Luxury Puerto Vallarta Shared Sailing Tour: Sail, Swim & Dine

Banderas Bay looks different from the water, and this 12-person sailing trip gives you plenty of room to enjoy the view without the feel of a crowded party boat. You cruise along Puerto Vallarta’s coast, pass Bucerías and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, and may spot whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds.

I like two things right away: the boat is kept exceptionally clean, including its bathroom, and the food is treated as part of the experience rather than an afterthought. Andrea and the crew also make the outing feel personal, with carefully made cocktails, helpful service, and bits of information about the bay along the way.

The main consideration is the price. At $200.01 per person, plus MX$41 in fees and taxes, this is not a basic sightseeing cruise. You are paying for the smaller group, open bar, chef-prepared food, and polished service, so it makes the most sense when you want a comfortable day on the water rather than the cheapest way to reach the bay.

Key points to know before booking

• Small group of 12 maximum: You get more space, quieter service, and a better chance to speak with the crew.
• Five drinks are included: The package covers premium cocktails, wine, and signature drinks, along with unlimited nonalcoholic beverages and bottled water.
• Lunch is selected ahead of time: You choose one main course per person before the sailing, while the chef prepares three appetizers on board.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: Whales, dolphins, turtles, and seabirds have all been spotted, but nature does not follow a schedule.
• The route changes with conditions: You may sail near Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, with a return toward the Malecón when weather and time allow.
• Plan your own way to the marina: Private transportation is not included, though the meeting point is near public transportation.

Why the small boat makes a difference

AdaSailing limits this outing to 12 people. That number matters. You are not fighting for a seat, waiting behind a line at the bar, or trying to hear the crew over a large crowd.

A smaller boat also changes the mood. You can settle into the ride, watch the shoreline, and ask questions without turning the day into a production. The crew includes a captain, deck hands, a cook, and service staff. Andrea is often involved with the sailing, and returning clients have especially praised her warm, attentive approach.

This is still an active boat trip, not a private yacht charter. You share the boat and the route with other people, and the exact amount of sailing depends on wind and weather. But the limited capacity gives the experience a calm, personal quality that large catamaran trips often lack.

The boat itself receives strong praise for its upkeep. It is described as clean, carefully maintained, and comfortable, with an unusually tidy bathroom. That may sound like a small point, but five hours on the water makes a clean restroom and orderly deck worth noticing.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta at 10 a.m.

The trip begins at 10:00 a.m. from Los Peines, Isla Iguana, Puerto Vallarta. You need to arrange your own way there because private transportation is not included.

The meeting point is near public transportation. If you are coming from a cruise ship, the marina area has been reached in roughly 25 minutes on foot or 5 to 10 minutes by car from the cruise dock. Build in extra time anyway, since the exact walk depends on your ship’s berth and the marina entrance.

Once on board, the day settles into a simple rhythm: sail, eat, watch the bay, and let the crew handle the drinks. The boat can travel under power or under sail. When the wind is right, raising the sails on the return leg becomes one of the most memorable parts of the outing.

Bring a light sweater if the morning is cloudy. Even in warm Puerto Vallarta, the breeze on the bay can feel cool after lunch or when the sun disappears.

The coast near Nuevo Vallarta

The first part of the route gives you a new view of the Puerto Vallarta area. Instead of looking at the hotels and beaches from land, you see the long shore from the bay.

This is a useful contrast for anyone who already knows the city. From the water, the hotel zone becomes part of a broad coastal scene rather than a line of buildings. You can see how far the beaches stretch and how the city sits against the bay.

There is no promise of a fixed route or a particular stop where you get off the boat. This is a sailing excursion, so the appeal comes from the changing view and the time spent moving across the water. You should think of the listed places as areas the boat may pass, not guaranteed shore visits.

If you want a tour built around shopping, walking, or exploring a town on foot, this is not the right format. If you want to see Puerto Vallarta from a quieter angle, it works well.

Bucerías from the bay

The boat continues toward the Bucerías area, where the view shifts from Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone to a more open stretch of Banderas Bay.

Bucerías is a good place to appreciate the scale of the bay. From the shore, you see a beach town. From the water, you see the curve of the coast and the distance between the communities around the bay.

This part of the trip is also a reminder that the day is about the journey, not a checklist of stops. You will not necessarily step ashore in Bucerías. Instead, you get time to sit with a drink, watch the coast pass, and take photographs without rushing from one attraction to the next.

The crew adds short educational comments along the way. You should not expect a formal lecture, but the small facts and local context help make the scenery more meaningful.

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and its sailing harbor

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle is a fishing town in Nayarit with a large bay and a marina used by many sailboats in the area. It gives the route a distinctly nautical character.

You get a different view of the region here. Puerto Vallarta is the best-known city on the bay, but La Cruz shows how much of Banderas Bay’s identity is tied to fishing and sailing. The town and harbor are especially interesting if you enjoy boats, marinas, and coastal life more than resort scenery.

Again, the itinerary does not promise a long shore visit. You should treat La Cruz as part of the sailing route and a scenic point of interest. The boat may spend more or less time in this area depending on wind, sea conditions, and the day’s route.

On some sailings, the captain may spend time looking for wildlife in the bay. Whales and dolphins have been seen, along with turtles and seabirds such as brown boobies. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the smaller boat makes it easier to pause and watch when something appears.

A possible return toward the Malecón

If conditions are right, the return route can reach the Puerto Vallarta Malecón. From the water, you may see the famous arches and the church from an unusual angle.

