else can sit upstairs with music, and the group can still share the same boat.

Couples can enjoy it too, especially if privacy matters more than cost. A yacht reserved for two offers plenty of space and a quieter setting, but it is a luxury purchase. If you mainly want a quick look at Los Arcos, a shared boat may cost less.

The trip also suits people who want a birthday or small celebration at sea. The clean vessel, onboard restroom, cooler, plates, and cups reduce the work involved in planning. You can bring lunch and drinks, then let the crew handle the boat and route.

It is less suitable if you want a full-day charter, a long snorkeling session, or a guaranteed encounter with turtles. It also may not suit someone who dislikes making plans around weather, since poor conditions can cancel the outing.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta. The activity begins and ends at Marina Vallarta, so you should plan to arrive at the stated Calle Popa meeting point rather than expect hotel pickup.

Timing, weather, and booking details

The activity lasts approximately three to four hours. The route description gives about two hours for the beach and sailing section, followed by roughly 30 minutes at Los Arcos. The remaining time allows for boarding, movement between locations, swimming, fishing, and the return to Marina Vallarta.

The experience operates Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. within the stated operating period. You should allow enough time to reach the marina before departure, although the supplied details do not specify how early you need to arrive.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your group size and date carefully before paying.

Weather is the important exception. The trip requires good conditions. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That protection does not apply to a personal cancellation or requested amendment.

The experience is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 26 days. If your dates are fixed or your group is large, booking early is sensible.

My take: book it for the boat, not just the rocks

I would book this private yacht for a group of six or more that wants an easy, flexible day on the water. The views, southern beach route, private space, onboard gear, Bluetooth, and stop at Los Arcos create a well-rounded outing.

I would think twice if you are a couple watching your budget or if snorkeling is your only goal. The price is hard to defend for a short swim alone, and the Los Arcos stop lasts about 30 minutes.

Bring lunch, alcohol if you want it, a towel, and realistic expectations about wildlife. If your group values privacy and can divide the cost, Puerto Vayacht offers a comfortable way to see the bay without being tied to a large shared excursion.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht experience cost?

The price is $1,015 per group of up to 12 people. The cost does not change based on whether your group has two people or 12.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately three to four hours.

Where does the yacht depart and return?

It starts at Calle Popa in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What places does the yacht visit?

The route includes Playa Las Gemelas, Punta Negra, the Bungee area, and Los Arcos de Mismaloya.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with fishing rods and a kayak.

Is food or alcohol included?

No. Lunch and alcoholic beverages are not included. Bottled water, plates, cups, a cooler, and ice are provided.

Is the yacht shared with other groups?

No. This is a private activity, and only your own group participates.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Can I cancel the booking for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.