Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta excursion is the variety packed into one boat day. You cruise south across Banderas Bay, stop for snorkeling and paddleboards at Playa Chica Locca, eat fajitas at sea, then head ashore at Yelapa for a waterfall walk and a swim. It feels less like a simple boat ride and more like a floating day club with a village visit attached.

I especially like the included food and drinks, which save you from watching the bill grow every time you want a soda, beer, margarita, or snack. I also like the choice of moods onboard: lively music and hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David for those ready to socialize, plus quieter seating on the upper level for reading, resting, or taking in the coast.

The main catch is time. With snorkeling, water toys, lunch, a boat ride, Yelapa, and the waterfall all sharing roughly six hours, no single activity gets unlimited attention. Snorkeling time may be around 40 minutes, and the water conditions can be cloudy. The waterfall trail also includes a hill, so it is not ideal for everyone.

Quick take on the Yelapa yacht day

• Breakfast starts the cruise: Fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice are served as you leave Puerto Vallarta.
• Playa Chica Locca brings the water action: Snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, use the water mattress, or slide from the yacht into the bay.
• The open bar runs all day: Drinks include water, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas.
• Yelapa adds a real change of scene: Walk from the pier toward the village and waterfall, or stay onboard for swimming, drinks, snacks, or a massage.
• Lunch is proper Mexican fare: Expect chicken and beef fajitas with rice, beans, tortillas, salsa, and fresh guacamole with blue corn chips.
• Plan for a social atmosphere: The maximum group size is 115, though the mood and crowd can vary by departure.

A floating day club with a Yelapa finish

This Chica Locca tour is designed for people who want several pleasures in one outing. You get a scenic cruise, water sports, a meal, a bar, entertainment, and time in one of Puerto Vallarta’s most appealing coastal villages.

That mix is also the key to understanding the tour. This is not a dedicated snorkeling expedition, and it is not a quiet private sailing charter. It is a social catamaran outing with a party-friendly crew, plenty of food and drink, and a short taste of Yelapa.

The boat is often marketed as a mega yacht, but the vessel is a large catamaran. That means wide outdoor areas, comfortable seating, shaded spots, and room for several activities. It does not mean a private yacht with a small crew and a personal itinerary. If you want a polished group cruise with lots included, the format works well. If you want solitude, you should set expectations carefully.

At $117.60 per person, the price is reasonable for a six-hour outing that includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, an open bar, equipment, entertainment, and access to a massage option. You would pay separately for many of those pieces on a standard boat trip. The value is strongest if you plan to eat, drink, and use the water equipment. It is weaker if you mainly want a long, quiet visit to Yelapa.

Boarding in Puerto Vallarta and breakfast on Banderas Bay

You choose one of two departure points when booking: Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise ship terminal or Paradise Village. Picking the correct meeting place matters, since the tour requires you to select it before completing the reservation.

At Puerto Mágico, check-in takes place at the Chica Locca office inside the federal maritime port area. Security rules are strict. Do not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, vapes, weapons, alcohol, or liquids that are not permitted through the port security process. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach your chosen meeting point yourself.

Once aboard, you can settle into shaded or open seating while the yacht heads south. Breakfast is simple but useful: fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice. It gives you something to eat before the first water stop and helps make the open bar feel like an addition rather than the whole point of the morning.

Banderas Bay is enormous, and the cruise gives you broad views of Puerto Vallarta’s coast. It is also an important breeding area for humpback whales. Whale sightings are seasonal and not guaranteed, but the return cruise may include whale watching, and dolphins have also been spotted during outings.

The onboard service is a major part of the appeal. Water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, piña coladas, and margaritas are available throughout the day. The crew keeps the atmosphere moving with music, dancing, drink service, and friendly attention. You can also sign up for an onboard massage, an unusual extra on a group boat trip.

Playa Chica Locca: one hour for water sports

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran reaches Playa Chica Locca in the Quimixto area. This is the main water-activity stop, so have your swimsuit, sunscreen, and towel ready.

The equipment list includes snorkels, kayaks, standup paddleboards, and a water mattress. There are also waterslides and a second-deck jump into the sea. You can be active, float with a drink, or stay on the boat and watch the action.

Snorkeling conditions depend on the day. The bay can be clear enough for fish viewing, but cloudy water is possible. One outing allowed about 40 minutes of snorkeling and produced plenty of fish, while other departures offered less time for swimming and paddleboarding. Equipment availability is another practical concern. The operator has acknowledged that snorkel gear can run short when the boat is busy, so snorkeling should be treated as one part of the day, not its sole purpose.

This stop works best when you stay flexible. If the water is calm and clear, snorkeling may become your highlight. If visibility is poor, you still have the kayak, paddleboard, floating mattress, slide, swimming, and the comfort of the boat itself.

While the crew prepares for the next leg, guacamole and blue corn chips keep appearing. Potato chips are also included. An onboard massage may be available by complimentary sign-up, but do not assume it will happen automatically. Ask the crew early if you want a spot.

The social side becomes more noticeable here. Hosts such as Ricky Ricardo are known for keeping the energy high, while DJ David helps create a playful party mood. If you prefer less noise, the upper level can offer quieter music and a calmer place to sit.