This is one of the more appealing route options because it connects the open bay with the city center. You see Puerto Vallarta’s familiar landmarks without the crowds, traffic, or pavement under your feet.

The phrase if conditions are right matters. Wind, weather, and timing can change the plan. You should not book this trip solely for a guaranteed view of the arches or church. Book it for the broader experience, then treat the Malecón approach as a welcome bonus if it fits the day.

The return may also be the best time to sail under the boat’s own canvas. Several people have especially enjoyed putting the sails up on the way back. The pace becomes quieter, the engine noise drops, and the boat feels more connected to the bay.

Three appetizers and a planned main course

Food is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour. The crew serves three appetizers selected by the chef, followed by one main course per person chosen in advance.

Advance meal selection is practical. It gives the cook time to prepare the right amount of food in a very small galley, and it reduces the uncertainty that can come with a boat lunch. You should pay attention when selecting your main course, especially if someone in your group has dietary needs. The supplied information confirms advance selection, but it does not list specific dietary menus.

The food has received unusually strong praise, including the red snapper. Appetizers are presented with care, and the meal feels more like a proper lunch than a snack tray passed around on deck.

The timing of the meal may depend on the route and conditions. You are not going to a restaurant with a fixed schedule. You are eating on a moving boat, with sea air, changing views, and a compact kitchen. That is part of the charm, though anyone prone to motion sickness should plan ahead.

Premium drinks, mocktails, and steady service

Five alcoholic drinks per person are included from the premium cocktail menu. The package includes wine and signature drinks, while nonalcoholic beverages are available throughout the day.

You can also choose natural juices, soft drinks, and mocktails. This is useful for mixed groups, since one person can enjoy cocktails while another has a well-made nonalcoholic drink rather than settling for plain water.

The crew’s service is a major part of the value. Drinks are presented thoughtfully, and the bartender keeps the service moving without making the boat feel like a loud bar. Bottled water is also included, which you will appreciate in the sun and wind.

The five-drink limit is worth noting. It is generous for a five-hour trip, but it is not an unlimited alcohol package. The unlimited portion applies to nonalcoholic drinks and water. You should pace yourself, particularly if the sea is active or the day is hot.

What the $200.01 price really buys

At $200.01 per person, with MX$41 in fees and taxes, this is a premium shared excursion. The price is easier to justify when you add up what is included: a five-hour outing, a small group, three chef-selected appetizers, a planned main course, five premium alcoholic drinks, nonalcoholic beverages, bottled water, and crew service.

You are also paying for comfort and space. A cheaper boat trip may offer a similar view of Banderas Bay, but it may carry more people, provide a simpler meal, or charge extra for drinks. Here, the meal and beverages are part of the upfront cost.

Still, value depends on how you spend your vacation budget. If your priority is wildlife alone, you may prefer a tour built specifically around whale watching. If your priority is reaching a beach or town, a water taxi or shore excursion could be more suitable.

I see this sailing as best value for someone who wants a full half-day experience with food, drinks, scenery, and attentive service in one package. It is especially appealing for couples, small family groups, repeat visitors to Puerto Vallarta, and anyone celebrating a special day without booking a fully private charter.

Practical concerns for comfort and access

You should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The activity takes place on a boat, and boarding, moving around the deck, and handling normal motion on the water require some mobility.

The boat has been easy for at least one older family member to board and leave, but individual comfort can vary. If someone in your party has significant mobility concerns, confirm the boarding details with AdaSailing before paying.

Sea sickness is another real consideration. One person became ill during a sailing, despite excellent care from the crew. That does not reflect poor service, but it does show that even a polished boat trip can be rough for someone sensitive to motion.

If you know you are prone to sea sickness, speak with a medical professional about suitable preparation before the trip. Eat lightly, drink water, and avoid assuming that a calm-looking bay will feel calm on board.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book. The trip ends back at the original meeting point, which makes planning the rest of your day easier.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Weather matters here. If conditions are poor, AdaSailing may cancel and offer another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of people is not reached. Keep your schedule flexible if this is an important part of your vacation plans.

The experience is booked, on average, about 18 days ahead. That suggests planning early, especially if you have only a few days in Puerto Vallarta or need a particular date.

Who should book AdaSailing?

You should book this trip if you want a quiet, food-focused sailing day rather than a crowded party cruise. The combination of a 12-person limit, careful food preparation, cocktails, and a clean boat gives the outing a higher level of comfort.

It is a strong choice for couples, small groups, cruise-ship visitors with a free day, and repeat visitors who have already seen Puerto Vallarta from the street. It also suits people who enjoy wildlife but want more than a short search for whales.

I would hesitate if you dislike being on a moving boat, need a guaranteed shore stop, or want private transportation included. I would also compare other options if the $200.01 price feels high for your budget.

For me, the best reason to book is the balance: you get open water, local coastal views, a real lunch, thoughtful drinks, and a small group without committing to a fully private charter. The route may change, wildlife may not appear, and the weather can affect the sailing, but the core experience remains appealing.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta sailing tour?

The tour lasts approximately five hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 10:00 a.m.

Where does the sailing tour meet?

The meeting point is Los Peines, Isla Iguana, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How many people can join the sailing?

The maximum group size is 12 people.

Is food included?

Yes. The tour includes three appetizers selected by the chef and one main course per person. The main course is selected in advance.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. Each person receives five drinks from the premium cocktail menu, including wine and signature drinks. Nonalcoholic drinks and bottled water are also available.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If AdaSailing cancels because of poor conditions, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund.