A private yacht day changes the pace fast. On Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore, you charter a 26-foot boat for up to eight, and with captains like Fernando plus crew such as Jorge, you get private time and snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya in a relaxed schedule. The main catch: lunch and hard liquor cost extra, and the beach restaurant isn’t included.

Expect a day built around your choices—sightseeing by boat, time to swim, then a calm stretch on Playa Las Ánimas. Soft drinks and beer come along with bottled water, snorkeling gear, and life jackets, so you can travel light.

It’s also one of those tours where weather matters; if the sea is choppy, snorkeling can be limited, though you’ll still see plenty from the boat and along the coast.

Key things to know before you go

• A true private group: up to eight people, so the day’s tempo is yours
• Los Arcos stop with snorkel gear included: snorkel or stay on board to watch fish and birds
• Drinks included, but not the extras: soft drinks and beer are covered; lunch and hard liquor cost extra
• Flexible pacing: you can customize how long you spend at each spot
• Bring cash for the beach: the Playa Las Ánimas restaurant food and drinks aren’t included

Why a 26-foot private yacht works on Puerto Vallarta’s South Shore

This is the kind of trip that feels like a local day on the water, not a cattle-car excursion. A 26-foot yacht is small enough to feel personal, but still big enough to be comfortable for a mixed group of couples, families, and friends—especially when you’re traveling with kids who need shorter bursts of activity.

What you really get is control. You’re not stuck in a scripted loop of strangers boarding and offloading on someone else’s timetable. You can spend longer at the places you like and move on when you’re ready, which is exactly how you want a “great day” to feel on a beach holiday.

Two things I’d put at the top: snorkeling at Los Arcos with included gear, and the way the crew keeps the day smooth. Names you might run into include Fernando as captain, with crew such as Jorge, Julio, Mitsen, or Titus depending on the date.

The main downside isn’t the tour itself—it’s expectations. If you’re hoping for an all-you-can-eat lunch and bar, you’ll be disappointed. Lunch and hard liquor are extra, and towels aren’t provided.

Meeting at Marina Los Peines: what to expect and how to prep

You meet at Marina Los Peines, Los Peines 332, Isla Iguana, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and the cruise ends back at the same spot. There’s no hotel pickup/drop-off, so plan to get yourself to the marina on time.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English, which helps if your Spanish is still on “vacation mode.”

Practical tip: give yourself a little buffer. Marina areas can be easy to find once you’re there, but the exact pier and timing can still be a scramble if you arrive late. Also, if you’re coming in on a cruise ship, the tour notes specific meet-up details at the pier in front of the harbor master—so tell them you’re a cruise passenger early.

On the water, comfort is part logistics, part attitude. Bring sunscreen, and think about how much you plan to drink, because once you disembark at the beach, you shouldn’t count on bathrooms close by.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya: snorkel time plus that bird-and-fish moment

The first stop is Los Arcos de Mismaloya, and your time there is about an hour. You can snorkel using the included equipment, or stay on board and enjoy the view—tropical fish and birds are part of the show.

This stop tends to be the “wow” segment because it’s focused. You’re not spending half the time figuring out where to go or when to meet again. The crew also helps you get situated, which matters if snorkel day is new for you or you’re traveling with kids.

One caution: snorkeling quality can swing with conditions. One review noted the water being a bit choppy, which reduced snorkel time. Even then, the stop still works because you can watch from the boat and enjoy the coast from a calmer perspective.

If you want to maximize your odds of a great snorkel session, pick gear-ready behavior: rinse your hands, put on sunscreen before you get in, and be ready to follow the crew’s guidance about where to swim.

The south-shore cruise stretch: coast views, smooth service, and possible wildlife

Between stops, the heart of the day is the cruise itself. You spend a big chunk moving along the coast with time for sightseeing—taking in Puerto Vallarta from the water rather than from the sidewalk.

This is where the day’s personality shows. Crew members like Fernando and Jorge (and others on different days) are attentive about comfort—keeping people hydrated and making sure everyone has drinks. In a few reviews, music and a good vibe level showed up too, with guests mentioning the playlist and general “relaxed and chill” energy.

Wildlife is an extra bonus when nature cooperates. Several reviews mention sightings like whales and dolphins along the route, and it’s the kind of moment that makes the whole day feel like more than a checklist.

If your party includes non-snorkelers, this stretch is still valuable. You can sit back, watch the coastline, and enjoy the small-boat feel—no huge crowds blocking your view.

