Yelapa starts with a calm, private boat ride. You’ll meet Captain Jordy at the Golondrinas Tour 2 Welcome Sign in Boca de Tomatlán, then head out on Banderas Bay for snorkeling straight from the boat before settling into Yelapa’s beach and village time.

I really like the way Majahuitas’ calm, clear water makes it easy to spot fish and coral. I also love the real chunk of time in Yelapa (about 3 hours) to stroll, swim, or hike toward the nearby waterfall if you want.

One possible drawback: at Majahuitas there’s no beach access, so your snorkeling window is boat-only.

Key things that make this tour worth your time

• Private boat for your group with bottled water, cooler ice, and towels handled
• Majahuitas snorkeling from the boat where visibility is the main attraction
• Colimilla beach time that feels quieter than the busier Puerto Vallarta side
• Yelapa time with lunch break at Juanito’s Restaurant and plenty of free wandering
• Bluetooth speaker system onboard, plus a cooler to keep drinks chilled
• A safety-first captain who keeps the pace comfortable and the day organized

Meeting Captain Jordy in Boca de Tomatlán: getting on the water fast

Your day begins in Boca de Tomatlán, a small fishing village that’s way more relaxed than the big Puerto Vallarta strip. When your booking is confirmed, the captain’s team reaches out by text or email to line up your arrival details, and you’ll meet at the Golondrinas Tour 2 Welcome Sign.

The biggest practical win here is that the meeting point includes a designated parking area, and the parking fee is included. That removes one of the most annoying parts of doing boat tours in this area—worrying where to leave the car while you’re off the grid.

Captain Jordy and staff handle the handoff, so you’re not standing around guessing what to do next. You’ll also get the sense this is run like a real operation: you start on schedule, the boat ride is planned, and you end back at the same place where you met.

I like that the tour is explicitly private, meaning it’s just your group—no mixing with strangers or squeezing around other people’s vacation plans.

The southern Banderas Bay ride: views, whales, and time to settle in

After you head out from Boca, the tour shifts into a slower rhythm: a scenic boat ride along the southern part of Banderas Bay. This is where you’re looking at the coast from the water—hidden beaches, jungle-covered hillsides, and that open-bay feeling you can’t get from the road.

In one of the past trips I read about, Captain Jordy made a point to show whales and Los Arcos while cruising. You shouldn’t count on wildlife every single day, but it’s a good sign the captain is watching conditions and using the ride time well.

You’ll also appreciate the small onboard comfort items that matter when you’re on the water for hours. There’s a cooler with ice, bottled water, and a Bluetooth sound system with 4 kickers speakers. In plain terms: you can keep the day calm and social without needing to bring everything yourself.

If you get motion-sick easily, you’ll still want to plan for a boat ride. But because this is private and paced around snorkeling and beach breaks, you’re not constantly speeding between stops like some high-volume tours. It’s built for a comfortable afternoon.

Majahuitas snorkel stop: calm water, boat-only entry, and clear fish viewing

Majahuitas is the centerpiece for snorkeling. It’s described as a crystal-clear bay with calm waters, and the key detail is that you snorkel directly from the boat. There’s no beach access at this stop, so if your idea of snorkeling requires stepping onto sand first, you’ll need to adjust.

The upside is the time efficiency. You don’t spend minutes hiking, changing gear, or searching for the perfect entry spot. Instead, you get a focused window (about 30 minutes) where your main job is getting in the water and looking around.

On at least one trip, the boat had practical features like a ladder for returning onboard, and that’s a comfort detail you should love if you’re not a strong swimmer. Even if you’re comfortable, having an easy way back up lowers the stress level.

What you’re hoping to see here is the typical tropical mix: colorful fish, coral formations, and clear-water visibility. In the notes from past experiences, people specifically highlighted how clear the water was and how you didn’t even have to go far from the boat to enjoy the view.

Bring sunscreen, but also bring a plan for keeping your phone safe. A waterproof case makes a difference here because you’ll probably want photos once you see how close the fish come.

Colimilla beach break: short, quiet swim time on the south shore

After Majahuitas, you head to Colimilla, another stop on the south side of the bay. This one is about slowing down and using the shoreline for a bit of recovery time—swim, relax, and enjoy the quieter surroundings.

You’ll get about 15 to 30 minutes of free time at the beach. That shorter window is intentional. It gives you a break without turning the day into a long sequence of waiting around. If you’re the type who gets restless doing nothing, this stop works well.

Colimilla is positioned as a secluded, calmer-feeling beach compared to the more crowded areas in Puerto Vallarta. The practical payoff: less noise, fewer people between you and the water, and more chance to actually relax.

One small consideration: you don’t have a full hour or more here, so don’t treat it like your only beach day. Think of it as a bonus swim-and-sun moment between snorkeling and Yelapa lunch time.

If the water is calm, this is the moment where you can switch from active snorkeling mode to just floating and watching waves for a bit. Then you’re ready for Yelapa’s village energy.

Yelapa with Juanito’s Restaurant: lunch hour and village wandering

Yelapa is where the tour becomes something more than just a boat day. It’s described as a laid-back fishing village only accessible by boat, which is exactly why it feels different from the main Puerto Vallarta area.

Your base is Juanito’s Restaurant, and you get about 3 hours of time there. The itinerary frames it as lunch time plus free time to explore. Practically, plan on spending part of that block eating and part of it doing your own thing.

That free time can include swimming in the bay, strolling through colorful streets, and even hiking to a nearby waterfall if you’re up for it. Because Yelapa is small and walkable, you don’t need an elaborate plan to enjoy it.

One detail I’d file away: since the tour is private, you can often use that time more flexibly than big group tours. I saw an example of Captain Jordy helping coordinate a drop-off for dinner and then returning later, which suggests the captain is willing to adjust within reason if you ask.

Food note: meals at restaurants are listed as not included, so budget for your lunch on your own. If you’re hungry, treat lunch as something you’ll pay for in Yelapa, not something you can assume is automatically covered.

Also, some of the best small purchases around Yelapa and Boca are cash-only. Keep that in mind before you reach the village.

Price, inclusions, and what you’ll still pay for

At $95.31 per person, this is priced like a true private excursion rather than a shared-group boat. On paper, that seems steep until you look at what’s included and how much you’re getting: snorkeling equipment, towels, bottled water, cooler ice, private transportation, and the landing and facility fees.

For snorkeling-focused travelers, this matters. Paying for a boat plus gear plus transfers adds up fast on your own. Here, the structure already bundles the essentials.

Included items that make the day easier:

• snorkeling equipment and one towel per guest
• cooler with bag of ice and bottled water
• private transportation and fuel surcharge
• Bluetooth speaker system onboard
• landing and facility fees

What’s not included (so you can budget):

• gratuities for the captain/helpers and for other staff you might interact with
• lunch and meals at restaurants
• alcoholic beverages
• any extra items from third-party sellers

One more cost consideration that catches people by surprise: there’s a minimum charge equivalent to three guests, even if you book solo or as a couple. That’s how private tours cover operational costs and platform fees. It can raise the effective per-person cost, but it also explains why you’re getting a fully dedicated boat experience.

If you like control—your own time, your own swim pace, your own snorkeling rhythm—this kind of pricing can feel fair. If you want the cheapest way to get to Yelapa, you’ll likely find other options, but they won’t feel as personal.

What to bring for snorkeling and a smoother day

This tour is built for water time, so pack like you’re going to be wet. The basics from the tour info are solid, and they’ll save you discomfort later:

• swimsuit and an extra set of clothes
• sunscreen and/or a hat
• comfortable footwear (you’ll move around in Boca and at the beach)
• a camera or smartphone with a waterproof case
• medication if you need it

Snorkeling gear is included, so you don’t have to wrestle with bringing your own mask or fins. But you still want to bring the human stuff: comfort, sun protection, and a way to keep your phone safe.

Don’t forget cash. The tour specifically suggests bringing USD or MXN pesos for tips and spontaneous purchases. In practice, that’s how you handle gratuities quickly and avoid awkward ATM hunts once you’re in a smaller village.

Also consider the weather. The tour requires good conditions, so if it’s overcast or choppy, it may affect timing or whether they can run at all. That doesn’t mean you can’t go—just that flexibility matters.

Finally, if you have any dietary restrictions, the itinerary warns that options can vary based on conditions, capacity, and availability. That’s not a problem unique to this tour, but it’s worth flagging for your own planning.

Weather, timing, and how flexible this private tour really is

Expect about 4 to 6 hours total on the water, roughly, starting at 10:30 am. The itinerary also notes that the total time doesn’t include transportation and any traffic delays. In Puerto Vallarta, traffic can be real, so give yourself a little buffer.

Because it’s private, you have some flexibility in how long you stay out. The info says you can choose your preferred duration, but keep in mind that weather can still force changes.

This is a good fit for travelers who don’t want their day chopped into tiny segments by other groups. You can set your pace for snorkeling and beach breaks instead of feeling like you’re constantly racing to be back on time.

And because it returns to the same meeting point in Boca de Tomatlán, you won’t end your day stranded. You get a clean start and a clean finish—one of the biggest sanity-savers in a place where boat access defines everything.

Should you book this private Yelapa snorkeling tour?

Book it if you want a private boat day that mixes clear-water snorkeling with real downtime in Yelapa. The stops make sense: Majahuitas for visibility, Colimilla for quick beach reset, and Yelapa for village time with lunch break and free exploration.

I’d also lean toward booking if you care about comfort details like towels, snorkeling gear, a cooler with ice, and a calm pace. That’s not just convenience; it affects how much you actually enjoy the water time.

Consider skipping (or choosing a different style of tour) if boat-only entry at Majahuitas is a dealbreaker for you, or if you’re trying to keep costs strictly minimal—especially because there’s that minimum equivalent to three guests.

If your goal is to get away from the busy feel of central Puerto Vallarta and spend a few hours in Banderas Bay with space to breathe, this one delivers.

FAQ

How long is the tour from Boca de Tomatlán to Yelapa?

The tour runs about 4 to 6 hours (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

It starts at 10:30 am.

What’s included for snorkeling?

You get snorkeling equipment and towels (1 per guest).

Is there beach access at the Majahuitas snorkeling stop?

No. You’ll snorkel from the boat at Majahuitas, with no beach access at that stop.

Is lunch included in Yelapa?

Lunch is not listed as included. Meals at restaurants are listed as not included, though the itinerary schedules a lunch and free-time break in Yelapa.

What should I bring with me?

Bring comfortable footwear and light clothing, a swimsuit and extra clothes, sunscreen and/or a hat, and a camera or smartphone in a waterproof case. Also bring cash (USD or MXN) for tips and purchases.