Los Arcos and Yelapa in one yacht day. This private Puerto Vallarta experience strings together ocean views, snorkel stops that can change with conditions, and a real break in Yelapa for lunch and time ashore. You get a plan that feels easygoing, yet structured enough that you don’t feel rushed.

I like the open bar on board, plus snacks that keep the day moving without you hunting for food. I also like the snorkeling approach: you start at Los Arcos de Mismaloya, and if conditions don’t cooperate, you pivot to Majahuitas.

The main drawback to plan around is weather. Since the snorkel depends on water conditions, you might not get the same cave route every day.

Key Highlights I Think You’ll Notice First

• Private yacht time with only your group, so the captain can keep your day paced the way you want
• Los Arcos de Mismaloya for photos and a chance at cave-tunnel snorkeling when conditions allow
• Majahuitas backup snorkeling if Los Arcos isn’t working out
• Yelapa time ashore for beach lunch and an optional hike up toward a waterfall
• Onboard comfort and practical extras like a restroom, WiFi, snorkeling gear, and an A/C vehicle as part of the day
• A crew that stays on top of you, including refilling drinks and keeping timing tight so you get back to Marina Vallarta

Private Yacht Days: Why This Feels Worth the Price

This tour costs a lot per person, no sugarcoating. At $1,225 per person for about 7 hours, you’re paying for privacy, a professional crew, and the kind of access that’s hard to replicate on a larger public boat. If you’re the kind of traveler who values comfort and control over squeezing into crowds, this style makes sense.

What I like is that the day isn’t only about getting somewhere. You get cruising time along the Puerto Vallarta coast with photo moments, plus snorkeling windows, plus time in Yelapa where you can choose how active you want to be.

And because it’s a private tour, you’re not trapped in someone else’s schedule. The itinerary timing is built in, but the tone stays relaxed.

Meeting at Marina Vallarta and Getting Set Up Smoothly

You start at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta. The end of the experience returns you back to the same meeting point, which matters if you’re trying to keep the rest of your Puerto Vallarta evening free.

Two practical details help: there’s a mobile ticket, and the tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle. In other words, you’re not just dropped in the marina and left to figure it out yourself.

Also, the trip is in English, so you won’t be guessing when you’re asked about your comfort in the water. Kids are welcome as long as they’re older than 4, which keeps things clear for families.

The Coast Cruise: Photos, the Malecon, and the Crown Church

Your day begins with a relaxed cruise down the Puerto Vallarta coastline. This is the part people often skip when they book “fast” day trips, but it’s one of the best uses of yacht time.

You’ll have a chance for photos along the Malecon, including the iconic Puerto Vallarta church crown. Cruising time to Los Arcos is about 1.25 hours, so you’re not stuck staring at the horizon for ten minutes and then rushed into the next activity.

If wildlife happens to be around, it can also turn this cruise into more than just scenery. In past outings, whales and dolphins were spotted while heading toward the beach and snorkel areas, and the captain reportedly slowed down to enjoy it when possible.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya: Cave-Tunnel Snorkeling and a Big Photo Moment

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is your first “wow” stop. The main hook here is that you’re in a national reserve area known for dramatic rock formations—and the day is built around both a photo opportunity and a snorkeling chance.

You’ll get time for photos with the cave tunnel in the background. That shot usually looks great because the tunnel frames the action, and the rock texture gives you something more interesting than flat coastline.

Then comes snorkeling. If conditions are acceptable, the crew leads a snorkel experience through the caves of Los Arcos. This is one of the tour’s strongest selling points because it’s not just floating above a beach.

A quick consideration: snorkeling at Los Arcos depends on conditions, not luck. If water clarity or safety conditions aren’t right, you won’t force it, and that sets up the next step.

Majahuitas as the Backup Plan (When Los Arcos Doesn’t Work)

Between Los Arcos and Yelapa, there’s a pass by Majahuitas Beach. If snorkeling can’t happen at Los Arcos, snorkeling is done here instead.

Majahuitas gives you a fallback option that keeps the day from going “half empty.” You still get time in the water and you still have a chance at colorful fish, but the exact experience may feel different depending on visibility and how the water is behaving that day.

Cruising time from Los Arcos to Majahuitas is about 0.75 hour, then it’s about 0.5 hour cruising onward to Yelapa. That pacing helps: you don’t burn all your energy on water before you ever reach the shore town.

Arriving in Yelapa: Beach Time Plus Optional Waterfall Adventure

When you reach Yelapa, you’ll have real time ashore rather than a quick walk-and-go. The tour uses the Yelapa stop to slow down and let you enjoy the beach vibe at your own pace.

You can keep it simple with a casual lunch at a beachside restaurant. Lunch isn’t included, so you’ll be choosing and paying on your own once you get to shore, but that also means you can pick what fits your taste that day.

If you want something active, there’s an option to hike up through the town toward a scenic waterfall. If hiking isn’t your style, there are optional ATVs or horses, typically costing about $20 to $30 USD.

Here’s the practical upside of building the day this way: you’re not forced to snorkel longer to earn your money. You get two snorkeling opportunities, then you get a shore break where you can decide how much effort you want.