Yelapa Beach and the waterfall walk

Yelapa means where two rivers meet the sea, and the setting explains why this stop feels different from the first. Instead of spending the whole time around the yacht and water toys, you get a chance to step onto land and see a small coastal village.

The catamaran docks at a pier, and you can choose among several options. Follow the guide toward Yelapa and the waterfall, relax on the beach, swim near the boat, or stay onboard with a drink and a snack. That freedom is helpful because not everyone in a group wants the same kind of afternoon.

The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes, according to the tour details, and is accessible for most people. Still, the route includes a sizable hill, and one section may feel strenuous for older adults or anyone with limited mobility. Wear secure sandals or walking shoes rather than loose flip-flops. You can swim beneath the cascade if conditions allow, or simply stop for photographs and enjoy the cooler setting.

Yelapa itself is small, and the visit is brief. You should not expect several hours to browse shops, sit at a beach club, and complete a long hike. The appeal is the contrast: rainforest scenery, a village, a waterfall, and a quick swim after a morning on the water.

Lunch is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca beach kitchen and brought to the yacht by boat. The meal includes hot chicken and beef fajitas, rice, beans, tortillas, salsa, and other fresh accompaniments. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

Food quality receives especially strong praise from the crew’s regular customers, and the meal is more substantial than the usual bag of chips and sandwich found on many boat trips. The constant snack and drink service also means you do not need to pack a full picnic.

The return trip across Banderas Bay

After Yelapa, the boat turns north toward the departure point. This is when the day often shifts into its most social phase. Music, dancing, drinks, and conversation fill the ride back, and the crew continues serving rather than treating the return as dead time.

The return also gives you another chance to watch the coast and scan the bay for whales or dolphins. Seasonal humpback sightings are possible, though wildlife is never guaranteed. The photo team may display action shots taken during the day, including water activities and group moments. These photos cost extra, so ask about the purchase process before leaving if you want them.

The catamaran can carry up to 115 people. That is a sizable group, and the experience will feel more crowded on a full departure than on a quiet one. A smaller outing can produce a better crew-to-passenger ratio, while a full boat brings more energy and more chances to meet people.

The crew generally stays busy with cleaning, food, drink service, and safety. That attention is one of the strongest reasons to choose this trip. You are not left to figure out the equipment, food, or drink system alone. Still, group tours can have uneven service depending on how many people are onboard, so the spacious design and shaded seating matter.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this outing if you want an easy day with many components already arranged. It suits couples, families, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people. A senior family member can enjoy the boat, food, views, and service without taking part in every water activity, though the waterfall walk requires care.

It is also a good fit if you want a taste of Yelapa without spending a full day arranging separate transportation, meals, and equipment. You can make your own pace once the boat arrives, which helps mixed-age groups.

You should think twice if snorkeling is your main goal. The stop is limited, visibility can change, and gear may be in demand when the boat is full. A dedicated snorkeling charter would give you more time and a clearer focus.

The same applies if you want quiet. This is a lively, hosted outing, especially when Ricky Ricardo or another energetic cruise director is leading the day. The upper deck may be calmer, but music, conversation, and drink service remain part of the design.

Practical details before you reserve

The tour lasts about six hours and is often scheduled early enough to leave you time for other Puerto Vallarta plans. One useful feature is that the day does not consume your entire evening, so you can still plan dinner or another activity.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can participate, but you should consider the waterfall hill, swimming areas, boat steps, and water equipment before booking for anyone with mobility concerns.

Confirmation arrives when you book, and the activity may operate with a multilingual guide. You need to choose your departure point before submitting the reservation. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals require advance notice.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded and changes are not accepted. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants can lead to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Yelapa catamaran adventure?

Book it if you want value through variety: breakfast, fajitas, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, a waterfall, and a lively crew for $117.60. The strongest features are the attentive service, generous food and drinks, comfortable seating, and the chance to combine a boat party with a real visit to Yelapa.

Do not book it expecting a private yacht, hours of clear-water snorkeling, or a long, peaceful stay at the waterfall. The boat is a large catamaran, the schedule is full, and the atmosphere can be energetic.

For most people, I would call it a good choice for a social Puerto Vallarta day on the water. Just reserve the right meeting point, request dietary needs ahead of time, ask about the massage at check-in, and keep your expectations centered on a varied group outing rather than a single-purpose snorkeling trip.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa yacht tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours.

Where can I board the yacht?

You can choose between Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise ship terminal and Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point before completing the reservation.

Is food included?

Yes. Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are also provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment is included, along with kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress. Equipment availability can be limited when the boat is busy.

Can I visit the Yelapa waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall is reached by a guided walk of about 15 minutes from the beach area. The route includes a hill and may not suit everyone.

Is a massage included?

An onboard massage is available as a complimentary sign-up option. Ask the crew early in the tour if you want to arrange one.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The tour details state that most people can participate, but the minimum drinking age is 18. Anyone joining the waterfall walk or water activities should be comfortable with the physical demands involved.

Are special meals available?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available. You should advise the operator of your needs when booking.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If bad weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Full refunds are also available when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.