Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best days on Banderas Bay keep you moving. This six-hour Chica Locca cruise combines a comfortable catamaran ride, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, a Yelapa waterfall walk, and all-day food and drinks. I especially like the attentive crew and the easy all-inclusive setup. You can swim, eat, relax, or join the party without reaching for your wallet every few minutes.

I also like the choice of two meeting points, at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village. The main trade-off is time: with several activities packed into one outing, you may get less swimming or snorkeling time than you hoped for. The boat is a large catamaran rather than a traditional single-hull mega yacht, so set your expectations accordingly.

Key points to know before booking

• Snorkeling comes early: The first water stop at Playa Chica Locca usually arrives after about an hour of sailing.
• Yelapa adds a land portion: You can visit the village, relax at the beach, or walk roughly 15 minutes to the waterfall.
• Food and drinks are included: Breakfast, fajitas, snacks, coffee, soft drinks, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne are part of the package.
• The crew drives the mood: Ricky Ricardo and DJ David are names associated with the lively onboard entertainment.
• There are quieter places: The upper level may offer calmer music if you want a break from the party.
• Snorkeling time can vary: Water conditions and the full schedule may limit how long you spend in the sea.

What the $117.60 price really covers

At $117.60 per person, this is not simply a boat ride to Yelapa. You are paying for a full half-day package with meals, an open bar, water equipment, entertainment, and service from a sizable crew.

Breakfast starts the day with fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice. Later, the crew serves Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips fill the gaps between meals. If you ordered each part separately, the total would add up quickly, especially once drinks and equipment are included.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the package. I would call it a good deal for someone who wants drinks, lunch, swimming, and a social boat atmosphere in one booking. It is less compelling if your main goal is serious snorkeling or quiet sightseeing, since part of the price supports the bar service, music, and entertainment.

The all-inclusive format also makes the day simple. You do not need to carry cash for every drink or wonder where lunch will come from. Gratuities are not included, and hotel transportation is not included, so those costs need to remain in your budget.

Choosing the right meeting point in Puerto Vallarta

You must select your meeting location before completing the booking. The choices are Chica Locca Tours at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village.

Puerto Mágico is a federal maritime port, so allow time for security procedures. Passengers may be searched, and drugs, alcohol, weapons, electronic cigarettes, vapes, and other restricted items are not allowed. Do not treat the port like a casual marina pickup.

The two meeting points are useful because Puerto Vallarta stretches along the bay, and the best location depends on where you are staying or arriving. Check your confirmation carefully. A wrong pickup point can turn a relaxed morning into a rushed taxi ride.

Breakfast with a view of Banderas Bay

Once aboard, you meet the cruise director and crew, find a seat, and settle into the yacht’s shaded or open-air areas. The boat has comfortable seating, which matters on a six-hour outing. You will spend a fair amount of time cruising, not just swimming.

Breakfast is served as the boat heads south along the Puerto Vallarta coast. The views are a quiet start to what becomes a livelier day. Banderas Bay is one of Mexico’s largest bays and an important seasonal area for humpback whales. During whale season, you might spot whales from the boat, and dolphins have also been seen on the route.

The drink service begins early and continues throughout the trip. Options include water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and champagne. The setup is generous, but remember that the minimum drinking age is 18 and the boat’s activities still require good judgment.

Playa Chica Locca brings the water activities

After about an hour of sailing, the yacht reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is the main water-play stop, with snorkeling equipment, kayaks, standup paddleboards, a water mattress, and other floating equipment available.

The most playful feature is the chance to jump from the second deck or use the waterslides into the sea. You can also stay on deck, float with a drink, or watch the action. The crew continues serving beverages while people are in the water, which is one of the small touches that helps the outing feel relaxed rather than tightly scheduled.

Snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed to be perfect. The water can be cloudy, and marine life changes with weather, visibility, and location. One useful detail to keep in mind is equipment supply. A complaint described the snorkel gear running short for a group, so if snorkeling is your top reason for booking, ask about equipment availability when you check in and get your gear early.

Several people have enjoyed around 40 minutes of snorkeling, but the exact time can vary. Some outings leave visitors wishing for more time to swim, paddleboard, or snorkel because the schedule also includes Yelapa and the waterfall. This is best viewed as a mixed ocean-and-village excursion, not a dedicated snorkeling charter.

The stop also gives you a chance to slow down. An onboard massage is available as a complimentary option, though you need to sign up or ask the crew. One passenger missed it simply because the option was not clear, so speak up early if a massage interests you.

