Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this six-hour Yelapa cruise is the mix: you get water time, a small coastal village, a waterfall walk, and steady food and drink service without arranging each piece yourself. The crew keeps the mood lively, with hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David helping turn the ride into a social outing.

I like the all-day food and drink service, especially since breakfast, guacamole, snacks, fajitas, and the open bar are included. I also like having choices at Playa Chica Locca: snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, use the slides, or simply sit in the shade with views of the coast.

The main catch is time. You are fitting several activities into one half-day, so snorkeling and swimming may feel short, and the walk to the waterfall includes an uphill section. This is a party-friendly yacht outing with a waterfall stop, not a quiet snorkeling expedition.

Key things to know before booking

• Two meeting points: Choose Chica Locca at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village before completing your reservation.
• A full all-inclusive setup: Breakfast, fajitas, snacks, soft drinks, coffee, and name-brand alcoholic drinks are part of the price.
• Two distinct water stops: Playa Chica Locca is for swimming and water toys, while Yelapa offers the beach, village, and waterfall.
• The boat is a catamaran yacht: It has comfortable seating, shaded areas, upper-deck space, slides, and room to move around.
• Time on land is limited: The Yelapa stop lasts about 90 minutes, so you may need to choose between the waterfall, beach, and village.
• Bring sun protection, not outside drinks: Puerto Mágico security may search bags, and liquids, vaping devices, drugs, and weapons are not permitted.

What this Puerto Vallarta cruise is really like

At $117.60 per person, this tour is priced as a day of service and activities rather than a simple boat ride. You are paying for the yacht, crew, meals, open bar, water equipment, entertainment, and the two-stop route into Banderas Bay.

That makes the value fairly strong if you plan to eat, drink, and use the equipment. It is less compelling if your only goal is to snorkel for several hours or spend most of the day at Yelapa. The tour tries to satisfy several types of people at once, and that is both its strength and its limitation.

The group can reach 115 people, so do not picture a private sailing trip. The yacht offers different spaces, though, including shaded seating and an upper level where the music is quieter. That matters if you want the lively boat-party mood but also need a calmer place to sit.

The tour is recommended by 96 percent of people who book it, with a 4.8 rating from 2,515 ratings. The most consistent praise goes to the crew, service, food, drinks, and the easygoing mix of activities. The less consistent parts are snorkeling time, equipment supply, and the amount of time available at Yelapa.

Boarding at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village

You must select your meeting point when booking. At Puerto Mágico, check-in takes place at the Chica Locca Tours office inside the cruise ship terminal area, followed by an escorted walk to the yacht. Paradise Village is the other available departure point.

If you are starting at Puerto Mágico, allow time for port security. This is a federal maritime port, and bags can be searched. Do not bring outside alcohol, liquids, drugs, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices. The no-drug rule is strict, and it is better to leave questionable items at your hotel than risk a delay at check-in.

Once aboard, you meet the cruise director and crew, find a seat, and settle in as the yacht moves south along Banderas Bay. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to the selected meeting point.

The opening stretch is useful for getting comfortable and taking in the coast. Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. The bar opens early and remains available throughout the day, with water, sodas, mineral water, coffee, juices, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks.

Breakfast and the Banderas Bay cruise

The ride across Banderas Bay is not just transportation between stops. The bay is a major marine area and a seasonal breeding ground for humpback whales. Whale sightings are not guaranteed, but they are possible in season, and dolphins have also been seen on the route.

The crew works continuously during the ride. Food and drinks are brought around often, and the boat is kept tidy. One particularly useful detail for anyone deciding between operators is the level of active service: the crew has been praised for cleaning quickly, checking on people, and keeping food and drinks moving.

The energy depends on the host and the group. Ricky Ricardo is known for keeping the party going, while DJ David has been singled out for making the hours pass quickly. That can be a real plus if you want music, dancing, and easy conversation with other people on board.

You can also retreat from the main energy. The upper level has quieter music, and shaded seating gives you a break from the strong Puerto Vallarta sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and a towel. You need a swimsuit for the water, but the operator supplies the listed water equipment.

Playa Chica Locca: the active water stop

After roughly an hour of sailing, the yacht reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is the stop built around water play. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, use the floating water mattress, or take the water slides into the sea. A second-deck jump is also part of the fun for people who want it.

The setting combines open water with views toward the tropical coast. The bay conditions will affect how much you see while snorkeling. On a good day, you might see plenty of fish, but cloudy water is possible, so do not book this as a guaranteed marine-life outing.

A key practical point is equipment availability. One person reported that the boat ran short of snorkels when about 30 people wanted to use them. That is an important warning because snorkeling is one of the main reasons people choose this tour. Ask the crew early about gear and take your turn promptly if snorkeling is a priority.

Time can also feel compressed here. The stop includes several choices, and people who want to snorkel, swim, paddleboard, and kayak may not get long at each activity. If you prefer a slower water session, focus on one or two things instead of trying to do everything.

The crew serves drinks while people relax in the water, which is a memorable touch. After the water activities, guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips are available. You may also sign up for an onboard massage. The massage is included, but it can be easy to miss unless you ask about the sign-up option.

