A day on this yacht moves fast. You’ll sail from Puerto Vallarta down Banderas Bay to Playa Chica Locca for snorkeling and water toys, then head to Yelapa for beach time and a chance to swim at the waterfall. I especially loved how the crew keeps food and drinks flowing without you having to ask, and I really like the all-in style of the day.

The one thing to plan for: your time in the water and at the waterfall is limited, so if your top priority is long snorkeling sessions, you may feel a bit rushed depending on conditions and schedule. Also, this is a Federal Maritime Port, so expect security checks before you board.

Key highlights worth caring about

• Unlimited open bar all day, including margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and champagne
• Two water-activity stops: Playa Chica Locca for snorkeling and gear, then Yelapa for beach + waterfall
• All-inclusive meals: breakfast pastries/fruit, snacks like guacamole and chips, and a fajita lunch delivered by boat
• Real crew energy, with hosts like Ricky Ricardo and DJ David helping keep the vibe moving
• Comfort choices on board, including shaded seating and a quieter-music area on the top deck
• Whale-season scenery: Banderas Bay is a humpback whale breeding ground, and whale sightings are possible

A Mega Yacht day on Banderas Bay: why it feels truly all-inclusive

This cruise works because it removes the usual travel annoyances. Instead of hunting down drinks, snacks, or a place to swim, the day is built around continuous activities: morning sailing, a water-gear playground, a full lunch, then a second stop with both beach time and a waterfall walk.

I like that you get a full spread, not just a basic meal. Breakfast comes with fresh fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices, then you’ll snack with guacamole and blue corn chips, potato chips, and more. Later, you get a Mexican fajita lunch with chicken or beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa, prepared in a beach kitchen and delivered by boat.

You also get a big dose of “vacation mode” from the boat itself. Comfortable seating is part of the deal, and there’s shaded seating if you need a break from the sun. One more practical win: you can bring a hat, sunscreen, and a towel and keep your packing simple, since the essentials for the water portion are provided.

Meeting at Puerto Mágico: choosing your start and staying smooth with security

Your tour starts at the Chica Locca Tours office at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal, but you’ll be asked to choose a meeting point before you book. You can meet at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village, depending on which option is available for your reservation.

Plan to arrive with extra time for port security. This is a Federal Maritime Port, and you must pass through screening that can include checks for drugs, alcohol, weapons, and liquids. There’s a strict no-drug policy, including electronic cigarettes and vapes, so leave anything like that at home.

The payoff is that once you’re on the boat, things run on cruise-ship time: check in, meet the cruise director and crew, and then settle in while the boat heads south along the coastline of Puerto Vallarta. You’ll also have a mobile ticket, which helps keep your day from getting tangled up in paperwork.

Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto: snorkeling and water toys without a scramble

About an hour into sailing, you arrive at Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is your first real “water moment,” and it’s designed like a floating adventure park.

Here’s what you can use: snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and water mattresses. There’s also waterslide fun—jump off the second deck, or slide down into the sea. If your idea of a good day is short lines and lots of chances to try things, this stop is the key.

When the boat anchors, you can snorkel around vibrant marine life and scenery. Time in the water can vary based on conditions and how the group flows, and there’s one detail to keep in mind: on busy days, gear can run low. It’s not the norm in most cases, but if snorkeling is your main reason for booking, I’d go in expecting there could be a wait and treat it as a shared resource.

Also: water visibility isn’t guaranteed. If the water looks cloudy on the day you go, you might get more enjoyment from the paddleboards, kayaks, and time relaxing on the water rather than expecting constant fish action.

A small but fun extra: while you’re on your way to the next stop, you’ll get guacamole and chips, and you can choose to book an onboard massage. Even if you’re not sure you’ll do it, ask the crew early—some people miss the chance just because the day moves quickly.

Yelapa Beach and the waterfall walk: choose your pace

After Playa Chica Locca, the cruise goes to Yelapa Beach, a sheltered bay where the afternoon is built for options. Your yacht docks at a pier, and you can either explore the village with a guide, relax in the bay, or stay on board to unwind.

Yelapa is compact, and it’s the kind of place where you can walk enough to feel like you saw it, without losing the day to transit. The tour balances the beach-and-water portion with the classic highlight: the waterfall.

To reach the waterfall, there’s a short guided walk and trail hike of about 15 minutes. Most people can handle it, but it does involve a hill, and it’s worth thinking about your comfort level with walking on uneven paths. Once you’re at the falls, you’ll have a chance to take a dip and soak in the refreshing cascade.

Lunch lands here too, and it’s more than an afterthought. The fajitas are hot, served with tortillas, rice, beans, and salsa, and they’re delivered fresh by boat. If you want to make the most of the afternoon, eat earlier rather than waiting until you’re too hungry to enjoy the moment.

If you want a calmer plan, staying on the boat during the village and waterfall window can be a great move. The open bar stays available, and the views across Banderas Bay are part of the experience.

Open bar, music, and food: the real value play

At $117.60 per person, this tour only feels like a deal if the inclusions are real—and in this case, they are. You get breakfast, snacks, lunch, and all-day drink service, and the beverage list is broad: water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, plus margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, champagne, and more.

