Visit Private Beaches around Puerto Vallarta in a Private Yacht

Los Arcos is the star of this private yacht outing, with giant sea arches, open water, and a good setting for snorkeling and swimming. You then cruise to Playa Paredon, a quiet beach reached only by sea, where you can paddle board, take photos beside the natural rock wall, or simply float with a margarita.

I like having all equipment and refreshments included, so you do not need to pack fins, boards, snacks, or a cooler. I also like the private format: your group controls the mood, which works well for families and friends who want both water time and an easy hour in the sun. The main caution is value. At $1,500 per group, this is a costly four-hour trip, and one serious complaint involved missing equipment, a shortened outing, and photos that were never delivered.

Key points at a glance

• Los Arcos gives you the strongest scenery: Rocky sea arches create the most memorable setting for snorkeling, swimming, and photographs.
• Playa Paredon is reached only by boat: Its quiet shore and large natural wall offer a change from Puerto Vallarta’s more accessible beaches.
• Your group has the yacht to itself: The private booking covers up to 15 people, making the cost easier to justify with a full group.
• Snorkel gear and paddle boards are included: Confirm that both are on board before leaving the marina.
• Food and drinks keep the outing simple: Water, ice, margaritas, guacamole, and seasonal fruit are provided.
• The weather policy matters: Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but ordinary cancellations are non-refundable.

A private boat day from Marina Vallarta

This four-hour excursion begins and ends at E Dock in Marina Vallarta. You are not joining a large shared cruise, so the boat is reserved for your own party, with room for as many as 15 people.

That private setup is the heart of the experience. You can spend more time swimming if your group is enthusiastic, or slow things down with snacks and drinks if you would rather make the day social. The published plan gives about one hour at Los Arcos and one hour at Playa Paredon, leaving the rest of the time for travel, boarding, and moving between stops.

You should expect an active morning or afternoon rather than a full-day sailing trip. Four hours is enough for two water stops, but it does not leave much room for delays. If equipment takes time to locate or the boat returns late to a stop, your water time can shrink quickly.

The captain is responsible for showing you the waters around Puerto Vallarta and getting you to the main stops. The experience is offered in English. A strong level of physical fitness is requested, which makes sense for swimming, snorkeling, climbing aboard a vessel, and using a paddle board.

Los Arcos, Puerto Vallarta’s rocky postcard

Los Arcos gets its name from the large rock formations that rise from the sea in arch shapes. It is the most visually striking part of the trip, and it gives you the classic Puerto Vallarta boat-day setting: dark rock, open water, and a chance to get in the sea.

You have about an hour here for snorkeling, swimming, and taking in the scenery. Snorkeling equipment is included, so you do not need to bring your own mask or fins. The water can be enjoyable for a swim, but visibility and marine life are natural conditions, not guaranteed features. One complaint described the snorkeling area as crowded and light on fish, so keep your expectations sensible. This is not a dedicated marine-life expedition.

The arches also make Los Arcos worthwhile even if you are not eager to snorkel. You can stay on the boat, swim near it, or focus on photographs. The surrounding rock formations provide the strongest photo opportunity of the day, particularly for group shots.

I would treat this stop as a mix of scenery and water play rather than a serious snorkeling session. If your main goal is to see abundant fish, the experience may feel less rewarding. If you want an attractive setting where your group can alternate between swimming, floating, and taking pictures, Los Arcos fits well.

Playa Paredon and its sea-only shoreline

The second stop is Playa Paredon, a beach accessible only by sea. That gives it a quieter feel than a beach you can reach by road, and the natural wall beside the shore provides a distinctive backdrop for photographs.

The plan allows roughly an hour here. This is where the paddle boards come into play. You can take one out over the clear water, use the snorkeling gear, or remain close to the beach and enjoy a slower break. The stop is less about a famous landmark and more about having space to pause after the first swim.

The beach’s natural wall is the visual feature to watch for. It makes Playa Paredon useful for group photos, especially if you want something different from the rock arches at Los Arcos. The quiet setting may also appeal to you if your ideal boat trip includes time to sit, eat, and talk instead of constant activity.

There is a practical point here. Paddle boards are listed as included, but one unhappy account described arriving without the advertised boards and spending more than 30 minutes trying to find replacements. That person also said there were no kayaks, though kayaks are not part of the stated inclusions. I would confirm the paddle boards directly before departure and check that they are already on the boat.

What comes with the $1,500 price

The price is $1,500 per group, not per person, for up to 15 people. With a full group, that works out to $100 per person. For eight people, it becomes $187.50 each. For four people, it is $375 each.

That calculation tells you who gets the best value. A full family group or large party of friends can share the cost and enjoy a private yacht at a reasonable individual rate. A couple or small group pays a much higher amount for the same four hours, so the private setting needs to matter to you.

The package includes:

• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddle boards
• Bottled water, drinking water, and ice
• Margaritas and other alcoholic beverages
• Guacamole
• Seasonal fruit

The food is simple, but it suits a short boat trip. Guacamole and fruit give you something to eat between swims, while water and ice help keep the day easy. Margaritas add a festive touch, but you should still make sure your group has enough plain water, especially if you are swimming under the sun.

