A luxury yacht day ends in Yelapa. I like the 100’ mega yacht setup on Bahía de Banderas, with comfy seating, shade options, modern bathrooms, and that easy, party-not-sweaty vibe. You’ll also love the all-day premium open bar plus water toys that keep you busy from the first splash to the last scenic return cruise.

One thing to keep in mind: snorkeling and swim time can be uneven depending on conditions and how the stops line up. If you’re hoping for a long, quiet underwater session, plan for a “try everything” day instead of a single-destination focus.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• 100’ yacht comfort: stable, modern, with lounging space, shade/sun mix, and bathrooms onboard
• Premium open bar all day: tequila, beer, wine, margaritas, piña coladas, plus coffee and juices
• Water toys included: snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, floating mattresses, and water slides
• Yelapa Falls hike + cool payoff: a guided walk followed by refreshing water at the falls
• Real food, not just snacks: breakfast items, guacamole + chips, and a fresh fajita-style lunch
• Service that stays on you: staff work the deck so drinks and snacks don’t wait in line

Riding a 100’ Mega Yacht on Bahía de Banderas

This tour is built around the Bay of Banderas cruise feel, but with serious “onboard comfort” details. The boat is a stable, well-equipped modern yacht (100 feet), with seating and lounging areas, plus a sun-and-shade mix so you can pick your mood. There are also modern bathrooms onboard, which sounds basic until you spend a full day at sea and realize how nice it is.

The vibe tends to land in the sweet spot between chill and lively. Music plays, people mingle, and the staff keeps things moving so you’re not stuck waiting around. You might even hear DJ-style energy from hosts such as Ricky Ricardo, who’s shown up as a guide name on prior departures, helping set the pace and the mood.

If you’re the type who gets restless on boats, the layout helps. You’re not confined to one cramped spot. You can lounge, watch the coast go by, then jump into the water toys when it’s your turn to play.

Two Easy Check-In Options: Puerto Mágico Vallarta or Paradise Village

You have two possible departure piers, depending on what you book: Chica Locca Tours at the Cruise Terminal in Puerto Mágico Vallarta, or the Chica Locca Tours pier at Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta.

That matters because it changes your morning routine. If you’re staying nearer one side of the bay, picking the closer check-in can save time and reduce stress. Also, check-in is where you’ll find information about add-ons like photo packages (those are listed as available at check-in).

Quick practical note: this is a full-day experience. If you show up too early, you may sit in the heat while staff gets everyone gathered. I’d rather you arrive with a little breathing room than build your day around waiting.

Morning Cruise With Breakfast and Marine Life Viewing

Once you’re out on the water, the morning phase is all about cruising and spotting wildlife along the way. You’ll get marine life viewing and scenic coastal looks on Bahía de Banderas, plus the chance for whale watching. Dolphins are often part of the same “marine life” story in this region, but the tour is explicitly framed around whale watching as a highlight, so treat wildlife as a bonus rather than a guaranteed sighting.

Breakfast is included during the morning sea time. It’s not just a token snack. The day is paced like a slow ramp: first the bay views, then breakfast fuel, then a swim stop where you can get into the ocean right away.

If you get motion sick easily, this is still a yacht cruise on a stable boat, which is generally friendlier than small craft. You can also position yourself on deck where you get the best balance of wind and comfort.

All-Day Premium Open Bar and the Food That Makes It Worth $142

At around $142 per person for a roughly 6-hour day, the value here comes from bundling. This isn’t the typical setup where you buy food and drinks separately or pay extra for every activity. Food and drinks are included all day, including an open bar with a long list of options.

On the bar side, you’re not limited to beer and water. The included premium offerings include margaritas, piña coladas, tequila, beer, and wine, plus non-alcohol drinks like water, coffee, juices, and sodas. There are also fresh snacks such as guacamole and blue corn chips.

Then comes the lunch plan: a fresh prepared meal with Mexican fajitas, rice and beans, and locally made tortillas. That detail matters because a lot of day cruises hand you something that tastes like it was designed to survive. Here, lunch is described as fresh and prepared onboard, so it feels like a real meal rather than a filler.

One of the most praised parts from prior experiences is the way service stays proactive. Staff are constantly checking in, so you’re not trekking to the bar every time you want a refill. You may even find drinks handled directly around where people are swimming or snorkeling, which reduces the hassle and keeps the day fun.

Water Toys and Onboard Extras: Snorkeling Gear, Kayaks, Paddle Boards, Slides

This is a water-activity day, and the boat supports it. Included water equipment covers snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, and floating mattresses for lounging in the ocean. There’s also mention of waterslides onboard, which shifts the feel from “boat trip” to “floating playground.”

Here’s the real advantage: you can choose your energy level. If you want motion and speed, try a kayak. If you want balance and sunset-style views from a standing position, go with a paddle board. If you want to see underwater life (and your timing lines up with conditions), use the snorkeling gear.

And you can stack options in a single stop. Many day cruises make you pick one thing and commit. This one gives you multiple paths in the same time window.

Just keep one practical consideration in mind: snorkeling and toy time can feel tighter than you expected. Some people may spend less time in the water if the group rotates equipment or if visibility isn’t great. I’d treat it as a “do more than one thing” outing, not a “go deep on one activity” outing.

Yelapa Arrival: White Sand, a Waterfall Walk, and a Car-Free Town Feel

Once you reach Yelapa, the day shifts from open-bay fun to land-and-water adventure. The stops include a photo stop, sightseeing, and a guided visit centered on Yelapa Falls.

