The 15 Best Yelapa Boat Trips & Day Tours

1.Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,515 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $117Our pick

Cruise Banderas Bay aboard Chica Locca’s spacious catamaran with hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David. You’ll get breakfast, fajitas, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, a Yelapa waterfall walk, and optional onboard massage time.

“This was the highlight of our whole trip. An absolutely blast and everyone working on the boat was awesome. Special shoutout to Ricky the host!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Islas Marietas & BBQ lunch at Majahuitas

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,130 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $99

Start early from Puerto Mágico and spend about seven hours on the Bay of Banderas, watching for dolphins, whales, manta rays, and seabirds. Choose snorkeling, kayaking, or SUP near the Marietas Islands, then enjoy a BBQ lunch and drinks at Majahuitas. Guides such as Poncho and Danny are known for lively onboard entertainment.

“90% plus of the time is on a boat with very little time for snorkeling (maybe 30 minutes tops) and you will need to be very fast if you are going to do any kayaking or paddle boarding. The time spent doing activities feels very rushed. However, there is good service for drinks and the lunch is excellent and the location for lunch is great. However I would not recommend this tour. Perhaps if we went to two locations rather then three it would have felt less rushed with more time for activities.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Yelapa Waterfall, BBQ at Exclusive Majahuitas Beach & Open bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 760 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend about seven hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and Majahuitas with guides such as Danny, Dani, or Poncho. Walk to a waterfall, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, eat a BBQ lunch, and enjoy drinks aboard the boat. Expect a lively group outing, not a quiet beach escape.

“This was the best excursion I have ever been on. It was so beautiful and fun. The entire staff was extremely friendly, helpful and entertaining. Food was phenomenal too. Absolutely recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Full-Day Trail to 6 hidden Beaches, Colomitos & Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 527 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $38Best value

Start in Zona Romántica, ride a local bus to Boca de Tomatlán, then hike a rugged coastal trail past Colomitos and several small beaches. Guides such as Juan, Diego, Victor, and Alex lead the way. Snorkel gear is included, but water conditions decide whether you can use it.

“We had a blast!! So many beautiful beaches. Great hikes and good time on the beach as well!! Diego was great and had a perfect pace!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 180 reviews · 6 hours · from $142

Spend six hours aboard Chica Locca’s 100-foot yacht from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, visit Yelapa Falls, and enjoy Mexican lunch, snacks, a premium open bar, music, and optional massage with guides such as Ricky and Isaiah.

“It was above and beyond expectations!! The Chica Luka team was amazing and took care of every possible detail. Highly recommended to spend a day like this if you're in the area.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 89 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $87

Spend about eight hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas and Yelapa aboard a catamaran. You’ll get breakfast, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, music, and a waterfall walk. Guides may include Alex, Jorge, or Jonathan, known onboard as Johnny Cash.

“11 HOURS! I've done this type of adventure about 4x now, and this was probably the worst one. Seemed disorganized in the beginning, extra fees everywhere, things are run down for the price. They focus on profit. The crew was nice and this young Diego boy was just going above and beyond. So he needs a raise! Yelapa itself was run down, no toilet seats, no napkins on my table. They advertise open bar but they dont open the bar until 3 hours into the cruise.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Yelapa Waterfall & Majahuitas Snorkel Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 74 reviews · 7 hours · from $99

Spend seven hours cruising from Puerto Vallarta to road-free Yelapa and secluded Majahuitas. You can snorkel, kayak, hike to Cola de Caballo waterfall, eat lunch, and enjoy an open bar and onboard show. The friendly crew, including guides such as Chi, Omar, and Alejandro, keeps the day moving.

“My daughter and I were on our first mother daughter trip to Puerto Vallarta. The crew and staff, and everyone on this adventure was top-tier. The staff were all very attentive to every passenger on board. We spent the whole day together, and all of the staff was kind, friendly, funny, and very entertaining. You got the sense that, even though it is their job, and that they do it every day, they really care. I would definitely recommend this adventure, and I would absolutely do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Arcos – Animas – Quimixto. By Grupo Naviero de la Bahìa (Bahia Alegre)

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 72 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about seven hours on a lively boat from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos, Playa Las Animas and possibly Quimixto. You get breakfast, an open bar, snorkeling gear, beach lunch and time for swimming or a waterfall walk. Expect a large group, music, dancing and a relaxed Mexican party atmosphere.

