Private Chica SAILING Adventure Puerto Vallarta ALL INCLUSIVE

Sailing here feels like a cheat code for Puerto Vallarta. A private 41-foot charter on the Chica SAILING Adventure lets you shape the day, from relaxed swimming and snorkeling to a straight-up romantic sunset vibe. What I really like is the all-inclusive feel on the water—an open bar plus snacks (and breakfast on morning tours). The other win is the flexibility: you don’t get stuck on a fixed script; you get to choose the tone and the stops with the captain and crew. One possible drawback to plan for: there’s no hotel pickup/drop-off, so you’ll want a simple way to get to Paradise Village Public Pier.

Key Points at a Glance

• Private charter, just your group: You’re not sharing the boat with strangers.
• Open bar plus real day-of-snacks: drinks stay flowing and the food shows up.
• Bay of Banderas time is the main event: about 4 hours on the water, plus boarding time.
• Water toys included: snorkeling gear, paddle boards, plus water mattress and a tube.
• Crew can tailor the day: relax, snorkel, paddle board, or go for more action.
• Extra upgrades are optional: hot fajita lunch (200 pesos pp) and a photographer for memories.

Private Sailing on the Bay of Banderas: What the 5 Hours Really Feel Like

This is the kind of tour that makes “vacation time” feel like it has momentum. You’re booked for about 5 hours total, but the day is built around the big chunk: cruising the Bay of Banderas for roughly 4 hours. That means you spend most of your time doing the fun parts—watching the coastline, trying the water toys, and settling in for swims and breaks—without the typical half-day scramble.

The boat itself is the 41-foot Chica SAILING Adventure. It’s set up for group charters, and the experience is described as customizable for groups up to 16 people, while the price listing is per group (up to 8). What matters for you is that you select your group size when you book, and the provider contacts you to sort out details. In practice, you’ll want to think of this as a private sailing day where the vibe can scale from a couple’s escape to a small group celebration.

Also: in-season, humpback whales show up. That’s not a guarantee (no captain can promise wildlife), but it’s part of why this stretch of water gets recommended so often for sailors and snorkelers.

Getting There: Paradise Village Pier Is the Start Line

Here’s how the logistics work in real life: you meet at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, specifically Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico. The tour info is very clear—hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included—so you’ll want to arrange your own ride.

The good news is that it’s near public transportation, so you’re not trapped if you don’t have a car. If you’re staying in the Puerto Vallarta/Nuevo Vallarta area, this is usually manageable with a short taxi or ride-share. If you’re coming from farther out, you’ll likely want to plan earlier than you think—because it’s a private charter, being on time keeps the mood relaxed instead of rushed.

Stop-wise, there’s a quick meeting/boarding moment at the pier (about 20 minutes). Think of that as: you find the boat, get settled, and then you’re off.

The Bay of Banderas Cruise: How the Route Becomes Your Choice

The centerpiece is a cruise along the Puerto Vallarta coastline and around the Bay of Banderas. The key detail here is that there’s no set itinerary in the rigid sense. You’re free to customize the day, and the crew takes care of the rest.

That flexibility is the whole point. If you want adrenaline, you can ask for a more active sailing experience. If you want calm, you can steer the day toward softer water time—swimming, paddle boarding, and hanging out. If it’s a romantic trip, you’ll likely aim for slower sailing, photos, and a sunset focus.

You’ll also want to remember that “customizable” doesn’t mean chaotic. The crew has the job of running the boat safely, handling the timing, and making the water toys work. Your job is simply to tell them what kind of day you want.

Snorkeling, SUP, and Water Toys: What’s Included and What to Expect

This tour isn’t just sit-and-sail. The included gear makes it feel like a floating beach day.

Included water activities and equipment:

• Snorkel equipment
• Paddle boards
• Water mattress
• Water tube

If your group includes people with different energy levels, this is where it shines. One person can snorkel and explore, another can hop on a paddle board, and someone else can just float and soak in the views. Since the day is private, you’re not waiting for a crowd to finish up before the boat moves on.

One practical note: bring your own swim basics (sunscreen, a towel if you prefer, and reef-safe habits if you’re a stickler about that). The gear is provided, but you’ll still want to be comfortable on and off the water.

Drinks and Food: What All Inclusive Covers (and What It Doesn’t)

The all-inclusive setup here is straightforward: you get an open bar plus snacks, with additional options.

Alcoholic beverages included (brand-name open bar):

• Water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water
• Mixed drinks like piña colada, margaritas
• Beer, wine, tequila, champagne
• Essentially, you order and the bar keeps going

In plain terms: you don’t have to budget drink-by-drink. That’s a big value boost, especially on a half-day where a couple cocktails can easily add up.

Snacks included:

• Ceviche
• Fresh-made guacamole with blue corn chips
• Potato chips

On morning tours there’s also:

• Fresh in-season fruit, muffins, coffee, juices

And there’s an optional upgrade:

• Hot lunch of Mexican fajitas from the kitchen for an additional 200 pesos per person

This optional fajita lunch is worth considering if your group wants a fuller meal without leaving the boat. The trade-off is simple: it adds cost, and you’ll want to confirm the timing matches your preferred swim pace.

