Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the mix: you get an active morning at sea, a Mexican lunch, and a short land adventure at Yelapa without planning any of it yourself. I especially like the all-day food and drink service and the choice between swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, or simply stretching out in the shade.

I also like that the yacht gives you different ways to enjoy the day. The upper deck can be calmer, while the main deck often carries the music and party energy. The main caution is time: with two water stops, a waterfall walk, lunch, and the cruise itself, you may want more time to snorkel or swim.

What makes this Yelapa cruise worth considering

• Two very different stops: Playa Chica Locca is for water play, while Yelapa offers beach time, village exploring, and a waterfall walk.
• Food from breakfast through the return cruise: Expect fruit and pastries in the morning, fajitas at lunch, and guacamole with chips between activities.
• A premium open bar: Beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, coffee, juices, and soft drinks are included.
• A social crew-led atmosphere: Hosts such as Ricky and DJ David help keep the boat lively, with music, dancing, and group interaction.
• Comfortable options for non-swimmers: Shaded seating, a floating water mattress, onboard massages, and the open bar let you enjoy the day without getting wet.
• A real value at $117.60: The price covers meals, drinks, equipment, and about six hours on the bay, though gratuities and photos cost extra.

The day starts with breakfast and Banderas Bay views

You check in at either Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise ship terminal or Paradise Village. You must choose your meeting point when booking. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the dock on your own.

At Puerto Mágico, remember that this is a federal maritime port. Security checks apply, and the port has a strict no-drug policy that includes electronic cigarettes, vapes, and drugs of any kind. Do not bring those items with you.

Once aboard, you settle into comfortable seating while the yacht heads south across Banderas Bay. Breakfast is simple and useful for an early start: fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. From the deck, you get broad views of Puerto Vallarta’s coast as the city gives way to beaches, hills, and forested shore.

The boat is described as a mega yacht, but it is specifically a large catamaran yacht. That distinction matters if you are picturing a sleek private motor yacht. A catamaran gives you wide decks and plenty of seating, which is useful on a six-hour outing, but the experience is still a shared group cruise rather than a private charter.

The maximum group size is 115 people. That is a sizable group, so the atmosphere can feel social and energetic. On the other hand, the boat has shaded areas and more than one seating zone. The upper level may suit you if you want quieter music, while the main area is better for dancing and conversation.

The crew keeps drinks available throughout the day. The included selection covers water, mineral water, coffee, sodas, juices, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. The open bar adds real value, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks separately during a full day on the water.

Playa Chica Locca is the active first stop

After about an hour of sailing, the yacht reaches Playa Chica Locca near Quimixto. This is the part of the trip built around getting into the water.

You can use the included snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattress, and other water toys. The yacht also has a water slide and a second-deck jumping point. If you like an active start, this is where the outing feels most like an adventure rather than a sightseeing cruise.

Snorkeling conditions can change with the day. Clear water and fish can make this stop a highlight, but cloudy water may limit what you see. One important practical issue is equipment supply. At least one outing ran short of snorkels, so if snorkeling is the main reason you are booking, collect your equipment early and ask the crew where to sign up.

Time is another consideration. The planned stop is about an hour, but that period includes getting organized, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and possibly using the slide. You may get roughly 40 minutes in the water, but you should not expect a long, dedicated snorkeling session.

I like the variety here because you can set your own pace. You can swim for a while, switch to a paddleboard, then sit on the floating mattress with a drink. If you are not comfortable in open water, you can remain aboard and enjoy the view, shade, food, or an onboard massage.

The crew is a major part of the atmosphere. Ricky is known for keeping the energy high, while DJ David provides music and playful entertainment. This is not a quiet nature cruise from start to finish. It is better suited to people who enjoy meeting others, group activities, and a little harmless boat-party energy.

Lunch arrives fresh from the beach kitchen

After the water activities, the yacht serves lunch. The meal is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and brought out by boat. You get Mexican fajitas with chicken and beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa.

That is a better setup than a packaged lunch. The food is hot, filling, and practical after swimming. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available, but you need to request them when booking.

The snack service helps keep the day moving. Fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips are offered between meals. Drinks continue throughout lunch and the rest of the cruise, so you do not need to bring food or plan a shore stop for refreshments.

The meal is one of the strongest parts of the price. At $117.60 per person, you are paying for more than transportation to Yelapa. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, an open bar, water equipment, entertainment, and access to a six-hour boat experience are bundled together.

The value is strongest if you plan to drink, eat onboard, and use several activities. If you mainly want a quiet ride to Yelapa and would not use the open bar or water toys, a simpler boat transfer could make more sense.

Yelapa brings a slower change of pace

Yelapa is the second major stop and feels different from Playa Chica Locca. The name means where two rivers meet the sea, and the sheltered bay gives the yacht a scenic place to pause for the afternoon.

From the pier, you can choose among several options. You can walk into the village, relax on the beach, take the short trail toward the waterfall, or return to the yacht for swimming, a massage, drinks, and snacks.