What’s smart here is that drink service isn’t something you need to hunt down. The crew is serving throughout the trip, and many guests highlight that food and drinks keep coming without awkward gaps. If you’re the type who likes to relax instead of timing your next move, this matters.

Music and atmosphere are also flexible. There’s space on board where you can keep things more lively, and there’s a quieter-music option on the top deck for when you want to talk, read, or just watch the shoreline. Hosts like Ricky Ricardo and DJ David are known for bringing energy, so you’ll get interaction if that’s your style.

If you like group fun, this is a good fit. If you prefer quiet, you’ll still find pockets to breathe—just choose your spot early.

Onboard cleanliness shows up in feedback too. I’d treat this as a “practical luxury” setup: if you’re going to be in swimwear and around water toys, a clean boat and attentive staff make a difference fast.

Wildlife and scenery: humpback season is the bonus

Banderas Bay is the second largest bay in the world, and it’s known as a humpback whale breeding ground each year. That doesn’t mean you’ll see whales every day, but the tour is timed for the cruising portion where whale watching can happen.

Even when whales aren’t in sight, dolphins and sea life can show up. The best approach is to take the day as a sightseeing cruise too: the coastline south of Puerto Vallarta looks great from the water, and the ride back often feels like the finale of a real day out, not just transportation.

The trade-offs: snorkeling time, waterfall walking, and occasional hiccups

This cruise packs a lot into about six hours, so it moves with intention. That’s good for people who want a full day without spending the whole day traveling.

But here are the trade-offs you should be aware of:

• Snorkeling time can feel shorter than the phrase snorkeling adventure suggests, especially if you’re also juggling slide fun, paddleboards, and the second stop.
• Water visibility can be cloudy, which reduces how exciting snorkel time feels.
• The waterfall walk is about 15 minutes, and there’s a hill involved. Most people can do it, but if you’re dealing with mobility limits or you’re traveling with seniors, you may want the option to skip the hike and stay closer to the boat or beach.
• Equipment can be a tight constraint on busy days. One guest reported snorkel gear running low for a group.
• Professional comfort matters. One lower-rated report raised concerns about cruise-director conduct. The majority of feedback emphasizes attentive service, but if this is a dealbreaker for you, trust your gut and ask the crew about the vibe you should expect before you commit your day.

None of those points ruin the tour. They just help you set the right expectations so you enjoy the day you paid for.

Who should book this cruise (and who should look elsewhere)

Book this if you want an all-inclusive day that mixes active water fun with a real meal and a laid-back seaside visit. It’s great for couples, families, and friend groups who like variety—snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, a waterfall walk, and an open bar all in one plan.

It’s also a smart pick if you like meeting people and having a host keep things moving. Ricky Ricardo’s energy and DJ David’s playfulness show up again and again in feedback, and the crew’s attentiveness is repeatedly praised, including details like quick cleanup and nonstop service.

Consider a different option if:

• You want a long, uninterrupted snorkeling session above all else.
• You have limited ability for walking uphill to the waterfall.
• You’re very sensitive to crowd energy and prefer total quiet all day.

Should you book the Mega Yacht Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure?

Yes, I think you should book it if you’re aiming for value: six hours where breakfast, snacks, fajita lunch, and drinks are handled, plus the gear and water toys are ready for you. For $117.60, the real selling point isn’t the yacht—it’s the nonstop all-day inclusions and the mix of activities without extra planning.

Don’t book it if your expectation is a slow, calm, long snorkeling program. This is a packed day that works best when you’re flexible and ready to hop between beach, boat, and water.

If you go, pack like a beach day: hat, sunscreen, a towel, and a bathing suit. Then pick your priorities early. If you want the waterfall, plan your walk time. If you want snorkeling, arrive ready to start and don’t wait for perfect conditions. Either way, you’ll get a classic Yelapa experience from the water, plus the kind of service that keeps the day feeling effortless.

FAQ

Where do I check in, and do I choose a meeting location?

Check in is at the Chica Locca Tours office located at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal. Before you reserve, you must choose your meeting place (Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village).

How long is the cruise, and what stops are included?

The tour runs about 6 hours. You’ll have time for boarding and breakfast, a stop at Playa Chica Locca (about 1 hour), then Yelapa Beach (about 1 hour 30 minutes), followed by the return trip.

What’s included for food and drinks?

Breakfast is included with fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch includes fresh made Mexican fajitas (with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa), plus snacks like guacamole and blue corn chips. An all-day open bar is included.

What drinks are in the open bar?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, champagne, and more.

Do I need to bring snorkeling gear or water toys?

No. Snorkel equipment is included, along with kayaks, paddle boards, and water mattress.

Is there a waterfall at Yelapa, and can I swim there?

Yes. From Yelapa, there’s a short guided walk and trail hike (about 15 minutes) to the waterfall where you can take a dip.

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

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

What’s the cancellation policy if I need to change plans?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, you won’t receive a refund.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

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