Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

A yacht day with a waterfall finish. This six-hour Puerto Vallarta outing combines a comfortable catamaran ride, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, and time in the small coastal village of Yelapa. I like the attentive crew and steady food service, and the open bar makes the day simple for anyone who wants a carefree boat trip.

I also like the choice of pace. You can jump from the second deck, swim, and paddleboard, or claim a shaded seat and enjoy the coast. The main drawback is time: with two water stops, lunch, a village visit, and a waterfall walk packed into one day, some people may find the snorkeling and beach time too short.

• Two convenient departure points: Check in at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village.
• A full six-hour outing: Breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks, water activities, and Yelapa are all part of the day.
• More than snorkeling: You can use kayaks, paddleboards, a water mattress, and the onboard waterslides.
• A real village and waterfall stop: Yelapa gives you a choice between a short hike, beach time, village exploring, or staying aboard.
• Premium drinks included: Coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne are available.
• A lively but flexible atmosphere: Music and dancing suit a party crowd, while the upper deck offers a quieter place to sit.

What This Puerto Vallarta Boat Trip Really Offers

The Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure is best understood as a social boat day with several short experiences built into it. It is not a focused snorkeling expedition, nor is it a quiet private yacht charter.

You board a large catamaran operated by Chica Locca Tours and spend much of the day moving through Banderas Bay. The boat offers comfortable seating, shaded areas, food, drinks, music, and a crew that keeps service moving. The vessel may be advertised as a mega yacht, but some people will more accurately think of it as a spacious party catamaran.

That distinction matters. If you want room to spread out, a bar, a lively host, and several activities in one booking, the boat works well. If you want a small group, long snorkeling sessions, or a calm sailing trip, this may not be the right match.

The tour is capped at 115 people, so the mood and amount of personal space can change with the booking size. Some departures feel easy and well staffed, while a full boat can mean more competition for snorkel gear, kayaks, and paddleboards.

Breakfast Starts the Cruise Through Banderas Bay

You check in at Chica Locca’s Puerto Mágico office or at Paradise Village, depending on the option selected when you book. Pick the meeting point carefully, since you must choose it before submitting your reservation.

Once aboard, you find a seat, meet the cruise director and crew, and begin the ride south along Puerto Vallarta’s coast. Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice. It is a useful start, especially since the first water stop comes after about an hour of sailing.

The view is one of the day’s steady pleasures. Banderas Bay is described as the second-largest bay in the world and is an important breeding area for humpback whales. Whale sightings depend on the season and conditions, but the crew keeps watch during the ride, and dolphins have also been seen on some outings.

The onboard bar opens early and stays available throughout the day. You can order water, mineral water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other drinks. The service is a major part of the value, but drink responsibly: the boat includes active water time, a walk, sun, and a return ride.

Playa Chica Locca Brings the Water Activities

After roughly an hour, the boat reaches Playa Chica Locca in the Quimixto area. This is the main water-play stop, with snorkeling, swimming, kayaks, standup paddleboards, a water mattress, and waterslides.

The second-deck jump is aimed at people who enjoy a little splash and attention. You can also take the slide into the sea or use the floating equipment at a gentler pace. The setup lets different people make different choices, which is useful for families and mixed groups.

Snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed. Water clarity can change, and one departure ran short of snorkel equipment when the group was larger than the available supply. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask the crew for equipment as soon as the boat reaches the stop rather than waiting.

The snorkeling time can be around 40 minutes, but the exact amount depends on the day’s timing and conditions. Several people have found it enjoyable and seen plenty of fish, while others wanted more time in the water. That range is important: consider snorkeling one feature of the outing, not its entire purpose.

While you are in the water, crew members serve drinks and keep an eye on the activity. Safety and service are frequent themes in the feedback, with the crew regularly cleaning, serving, and helping people move around the boat.

Food, Drinks, and the Optional Massage

After the first water stop, the boat continues toward Yelapa. Fresh guacamole and blue corn chips or potato chips are served along the way. This is also a good time to sit back, dry off, and enjoy the coastline.

An onboard massage is available as a complimentary option, but you may need to sign up or ask about it. One person missed the massage simply because the option was not clear, so do not assume the crew will automatically schedule you. If a massage matters to you, ask during check-in or early in the cruise.

Lunch is Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. The food is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and delivered to the boat. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if you request them at booking.

The food receives especially strong praise, and that makes sense for a six-hour outing. You are not buying a boat ride and then finding lunch on your own. Breakfast, a substantial hot meal, snacks, and drinks are already covered in the price, which makes budgeting easier.

Yelapa Gives the Day a Different Feel

Yelapa is where this trip moves beyond a typical party cruise. The name means where two rivers meet the sea, and the village sits in a sheltered bay reached by water. The boat docks at a pier, giving you the choice to go ashore or stay aboard.

