Puerto Vallarta: Private Swim & Snorkel Yacht Tour w/Open Bar

Los Arcos is the star of this private yacht outing. About 90 minutes after leaving Marina Vallarta, you reach the rocky islands and arches of the national preserve for a guided swim and snorkel. Captain Carlos leads the water time, while the crew helps you make the most of the marine setting.

I like the private format, since your group controls the mood instead of sharing the boat with strangers. I also like the easy combination of snorkeling, paddleboarding, swimming, lunch, cocktails, and city views. The main drawback is the long cruise to and from Los Arcos, which means you spend a good part of a four-to-five-hour trip underway.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main nature stop: Plan on about 45 minutes to swim and snorkel around the protected rock formations.
• The yacht is reserved for your group: Up to 12 people can share the boat, making the per-person value much better with a larger party.
• Las Gemelas adds relaxed beach time: Swim, use the floats and paddleboard, or stretch out on the cushions while lunch is served.
• Food and drinks are included: You get sandwiches, a trio of salads, water, soft drinks, juices, beer, and cocktails.
• The return cruise passes the Malecón: You see Puerto Vallarta from the water, including the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe’s crown.
• The crew is part of the appeal: Captain Carlos leads the snorkeling, and Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo are named as crew members associated with especially attentive service.

A private morning or afternoon on Banderas Bay

This tour works best when you want a small-group boat day without arranging every detail yourself. The yacht, snorkeling equipment, paddleboard, floats, food, and open bar are built into one package. You simply meet at Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta and step into a planned route along the coast.

The private setup matters. A group of six to twelve friends or family members can spread out, share drinks, and choose how much time to spend in the water. A couple booking the entire boat gets plenty of space, but the price becomes much harder to justify on a per-person basis.

The trip lasts about four to five hours. That is enough time for two water stops and a coastal cruise, but not enough for a slow, full-day sailing. The schedule puts roughly 90 minutes on the water getting to Los Arcos and another 90 minutes returning to Marina Vallarta, with about 15 minutes between the two main stops.

That timing gives you a scenic ride, but it also sets expectations. You are not spending four hours snorkeling. You are booking a short yacht excursion with one nature stop, one easygoing beach stop, and a city-view cruise.

Leaving Marina Vallarta for Los Arcos

The meeting point is Bruma Café & Cocktails at Mástil 11 in Marina Vallarta. This is also where the trip ends, so you do not need to arrange a separate return point. The location is near public transportation, and the supplied details list an operating period from May 1, 2024, through January 18, 2027, with Monday hours shown from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

The first leg takes about an hour and a half. That may sound long for a short tour, but it is also one of the pleasant parts of the outing if you enjoy sitting outside with a drink and watching Puerto Vallarta recede. The boat gives you a different angle on the coast than you get from the road or hotel pool.

Because this is a private charter, you can use the ride to settle into your own pace. You might want music, conversation, photographs, or quiet time on the cushions. The available WiFi and onboard restroom are useful during this extended cruise, especially for a mixed-age group.

The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle in the listed features. Since the experience is centered on a yacht, confirm the exact arrangement when booking if air conditioning is important to you. The key comfort features clearly listed for the boat are a restroom, WiFi, cushions, and equipment for the water activities.

Snorkeling beneath the Los Arcos rock formations

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is a national preserve made up of dramatic offshore rock formations. The arches and small islands create the visual centerpiece of the trip, and the area gives you the chance to see marine wildlife while swimming and snorkeling.

You get about 45 minutes here. That is a sensible amount of water time for a mixed group, though serious snorkelers may wish it lasted longer. The provided snorkeling equipment is included, and Captain Carlos leads the expedition. Having a crew member in charge is helpful when some people in your group are confident swimmers and others are less familiar with snorkeling.

The marine life can vary, so you should treat this as a chance to see local wildlife rather than a guaranteed list of animals. Water conditions and visibility affect what you see. The best approach is to enjoy the rock formations and the chance to get into the bay, with wildlife as an added reward.

One especially useful detail is the crew’s hands-on approach. Ernesto is described as getting into the water to guide the group and point out marine life. Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo are also associated with attentive service and a warm atmosphere. Crew assignments can change, so I would not assume all three will be aboard every departure, but the operating style appears to include active help rather than simply dropping you at the snorkel site.

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a willingness to get wet. The tour provides equipment, but personal preferences vary, and you may want your own mask or towel if you have them. The supplied information does not specify towel service, so do not count on one being included.

A slower hour at Las Gemelas Beach

After Los Arcos, the yacht cruises about 15 minutes to Las Gemelas Beach. This stop lasts around an hour and changes the pace from guided snorkeling to open leisure time.

You can swim, use the floats, try the stand-up paddleboard, or relax on the boat’s comfortable cushions. This is a good design choice for a private group because not everyone wants the same water activity. Strong swimmers can stay active while others enjoy the sun and conversation.

Lunch is served onboard. The meal includes sandwiches and a trio of salads. It is not presented as a formal gourmet lunch, and that is fine for a short outing. Sandwiches are practical after a swim, and serving food on the yacht means you do not lose time going ashore to find a restaurant.

