Visit Private Beaches around Puerto Vallarta in a Private Yacht

Los Arcos gives this private boat day its signature scenery: huge rock formations rising from the sea, with arches cut through them. I like that you can combine snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, and quiet time without sharing the boat with strangers.

I also like the simple onboard setup: water, ice, soft drinks, margaritas, guacamole, and fresh fruit are included. The main drawback is value. At $1,500 per group for up to 15 people, this makes sense for a full group, but it is a steep four-hour outing for only two or three people.

The boat leaves from E Dock in Marina Vallarta and returns there. Bring a good level of fitness, keep your schedule flexible for weather, and confirm that the promised paddle boards and other equipment are ready before departure.

Key points to know before you book

• Los Arcos is the scenic centerpiece: Expect rock arches, open sea views, swimming, and a snorkeling stop lasting about an hour.
• Playa Paredon is reached only by boat: Its large natural wall creates a quiet setting for photos, paddle boarding, and time in clear water.
• The whole boat is private: Your group alone takes part, with space for up to 15 people.
• Food and drinks are included: Bottled water, ice, margaritas, guacamole, and seasonal fruit are provided.
• The price works best for a larger group: Split among 10 to 15 people, the cost becomes far more reasonable than it first appears.
• Equipment and service need a quick check: One serious complaint described delayed access to paddle boards and an early return, so confirm the details at the dock.

Why Los Arcos makes a strong first stop

Los Arcos is one of the most recognizable sights along the Puerto Vallarta coast. The name refers to the large rock formations that rise from the sea, shaped by natural openings and arches. They give the first hour a clear sense of place that a generic boat ride would lack.

You can use this stop for swimming, snorkeling, and photographs. The setting is especially good for pictures because the dark rock formations contrast with the open water and sky. If you have a waterproof phone case, this is the time to use it.

The snorkeling is weather-dependent and should not be treated as a guaranteed aquarium. One unhappy account described crowded water with few fish, so I would set your expectations sensibly. You are booking a scenic coastal outing with snorkeling, not a specialist marine-life trip.

The private format helps here. Your captain can take your group into the water when the conditions suit, rather than moving a large mixed party through a fixed routine. Still, the final quality of the snorkeling depends on visibility, sea conditions, and the exact spot chosen that day.

Plan on about an hour at Los Arcos. That is enough time to get in the water, look around, swim, and take photographs, but it is not a long snorkeling expedition. If your group has strong swimmers and wants to spend most of the day in the water, four hours may feel short.

Playa Paredon brings quiet and a natural wall

The second stop, Playa Paredon, can be reached only by sea. That fact gives it a different feel from a beach you can reach by road, and the large natural wall provides the stop’s main visual feature.

This is where the paddle boards make the most sense. You can take them out on the water, swim, snorkel, and pause for pictures beside the rock face. The supplied description calls the water crystal-clear, though conditions can change with weather and the season.

I like the balance between activity and stillness here. You are not pushed into one nonstop program. After snorkeling or paddle boarding, you can simply sit on the boat, take pictures, and enjoy the setting. For a group with mixed energy levels, that flexibility matters.

Again, the stop is scheduled for about an hour. That gives you a useful taste of the beach and its surroundings, but not an entire afternoon. If your main goal is lounging on a beach, you may find the short stop less satisfying than a dedicated beach day.

A private yacht changes the feel of the outing

This is a private activity, so only your group takes part. The boat can accommodate up to 15 people, making the price easier to justify for a family reunion, birthday, wedding group, or gathering of friends.

You avoid the awkwardness of joining strangers for a short water activity. Your group can decide how much time to spend swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, taking photographs, or sitting with a drink. The captain handles the route and boating, leaving you free to enjoy the coast.

The private format does not mean you get unlimited time. The entire outing lasts about four hours, including departure and return to Marina Vallarta. With two one-hour stops, the remaining time is used for boat travel and moving between locations.

For a small group, the mathematics are less favorable. At the advertised $1,500 per group, two people would pay $750 each, while 15 people would pay about $100 each before any separate personal expenses. Confirm the final total before paying, since one complaint described a charge of $1,700.

What is included on board

The included food and drinks make this easier to enjoy without planning a separate picnic. You receive bottled water, drinking water, ice, margaritas, guacamole, and seasonal fruit. Soft drinks are also available on board.

That is a useful mix for a warm four-hour outing. Water matters most after swimming and paddle boarding, while fruit and guacamole give you something more substantial than a handful of packaged snacks. The margaritas suit the relaxed tone, but you should still pace yourself if you plan to spend time in the water.

Snorkeling equipment and paddle boards are included. This means you do not need to arrange separate rentals before reaching Marina Vallarta. It also makes the private format more convenient for a group with different interests.

There is one practical warning. A complaint described the advertised paddle boards being unavailable at departure, a delay of about 30 minutes while older boards were located, and no kayaks. Kayaks are not listed as an included feature, so do not book this activity expecting them. Before leaving the dock, confirm that the promised snorkeling equipment and paddle boards are on board and ready to use.

The captain and crew matter more than the boat alone

The experience depends heavily on the captain and crew. Your captain chooses the route, handles the boat, and helps shape the pace of the day. The most positive accounts praised friendly service, good care, and strong handling of the outing.