The waterfall moment is guided. You’ll do a short walk uphill, and then you reach the falls where the refreshing water flows. That mix is smart. The climb gives you something active to do, but the reward is immediate cooling relief once you’re there.

Yelapa itself brings a different vibe than the bay. It’s framed as a unique destination with white sand beaches and a car-free town feel. That matters because you get more of a village atmosphere instead of only shoreline hopping. A guided portion plus free time gives you the option to either follow the plan closely or linger near the water and beaches.

One consideration: if you’re traveling in drier periods, the waterfall flow can feel lighter. That doesn’t erase the experience, but it can change the visual wow factor at the falls. Still, the hike-to-water payoff can be fun even when the water isn’t at its most dramatic.

The Best Part: Massage on Board Between Swims

This tour includes a massage onboard. That’s a rare add-on at this price point for a cruise day. It gives you a recovery option right when you might want it most, after time in the sun and ocean.

Even if you skip the massage, the presence of a masseuse onboard adds to the “luxury day” feeling. It’s one of those details that turns a standard swim day into something you’ll remember later, especially if you’re traveling with mixed interests and ages.

How the Return Cruise Keeps the Energy Going

When you head back toward Puerto Vallarta, the pacing usually stays lively. There’s more scenic cruising, plus another chance for marine life viewing and whale watching depending on conditions. Local snacks are included during the return phase, along with drinks like beer, cocktails, spirits, and wine.

This back stretch often feels like the party portion of the day. Music and dancing come up in prior experiences, and the crew typically keeps people engaged without making it feel chaotic. The benefit of sailing back together is simple: you don’t have to coordinate rides, and the experience closes as a group.

Then you’re dropped off at one of the two drop-off locations (Cruise Terminal in Puerto Mágico Vallarta or the Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta pier), matching your check-in option.

Who This Yacht Cruise Is For (and Who Might Prefer Something Else)

This works best if you want a day that mixes ocean time, food, and a lot of variety without planning. I’d put it high on the list if you:

• Like an active day but also want comfortable lounging
• Enjoy a social vibe with music and upbeat hosts (names like Ricky and Ricky Ricardo come up with this operator)
• Want snorkeling and water toys included rather than rented separately
• Prefer guided moments (like the Yelapa Falls hike) plus free time on the beach

It might be less ideal if you’re hunting for quiet and solitude. The day’s energy leans toward fun and movement. Also, if your top priority is long, uninterrupted snorkeling time, you may end up wishing for more water time at your preferred spot. The schedule includes multiple options, and that trade-off can matter.

If your group has mixed interests, this tour often plays well because you can swap between deck lounging, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking without needing another ticket for each activity.

Practical Tips That Make the Day Smoother

A few details can upgrade your experience fast:

• Bring swimwear and a towel. You’ll be in and out of the water.
• Use biodegradable sunscreen. The tour specifically calls for it.
• Plan to be flexible about timing. Even when the day is structured, marine conditions and activity rotation can shift how long each person gets with each toy.
• If you care about snorkeling visibility, know conditions can vary. Poor visibility can turn snorkeling into more of a “just enjoy being in the ocean” moment.

Also, bring the right mindset. This isn’t a slow museum-style trip. It’s a day built for movement, music, and casual fun.

Value Check: What $142 Buys You on This Yacht Day

Here’s the value math that matters. You’re paying for a full boat experience on the Bay of Banderas with:

• All food and drinks, including a premium open bar
• Fresh snacks like guacamole and blue corn chips
• A fresh prepared lunch with fajitas, rice and beans, and tortillas
• Water equipment: snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, floating mattresses
• A guided hike to Yelapa Falls
• Massage on board
• Port fees

If you were to piece that together yourself, it usually adds up fast: a charter or boat tour plus meals plus bar plus gear rentals plus a guided waterfall hike. Even without doing a strict spreadsheet, you can see why the price lands where it does. You’re buying convenience and a lot of “included” activities in one package.

One cost you should remember: transportation to your check-in port isn’t included. That’s normal for coastal tours, but it affects your total trip planning.

Final Call: Should You Book the Puerto Vallarta Yelapa Mega Yacht Cruise?

I think you should book if you want a high-energy yacht day with real inclusion: premium drinks, food that isn’t an afterthought, multiple water toys, and a guided Yelapa Falls hike that breaks up the sea time.

Skip it or at least set expectations differently if you’re looking for a quiet, private-feeling nature outing, or if you want guaranteed snorkeling conditions. The wildlife and ocean visibility are never fully controlled, and some parts of the day are designed for variety over perfect timing.

If your idea of a great vacation day is a mix of water play, waterfall walking, and a crew that keeps the day moving, this is the kind of tour that fits.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa mega yacht cruise?

The duration is listed as 6 hours.

Where are the check-in locations?

You can check in at either Chica Locca Tours at the Cruise Terminal in Puerto Mágico Vallarta, or at Chica Locca Tours in the Paradise Village Nuevo Vallarta pier.

Is the open bar included in the price?

Yes. The tour includes all-day premium open bar items such as margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, and wine, along with water, coffee, juices, and sodas.

What water activities and equipment are included?

Snorkeling gear, paddle boards, kayaks, and floating mattresses are included. Waterslides are also mentioned, and paddle boarding is listed as an onboard activity.

Is there a guided hike to the waterfall?

Yes. A guide service is included for the hike to Yelapa Falls.

Is massage included?

Yes. There is a massage onboard included as part of the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and biodegradable sunscreen.

Can I reserve now and cancel if plans change?

Yes. You can reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.