Marina Vallarta: Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Tour

Majahuitas is the star of this seven-hour coastal outing. You cruise south from Puerto Vallarta, snorkel among schools of colorful fish, then continue to Yelapa, a beach village reached by sea. Two things I especially like are the included breakfast and lunch, which make the $81 price easier to justify, and the choice of how to spend your Yelapa time: waterfall walk, kayak, paddleboard, or beach.

The main drawback is organization at check-in. One traveler waited more than an hour while a single staff member checked tickets and handed out meal and boarding vouchers. The Yelapa waterfall excursion can also cost an extra 600 pesos, and the waterfall itself may feel modest for that price.

Quick facts worth knowing

• Majahuitas snorkeling lasts about 45 minutes, with life jackets and snorkeling gear supplied.
• Yelapa gives you roughly three hours, enough time for a beach break, a short waterfall walk, or water activities.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, with eggs, ham, fruit, hotcakes, burgers, salad with shrimp, and cold pasta.
• The ride home includes an open bar, music, and a lively dance party.
• The tour runs in English and Spanish, with professional guides.
• Budget about 30 to 32 pesos for the port fee, paid separately at Puerto Mágico.

What this Puerto Vallarta boat day is really like

This is not a quiet sightseeing cruise. It combines a fairly active morning with a relaxed beach stop, then shifts into a social party on the way home. I would think of it as three tours in one: a snorkeling trip, a Yelapa visit, and a floating afternoon celebration.

The boat leaves from Puerto Mágico, the shopping and marina complex in Puerto Vallarta. Your first task is to find the correct staff. At the main entrance, look on the left for the port-fee payment point. After paying the fee, find the Grupo Naviero staff in gray polo shirts with a white logo. Only that team should check your ticket or collect any remaining payment.

That detail matters. The check-in process has caused a real delay for at least one person, with more than an hour spent in line. Arrive early, keep your booking details ready, and do not hand money to anyone who is not part of the named company team. The listed port charge is described as 32 pesos in one place and 30 pesos at the meeting point, so carry a little extra Mexican cash.

Once aboard, the mood changes. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs with ham, fresh fruit, hotcakes, coffee, juice, and water. It is a practical meal rather than a fancy brunch, but it saves you from buying food before departure and gives you something substantial before the water activities.

The cruise south to Majahuitas

The first boat ride takes about an hour. This is your chance to settle in, eat, and look back at Puerto Vallarta as the coast opens up. The journey is part transport and part social warm-up, with a guide available in English or Spanish.

Majahuitas is known for clear coastal water and marine life. The snorkeling session lasts about 45 minutes, and the crew provides the needed equipment and life jackets. You do not need to pack your own mask or flotation gear, though bringing a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, and dry clothes would make sense for any boat day.

The snorkeling is the most praised part of the experience. One participant described swimming among beautiful schools of colorful fish, and that is the sort of payoff you should expect from this stop. Conditions at sea can change, so visibility and comfort will never be exactly the same every day. Still, this is the activity to prioritize if you care most about seeing underwater life.

The stop is fairly short. Forty-five minutes gives you time to get fitted out, swim, and return to the boat, but it is not a long reef expedition. If you want hours in the water, this tour may feel rushed. If you want a manageable introduction to snorkeling combined with a beach village visit, the timing works well.

After the snorkeling, the bar opens as the boat continues toward Yelapa. This creates a clear change in pace. The active morning gives way to drinks, music, and coastal views before the main shore stop.

Three hours at Yelapa by sea

Yelapa is accessible only by boat, which gives the stop a different feel from a beach reached by road. You have about two and a half to three hours here, depending on how the schedule is handled. That is enough time to choose one main activity without trying to do everything.

You can simply relax on the beach. For many people, this is the best choice. After an early check-in, boat ride, and snorkeling session, a few hours with your feet in the sand may be more rewarding than squeezing in another paid activity.

You can also walk to a nearby waterfall. The stated walk takes about 20 minutes. The route offers a break from the beach and a look at the village surroundings, but keep your expectations in check. The waterfall has been described as small, and the optional excursion can cost 600 pesos. That is a sizeable extra charge for a short walk and a modest natural sight.

Some descriptions also refer to larger waterfall or jungle options, including horseback riding and quad excursions farther inland. The details and prices of those options are not part of the standard $81 package, so ask the local operator for the exact cost and timing before agreeing. If the waterfall is your main reason for booking, confirm what route and attraction you will actually receive.

Yelapa also offers paddleboarding and kayaking. These are better choices if you want to stay active without paying for a separate inland excursion. The information provided does not give rental times or extra fees, so ask before you commit to a schedule.

The beach stop is also a good place for photos. The village setting, sand, water, and small-scale coastal feel provide a change from Puerto Vallarta’s larger resort zone. Do not expect an untouched private beach. You are visiting a known stop with other boat groups, and your time is tied to the boat’s departure.

Lunch on board, then drinks on the way home

Lunch comes after the Yelapa visit. The menu includes grilled beef burgers, a green salad with shrimp, and cold pasta with fine herbs. It is a filling mixed meal designed for a group rather than a restaurant tasting menu.

I like that both breakfast and lunch are covered. At $81 per person, food inclusion helps control the day’s costs, especially if you would otherwise buy two meals near the marina and beach. You should still check whether the meal suits your dietary needs, since no vegetarian, vegan, allergy, or substitution details are provided.

