A day on the water, then a waterfall walk. This private boat tour links top snorkeling spots with real local time in Yelapa, with a shaded boat, sanitized snorkel gear, and a guide who helps you move smoothly between stops. What I like most is the private feel with a small group and the chance to focus snorkeling at Majahuitas, which tends to feel calmer than the busier alternatives.

Two big wins: you get clean, ready-to-use snorkeling gear (plus life jackets) and you end with the Yelapa waterfall hike, guided right through town. One thing to consider is that this is not a purely lounge-on-the-boat day—there’s a walk through Yelapa to reach the waterfall, so wear comfy shoes and plan for some walking on uneven paths.

Key things to know before you go

• Small-group privacy (up to 7) means more flexibility and less waiting around than big boats.
• Sanitized snorkel gear + life jackets are included, so you can show up and go.
• Majahuitas snorkeling gets the spotlight with a longer 40-minute water time and included access.
• Yelapa is built into the schedule for beach time, optional lunch, and a town-to-waterfall walk.
• Local guides with boat know-how (like captains Victor or Luis, and co-captain Namar in one reported trip) help you avoid the worst crowds.

Why this private Yelapa and Majahuitas day feels different

Puerto Vallarta is great for day trips, but most people run into the same problem: you pay for the highlight, then spend half the day waiting. This tour is designed to fix that. You’re on a private 23-foot boat with shade, with room for up to 7 guests, and you’re not stuck in a crowd shuffle.

The vibe is also more local. You’re not just snorkeling and sprinting off. You arrive in Yelapa, a fishing village where you can linger on white sand and then walk through the town to reach the waterfall. In the better moments, it feels like someone’s showing you their home area, not just running a checklist.

On top of that, the tour handles the small-but-important details. You get a cooler with ice, life jackets for everyone, and snorkel gear that’s sanitized ahead of time. Those things sound basic until you’re on a trip where someone’s scrambling for equipment or the gear looks… questionable. Here, it’s part of the plan.

The full 5-hour route: from Los Arcos to Yelapa waterfall

This is an approximately 5-hour outing that follows a simple rhythm: short snorkel decision, a main snorkeling stop, beach time in Yelapa, then the waterfall walk. The day starts at 9:00 am and ends back at the same meeting point.

Here’s how the timing works in real life, and why it matters:

• Stop 1: Los Arcos de Mismaloya (about 20 minutes)

You get a quick chance to snorkel here, but the schedule gives you an easy choice. If you prefer to save your energy and focus on one main snorkel site, you can do your snorkeling later.

• Stop 2: Majahuitas (about 40 minutes)

This is your longer snorkeling window, and it’s the stop most people talk about when they want a calmer water scene.

• Stop 3: Yelapa (about 3 hours)

You land, get beach time, and can grab lunch at beach restaurants if you want. Then you’ll have time to hike through town toward the waterfall.

• Stop 4: Yelapa Waterfalls (about 1 hour)

The guide takes you through the fishing village to reach a waterfall. It’s timed as a guided walk, not a long all-day trek.

If you like day trips that feel paced, not rushed, this schedule hits that sweet spot. If you’re the type who wants zero walking, then you’ll want to reconsider, because the waterfall portion does require you to move.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya: a quick snorkel choice

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is a classic stop in the Puerto Vallarta area, but the key here is the flexibility. You get roughly 20 minutes, and you can snorkel there or plan to focus your water time at Majahuitas.

This matters because it helps you match the day to your group’s energy. Want to be in the water ASAP and don’t mind a shorter session? Do Los Arcos. Prefer a deeper, longer snorkel moment without splitting time? Hold off and save it for Majahuitas.

Practical advice: bring sunscreen and reef-safe habits as you would anywhere, and plan to hydrate between stops. Even when snorkeling time looks short on paper, sun and salt creep up fast.

Majahuitas snorkel: cleaner time and a calmer feel

Majahuitas is the centerpiece for snorkeling on this tour. You’ll spend about 40 minutes in the water here, and it includes entry. In one captain-led experience, the group also felt the advantage of local boating decisions that helped keep the day calmer and more enjoyable.

Why this stop tends to win: it’s long enough to actually settle in. You’re not bouncing out after a quick look; you can get comfortable with your breathing, adjust your snorkel fit, and take your time watching what’s in front of you.

Also, Majahuitas is a place where the day feels like it belongs on the beach. You’re close to the water’s edge, and the overall stop is timed so you can switch from boat to snorkel to regroup without chaos.

What’s included: sanitized snorkel gear and a life jacket for everyone. That combo saves you the hassle of hunting down equipment and reduces the stress if you’re not bringing your own.

Yelapa: beach time plus a real town walk

After snorkeling, you head to Yelapa for about 3 hours. This is where the day shifts from water-focused to place-focused.

In Yelapa, you’ll have white sand and crystal-clear water time for relaxing, swimming, and just taking in the vibe. You can also eat lunch at beach restaurants if you want. Lunch isn’t included, but the tour gives you a window long enough to make it worthwhile.

Then comes the part that makes this tour feel more special than a simple snorkeling run: you’ll hike through the town to reach the waterfall area. The walking isn’t framed as a strenuous challenge—it’s guided and paced as part of the experience.