The main shore option is a short guided walk to a waterfall. The stated walk takes about 15 minutes and is accessible for many people, but it is not completely effortless. One account describes a large hill, and the route may be uncomfortable for anyone with limited mobility or difficulty walking uphill.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip and cool off before returning toward the beach and village. The cascade is a scenic reward, but you should manage expectations about the time available. The day includes the boat ride, water activities, lunch, and the walk, so you may not have a long stretch for swimming and exploring.

You can also stay near the beach, look around Yelapa, or return to the boat for drinks and a massage. That flexibility is useful when one person wants the waterfall and another would rather avoid the hill.

Yelapa itself is small, and the appeal is its setting rather than a long list of sights. You get a brief look at a coastal community, a chance to walk on land, and a change from the boat’s music and bar service.

The Return Ride Keeps the Party Going

After the Yelapa stop, the catamaran heads back across Banderas Bay. The return often includes music, dancing, whale watching in season, and more time to sit in the shade or enjoy the open bar.

The mood tends to be social. Cruise director Ricky Ricardo is frequently praised for keeping the energy up, while DJ David is noted for making the ride pass quickly. The atmosphere is friendly and participatory, so this suits people who enjoy meeting others and joining the fun.

If you want less noise, the upper level can offer quieter music and a calmer place to sit. That choice is one of the boat’s better design features. You can enjoy the party without having to remain in its center all day.

A photographer is onboard and takes action pictures during the cruise. Photos cost extra, and you can reserve them at check-in or purchase them onboard. If you buy pictures, keep your receipt and confirm the delivery details before leaving. A delayed photo delivery caused frustration for one customer.

Is the $117.60 Price a Good Deal?

At $117.60 per person, the price is strong if you use several parts of the package. Breakfast, fajitas, snacks, premium alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, the water mattress, and the Yelapa visit are included.

You are also paying for the boat, crew, entertainment, and the convenience of having the whole day arranged. Buying meals and drinks separately in Puerto Vallarta could quickly reduce the price difference, especially for people who enjoy cocktails or beer.

The value is less convincing if you do not drink, skip the water toys, and want a long waterfall visit. You may spend much of the day paying for services you do not use. In that case, a smaller sightseeing or waterfall excursion could suit you better.

Gratuities, hotel transfers, and souvenir photos are not included. You need to make your own way to the selected meeting point, and Puerto Mágico is a federal maritime port with security checks. Do not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, vapes, weapons, or liquids through the terminal.

Who Will Enjoy This Tour Most?

I would choose this outing for a couple, family, or group of friends who want a busy day with choices. It is particularly useful when your group cannot agree on one activity. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, another can take the waterfall walk, and someone else can simply enjoy lunch and the views.

It also suits older family members who prefer a comfortable boat and easy access to food and drinks, provided they can manage the Yelapa walk if they want to see the waterfall. Staying on the boat is always an option.

You should think twice if your priority is serious snorkeling. Water conditions vary, equipment may be limited on a crowded departure, and the schedule divides time among several activities.

You should also consider the party atmosphere. The crew is praised for energy, music, and dancing, but that may not suit someone looking for silence. The upper level can be calmer, though this is still a social group cruise.

Booking Details Worth Getting Right

The tour lasts about six hours and is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the trip. It is generally suitable for most people, but the waterfall route and active water equipment require some physical ability.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of passengers can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Choose the departure point carefully before paying. Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, a towel, and a hat, since the sun can be strong. The operator supplies the listed water equipment, meals, snacks, and drinks, but you should still confirm any special dietary needs when booking.

Should You Book the Yelapa Catamaran Adventure?

Book it if you want an all-inclusive social day that mixes coastal scenery, water toys, food, drinks, and Yelapa. The crew’s service is a real strength, and the combination of a boat bar, hot fajitas, snorkeling, a waterfall, and flexible free time gives you good value at $117.60.

Skip it if you want a quiet cruise, a private boat, or a long snorkeling session. The itinerary is full, and the most common practical concerns are limited time in the water, changing snorkeling conditions, and equipment pressure when the boat is busy.

For the right person, this is an easy Puerto Vallarta day: show up, choose your level of activity, eat well, and let the crew handle the rest.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa yacht tour last?

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

Where do I meet the boat?

You can choose to check in at the Chica Locca Tours office at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or at Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point before completing the reservation.

Is food included?

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

Are drinks included?

Yes. The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other listed beverages. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, standup paddleboards, a water mattress, and the onboard waterslides. You can also swim at the water stop.

Is snorkeling guaranteed to be clear and available?

No. Water clarity can vary, and equipment availability may be affected by the number of passengers. If snorkeling is important to you, request equipment early at the stop.

How long is the walk to the Yelapa waterfall?

The guided walk takes about 15 minutes each way according to the tour details. Some people may find the uphill section difficult, so staying near the beach or aboard the boat is an alternative.

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

Yes. You must advise the operator of your dietary requirement when booking.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of passengers may result in a different date or a full refund.