The return trip is where this tour becomes noticeably more social. The open bar stays available, music plays, and the crew organizes a party atmosphere. A dance-off has been part of the entertainment, with men and women brought into the lower deck for a friendly competition.

This can be a highlight if you enjoy meeting people and joining group activities. One solo participant was quickly welcomed into a group of local passengers and ended the day with new friends. That tells you something useful about the tone: you do not need to arrive with a large party to take part.

It can also be a drawback. If you want a quiet ride home after snorkeling and a beach stop, the music, drinks, and dancing may feel too loud or busy. This is not the right boat day for someone seeking a calm sunset cruise.

Is $81 a fair price?

At $81, the price is reasonable if you use the main inclusions. You receive boat transportation, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, professional guides, the Yelapa stop, and an open bar during the return trip. The length of about seven hours also makes it a full-day activity rather than a short harbor excursion.

The value depends on what you actually want. If you plan to snorkel, eat onboard, spend time at Yelapa, and enjoy drinks and music, the package covers a lot. If you mainly want a peaceful beach visit, you may pay for entertainment and food you do not care about.

The extra costs matter. The port charge is separate, listed as about 30 to 32 pesos. Photos are not included. The waterfall or inland activities may cost much more, with 600 pesos cited for the waterfall option. Add those expenses before deciding that the base price tells the whole story.

I would compare this tour with a simple water taxi and independent Yelapa visit only if you are comfortable arranging your own meals, snorkeling, and schedule. The package costs more than basic transport, but it removes much of the planning and adds food, equipment, guides, and entertainment.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to couples, groups of friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like a social setting. The mix of snorkeling, beach time, food, and music keeps the day moving without requiring you to book several separate activities.

It suits you especially well if you want:

• A full day on the water rather than a short boat transfer.
• A simple snorkeling session with equipment supplied.
• Time at Yelapa without arranging transport yourself.
• An included breakfast and lunch.
• A lively return cruise with drinks and dancing.
• English or Spanish guiding.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, loud music, or fixed schedules. The boat leaves and returns at set times, and the Yelapa stop is not long enough for a slow, unplanned exploration of every corner.

The tour also requires some flexibility at check-in. A long line can spoil the start of the day, so give yourself extra time. The activity itself may be enjoyable, but the first hour depends on how efficiently the staff handles ticket checks and boarding.

Practical advice for making the day smoother

Arrive early at Puerto Mágico and go first to the port-fee point on the left side of the main entrance. Then look for the gray Grupo Naviero shirts with the white logo. Keep your ticket accessible and confirm any balance directly with that team.

Wear clothing that can get wet. Bring sunscreen, a towel, cash for the port charge and optional Yelapa activities, and a small bag that can handle spray. The boat supplies snorkeling equipment and life jackets, but the provided details do not confirm storage arrangements for larger luggage.

Eat the breakfast even if you are not very hungry. The morning includes a boat ride and snorkeling, and lunch does not arrive until after the Yelapa stop. Drink water as well as alcohol, especially in the sun.

If snorkeling is your priority, go prepared to enter the water when the crew announces it. The stop is only about 45 minutes, so delays getting organized reduce your actual swim time.

At Yelapa, decide early how you want to spend your three hours. Beach time, waterfall walk, kayaking, and paddleboarding all compete for the same block of time. If you are interested in the waterfall, ask for the full price and what is included before setting off.

Do not book this tour for the waterfall alone. The natural stop may be pleasant, but the extra 600 pesos and small size can make it feel poor value. The tour is stronger as a combined sea, snorkeling, beach, food, and party experience.

Should you book the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour?

Book it if you want a busy, social boat day with a good range of included features. The snorkeling earns the strongest praise, while the Yelapa stop gives you room to choose between relaxing and light adventure. Breakfast, lunch, equipment, guides, and the return-trip bar make the $81 fare fairly solid.

Think twice if your ideal day is quiet, private, or carefully paced. The check-in process may be slow, Yelapa is visited on a schedule, and the ride home can turn into a loud party. The waterfall option is also not an automatic bargain.

My practical choice would be to book this for the snorkeling and the overall day on the water, then treat the waterfall as optional. Arrive early, carry cash, and decide in advance if you want beach time or an activity at Yelapa. With those expectations, this is a fun way to combine Puerto Vallarta’s coast with one of its sea-access-only villages.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts about seven hours, including the boat rides, snorkeling, time at Yelapa, meals, and the return trip.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Puerto Mágico, the Centro Comercial in Puerto Vallarta.

Where do I pay the port fee?

At the main entrance of Puerto Mágico, use the payment point on the left side. The port charge is listed as 30 pesos at the meeting point and 32 pesos in the activity details.

How do I find the tour staff?

After paying the port fee, look for the Grupo Naviero team wearing gray polo shirts with a white logo.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour provides snorkeling equipment and life jackets for the Majahuitas stop.

How long is the snorkeling session?

The planned snorkeling time at Playa Majahuitas is about 45 minutes.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes scrambled eggs with ham, fresh fruit, hotcakes, coffee, juice, and water. Lunch includes grilled beef burgers, green salad with shrimp, and cold pasta with fine herbs.

Is the bar included?

An open bar is available on the return journey to Puerto Vallarta. The bar opens after the Majahuitas snorkeling stop and remains available during the return trip.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. Live guiding is available in English and Spanish.