Puerto Vallarta: Luxury Yacht Tour with Lunch and Open Bar

Puerto Vallarta’s Bay of Banderas is the star here. You spend five hours on a polished yacht, watching the coast slide by before reaching Majahuitas Cove for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Whales and dolphins may appear during the cruise, especially in the cooler months.

I like the roomy boat, comfortable lounge seating, several bathrooms, and steady drink service. I also like that lunch, towels, snorkeling gear, and a paddleboard are included, so you can settle in without carrying much beyond your ID and swimwear.

The catch is time. The boat ride takes about three hours total, leaving roughly two hours at Majahuitas, and the experience can feel structured rather than private. At $119, plus a $28 harbor fee in cash, it suits people who want a polished half-day on the water more than a small, quiet sailing trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Majahuitas Cove is the main stop: Expect rainforest-backed scenery, beach time, snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding.
• The yacht is built for comfort: One recent trip had about 25 people, four bathrooms, plenty of lounge space, and room to sunbathe.
• Marine life is a real possibility: Dolphins, whales, sea turtles, and tropical fish may appear, but sightings depend on conditions and season.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You receive a fruit snack or hors d’oeuvres, a meal, and an open bar during the outing.
• The harbor fee is extra: Bring $28 per person in cash, and allow time for security at the federal cruise port.
• This is not a wheelchair-friendly outing: Mobility limitations can make the boat, port, and water activities difficult.

Setting out from Puerto Vallarta’s port

You board from one of two meeting points listed as Las Palmas 39 and Puerto Mágico. The exact boat and meeting instructions can vary, so contact Vallarta Adventures before the morning of your tour and confirm where you need to go.

If you use Puerto Mágico, allow extra time for the port process. Everyone passes through airport-style security and a metal detector, and the $28 harbor fee is paid separately in cash. One clear morning schedule had arrival around 8 a.m., boat departure at 8:30, and return around 1:30 p.m.

That early start matters. You are not simply walking from a hotel lobby onto a boat. The port is a working cruise facility, and the security step can take a little patience. Bring your passport or ID card, but leave luggage and large bags behind. Pets are not allowed.

The meeting instructions deserve attention because different boats may use the two pickup points. A quick confirmation with the operator can prevent the most annoying kind of vacation problem: standing at the wrong dock while your boat is already preparing to leave.

Cruising the Bay of Banderas for 90 minutes

Once underway, the first portion is mostly about the coast and the sea. The cruise from Puerto Vallarta toward the southern shore takes about 1.5 hours, with scenic views along the way.

The Bay of Banderas gives you a broad sense of Puerto Vallarta’s setting. From the boat, the city gives way to coastal cliffs, open water, and forested hills. The scenery is the kind that works best when you stop checking the clock and let the crew handle the details.

This is also your best chance to look for dolphins and whales. The trip can produce memorable wildlife sightings, but nature does not take reservations. You might see dolphins close to the boat, whales farther out, or nothing more dramatic than seabirds and a beautiful stretch of water.

Keep your eyes open during the ride, but do not treat sightings as guaranteed. The point of this portion is partly the view and partly the pleasure of getting somewhere by water instead of by road. You can sit in the lounge area, find a place in the sun, or order from the open bar once service begins.

The yacht itself helps the long ride feel comfortable. A recent boat carried about 25 people without feeling cramped and had four bathrooms. That is useful on a five-hour outing, especially if you prefer not to spend half the day worrying about facilities.

Still, group size can vary. One account described a boat able to hold at least 50 people, so do not book this expecting a private charter or an intimate sailing lesson. The vessel is designed for a social cruise, with service and amenities taking priority over solitude.

Arriving at rainforest-backed Majahuitas Cove

Majahuitas Cove is the main reason to choose this trip. Located south of Puerto Vallarta, the cove has a quieter feel than the city shore, with tropical forest behind the beach and clear water suited to a short swim or snorkel session.

The scheduled stop lasts about two hours. That sounds generous until you account for getting into the water, collecting equipment, swimming, trying the paddleboard, and returning to the boat. Plan to choose your priorities rather than expecting time for every activity at a leisurely pace.

If snorkeling is your main goal, get organized early. Equipment is included, and the crew can point you toward the area used for swimming and snorkeling. Tropical fish are possible, along with sea turtles and other marine life, though water clarity and animal sightings can vary.

Paddleboarding gives you another way to enjoy the cove. It is a good option if you want to be active without committing to a longer swim. You can also simply sit on the beach, float, or remain on deck with a drink. The tour does not require you to participate in every activity.

Conditions matter here. One outing had larger waves than usual, and the guides paid close attention to safety. That is reassuring, but it also means the water program may change with the sea. A rougher day can shorten snorkeling time or make paddleboarding less appealing.

The beach stop is attractive, but it is not an untouched private escape. You are visiting a popular coastal destination as part of a scheduled boat excursion. If your ideal day means a long, silent stretch on an empty beach, this may feel too organized. If you want easy access to a scenic cove with gear already provided, it works well.

Snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding

The water activities are the tour’s most useful feature. You do not have to rent equipment separately or figure out how to get to Majahuitas on your own. Snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, and towels are included.

Expect the active part of the day to be fairly brief. One schedule described roughly 30 minutes of snorkeling, followed by time near an island or beach area for swimming. Your exact sequence can change with conditions, but the overall design is a taste of several activities rather than an all-day snorkel expedition.