Practical tip for comfort: wear breathable clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting sandy. You’ll likely want something grippy for the town and trail paths.

The Yelapa waterfall walk: guided, local, and worth the effort

You’ll spend about 1 hour at the Yelapa waterfall portion, with a guide leading the route. The walk takes you through the fishing village setting, then toward a waterfall that feels more like a local discovery than a tourist platform.

In one reported day with locals guiding the experience, the waterfall was described as amazing, and the whole flow—ocean to snorkeling to town to falls—was the highlight. That makes sense: you’re not just looking at water, you’re transitioning from sea water beauty to fresh-water scenery in the same day.

What’s included here: the hike to the waterfall is included, and admission for the waterfall stop is listed as included.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who tires easily, this is the segment to think about first. It’s not advertised as an extreme trek, but it does involve walking through town and toward a waterfall, so plan accordingly.

Boat comfort and guide quality: this is where the private value shows

The boat is a 23-foot vessel with shade, plus a cooler with ice. For a 5-hour tour, those two details really matter. Shade keeps you from frying while you’re waiting between stops. And having ice in a cooler is a nice quality-of-life benefit when you’re out on the water for hours.

You’ll also travel with a captain and a bilingual guide. On at least one trip, the reported captain team included Victor (captain) and Namar (co-captain), and they were described as locals with a strong feel for where to go and how to avoid crowds.

Another trip described guides including Luis and Adrian as hosts who made the day feel personal, with local knowledge and an easy, caring attitude. One group even noted they were close to whales and dolphins along the way to Yelapa—something you can’t control, but it’s a reminder that this region can bring wildlife moments.

How to think about guide value: you’re paying for smoother decisions. In coastal areas, small choices—where you stop first, how you time a snorkel, how you steer around the busiest spots—can change the whole vibe of your day.

Price and value: what $550 for up to 7 really means

The price is $550 per group, up to 7 guests, for about 5 hours. That’s not cheap if you’re traveling solo. But private tours make sense when you spread cost across a group.

If you fill all 7 spots, you’re looking at about $79 per person for the whole package. That’s a very different number than it looks at first glance, especially because the tour includes:

• the shaded boat
• snorkel gear (sanitized)
• life jackets for everyone
• cooler with ice
• a bilingual guide and captain
• the waterfall hike
• entry/admission where applicable (Los Arcos and Yelapa waterfall are listed as included; Majahuitas is free)

Food, drinks, and snacks are not included, and transportation to the meeting point isn’t included. But you get enough time in Yelapa to handle lunch like a local outing instead of forcing a rushed snack on the boat.

My practical take: this is a strong value if you have at least a few people sharing the group price and you care about snorkeling quality plus a guided waterfall experience—not just a boat ride.

What to bring (and what to skip)

The tour includes the snorkeling kit and the life jackets, so you don’t need to pack snorkel equipment. Still, you should come ready for sun, salt, and walking.

Bring:

• swimwear and a quick-dry layer
• reef-friendly sunscreen
• a hat and sunglasses
• comfy, grippy shoes for the Yelapa waterfall walk
• a water plan for before/after snorkeling (the cooler has ice, but you’ll still want to stay hydrated)

Skip (unless you want them):

• your own snorkel gear (it’s sanitized and provided)
• expecting food/drinks included (it’s not)

Who this tour suits best

This private tour is a good fit if you:

• want snorkeling plus Yelapa in one outing
• prefer a small-group day over big-boat crowds
• like guides who know how to keep the day calm and efficient
• don’t mind a town-to-waterfall walk as part of the fun

It’s not the best match if you:

• want to avoid walking entirely
• are sensitive to sun and don’t plan for shade, water, and sunscreen
• expect a purely “sit and float” experience

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta private tour?

I’d book this tour if your goal is to experience Majahuitas snorkeling, then spend real time in Yelapa with a guide-led walk to the waterfall. The private setup, the included sanitized gear, and the way the day flows from sea to town to falls are exactly what make it feel like more than another tour.

If you’re traveling with 3–7 people, it’s also one of those rare private deals where the math starts to make sense fast. And if you care about not spending your trip waiting around, the small-group format is a real advantage.

If you want help deciding, tell me your group size and whether anyone in your party gets tired with walking. I’ll help you judge whether the waterfall portion will feel fun or like work.

FAQ

How many people are on this private boat tour?

It’s a private tour for up to 7 guests per group.

What time does the tour start in Puerto Vallarta?

The start time is 9:00 am.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 5 hours.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Sanitized snorkel gear is included, along with life jackets for all passengers.

What stops are included during the day?

You’ll visit Los Arcos de Mismaloya, Majahuitas, Yelapa, and the Yelapa Waterfalls.

Is admission included for the stops?

Admission is included for Los Arcos de Mismaloya and Yelapa Waterfalls. Majahuitas admission is listed as free.

Do I need to bring lunch or drinks?

Food, drinks, and snacks are not included. Lunch is available at beach restaurants in Yelapa if you choose to buy it there.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and there is a bilingual guide.

Is transportation to the meeting point included?

No. Transportation to the meeting place is not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.