“The employees were very friendly. The difficulty and length of time to get on and off the boat was frustrating. The snorkeling was disappointing. I actually left the tour and took a taxi back to my hotel.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 72 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about eight hours cruising from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto. The package includes breakfast, lunch, drinks aboard, snorkeling gear, and bilingual guides. You may also reserve a kayak or paddle board, but beach activities and some waterfall-area services can cost extra.

“One of the crew mates was rude. Food was okay, water was too dark to see anything while snorkeling. Your was mostly in Spanish, with some English peppered in. Guide was nice. You can find better trips for the same amount.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Yelapa Escape & Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta by Speedboat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $109

Ride a high-speed boat from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta to Yelapa, where you’ll see the waterfall, explore village lanes, snorkel, kayak, and eat lunch at Madagascar Beach. Guides such as JC and Ever add local color, while the return trip pauses at Los Arcos for photos.

“Trip to Yelapa exceeded our expectations. Exceptional! JC was an awesome guide. The your of Yelapa, mescaline tasting, passion fruit margs, snorkeling, and cevice on the beach was memorable and the boat ride a breeze. Also cut the line at the marina was key. No waiting around. We were well taken care of by the entire staff.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Las Ánimas to Quimixto Waterfall Half-Day Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $171

Start in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone with private transport to Boca de Tomatlán, then take a private water taxi to Las Ánimas. Hike the Bahía de Banderas coast to Quimixto and continue 25 minutes to its waterfall for swimming, refreshments, lunch, and a relaxed jungle stop.

“Was an absolute AWESOME experience. The guide was so personable, educational and we had a wonderful time. Not a negative comment at all. Would highly recommend this”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Catamaran Yelapa Beach Tour with Snorkeling, Food and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $94

You’ll sail from Puerto Magico to Majahuitas for snorkeling and water sports, then reach Yelapa by tender boat for lunch, beach time, and a waterfall visit. Guides such as Alberto and Brown Sugar lead the onboard entertainment, with breakfast, drinks, and a two-hour party ride home.

“We enjoyed the whole experience. Full day of fun 🤩 We enjoyed the hike to the waterfall and lunch on the beach afterwards.”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Private Boat Tour to Yelapa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

Take a private boat from Marina Los Peines to Yelapa with your own group of up to eight. Fernando, George, and Mitzan are among the named crew. Expect bay views, reef snorkeling, a walk to Yelapa’s waterfall, and free water. Lunch and the MX$41 port fee cost extra.

“Great experience visiting Yelapa. The captain and his mate are a father/son combo who were very polite and accommodating. Their patience with my family of 5, children ages 14, 7, and 5, was very much appreciated. I was also pleasantly surprised when the captain took us on a personal tour of the town and up to the town's water fall, which I was not expecting. The cost of this private tour is well worth it for peace of mind and relaxation. Definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Boat Tour to Yelapa with Snorkeling and Waterfall Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $220

Set out from Los Muertos Pier with Estigo Tours for a private 5.5-hour boat trip to Yelapa. Your day includes snorkeling at Los Arcos, beach time, a short waterfall hike, and captain-provided gear. Guides Chema and Manuel are named in the tour feedback.

“What a blast. Chema and Manuel were so much fun! We had an amazing time! Highly recommended. Everything was great.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Snorkeling Adventure: Los Arcos & Colomitos Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Set out from Marina Vallarta with a certified naturalist guide, often Michael, for a private four-hour boat trip to Los Arcos and Colomitos Beach. Snorkel with provided gear, look for turtles and rays, and enjoy a quieter, more personal outing than a large group cruise.

“We had an amazing trip! Michael, the guide, was fabulous and very knowledgeable. The boat captain and the office staff were great too. Highly recommend this tour. It is well worth the money. It’s also a great way to see the PV coast from Nueva to “where the highway ends” and beyond where the villages are only accessible by boat. We saw many kinds of fish, a sea turtle, spotted rays, and urchins and coral. And all this without the hassles of a large tour group on a cramped boat. The personalization of the tour is a great selling point.”

Check availability →Read our full review