Remote beach luxury beats typical day trips. This mega-catamaran cruise pairs an open premium bar with a private-club beach stop at Playa Chica Locca, plus water toys and guided nature options around Quimixto. You also get a full meal lineup: breakfast fruit and pastries, guacamole and chips on arrival, and a traditional fajita-style lunch.

One heads-up: this ride has a party vibe. If you’re hoping for quiet, constant low-volume scenery, you may find the music too loud for long stretches.

Quick take before you book

• Open premium bar all day with brand-name options from beer and wine to tequila and pina coladas
• A real private beach club at Playa Chica Locca, with an infinity pool, shaded lounges, and a swim-up bar
• Pick your water time using included snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys
• Quimixto waterfall access is optional via a guided plan and a cash ATV upgrade (horse rides may be limited in practice)
• Staff names you’ll hear often include Papi Chulo (Isaias), Guadalupe, Luis, Dana, and Captain Noah
• Most people rate it 4.9/5 with 96% recommending, but conditions and timing can vary day to day

Playa Chica Locca and Quimixto: why this feels different

Puerto Vallarta has plenty of boat tours. This one changes the formula by focusing on a remote, boat-only beach club and an adventure option built around Quimixto, instead of just “sit on a boat and hope for the best.”

The big reason it works is the mix of things you can do without rushing: you’re not trapped in one activity. You can float, snorkel, kayak, or hang by the infinity pool, then pivot to the waterfall option when you’re ready. The service style also matters. Lots of feedback highlights staff staying on top of drinks and food, with a fun, high-energy crew keeping people moving through the day.

The other standout is the “private island” feel. Playa Chica Locca is reachable by boat only, and that remoteness makes the beach club feel like your own pocket of Banderas Bay.

The itinerary in plain English: how the day actually plays out

This is an about 6.5-hour experience: a morning departure, a long beach-club block, and then a return cruise with marine-life spotting when conditions line up.

Getting started on the catamaran

You’ll board near the Puerto Magico cruise terminal area. From the moment you’re on the water, the day is set up like an all-day hang, not a short stop with a rushed checklist.

Food and drinks start early with breakfast items (fruit, muffins, coffee, juices) and then the snack rhythm ramps up as you reach Playa Chica Locca. If you’re the type who hates waiting around hungry, this is one of the few tours that stays fed through the morning and afternoon.

Stop at Playa Chica Locca: the main beach-club block

This is where most of your time goes. Think soft sand access, shaded lounging, and an infinity pool with an ocean-facing view. There’s also a swim-up bar, and that helps explain why the vibe often feels like a day party that still has real downtime built in.

Your included options here cover the “active by choice” range:

• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Snorkel equipment
• Time in the pool and in the ocean
• Snacks and drinks delivered as the day moves along

A practical point: snorkeling quality can change based on water conditions. One recent experience complained the water was rough and murky with rocks, while another described clear enough water for colorful fish and easy access. On a calm day you’ll likely have a better time; on a rough day, you may shift more toward kayaking and swimming.

Quimixto waterfall time: hike or ATV upgrade

Quimixto is the add-on for the day’s nature hit. You can do it as a guided waterfall plan if you’re up for walking and then cooling off in the water that runs year-round.

In practice, the waterfall route has two paths:

• Walk/hike (a guided approach is part of the plan)
• ATV ride as a cash-only upgrade (driven by someone else, with the option for two passengers)

If you’re worried about footwear, this matters. A detailed piece of feedback said the hike can be steep enough that flip-flops become a regret moment. Another described the ATV route as going through jungle and river areas, and noted shoes can get wet during the ride.

Also note the timing trade-off: the waterfall part takes time as a group. If you want maximum kayaking/snorkeling, you’ll likely want to keep the waterfall plan optional or at least go into it knowing you’re trading pool-and-water time for the nature stop.

Return to Puerto Vallarta: marine-life bonus and the party cruise feel

On the way back, the tour turns more social. Music and dancing come up in multiple write-ups, and the open bar stays flowing.

Marine life sightings are a real possibility. Feedback includes whales spotted from a distance in the season window where humpbacks are more likely (December through April), plus turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and sea birds all year long. Even when you don’t get a whale, the return cruise still tends to feel fun rather than just transportation.

What’s included (and why it’s good value)

At $135 per person, the value is strongest if you plan to drink some version of an all-day beverage plan and use the water toys. If you’re only looking for a short boat ride and one swim, this may not be the best match.

Here’s what you’re actually paying for, in human terms.

Drinks: more than soda and beer

This tour includes an open premium bar with brand-name options. The list spans water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, plus cocktails and harder drinks like piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and champagne.

For me, the value isn’t just the variety. It’s the expectation that drinks keep moving. Multiple reviews credit the crew for keeping orders coming and service frequent, which is what makes an all-inclusive feel like a real deal instead of a “once in a while” situation.