Las Gemelas is also the stop where the open bar becomes most useful. The package includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails. You can keep things simple with water or a soft drink, or settle in with a cocktail while the boat rests near the beach.

A word of caution: alcohol and swimming do not mix well. If you plan to use the paddleboard or spend time in the water, pace yourself. The open bar adds value, but it should not become the main event before the active part of the trip is over.

The Malecón from the water

The return route includes a cruise along Puerto Vallarta’s Malecón, the city’s famous waterfront boardwalk. This is a smart finishing touch because it connects the natural side of the trip with the city itself.

From the yacht, you get photo opportunities that are hard to copy from the promenade. Look toward the waterfront, the city, and the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, noted here for its distinctive crown. You also get a better sense of how the resort zone, old city, and coastline fit together.

The return cruise takes about an hour and a half, so this is not a quick pass. If the ride out felt long, the trip back may test your patience. On the other hand, it gives you time to dry off, eat, enjoy a drink, and take photographs without rushing.

This final stretch also makes the tour more than a basic snorkeling trip. You get an introduction to the coast from three angles: protected rock formations, a beach anchorage, and the urban waterfront.

What the price means for your group

The listed cost is $1,978.64 per group of up to 12 people. At the maximum capacity, that works out to about $165 per person. For ten people, it is about $198 each. For six, it is about $330 each, and for two people, the full charter becomes a major splurge.

That calculation is central to the decision. If you are traveling with a large family or group of friends, the private boat, crew, lunch, drinks, and water equipment can make the price reasonable. You are not paying only for transport to Los Arcos. You are paying for exclusive use of the yacht and a staffed experience.

For a small party, compare the cost with a shared boat trip before booking. The privacy may still be worth it if you care about your own schedule and space, but the value is less obvious when spread across only two or three people.

The open bar also has practical value for a group. You do not need to budget separately for drinks onboard, and the lunch keeps you from needing a restaurant stop. Still, the price does not include a full-day itinerary, multiple snorkel sites, or a large meal. Think of it as a polished half-day coastal outing, not an all-day sailing adventure.

Who will enjoy this yacht trip most

I would recommend it most for groups that want several activities in one outing and prefer a private setting. Families with children over age four, groups of friends, and celebrations can all make good use of the boat’s flexible format.

The tour suits mixed interests particularly well. One person can snorkel at Los Arcos, another can relax on the cushions, and the group can reunite for lunch and drinks at Las Gemelas. That flexibility is harder to find on a tightly scheduled shared excursion.

Children must be over four years old. The details say most people can participate, but you should still consider your group’s swimming ability and comfort in open water. The itinerary includes swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, so this is not the right choice for someone who wants to stay entirely on dry land.

It is also a good fit if you want a crew that takes an active role. Captain Carlos leads the snorkel stop, and Ernesto’s reported in-water guidance suggests that the crew can help you make sense of the marine setting rather than leaving you to manage everything alone.

Practical details that affect the day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets make the meeting process easier. You meet at Bruma Café & Cocktails in Marina Vallarta, then return to the same place at the end.

The tour is offered in English. It includes a restroom and WiFi onboard, along with snorkeling equipment and a stand-up paddleboard. The listed drinks include alcoholic beverages, water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails.

The cancellation policy is generous if your plans change early. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cause the company to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund. That protection is useful for a water-based outing, since calm conditions affect both comfort and the quality of the snorkel stop.

I would also check the exact departure time at booking. The supplied operating information shows Monday hours from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., but it does not provide a full daily schedule. Confirming the date and start time avoids an unnecessary trip to the marina.

Should you book this private yacht tour?

Book it if you have a group large enough to share the cost and want a comfortable half-day on the water with a little of everything: snorkeling at Los Arcos, swimming at Las Gemelas, paddleboarding, lunch, an open bar, and a long coastal cruise past the Malecón.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the private boat, the active crew, and the flexibility for people with different interests. Captain Carlos leads the snorkeling, and the crew members Nico, Ernesto, and Hugo are associated with especially warm, attentive service.

Think twice if you want hours of serious snorkeling, a full-day sailing route, or the lowest possible price for a small party. The long cruise times are part of the experience, but they reduce the time available for water activities.

For a birthday, family outing, or group of friends, this is an easygoing and well-rounded way to see Puerto Vallarta from the bay. For two people, it is a luxury choice that makes sense only if privacy matters more than strict value.

FAQ

How long does the Puerto Vallarta yacht tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four to five hours. The route includes about 90 minutes to Los Arcos, 45 minutes for snorkeling, 15 minutes to Las Gemelas, one hour there, and about 90 minutes cruising back toward Marina Vallarta.

How many people can join the private yacht tour?

The private tour is available for a group of up to 12 people. Only your group participates in the activity.

What food and drinks are included?

Lunch includes sandwiches and a trio of salads. The open bar includes water, sodas, juices, beer, and cocktails.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with use of a stand-up paddleboard and floats at Las Gemelas Beach.

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Bruma Café & Cocktails, Mástil 11, in Marina Vallarta. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Can children join the tour?

Children must be over four years old. The activity information says most people can participate, but the route includes swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.