That distinction is important for value. Strong swimmers who want extended time underwater may find the stop short. Families, couples, and mixed-activity groups may appreciate the choice: one person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can stay aboard with lunch or a drink.

The crew’s role matters more than the equipment list. On a day with larger waves, the guides kept an eye on safety and helped people enjoy the water without pushing them into uncomfortable conditions. Charlie received particular praise for being kind and accommodating, though the crew roster can vary.

Bring a passport or ID card, but pack lightly. Large bags are not allowed, and the boat already supplies towels and water equipment. You will want swimwear, sun protection, and perhaps a dry change of clothes, but the formal requirements are simple.

Lunch, open bar, and the cruise back

After the water stop, the boat serves lunch during the return cruise. The food program also includes a fruit snack or hors d’oeuvres earlier in the day, depending on the boat’s service pattern.

The meal is more than a minor extra. Buying lunch and drinks separately in Puerto Vallarta can add up quickly, and having food on board means you do not lose time looking for a beach restaurant. The open bar is useful for a relaxed afternoon, though you should pace yourself. Five hours on sun, salt water, and alcohol can catch up with you faster than expected.

Drink service is a strong part of the boat experience. You can stay on deck, watch the coastline, and let the crew keep the glasses moving. The tone is easygoing rather than formal luxury. Think comfortable yacht outing with attentive service, not a private butler experience.

The cruise back takes another 1.5 hours. This is the quietest portion of the day, and it can be the best time to claim a comfortable seat, dry off, and watch the shore from the water. If you prefer sun, there are places to lie out. If you want shade, arrive early enough to choose a suitable spot.

Some boats also take photographs during the trip. These are optional purchases at the end, and one recent outing listed the photo package at about $160. That price is not included, so decide ahead of time if you want to pose for onboard pictures or simply enjoy the day without another expense.

Is $119 a fair price?

The headline price is $119 per person, but your real cost is higher after adding the $28 cash harbor fee. That puts the minimum listed outlay at $147 per person before any optional photos or other personal spending.

For that price, you receive a five-hour yacht cruise, lunch, an open bar, towels, snorkeling equipment, and access to a paddleboard. You are also paying for crew service, port access, and transportation on the water to Majahuitas Cove.

I consider the value reasonable if you will use the inclusions. A couple who wants a smooth day with food, drinks, and water activities may spend more piecing together the same elements independently. The boat also removes the need to arrange a separate transfer to the cove.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long swim or a quiet beach afternoon. Much of the five hours is spent cruising, and only about two hours are set aside for Majahuitas. A person focused on snorkeling time may feel the schedule gives too much attention to getting there and back.

Group size is the other price question. The boat can feel spacious with about 25 people, but capacity may be higher on some departures. You are buying a well-serviced group excursion, not a private yacht charter. The distinction should be clear before you book.

Who will enjoy this yacht day?

I would recommend this outing for first-time visitors who want to see Puerto Vallarta from the water without managing every detail themselves. It also suits couples and families who value lunch, drinks, bathrooms, and a comfortable boat as much as the snorkeling.

It works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and another can stay on deck. You do not need to be an expert swimmer to enjoy the boat, though you should be comfortable with the physical demands of boarding and moving around a yacht.

It is less suitable for anyone with a mobility impairment or anyone using a wheelchair. The port security process, boat access, beach stop, and water activities can all be difficult. The tour also takes place rain or shine, so you need to accept changing weather rather than expect a reschedule based on clouds alone.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone seeking a small-group sailing trip, a quiet private cove, or several hours of serious snorkeling. The schedule is fixed, the group may be sizeable, and the water stop is limited.

Practical details that make the day easier

A few choices can improve the experience:

• Confirm your meeting point with Vallarta Adventures before departure.
• Arrive early enough for the harbor fee and security screening.
• Bring $28 per person in cash for the harbor fee.
• Carry your passport or ID card.
• Leave luggage and large bags at your accommodation.
• Bring swimwear and sun protection.
• Keep your expectations flexible about wildlife and water conditions.
• If you want a particular seat or sun spot, board promptly.
• Pace yourself at the open bar, especially in strong sun.
• Ask about the photo cost before purchasing pictures at the end.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish, with a live guide. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours ahead, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Majahuitas yacht tour?

Book it if you want a comfortable, all-in-one boat day with lunch, drinks, coastal views, and a short menu of water activities. The yacht amenities, friendly service, and chance to see whales or dolphins give the outing plenty of appeal.

Skip it if your top priority is privacy, a low price, or extended snorkeling. The extra harbor fee raises the cost, the group size can vary, and the two-hour stop may feel brief.

For most people, the best reason to book is convenience. You board, cruise, eat, swim, and return without arranging separate transport or rentals. Just understand that this is polished group cruising, not a secluded expedition.

FAQ

How long does the yacht tour last?

The tour lasts five hours. The schedule includes about 1.5 hours cruising from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas Cove, about two hours at the cove, and about 1.5 hours returning to Puerto Vallarta.

Where does the tour depart?

The listed pickup locations are Las Palmas 39 and Puerto Mágico. Different boats may use different meeting points, so contact Vallarta Adventures in advance to confirm the details on your reservation.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, along with hors d’oeuvres or a fruit snack depending on the service schedule.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included during the yacht trip.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, a paddleboard, and towels are included.

Do I need to pay any extra fees?

A $28 per-person harbor fee is not included and must be paid in cash. Optional onboard photographs may also cost extra.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments.