Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

Sun, sea, and a waterfall make a fine day. This six-hour cruise from Puerto Vallarta combines a comfortable catamaran-style yacht, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, an open bar, and a visit to Yelapa. I especially like the generous food and drink service and the crew’s strong attention to keeping the boat clean and passengers cared for. The main tradeoff is time: you get several activities in one outing, but some people may want longer for swimming, snorkeling, or exploring Yelapa.

The $117.60 price is reasonable for a day that includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, equipment, drinks, and entertainment. Still, this is not a quiet sightseeing cruise from start to finish. Music, dancing, and lively hosts are part of the appeal, although an upper level offers a calmer place to sit.

Key points before you book

• Two Puerto Vallarta meeting points: Choose Chica Locca Puerto Mágico at the cruise terminal or Paradise Village when you reserve.
• Snorkeling comes with a time limit: The first water stop lasts about an hour, but the schedule also includes kayaking, paddleboards, slides, lunch, Yelapa, and the waterfall walk.
• The open bar runs all day: Drinks include beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, soft drinks, coffee, juices, and water.
• Yelapa adds a real village visit: You can walk to the waterfall, relax on the beach, explore the town, or stay on the boat.
• The crew is a major part of the experience: Hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David keep the atmosphere social and upbeat.
• Pack lightly but bring essentials: You need a swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, and sun protection. Do not bring drugs, vaping devices, weapons, alcohol, or liquids through the federal cruise terminal.

What the $117.60 price really covers

At first glance, $117.60 may look like the cost of a standard boat trip. It is more useful to think of it as a full day package. Breakfast, a Mexican fajita lunch, guacamole, chips, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, a floating water mattress, and alcoholic drinks are included.

That makes the price good value if you plan to eat, drink, and use the water equipment. Buying those items separately during a day on the coast would quickly add up. The onboard massage is also available at no extra charge, although you need to sign up once you are onboard and should ask the crew about it early.

The value is less clear if you mainly want serious snorkeling. This is a social yacht outing with several stops, not a specialist snorkeling trip. Some passengers get around 40 minutes in the water, while others feel the time passes too quickly. Snorkeling visibility can also change with water conditions.

Gratuities and souvenir photographs cost extra. A photographer works onboard, taking action pictures during the day. You can arrange photo purchases at check-in or buy them onboard, but keep in mind that the photos are not part of the advertised price.

Boarding at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village

You must select your meeting location before completing the booking. At Puerto Mágico, check-in takes place at the Chica Locca Tours office inside the cruise ship terminal. Since this is a federal maritime port, security is strict. Passengers may be searched, and you should not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, vapes, weapons, alcohol, or liquids.

After check-in, the crew escorts you to the yacht. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach your selected meeting point yourself. The other departure option is Paradise Village, which may be more convenient if you are staying in that area.

The tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the trip. The maximum group size is listed as 115 people. That is a sizeable crowd, so do not picture a private sailing trip. The boat has shaded seating and comfortable areas, and an upper level may have quieter music for those who want a break from the party.

Breakfast, coastline views, and the Bay of Banderas

Once onboard, you get settled with fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. The yacht then heads south across Banderas Bay toward the first stop near Quimixto.

This opening cruise is one of the nicest parts of the day. You get broad views of the Puerto Vallarta coast without needing to organize transportation along the shore. Banderas Bay is also known for marine life and seasonal humpback whale activity, so keep your eyes open during the outward and return journeys. Whale or dolphin sightings are possible, but they are wildlife sightings, not a guarantee.

The crew begins beverage service early and continues throughout the day. Water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas are among the listed choices. This is generous service, but pace yourself. Six hours in the sun with unlimited drinks can catch up with you.

The atmosphere depends partly on the host and the mood onboard. Ricky Ricardo is known for keeping the energy high, while DJ David has been praised for making the time pass quickly. If you prefer conversation and scenery to loud music, head to the upper level or choose a shaded seat.

Playa Chica Locca: the main water stop

After roughly an hour of sailing, the yacht reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is where the boat shifts from sightseeing to water play.

You can use the snorkeling gear, kayaks, standup paddleboards, water mattress, and onboard slides. There is also an option to jump from the second deck into the sea. The crew provides help and encourages safe participation, but you should choose only activities that suit your comfort and ability.

The snorkeling can be enjoyable, especially when the water is clear. Fish sightings have been a highlight for some people, with about 40 minutes in the water reported on one outing. But conditions vary, and cloudy water may reduce the payoff. One practical concern is equipment supply. A booking group once found that the boat ran short of snorkels, so if snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask about equipment as soon as you board.

The stop is not only about looking underwater. Kayaking and paddleboarding let you enjoy the coast even when visibility is poor. The slides and second-deck jump add a playful edge, while the floating mattress suits anyone who wants to rest in the water with a drink nearby.

After the water activities, the crew serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips. An onboard massage is also available. It is easy to miss this option because it is not the central announcement of the day, so ask early if you want a place.

