Fish, snorkel, and eat your catch in the bay. On Mike’s Fishing & Tours, I like the simple flow: you go out with a real crew, fish the Pacific around Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, then gear up for swimming and snorkeling. You’ll also notice how much the team cares about the day—captain Antelmo setting the tone, and Chef Francisco turning fish into ceviche when catches come in.

The best part for me is the way food becomes part of the activity, not an afterthought—fresh guacamole, fruit snacks, and meals prepared onboard during the trip. The possible drawback is that the exact boat setup and photo experience can vary, and a small number of experiences include issues like boat changes or an awkward photography push—so I’d go in expecting teamwork, but also double-checking what to expect for your specific day.

Key highlights before you go

• Fish + snorkel in one outing so you’re not choosing one thing at the expense of the other
• Onboard crew service with named pros like Antelmo and Francisco (and other team members who keep things moving)
• Fresh food when fish are caught, including ceviche and guacamole
• Family-friendly vibe, with kids getting real chances to fish while the boat is in motion
• Boat extras can happen, like kayaking/paddleboarding/jumping off the boat depending on the setup

A 6-hour bay day in Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta

This is built for one long stretch on the water—about 6 hours is the typical duration—starting and ending at the Paradise Village Public Pier in Nuevo Vallarta. The point isn’t to rush. It’s to get a chunk of time fishing, then switch gears to snorkeling and swimming, with food handled onboard.

Even though the core format is consistent, you should understand that the day can feel different depending on the boat and the group. In the stories you’ll hear from real customers, some trips run shorter (around 4 hours) and some stretch longer (up to 10 hours). That’s a clue that “how the day feels” depends on the exact charter and conditions, not just the headline length.

Where you meet: Paradise Village Public Pier, Nuevo Vallarta

You start at Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico, and the tour returns you back to that same meeting point. That’s helpful because you don’t need to plan a second pickup later.

The area is noted as near public transportation, so if you’re not driving, you still have options for getting there. One practical detail: the tour uses a mobile ticket, so have that ready on your phone when you arrive.

The fishing part: what you’re really aiming for

This tour is not just “cast and hope.” The plan is to fish around the bay area for a mix of species, including jack crevalle, bonito, tuna, and the more trophy-level names like dorado, sailfish, and marlin. The realistic expectation is that you’re searching—some days you get action, some days it’s lighter.

What I like is the tour’s mindset: fishing isn’t separate from the rest of the day. It’s meant to feed the next phase. When catches happen, the crew turns those fish into lunch, and that makes the fishing time feel purposeful.

One detail that matters if you’re an angler: some boats include fighting chairs for reeling in bigger fish. There was at least one case where a group booked specifically for a boat with two fighting chairs and got a different vessel with only one—so if that setup is important to you, ask ahead about the specific boat and equipment for your day.

Snorkeling time: gear is included, but go with the right mindset

Snorkeling equipment is included, which makes this easier to plan than tours that force you to rent gear on arrival. You’ll also have time in the water to swim and enjoy the bay—this isn’t a quick “one spot and done” style stop.

A few groups describe additional water activities beyond snorkeling, like paddle boarding and kayaking, and even jumping off the boat during swim breaks. I wouldn’t assume those are guaranteed for every departure, but the key takeaway is that the water portion is built to feel like a full break, not just a gear check.

Here’s the practical consideration: the snorkeling experience will depend on water conditions and the exact stops the captain chooses. And since this trip requires good weather, if conditions are rough, the operator may adjust or cancel.

The food you’ll remember: ceviche, guacamole, fruit, and more

Even if you only care about the “fun parts,” this tour scores high because the food is tied to the day. The basics included are chopped fruit and bottled water, but multiple experiences mention much more than that—especially when fish are caught.

When the catch comes in, the chef prepares fresh ceviche and guacamole onboard, timed with snorkeling and swim time. That means you’re not eating something hours later and wondering what you’re even tasting; you’re eating something fresh while you’re still in the water rhythm.

Real highlights include Chef Francisco’s focus on presentation, and other chefs getting praise for guacamole quality. One group even described the lunch as among the best they’d had during the whole vacation, which tells you this isn’t just a token snack stop.

How the crew actually runs the day

Crew service is the standout theme. Multiple named roles show up in customer stories, and that helps you understand what you’re paying for: you’re not just renting a boat, you’re joining a working team.

Here are a few of the people mentioned:

• Capt. Antelmo, who was described as kind and allowing a more flexible timeline
• Chef Francisco, praised for fresh ceviche prep
• Bartender Kevin, noted for staying on top of drinks, even during swim stops
• Crew members like Cesar, Ruben, and a photographer Ed who helped keep the flow smooth

On other trips, you’ll also see praise for captains and deckhands like Capitan Rigo and John, especially for finding the right spots without traveling far.