Also, in past experiences, Yelapa has been tied to wildlife sightings like whales and dolphins on the yacht side of the day. That doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed, but it does explain why people love pairing Yelapa with a longer sail.

Onboard Comfort: Open Bar, Snacks, WiFi, and Snorkeling Gear

The included onboard setup makes the tour feel “easy” once you’re on the yacht.

You get an open bar with water, soda, juices, beer, and cocktails. You’ll also have snacks like chips and guacamole. From what’s been described in past days, the crew stays attentive and keeps drinks coming without making you flag someone down.

You also get snorkeling equipment, plus WiFi on board and a restroom. That sounds small until you’re actually on the water for hours. The restroom matters, the WiFi is handy for sharing photos, and the provided snorkeling gear removes one of the common friction points of water tours.

One more detail I like: there’s an emphasis on fit. In past outings, people praised that the flippers fit better than expected, which improves comfort once you’re in the water.

Timing and Pacing Back to Marina Vallarta

After Yelapa, the return cruise to Marina Vallarta is about 2 hours. That gives you time to relax and enjoy a sunset rhythm depending on the day.

The schedule is long enough to feel like a full outing, but tight enough that you’re not stranded on your own shore excursion timeline. In past experiences, the captain reportedly keeps careful track to make sure people return with no stress about missing their next commitment.

If you’re building the rest of your Puerto Vallarta day around this, I’d treat it as the main event. It’s the kind of outing that makes your evening plans feel calmer by comparison.

Price and Value: What You’re Paying For at $1,225 Per Person

Let’s talk value in plain terms. You’re paying premium money for:

• Privacy (only your group on the yacht)
• Two possible snorkeling situations (Los Arcos first, Majahuitas as a backup)
• Onboard inclusions: open bar, snacks, snorkeling equipment, restroom, WiFi
• A structured day that includes coastline cruising and a real Yelapa shore block

What’s not included is equally important. Lunch is not part of the package, and any shore activities in Yelapa like ATVs or horses are extra. If you plan to do the waterfall route by ATV or horse, you should budget another $20 to $30 USD for those options.

So, is it worth it? For couples or families who want a low-stress day with privacy and water time, I think the price can pencil out. If you’d be happy in a cheaper public boat and you’re cost-sensitive, you can find lower-cost ways to reach Yelapa or snorkel around Puerto Vallarta.

This one is for people who want the comfort and control of a yacht day and are willing to pay for it.

Who This Yacht Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This tour fits best if:

• You want privacy and a relaxed pace
• Snorkeling matters, especially the chance to snorkel near Los Arcos
• You want a day that mixes water time with a shore town break in Yelapa
• You appreciate an operator that keeps timing tight and the crew attentive

You might want to rethink it if:

• You’re on a tight budget and prefer to spend less on transport
• Your group expects snorkeling no matter what, because conditions can change and the plan adjusts
• You dislike paying extra once you reach shore (lunch and optional ATV/horse are on you)

If you’re traveling with kids, the tour can work well because you’ll still have shore options beyond just snorkeling. Just remember there’s a minimum age: children must be older than 4.

Quick Ways to Make the Day Go Better

Even with a well-run tour, you’ll have more fun if you show up ready.

For starters, treat Yelapa as a choose-your-own-adventure stop. If you want the waterfall area, plan for time and energy on land. If you just want beach time, you can keep it simple with lunch and a slow wander instead.

For the water portion, focus on comfort and safety. Snorkeling equipment is provided, but conditions decide what’s possible at Los Arcos, and Majahuitas is there to keep the plan moving.

Finally, plan your Puerto Vallarta logistics around this. Because the tour ends back at the meeting point, it’s easiest when you treat the yacht day as the centerpiece of your trip.

Should You Book This Puerto Vallarta Yacht Tour to Yelapa?

Book it if you want a private yacht day that mixes cruising, flexible snorkeling (Los Arcos plus Majahuitas as a backup), and real time in Yelapa for lunch and possible waterfall adventure. The onboard extras—open bar, snacks, WiFi, restroom, and snorkeling gear—are part of what makes the price feel less “flat” and more like a full-service day.

Skip it or look at alternatives if you’re mainly chasing the lowest cost, you hate any weather risk, or you’re not interested in spending hours on the water.

If your group is willing to pay for comfort, privacy, and a well-paced plan, this is the kind of Puerto Vallarta outing that tends to stick in your memory.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta private yacht tour to Yelapa?

It runs for about 7 hours.

Is this a private tour?

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

What’s included in the price?

Included are an open bar with water, soda, juices, beer, and cocktails; chips and guacamole; snorkeling equipment; an air-conditioned vehicle; a restroom on board; and WiFi on board.

Where do we snorkel during the tour?

You start with snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya if conditions are acceptable. If snorkeling isn’t possible at Los Arcos, snorkeling is done at Majahuitas.

What can I do in Yelapa during the time ashore?

You can go ashore for casual lunch at beachside restaurants. You can also hike up through town toward a waterfall, or choose optional ATVs or horses (about $20-$30 USD).

What should I know about meals?

Lunch is not included. Food and drink onboard are included, but your shore lunch in Yelapa is on you.

Where is the tour meeting point?

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and the tour ends back at the same place.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.