The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes. It is accessible for many people, but it is not completely flat or effortless. One account describes a steep hill, so anyone with limited mobility should think carefully before choosing the hike. Comfortable walking shoes will help, and you should carry water, even though refreshments are available back at the boat.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip and cool off under the cascade. The stop is short enough to fit into the cruise schedule, but do not expect a long village visit and a leisurely waterfall afternoon. The itinerary has to get everyone back to the yacht and still allow time for the return trip.

Yelapa itself is a small village, not a large resort center. That is part of its appeal. You get a short taste of a coastal community and a natural swimming spot rather than a long shopping excursion.

The tradeoff is that shore time can feel rushed. If you want hours on the beach, extended village wandering, or a slow hike, this cruise may not give you enough time. If you prefer sampling several experiences in one day, the schedule works well.

The return cruise adds music, whales, and more drinks

After Yelapa, the yacht returns through Banderas Bay. Music and dancing may continue, and the crew keeps the food and drink service going. The boat’s photographers also show action photos taken during the day, which you can buy separately.

Whale watching is possible during the season, and dolphins have also been seen from the yacht. These sightings are not guaranteed, but the route gives you a chance to keep looking toward the water instead of treating the return ride as dead time.

The cruise generally lasts about six hours. One useful detail is that some departures return around 3 p.m., leaving part of the afternoon for another activity or dinner. Exact timing can vary, so treat that as a guide rather than a promise.

The return is where you will notice the difference between this outing and a quiet sightseeing boat. The music, dancing, open bar, and crew interaction can be the highlight if you want a festive day. If you prefer peace and long stretches of silence, use the upper deck or shaded seating when available.

Service is a major strength, with a few points to watch

The crew’s attentiveness receives consistent praise. Staff keep surfaces clean, bring drinks regularly, clear food, and help people move between activities. That constant service is useful on a busy boat, especially when you are carrying wet gear and switching from the water to lunch.

The onboard massage is a nice extra. It is complimentary, but you need to sign up during the trip. Ask about it early, because it may not be announced clearly enough for everyone to notice.

The tour is designed to be fun, but the energy level can vary by crew member and departure. Ricky and DJ David are associated with a lively, playful style. That suits couples, families with older children, friend groups, and solo passengers who like social activities.

Professional conduct is also worth keeping in mind. One complaint raised concerns about inappropriate behavior by a cruise director. Management responded that boundaries and professional standards are taken seriously. I would not treat one complaint as a complete picture of the operation, but it is reasonable to expect clear, respectful conduct from every staff member.

The equipment issue deserves similar attention. Snorkeling is included, but availability should match the number of passengers. Ask for gear promptly and tell the crew if you have not received it. The service may still be good, but no one wants to pay for a snorkeling outing and watch from the deck.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a convenient, social day that combines food, drinks, water activities, and a quick visit to Yelapa. It works particularly well for:

• Couples who want a lively shared outing rather than a private boat.
• Families who appreciate included meals and several activity choices.
• People who like an open bar and music as part of their beach day.
• Older family members who can enjoy the boat, food, shade, and views without taking the waterfall walk.
• First-time visitors who want to see Yelapa without arranging several separate bookings.

I would be more cautious if your top priority is serious snorkeling. The water can be cloudy, the snorkeling period is limited, and equipment may not always be immediately available.

You should also think twice if you want a calm, quiet sailing day or a long visit ashore. This is a full schedule with a party element, not a private escape. The waterfall trail may also be difficult for anyone who struggles with hills or uneven ground.

Booking details that matter

The tour costs $117.60 per person and is often reserved about 27 days ahead, so booking early is sensible during busy periods. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the trip.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Most people can participate, but you should consider the water activities and the uphill waterfall walk before booking for anyone with mobility limits.

Gratuities are optional and not included. Souvenir photos also cost extra. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you need to choose your meeting location before submitting the reservation.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund is provided and changes are not accepted. Poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings can also cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Yelapa yacht adventure?

Book it if you want a well-fed, open-bar day on the bay with plenty of choice. The combination of Playa Chica Locca’s water toys, Yelapa’s waterfall, fresh fajitas, shaded seating, and attentive service gives you a lot for the price.

Go in with the right expectations. The catamaran is shared, the mood can be lively, snorkeling time is limited, and Yelapa’s waterfall walk includes a hill. If those tradeoffs sound fine, this is a strong choice for a fun Puerto Vallarta day that requires little planning.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa cruise depart from?

You can check in at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise ship terminal or at Paradise Village. You must choose your meeting location when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts about six hours. Some departures return around 3 p.m., leaving time for other plans later in the day.

Is food included?

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

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, a water mattress, and other water toys are included. Equipment availability may be limited at times, so collect your gear early if snorkeling is important to you.

How long is the walk to the waterfall?

The walk from Yelapa toward the waterfall takes about 15 minutes. The route includes a hill and may not suit people with limited mobility.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must arrange your own way to the selected meeting point.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If weather or minimum booking requirements cancel the trip, you are offered another date, another experience, or a full refund.