Water toys: the kind you’ll actually use

You get snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys. That’s important because it turns the beach stop into an activity block you can control.

One feedback highlight was using paddleboarding and kayaking plus beach time in the same day. That’s exactly the kind of “choose your pace” structure that fits couples, friends, and families with mixed energy levels.

Food: breakfast, chips and guac, then lunch

You’ll have breakfast items on board, plus fresh guacamole and blue corn chips as a welcome snack at the beach club. Lunch is traditional fajita-style, with chicken and beef options, rice and beans, and tortillas. Vegan and vegetarian options are available.

A heads-up from feedback: lunch timing can run later than you expect, with one person saying it wasn’t served until around 2 pm, after fruit and guacamole earlier. If you tend to get snacky, I’d pack a simple backup snack just in case.

The staff: the human factor behind the high scores

When a tour scores 4.9 out of 5 with 96% recommending, I pay attention to the “why,” and the names show up again and again.

Commonly praised roles include:

• Papi Chulo (Isaias/Isiah) as a lively host who keeps the day organized and entertaining
• Guadalupe making cocktails and keeping the energy up
• Luis and Dana guiding the group and, in some cases, leading the hike plans with local observations
• Captain Noah on the cruise segment, including marine-life spotting time

This matters because the day has several moving pieces: boarding, port security, water time, snack timing, waterfall logistics, and then the return. A crew that handles flow well makes the experience feel smooth even when you’re on a schedule.

Practical tips that make the day smoother

You don’t need to overthink this trip. But a few details can save you discomfort.

Port security is real: keep your bag simple

The Puerto Magico cruise terminal is a federal maritime port, so expect security screening. There’s also a strict no-drug policy including electronic cigarettes, vapes, and other restricted items.

If you’re bringing anything for personal use, keep it boring and legal. Also avoid liquids in your carry-ons if you aren’t sure about restrictions.

Bring cash for the ATV plan

ATV (and any similar waterfall-ride options) are cash-only. One recent group shared an ATV cost of 500 pesos per person.

If you want the waterfall but also want less hiking stress, plan your budget and carry the cash you’ll need.

Sun and water days require water shoes

Most of this tour is outdoors: beach club, pool, ocean, and possibly a steep trail (depending on your waterfall choice). Sunscreen isn’t optional when you’re spending hours in direct sun.

Also consider water shoes. A review mentioned the ATV ride passing through areas that can make footwear wet, and the hike route has steep and rough segments.

Decide what kind of music you can tolerate

Some feedback calls out loud music the entire time and limited quiet space. If that’s not your thing, you might still enjoy the tour, but set expectations: this is built as a party-friendly day.

Check the boat expectation

A few reviews noted differences in boat size or feel between visits, even within the same brand of tour. You’re not on the boat all day; it’s mainly transit to and from the beach club and Quimixto portion. Still, if you’re expecting a super-luxury mega-yacht feel all day, know that the day is really about Playa Chica Locca.

Pack a backup snack if you hate delays

While many people describe great timing, one review said lunch arrived closer to 2 pm with only fruit earlier. If you’re sensitive to waiting, pack something small that you can carry in a day bag.

Who should book this (and who should skip it)

This tour fits you if…

You want an all-inclusive day where you can bounce between beach time and active water time. You also like a lively crew and a social atmosphere, especially on the return cruise.

It’s also a strong pick if you want flexibility: snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim, then decide about the waterfall plan based on your energy.

Skip it if…

You need quiet. You’re very picky about snorkeling conditions. Or you want hotel pickup as part of the deal (hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included).

If your perfect day is low music, long stretches of silence, and no scheduling pressure at all, you’ll probably be happier with a more relaxed day on a smaller boat.

Should you book Mega Catamarans ALL INCLUSIVE Remote Paradise Beach Adventure?

I’d book it if you’re chasing a mix of private-beach club comfort and real activity time, and you’re okay with a fun, high-energy vibe. The included drinks, the water toys, and the remote feel at Playa Chica Locca are what make the $135 cost feel fair instead of overpriced.

I would hesitate if you’re chasing a calm, quiet spa vibe, or if you’re counting on perfect snorkeling every minute. And if you plan to do the waterfall, bring cash and wear shoes that handle wet and steep ground.

If that’s your style of day, this is one of the better Puerto Vallarta “big day” values on the market.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 6 hours 30 minutes.

Where does this tour operate?

It takes place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with a stop at Playa Chica Locca and time around Quimixto.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included.

What’s included in the all-inclusive price?

The tour includes breakfast items, fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, lunch (fajita-style with vegetarian/vegan options available), snacks, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, and use of snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and water toys.

Do I need cash for the waterfall activity?

If you want an ATV or horse ride to the waterfall, you’ll need cash. Those rides aren’t included and are pay cash only.

What dietary options are available?

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

How old do you have to be to drink alcohol?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.