Lunch on the yacht, Mexican style

Lunch is a hot Mexican fajita meal with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available if you request them at booking.

The food is a strong point. It is prepared in the operator’s beach kitchen and brought out by boat, rather than being a packet of snacks passed around between activities. Several meals are served during the day, but lunch is the substantial one.

You can eat onboard before or during the cruise to Yelapa. This works well because the boat remains your base. You do not need to find a restaurant at the beach or spend time arranging food once ashore.

Yelapa Beach and the waterfall walk

Yelapa means where two rivers meet the sea, and the setting is the reason this stop feels different from a normal beach break. The yacht docks at a pier, giving you the choice of going ashore or staying onboard.

A short trail leads toward the waterfall. The walk is described as accessible for most people, but it is not completely flat. One account describes a fairly large hill, so anyone with limited mobility should treat the walk as a personal fitness decision. You can still enjoy the beach, town, or boat if the path is not right for you.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip and cool off beneath the cascade. The visit is not an all-day hike. The appeal is the combination of a small coastal village, a short walk, and a natural swimming spot. Bring footwear that can handle a trail and wet ground, even though the basic tour information only requires a swimsuit, sunscreen, and towel.

The schedule gives about an hour and a half at Yelapa, though actual time can feel limited once you account for the pier, walk, waterfall, beach, and town. This is the part of the day most likely to leave you wishing for another hour. If the waterfall matters to you, go ashore promptly rather than spending the whole stop on the yacht.

You can also remain onboard for swimming, the open bar, guacamole, and a massage. That flexibility is useful for families and mixed groups. One person can walk to the waterfall while another relaxes in the shade.

The ride home through Banderas Bay

The return cruise brings everyone back together. Expect music, dancing, drink service, and more coastal views. The crew and photo team may show action shots taken during the day, giving you the option to purchase pictures.

The return trip is also another chance to watch for whales during the season. Again, sightings depend on nature and timing. The boat usually returns with enough of the day left to continue other plans, according to the stated schedule, but allow some flexibility because marine outings depend on weather and operating conditions.

The strongest part of the return is the social mood. You may have spent the day sharing a kayak, sitting beside another family, or cheering someone from the second-deck jump. This is a tour designed to help people mingle, not disappear into a quiet corner.

What the crew does well, and what to watch

Crew service receives consistent praise for attentiveness. Staff keep drinks and food moving, clean the boat frequently, and help passengers with the activities. The yacht is described as clean, and the crew’s attention to small messes is part of the polished feel.

The hosts also shape the day. Ricky Ricardo is a lively presence, and DJ David helps maintain the party mood. That energy works well if you want a celebration at sea. It may be less appealing if you want a peaceful nature trip.

There is one professionalism concern in the available feedback involving a cruise director’s conduct with a passenger. The operator acknowledged the concern and said it would be addressed. It is fair to keep this in mind, although the broader service picture described in the supplied information is strongly positive.

A second concern is the boat description. The vessel is a large catamaran-style yacht rather than a traditional single-hull yacht. If the words mega yacht create an image of a private luxury ship, reset your expectations. You are booking a spacious, organized group catamaran with open-air seating, food, drinks, and water toys.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would choose this outing if you want several Puerto Vallarta experiences bundled into one day. It works especially well for:

• Families with different interests
• Couples who want food, drinks, and scenery
• Groups looking for a lively social atmosphere
• First-time visitors who want to see Yelapa without arranging separate transport
• People who enjoy water toys more than long snorkeling sessions
• Older family members who prefer staying onboard while others go ashore

It is less suited to you if your priority is quiet sailing, uninterrupted beach time, or a long guided snorkeling session. The waterfall walk may also be uncomfortable if hills or uneven paths are difficult for you.

Bring a hat, sunscreen, a towel, and a swimsuit. The sun can feel strong, and shaded seating is helpful but does not replace sun protection. Tell the operator about dietary needs when booking. Gratuities are optional but not included.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a new date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Yelapa yacht adventure?

Book it if you want a busy, friendly, all-inclusive day rather than a narrowly focused snorkeling trip. The combination of breakfast, fajitas, unlimited drinks, water activities, Yelapa, and the waterfall gives you a lot for the price.

Go in knowing that the group can be large, snorkeling time may feel short, and the Yelapa walk includes a hill. If those limits sound manageable, the strong crew service, comfortable seating, varied activities, and flexible choice between beach, boat, and waterfall make this a practical Puerto Vallarta outing.

FAQ

Where does the Yelapa cruise depart from?

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

How long is the experience?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

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 all-day beverage service 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 may be limited if the group is large, so ask the crew about snorkeling gear early.

Can I visit the Yelapa waterfall?

Yes. From Yelapa Beach, you can take a short trail walk to the waterfall and swim there. The route is accessible for most people but includes a hill and may not suit everyone.

Are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals available?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you advise the operator when booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants cancels the tour, you can receive a different date, an alternative experience, or a full refund.