Finally, there’s a photographer option and souvenir photos available for purchase. If photos are part of your reason for booking, you can treat this like a planned memory moment rather than hoping you’ll catch perfect shots one-handed while holding a drink.

The Crew Factor: Why the Service Seems to Matter Most

This is one of those tours where the crew keeps showing up in the feedback—by name, too. That usually means the day is run with attention, not just logistics.

In particular, I’d bet on a friendly, high-touch feel from:

• Gonzalo, along with Elon and Roberto
• Victor, Mario, and El Capitan
• Pepe and Victorio
• Alex, Eder, and Alonso
• Lalo
• Gonzalo, Alejandro, and Romero
• Plus other crew names that pop up across different trips

Across the experience description, the crew is positioned as both sail-and-serve hosts: they sail with you, can teach you how to sail, or help you simply relax. Even if you’re not interested in learning the ropes, that “you can do as much or as little as you want” tone tends to be what makes private sailing feel worth it.

A tiny but telling detail: people consistently describe the boat day as funny and welcoming, with drinks kept full and food timed well. That’s not an accident. It’s what you get when the crew is doing more than standing around.

Whale-Watching Season: The Bonus You Can Hope For

If you’re sailing during the right season, humpback whales may appear. The info specifically calls out humpbacks in season, and the broader Bay of Banderas route makes whale sightings a real possibility.

Here’s how to think about it: you’re booking a sailing + water-toys + private-group day first. Wildlife is a bonus. If whales show, you’ll have a better story. If they don’t, you still have the core experience—snorkeling, paddle boarding, floating time, and an open bar on a private charter.

Price and Value: What You’re Actually Paying For

The price is listed as $1,155.00 per group (up to 8). That can sound steep if you’re comparing it to a big public catamaran. But private sailing is different math.

You’re paying for:

• A private boat experience (your group only)
• An all-inclusive bar with named beverage options
• Included snacks and morning breakfast (depending on your tour time)
• Included water toys (snorkel gear, SUP, water float gear)
• A dedicated crew and captain for about 5 hours, centered on 4 hours in the bay

If you’re a couple or a small group, the value often comes from the fact that you’re not buying extras during the day. If you end up adding a lunch upgrade, a photographer, and a few drinks on a typical tour, the private charter starts looking less crazy.

The biggest value tip: book it for a day when you’ll actually use the water gear and the open bar. If you’re the type who just wants to sit quietly without swimming, you’ll still enjoy sailing—but you’ll miss the part that makes the price feel like a win.

Who This Trip Fits Best (And Who Might Want a Different One)

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• A private sailing day (not a shared cruise)
• Built-in fun: snorkeling + paddle boarding + floating time
• A flexible schedule so your group can choose the vibe
• A celebration feel—birthdays, bachelorettes, anniversaries—without extra planning

It may be less ideal if:

• You need hotel pickup, because you’re meeting at the pier on your own
• Your group wants a fixed, clockwork itinerary with no customization
• You’re traveling with very young kids who can’t comfortably handle time on the water (the info doesn’t restrict children, but your comfort level matters)

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

A few small moves will make your day smoother:

• Plan your ride to Paradise Village Public Pier in advance. No pickup is included.
• Choose the group size you need when booking, then rely on the provider’s contact to finalize details.
• If you care about photos, consider the photographer option early.
• Decide beforehand if you want a hot meal. The fajita lunch upgrade is 200 pesos per person.
• Bring a dry bag or something you trust for phone and keys while you swim and paddle board.

Should You Book Chica SAILING Adventure Private Sailing?

If you want the best version of a half-day on the water in Puerto Vallarta, I think this is a very solid bet. The combo of private charter, open bar, and included water toys makes it one of the more “complete” sailing options for your time. The crew reputation—warm, attentive, and flexible—also hints that you’ll feel taken care of from the first minutes at the pier to the moment you head back.

Book it if your group will actually use the gear and you want a customizable bay cruise with a celebration-ready vibe. I’d skip it (or rethink it) only if you’re dependent on hotel pickup or if you’d rather do a standard group tour where the day runs on rails.

FAQ

What is the duration of the private Chica sailing tour?

The tour lasts about 5 hours (approx.), with around 4 hours on the Bay of Banderas cruise.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group will participate.

How many people can go on the charter?

The experience is described as customizable for groups up to 16 people, and the price is listed as per group up to 8—you select your group size when booking and the provider contacts you to sort out details.

Where do we meet?

You meet at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, at Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pick up & drop off are not included.

What drinks are included?

The tour includes an open bar with brand-name options such as water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, piña colada margaritas, beer, wine, tequila, and champagne.

What food and snacks are included?

Snacks include ceviche, fresh-made guacamole with blue corn chips, and potato chips. For morning tours, fresh in-season fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices are also included.

Is snorkeling and paddle boarding included?

Yes. You get snorkel equipment and paddle boards, plus water mattress and water tube.

Can we add a hot lunch?

Yes. There’s an option for hot Mexican fajitas lunch from the kitchen for an additional 200 pesos per person.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.