One group described a full day of sailing, whale and turtle sightings, snorkeling, swimming, paddle boarding, floating, and relaxing with margaritas. Whale and turtle sightings are not listed as guaranteed parts of the experience, so treat them as possible bonuses rather than something you are paying for.

The crew also provides snacks and helps with the onboard experience. That personal attention is one of the better reasons to choose a private charter instead of a basic shared transfer. You are paying for time, space, and flexibility as much as for transport.

Photography deserves a clear question before departure. One complaint said the captain promised professional-camera photos, then failed to send them or answer later messages. The activity promises scenic photo opportunities, but it does not clearly promise a professional photo package. If the captain offers photos, ask when and how they will be delivered, and do not treat them as included unless that is confirmed.

Is four hours enough for Puerto Vallarta’s coast?

Four hours is a sensible length for a half-day on the water. It gives you two named stops, time to swim, and a chance to use the equipment without consuming an entire vacation day.

I would choose this length if you want a focused boat outing before dinner or another activity. You can see Los Arcos, reach the more secluded Playa Paredon, eat and drink on board, and return to the marina without committing to a full-day charter.

The limit becomes clear if your group wants a slow, unhurried day. One hour at each stop passes quickly once everyone changes, takes pictures, gets in the water, and returns to the boat. A large group can lose even more time to organizing equipment and people.

Keep the schedule realistic. You cannot count on long periods at each location, and you should not expect the captain to add several extra beaches within the same four-hour booking. The advertised route is compact and manageable, which is a strength for some groups and a limitation for others.

Meeting at Marina Vallarta

You start and finish at E Dock, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, 48335. The activity is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta and do not have a private car.

The return to the same meeting point keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange a separate pickup at a beach or coordinate a return from another marina. Allow enough time to find E Dock and meet the crew without rushing, though the supplied information does not give a required arrival time.

The marina setting is part of the practical appeal. You begin with a clear meeting point, board once, and remain with the boat until the return. The trip does not require hauling rental equipment between different beaches.

Who will enjoy this private boat day

I would recommend it most for groups that can share the cost and want several activities in one outing. Families with older children, groups of friends, and celebrations fit the private format well.

It also suits people who want to control the mood of the day. Some can snorkel while others photograph the rocks, paddle board, or relax with fruit and a margarita. The boat gives you more privacy than a shared excursion and more freedom than a fixed beach transfer.

You should have a strong level of physical fitness. The outing includes swimming, snorkeling, and paddle boarding, and you need to be comfortable getting in and out of the water. The information provided does not describe specialized assistance or accessibility arrangements, so ask the operator directly if anyone in your group has mobility or water-safety concerns.

This is less suitable for someone seeking a serious wildlife tour, a long snorkeling session, or a quiet beach day with no physical activity. It is also a poor value for a very small group unless the privacy and convenience matter more to you than the per-person cost.

Weather, cancellation, and booking timing

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. For that reason, I would avoid placing this tour on the final day of your vacation if seeing Los Arcos and Playa Paredon is important to you.

The standard cancellation policy is strict: the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason if you cancel or request an amendment. Read that condition carefully before paying.

It is often booked about 45 days ahead, and confirmation arrives within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. If you are visiting during a busy period or have a large group, booking early is sensible. You should also confirm the final price, group size, equipment, and photo arrangements in writing.

How the price measures up

The advertised price is $1,500 for the whole group, up to 15 people. That is expensive compared with a basic shared boat trip, but the comparison is not quite fair. You are paying for private use of the boat, a captain, equipment, food, drinks, and a route that includes two sea-access locations.

At full capacity, the cost works out to about $100 per person. For 10 people, it is about $150 each. At five people, it reaches about $300 each, and for two people it becomes a luxury splurge.

The value improves if you would otherwise rent snorkeling equipment, paddle boards, drinks, and food separately. The private setting also has real value for groups that want to stay together without strangers on board.

Still, a high price leaves little room for service problems. The complaint about missing or delayed paddle boards, shortened time, and unanswered photo messages is important because it highlights what you should verify before departure. Make sure the boat has the equipment you were promised and that the four-hour period will be honored.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta yacht tour?

Book it if you have a medium or large group, want privacy, and like the idea of mixing scenery, swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, snacks, and drinks in one half-day. Los Arcos supplies the dramatic photos, while Playa Paredon offers a quieter sea-access-only stop.

I would be more cautious if you have only two or three people, need a guaranteed wildlife encounter, or expect professional photos as part of the package. In that case, the price is hard to defend unless the private boat itself is your main goal.

Before you commit, confirm the final cost, the number and condition of paddle boards, the snorkeling gear, the exact four-hour schedule, and any promised photos. With those points settled, this can be a memorable and easygoing way to see Puerto Vallarta from the water. Without that confirmation, the price makes the decision much riskier.

FAQ

Where does the private yacht tour start?

The tour starts at E Dock, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the activity end?

The boat returns to the same meeting point at E Dock, Marina Vallarta.

How long is the tour?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many people can join the private boat?

The private activity accommodates up to 15 people in your group.

What locations does the tour visit?

The planned stops are Los Arcos and Playa Paredon.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are paddle boards provided?

Yes. Use of paddle boards is included. Confirm their availability with the operator before departure, since one account described a delay in receiving them.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes bottled water, drinking water, ice, margaritas, guacamole, seasonal fruit, and soft drinks.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered a different date or a full refund.