Mexican fajitas before Yelapa

Lunch is served before or around the Yelapa portion of the day, depending on the operating flow. The meal consists of hot Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

The food earns unusually strong praise for a boat excursion. It is prepared in the operator’s beach kitchen and brought to the yacht by boat, rather than being treated as an afterthought. That helps explain why the tour can feel like good value even for people who are not heavy drinkers.

The open bar is also part of the price, but use common sense. The combination of sun, motion, swimming, and alcohol can catch up with you quickly. Water, coffee, juices, and soft drinks are included, so alternating drinks is easy and sensible.

Yelapa village, beach, and waterfall

Yelapa means where two rivers meet the sea. The village sits in a sheltered bay, and the yacht docks at a pier. From there, you choose how to spend the stop.

You can walk into the village, relax on the beach, swim near the boat, or take the short trail toward the waterfall. The waterfall is about a 15-minute walk away, though the route includes an uphill section and may feel more demanding in heat. A person with limited mobility may prefer the beach or boat rather than forcing the hike.

The waterfall is a natural swimming spot, so bring shoes that can handle a walk and wet ground. The available time is around 90 minutes, which sounds generous until you include getting off the yacht, walking to the falls, swimming, returning, and possibly looking around Yelapa. If the waterfall is your priority, head there first.

This is not a long village visit. You will get a taste of Yelapa rather than a full afternoon to explore its streets and shoreline. Some people find there is not enough time for both a proper swim and a relaxed beach visit. The tour is designed to give you a snapshot of the place before returning to the yacht.

If you would rather skip the walk, stay aboard and use the open bar, snacks, bay swimming, or massage. That flexibility is useful for mixed groups. One person can take the waterfall trail while another stays on the yacht without giving up the main experience.

The return ride and onboard atmosphere

The trip back across Banderas Bay is part of the entertainment. Music, dancing, drinks, and conversation fill the return ride, and the crew continues serving until the boat nears the departure point. Depending on the season and conditions, you may also look for whales or dolphins.

A photographer works aboard the yacht and takes action shots during the day. Photos are not included, so treat them as an optional purchase. If you pay for photos, confirm how delivery will work before leaving, since delays have occurred.

The atmosphere is social rather than intimate. You may meet people from different places, and the hosts make an effort to bring the group together. That is ideal if you want a cheerful day out and do not mind shared space. It is less suited to someone hoping for a quiet, private cruise.

The crew’s service is the strongest reason to choose this operator. They refill drinks, clear plates, clean surfaces, and keep an eye on safety. One complaint raised a concern about a cruise director’s professional conduct, so management standards are worth watching. Most of the available feedback praises the staff, but this criticism should not be ignored when choosing a people-focused tour.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this cruise for couples, families, and friend groups who want a ready-made day with plenty of food, drinks, music, and choices. It also works well for a mixed-age group because someone can hike to the waterfall while someone else relaxes on the boat.

It suits an older family member who is comfortable boarding a yacht and moving around independently, but the Yelapa trail may not suit everyone. The waterfall walk has an uphill section, and the boat’s water activities require basic confidence around the water.

You will probably enjoy it if you like:

• A lively shared boat outing
• An all-inclusive price with an open bar
• Several short activities instead of one long activity
• Comfortable seating and shaded areas
• Food served throughout the day
• A chance to meet other people

You may want another kind of excursion if you want extended snorkeling, a quiet sailing trip, or a long stay in Yelapa. Snorkeling conditions can be cloudy, equipment may be limited at busy moments, and the schedule gives you only a short window at each stop.

Practical details that affect your day

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the trip. Most people can participate, but you should consider the waterfall’s uphill walk and the active nature of boarding, swimming, and using the water toys.

The minimum drinking age is 18. You do not need to bring snorkeling gear, kayaks, or paddleboards, since those are supplied. You should bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, swimwear, and a way to protect personal items from water.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available when requested ahead of time. Gratuities are optional and not included. If weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Yelapa yacht adventure?

Book it if you want a busy, friendly, all-inclusive day where the crew handles the details. The food, open bar, shaded seating, water toys, massage option, and two scenic stops add up to solid value at $117.60, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for meals, drinks, and activities.

Do not book it solely for serious snorkeling. The water may be cloudy, the snorkeling period can be brief, and equipment may not match demand at every moment. Also think twice if you want a long, quiet visit to Yelapa or if the uphill waterfall walk would be uncomfortable.

For most people who want a fun Puerto Vallarta boat day with plenty of service and a little adventure, I would put this high on the list. Choose the quieter upper seating when you need a break, ask about the massage early, go straight to the waterfall if it matters most, and confirm your meeting point before booking.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa yacht tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours, including the cruise, the Playa Chica Locca water stop, time at Yelapa, and the return trip.

Where do I meet the yacht?

You can choose Chica Locca at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point before submitting the reservation.

Are meals and drinks included?

Yes. Breakfast includes fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes chicken and beef fajitas with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Snacks include guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. The open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress are included. Equipment availability can be limited during busy periods, so ask the crew early if snorkeling is important to you.

Do I have to hike to the Yelapa waterfall?

No. You can visit the village, relax on the beach, swim near the boat, or stay aboard instead. The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes but includes an uphill section.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or a failure to meet the minimum number of people cancels the tour, you are offered another date or a full refund.