The included gear also saves you from renting equipment separately. That is a real convenience, though the equipment needs to be available and usable. Because of the complaint about missing boards and a shortened trip, I would ask the operator to confirm the exact equipment before you pay the balance or board.

The supplied information gives a price of $1,500, while one complaint refers to a total of $1,700. That difference may reflect fees or a different booking total. Ask for the complete final price in writing so the number is clear before the trip.

Why the private format can be worth it

A private boat changes the day more than the snacks do. You are not locked into the preferences of a large mixed group, and you can spend your time in a way that suits your party.

For a family, that could mean giving confident swimmers more time in the water while others stay aboard. For a group of friends, it may mean music, drinks, photographs, and a relaxed pace. For a mixed-age group, the ability to pause at the beach can be more useful than a packed schedule.

The private format also makes the $1,500 price easier to assess. If you can fill most of the 15-person capacity, you are paying for privacy, a captain, equipment, food, and a half-day on the water. If only two or three people are going, the same package becomes a luxury purchase.

The strongest praise for this experience centers on the crew and the range of activities. The captain and crew have been described as friendly, attentive, and helpful, with some groups enjoying snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, floating, and relaxing in one outing. Those details suggest a flexible boat day rather than a narrow sightseeing transfer.

Still, service quality matters greatly on a private charter. When everything works, the crew can make the outing feel personal. When equipment is missing or promised photographs do not arrive, you have paid a premium for a service that feels incomplete.

Food, drinks, and the rhythm of the afternoon

The refreshments help create a relaxed pace between the two water stops. Guacamole and seasonal fruit are easy to eat aboard, and bottled water is available. Margaritas are welcome, so this can feel like a small celebration as much as an excursion.

I would eat a light meal before boarding rather than depend on the included snacks as lunch. The package is designed to keep you comfortable during four hours, not to provide a full meal.

Alcohol can make the boat day more festive, but remember that swimming and paddle boarding are also part of the plan. Take it slowly and keep water nearby. The boat provides water and ice, which is useful, but you should make hydration a priority in the Puerto Vallarta sun.

The combination of active stops and downtime is one of the better features here. You can snorkel at Los Arcos, paddle board at Playa Paredon, and then spend time with fruit or a margarita while looking back at the coast. That variety is likely to please a group with different ideas about what a boat day should be.

What could go wrong, and how to protect your day

The main risk is not the route. It is the gap between what is promised and what is actually ready on the boat.

Before leaving E Dock, confirm that the snorkeling equipment and paddle boards are present. If your group cares about photographs, ask exactly how they will be delivered. One complaint described a captain taking photos with a professional camera, promising to send them later, and then failing to respond. Do not assume that photo service is included unless it is clearly confirmed.

Time is another concern. The published plan gives only about an hour at each stop. A 30-minute delay finding boards is a major part of a four-hour outing, not a small inconvenience. If you notice a problem at the marina, raise it before departure, while there is still time to correct it.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. For any other cancellation or amendment, the booking is non-refundable. That policy makes travel insurance or careful date planning worth considering, especially for a $1,500 purchase.

The tour has an excellent overall rating, with 99 percent of customers recommending it and 125 reviews listed. That points to a generally strong experience, particularly for service, scenery, and the freedom of a private boat. The one detailed negative account is still important because it highlights the exact problems most likely to damage the value of this expensive outing.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta yacht trip

I would recommend it most strongly for a group of friends or relatives that can share the full price. The private boat, snacks, drinks, boards, and snorkeling gear make more financial sense when divided among many people.

It also suits you if your ideal day includes several kinds of activity. You can swim, snorkel, paddle board, take photographs, eat, drink, and rest without changing tours. The natural setting does much of the work, and the captain handles the boat movement between the stops.

Families should consider the group’s swimming ability and fitness. The tour asks for a strong physical fitness level, and the supplied details do not promise special accessibility arrangements. If some members cannot swim or need assistance, confirm suitability before booking.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is serious snorkeling, abundant fish, or a guaranteed photographic package. Los Arcos is beautiful, but marine life and water conditions can vary. The snorkeling is one part of a broader boat day, not the sole purpose.

Should you book it?

Book this private yacht trip if you have a large group, value privacy, and want a flexible half-day around Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos supplies the dramatic scenery, Playa Paredon provides a quieter beach stop, and the included boards, snorkel gear, snacks, water, and margaritas keep the planning simple.

Think twice if your party is small or if $1,500 feels uncomfortable. The price is high for four hours, and the experience depends on the equipment being ready and the captain delivering the full time promised. Confirm the final price, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and any photo arrangements before you commit.

FAQ

Where does the yacht tour begin?

It begins at E Dock in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The yacht returns to the same meeting point at E Dock in Marina Vallarta.

How long is the tour?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private yacht?

The booking covers one private group of up to 15 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The experience is offered in English.

Are snorkeling supplies included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is provided.

Are paddle boards included?

Yes. Paddle boards are listed as part of the included equipment. It is sensible to confirm that they are on board before departure.

What food and drinks are provided?

The package includes bottled water, drinking water, ice, margaritas and other alcoholic beverages, guacamole, and seasonal fruit.

Which places does the yacht visit?

The route includes Los Arcos and Playa Paredon.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Other cancellations and amendments are non-refundable.