Puerto Vallarta: Gay Luxury Sunset Cruise with Premium Open Bar

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta cruise is its small size. You sail the Bay of Banderas aboard Escándalo, a gay-owned and operated 48-foot motor yacht, with room to move between the bow, fly-bridge, and covered cockpit. The mood is social but not packed, and the sunset gives the outing a clear sense of occasion.

I like the premium open bar and the fresh hors d’oeuvres prepared onboard. I also like the range of seating, especially the fly-bridge with its 360-degree views and the bow chaise lounges. The main thing to consider is the price: at $139.99 per person, this is a special-occasion cruise rather than a cheap way to get on the water.

Key points to know

• A maximum of 15 people: The small group makes it easier to find a seat, speak with the crew, and meet other LGBT+ passengers and allies.
• Escándalo is the setting: The 48-foot motor yacht has bow loungers, a fly-bridge, a covered cockpit, a restroom, and WiFi.
• Three hours on the Bay of Banderas: Depending on sea conditions, the route may include Los Arcos, Los Muertos Beach and Pier, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Malecon.
• Drinks and food are included: You receive a welcome cocktail, premium open bar service, and fresh hors d’oeuvres made onboard.
• Wildlife sightings are possible: One outing included several whale breaches and many kinds of birds, but nature sightings cannot be promised.
• Plan around the sunset: The exact views and route depend on weather and sea conditions, so keep your schedule flexible.

Boarding Escándalo at Marina Vallarta

You meet at Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. This is the starting and ending point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back after the cruise.

The yacht is gay-owned and operated, which gives the experience a clear identity from the moment you board. It is designed for an LGBT+ crowd and allies, not simply marketed as a standard boat trip with a themed name. That matters if you want a social setting where the group is likely to share some common ground.

You begin with a welcome cocktail before the yacht leaves the marina. From there, the three-hour clock includes the cruise itself, the onboard food and drinks, the views, and the sunset. Since the tour is offered in English, you should be comfortable following English-language instructions and conversation.

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this cruise. You are not being placed on a large party boat where the bar, seating, and view can become a scramble.

Three seating areas, three different ways to watch the coast

The layout gives you a choice in how social or relaxed you want the afternoon to feel. At the bow, chaise lounge chairs are suited to stretching out and watching the water ahead. This is probably the most appealing spot for quiet sunset photos, though seating may depend on availability and sea conditions.

The fly-bridge has tables and 360-degree views. I would choose this area if you want to follow the changing coastline, chat with other passengers, and keep an eye on the sky as the light softens.

The covered cockpit provides a table and shelter from direct sun. It is the practical choice for eating, sitting with a drink, or taking a break from the breeze. The covered area may also be useful if the weather turns less comfortable, although the tour requires good weather to operate.

There is a restroom onboard, which makes the three-hour length easier. High-speed WiFi is also included, though the main reason to carry a phone is likely to record the coast, sunset, and possible wildlife rather than spend the entire trip online.

Following the Bay of Banderas toward Puerto Vallarta

Once you leave Marina Vallarta, the yacht heads into the Bay of Banderas. The bay gives the cruise room to show off Puerto Vallarta from the water, where the city’s shoreline, beaches, and landmarks appear in a different order than they do on land.

The exact route depends on sea conditions. Possible sights include Los Arcos Nature Reserve, Los Muertos Beach and Pier, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the famous Malecon. You should treat these as possible viewing points, not guaranteed stops with time to go ashore.

Los Arcos is especially appealing from a boat because its rock formations are best appreciated from the water. The area is also associated with marine life, so keep watching even when the yacht is moving between points.

Los Muertos Beach and Pier bring you closer to one of Puerto Vallarta’s familiar waterfront areas. From offshore, you can take in the beach, pier, and city edge without dealing with street traffic or the crowds that can gather along the shore.

The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Malecon give you a look at Puerto Vallarta’s urban character from the bay. The church is one of the city’s best-known landmarks, while the Malecon is its public waterfront promenade. Seeing both from the yacht gives the cruise a stronger sense of place than a sunset trip that only circles offshore.

A premium bar and food made onboard

The included drinks are a major part of the value. You receive a welcome cocktail, then have access to a premium open bar throughout the cruise. Alcoholic beverages are included, so you are not adding up separate charges each time you order a drink.

The onboard food is fresh hors d’oeuvres made on the yacht. These are snacks rather than a full dinner, so do not book this expecting a substantial meal. They are meant to accompany the drinks and keep the three-hour outing comfortable.