What you should take from this: when the crew is strong, the day feels easy. When it’s not, you notice quickly—whether that’s delays, awkward photo selling, or a cabin/boat setup that doesn’t match your expectations.

Boat comfort and the reality of boat swaps

The tour says you’ll enjoy one of their comfortable, safe boats, with the crew supporting you onboard and in the water. That’s the promise. In real life, boat quality can still vary by which vessel is assigned.

There are positive mentions of boats described as amazing or gorgeous, with groups comfortable enough to spend a long day aboard. At the same time, there are also negative accounts where a boat was swapped on the day—sometimes because of mechanical issues or maintenance—and those groups weren’t happy with the change.

If you care a lot about specific boat features (like fighting chair counts or overall condition), treat this as a “confirm the day-of details” situation. A boat change doesn’t automatically mean a bad trip, but it can change comfort and how the day runs.

Price and value: $1,075 per group up to 15

The price is $1,075 per group for up to 15 people (so the effective per-person cost drops as your group fills the boat). At maximum capacity, that’s about $71.67 per person; with a smaller group, your share goes up quickly.

So what makes it feel worth it?

• You get snorkeling equipment and fishing gear included, which saves you rental hassle.
• You’re paying for captain and sailor plus the time and effort of finding fishing areas.
• When fish are caught, you get fresh, onboard-prepared food tied to the catch, which is a real upgrade over typical tour meals.

Where value can disappoint:

• If you’re expecting a pure fishing-only trip with constant action, this is a mixed format—one account summed it up as fishing time on the way to snorkeling and swimming.
• If you don’t end up with catches, the “food-from-catch” portion may be lighter. (The fish hunt is part of the experience, but it’s not guaranteed.)

This price structure makes the most sense for families and mixed-age groups who want both water time and fishing fun without juggling separate tours.

Who this tour fits best (and who should think twice)

This tour works well if you want a balanced day: fishing plus snorkeling plus swimming plus food. The strongest fit is for:

• Families with kids and grandparents (multiple stories describe kids actively fishing and the crew keeping everyone involved)
• First-timers who want real guidance and gear provided
• Groups who like service—when the crew is on point, the day runs smoothly and nobody spends time figuring things out

It may not be ideal if you:

• Need a strict fishing-only charter and nothing else
• Are very sensitive to boat condition differences or the presence of a photographer onboard
• Want absolute control over timing (some crews are flexible, but the captain’s choices still drive the day)

Watch-outs: photos, timing, and equipment expectations

Most experiences praise the crew and the water day. The issues that show up are worth taking seriously because they can change your mood fast.

The photo package can feel like pressure

Some groups liked the photographer and described images as natural memories. Others complained about photo framing/cropping and pricing (one mentioned paying $175 for photos and feeling the results were off). If you’re not into photo upsells, be polite but clear, and keep your phone ready for your own shots.

Timing can slip, especially with longer formats

One negative account mentioned leaving about 20 minutes late and also described a cabin/boat arrangement that didn’t match the expectation for that specific charter length. If timing matters for plans later that day, build in buffer time.

Snorkeling gear quality is not mentioned as standardized

The tour includes snorkeling equipment, but one unhappy story criticized mismatched mask/snorkel equipment and life vests used for snorkeling breaks. I can’t promise every set-up matches your ideal. The best move is to inspect your gear quickly when you board, so you can get adjustments right away.

So, should you book Mike’s Fishing & Tours?

If your goal is a single, easy day on the water in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta—fishing for a shot at tuna and other species, then switching to snorkeling and swim time—this is a strong choice. The tour’s value comes from the crew effort and the way food (especially ceviche and guacamole) can become part of the action.

I’d lean toward booking if you’re traveling with family, you want gear handled for you, and you’re open to the fishing portion being a hunt rather than a guaranteed trophy haul. I’d think twice or ask more questions if you’re very picky about boat-specific features, hate photo-selling, or have a strict schedule you can’t bend.

If you want, tell me your group size and when you’re going (month), and I can help you sanity-check whether the group price makes sense and what to confirm before you show up.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for this tour?

The tour meets at Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the tour price?

What’s included: bottled water, snorkeling equipment, captain and sailor, fishing gear, and chopped fruit snacks.

Are towels included?

No. Towels are not included, so you’ll want to plan for drying off after the water time.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is listed as about 6 hours.

What kind of fish are they looking for?

The tour describes searching for species such as jack crevalle, bonito, tuna, and trophy fish like dorado, sailfish, and marlin.

Is this a private tour and is it offered in English?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and it’s offered in English (a multi-lingual guide may operate as well).

What’s the cancellation plan if weather affects the day?

There is free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience requires good weather; if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.