Playa Las Ánimas: beach relaxation, snacks, and lunch you’ll want to plan for

The final stop is Playa Las Ánimas, with about two hours on the beach. This is the slower segment: relax, swim if you want, and take in the quieter feel of a beach that’s easier to enjoy when you’re not dealing with a big group schedule.

Lunch is an option here, but it’s not included. You’ll have the chance to eat at the restaurant on site, and the food and drinks are at your own expense. Reviews mention ordering things like Mexican favorites and seafood, and the restaurant can be a highlight if you budget for it.

A smart way to handle this: bring cash or have access to pesos. The tour notes that food and drinks aren’t included, and in practice you’ll want to avoid reaching the beach with your pockets empty.

Also plan for simple comfort. Towels are not included, and once you’re on the beach, you shouldn’t expect toilets nearby. If your group tends to snack and sip more than average, set expectations before you disembark.

What’s included vs. what costs extra (and how to judge the price)

The listed price is $678 per group up to 8 people for roughly 5 hours. That price structure can be amazing value—or not—depending on your group size.

Here’s the math in plain terms:

• If you fill it with 8 people: about $85 per person
• If you’re 4 people: about $170 per person
• If it’s just 2 people: about $339 per person

So, the best value is when you’re a family group, a friend crew, or you can share the boat cost with other couples.

Included:

• Bottled water
• Snorkeling equipment
• Life jackets
• Soft drinks and beer (included; hard liquor is extra)

Not included:

• Lunch
• Towels
• Hotel pickup/drop-off
• Private transportation
• Port entrance fee

On top of the ticket price, there’s a port entrance fee of $2.00 USD or 41 MXN pesos per person. It’s a small add-on, but it matters for budgeting—especially for larger groups.

My take: the tour makes sense when you want a calm, private day at sea. It’s less about bargain pricing and more about getting a boat experience with attention and flexibility, without the chaos of larger group boats.

How to make your day smoother (even if the sea gets a little rough)

Your biggest comfort levers are boring—but powerful: sun, water, and timing.

• Bring sunscreen. You’re out on the water for hours, and the sun reflects off the sea.
• Bring a towel. Towels are not included.
• Plan for snacks/lunch timing. If you want lunch, budget it ahead of time so your beach stop stays relaxing.
• Expect weather to matter. The tour is subject to favorable conditions, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll get an alternative date or a full refund of your deposit.

If conditions are choppy, your snorkel plan may change. That doesn’t automatically ruin the day, because you can still enjoy the coastline and wildlife from the boat. But if snorkeling is the main goal for your trip, be ready to adapt on the day.

Finally, if you’re sensitive to sea movement, the small-boat feel can make you notice the water more. Consider bringing your preferred motion-sickness aid just in case.

Who this Puerto Vallarta private cruise is best for

This cruise is a strong fit if you want:

• A private experience without a loud party-boat vibe
• A day that works for families and mixed ages
• A real South Shore perspective, with focused stops at places like Los Arcos and Playa Las Ánimas
• Included snorkeling gear and water, so you don’t have to pack the whole beach kit

It’s also a good pick for couples who want something different from the typical “book a bus, see three spots, hurry up” excursion style. Just keep the price structure in mind: two people pay a lot more per person than a full boat.

Should you book the South Shore Private Sightseeing Cruise?

If you’re choosing between a big group boat and a private yacht day, I’d steer you toward private—especially if snorkeling and coastline views are on your must-do list. The combination of Los Arcos snorkeling, Playa Las Ánimas beach time, and included drinks (soft drinks and beer) makes it feel like a complete day, not just transport.

Book it if your group can spread the cost and you want a more personal, slower pace. You might skip it if you’re looking for an all-inclusive lunch and a hard-liquor bar, or if you need hotel pickup to make logistics easy.

The crew matters here too. Many guests highlight service from captains like Fernando and crew such as Jorge, with others like Julio, Mitsen, or Titus showing up on different dates. That kind of hands-on attention is often what separates a “nice boat ride” from a vacation memory.

FAQ

How many people can be on this private cruise?

It’s a private tour for your group, with capacity up to eight passengers.

What’s included in the price besides the boat time?

The tour includes bottled water, snorkeling equipment, and life jackets. Soft drinks and beer are included, while hard liquor costs extra.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. At Playa Las Ánimas, you’ll have the option to have lunch at the restaurant, but food and drinks there are extra.

Do you get hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The meeting point is Marina Los Peines.

Is there a port entrance fee?

Yes. There’s a port entrance fee of $2.00 USD or $41 MXN pesos per person.

What happens if the tour can’t run due to weather?

If it’s canceled because of poor weather, you’ll be offered an alternative date or a full refund of your deposit.