This arrangement works well for an early evening cruise. You can enjoy a drink and a few bites while watching the light change, then make a separate dinner plan after returning to Marina Vallarta. If you are hungry at the usual dinner hour, plan accordingly.

The crew also provides music and a relaxed atmosphere. That combination makes the trip feel more like a social sailing event than a sightseeing transfer. Still, the small group means the mood may depend on the people onboard that day. You can expect a setting built for conversation, but not a guaranteed dance party or a particular style of music.

Sunset views with a chance of wildlife

The sunset is the natural centerpiece. The Bay of Banderas opens the horizon, and the yacht gives you several places to watch the changing light. The fly-bridge is the strongest choice for broad views, while the bow offers a more open view ahead.

Wildlife can add an unexpected highlight. A report from one outing included several whale breaches and a large variety of birds. That is a wonderful possibility, especially if you enjoy nature, but it is not something the company can guarantee on every departure.

You should keep your eyes on the water and bring a phone or camera if you want to capture a sighting. The crew may also help you understand what you are seeing. One particularly strong account of the trip praised the guide’s experience with the local area and nature, along with the crew’s attention throughout the cruise.

The weather rule is important here. This activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a cancellation, a different date, or a full refund. That policy protects the comfort and safety of the trip, but it also means you should avoid scheduling it on the final few hours of a tightly planned visit.

What $139.99 buys you

At $139.99 per person, this is not the least expensive way to see Puerto Vallarta from the water. The cost makes more sense when you count what is included: three hours aboard a 48-foot yacht, a welcome cocktail, premium open bar service, fresh hors d’oeuvres, port taxes, WiFi, music, and a small group capped at 15 people.

You are paying for space and service as much as for the sunset. A larger boat could offer a lower per-person price, but you would likely give up some of the quiet seating areas and personal feel that make this outing appealing.

The value is strongest for a couple, solo visitor, or small group looking for a polished evening with an LGBT+ focus. It is less convincing if you mainly want transportation, a long wildlife trip, or a full meal. In those cases, the premium price may not match what you need.

Tips for the crew are not included. Bring extra money for that customary expense if you feel the service deserves it. All other listed fees and taxes are included, which keeps the main cost clear when you book.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want three easy hours on the water, good drinks, light food, sunset scenery, and a welcoming LGBT+ setting. The small group is a real advantage if you prefer conversation and personal space over a large party boat.

It also suits anyone who wants a special evening without committing to a full-day sailing trip. You get the bay, coastal landmarks, and the chance of wildlife sightings, then return to the marina the same evening.

Nature fans should keep this in mind, especially if whale or bird sightings would add to the experience. The possibility is there, and one trip included several whale breaches, but you should book for the cruise itself rather than assume wildlife will appear.

This may not be the best match if you dislike alcohol-centered activities, need a full dinner included, or want a guaranteed route to every landmark listed. The bar and social setting are central to the experience, and the route can change with the sea.

Practical details before you reserve

The cruise is generally booked about 25 days ahead, so I would not leave it until the last minute if your dates are fixed. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity is near public transportation.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off follows local Puerto Vallarta time.

The experience is suitable for most people, and the small group limit is 15. The activity ends back at Bruma Café & Cocktails, the same place where you board.

Because the trip depends on good weather, keep a little room in your schedule if possible. If the cruise is canceled for poor conditions, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Escándalo sunset cruise?

I would book it if you want a polished, LGBT+ focused evening with a small group, an open bar, and a proper yacht setting. The strongest reasons are the 15-person limit, the three seating areas, the included food and drinks, and the chance to see Puerto Vallarta’s coast from a calm offshore vantage point.

I would skip it if your top priority is the lowest price or a full meal. At $139.99, this is a treat, not a bargain excursion. But for a special evening in Puerto Vallarta, Escándalo offers a clear mix of comfort, scenery, nature, and social atmosphere that is difficult to get from a crowded boat.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Vallarta sunset cruise begin and end?

The cruise begins and ends at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

How long does the Gay Luxury Sunset Cruise last?

The cruise lasts approximately three hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a welcome cocktail, premium open bar, fresh onboard hors d’oeuvres, alcoholic beverages, snacks, port taxes, all listed fees and taxes, WiFi, music, and use of the yacht’s onboard restroom.

How many people can join the cruise?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Is the route guaranteed to include Los Arcos and the Malecon?

No. The route depends on sea conditions. Possible sights include Los Arcos Nature Reserve, Los Muertos Beach and Pier, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the Malecon.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.