Lunch arrives fresh from the beach kitchen

After the first water stop, the crew serves lunch. The Mexican fajitas include chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa, with guacamole and chips available as snacks.

The meal is practical for a boat day. Fajitas are easy to serve, filling, and familiar to a wide range of diners. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them at booking. Do not wait until lunchtime to mention dietary needs.

Food quality receives strong praise, especially for an excursion where the kitchen is on shore and the meal is delivered by boat. The service is designed to keep the food and drinks moving without making you leave the deck for long. If you prefer a quiet, slow restaurant meal, this is not that. It is a well-fed day at sea, with lunch fitted into the activity schedule.

Yelapa offers a change of pace

Yelapa is the second major stop and the part of the day that gets you off the boat. The yacht docks at a pier, and you can choose how active you want to be.

You might join the guided walk through the village, spend time on the beach, explore independently, or remain aboard and swim near the yacht. Yelapa is small and scenic, with rivers meeting the sea and forested hills rising behind the bay.

The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes, but it is not completely flat. One section includes a noticeable uphill climb, and the route may be uncomfortable for anyone with limited mobility or stamina. The walk is manageable for many people, but do not assume it is a smooth, accessible path.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip and cool off before returning toward the beach or boat. Bring sturdy sandals or water shoes if you have them. A hat, sunscreen, bathing suit, and towel are the most useful basics, while the operator supplies the activity equipment.

The drawback is time. Yelapa, the waterfall, swimming, and the boat activities all compete for the same six-hour schedule. If you want a long beach stay, a leisurely village visit, and extended waterfall time, you may find the stop feels brief. If you like variety, the quick change from yacht to village is a strength.

The return cruise is part of the entertainment

After the Yelapa stop, you return to the yacht and cruise back across Banderas Bay. The return trip may include dancing, music, more drinks, whale watching during the right season, and a chance to chat with people you met aboard.

The social atmosphere is a major part of the appeal. Ricky Ricardo is frequently singled out for keeping the energy high, while DJ David is known for playful entertainment. The crew encourages people to join in, but you are not forced to dance or participate. The upper level can offer a quieter place with calmer music, which gives the catamaran more than one mood.

Service is another strong point. The crew keeps the deck clean, offers drinks often, and pays attention to small messes and passenger needs. That level of activity helps explain why the tour earns strong overall satisfaction, but it also means this is not a silent nature cruise.

An onboard photographer takes action shots throughout the day. Photos can be purchased at check-in or aboard, and they are not included in the tour price. If you buy photographs, keep your receipt and confirm the delivery email before leaving. A delay with paid photos has caused frustration, so it is worth checking the details while the crew can help.

Is this really a mega yacht?

The name can create an image of a large private yacht with polished cabins and a quiet luxury setting. The vessel is a large catamaran, and that distinction matters.

A catamaran gives you broad deck space, stable seating areas, room for water toys, and good viewing angles. It is well suited to a social day with up to 115 people. It is not the same experience as a private yacht charter or a small sailing boat.

The boat has shaded seating and comfortable areas, plus an upper deck with calmer music. The crew, open bar, waterslides, and massage add a resort-style feel. The word luxury here is best understood as comfort and service, not private space.

Group size is another practical point. The maximum is 115 people, though some outings may have far fewer passengers. A smaller group can mean a better crew-to-passenger ratio and easier access to equipment. A near-capacity departure will feel more energetic and may require patience at the gear station, food service, or water entry points.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend this cruise to you if you want a social, easygoing day with a lot included. It works especially well for couples, families with older children, groups of friends, and mixed-age parties where not everyone wants the same activity.

A senior family member may enjoy the comfortable seating, regular food service, and ability to skip the waterfall walk. Someone more active can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, jump from the upper deck, and swim. That flexibility is one of the package’s best features.

You should think twice if you want any of the following:

• A quiet boat with little or no music
• A long, focused snorkeling session
• A private or small-group experience
• A completely flat route to the waterfall
• Extended time at the beach or in Yelapa village

The tour can work for older adults, but the waterfall path and boat steps require care. The crew emphasizes safety, yet each person needs to decide which activities suit their ability.

Practical tips for getting more from the tour

Book the meeting point carefully, then arrive ready to board. Wear a swimsuit and bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. A light cover-up can help during the cruise, while secure footwear is useful for the walk to the waterfall.

If snorkeling matters most, ask for equipment early. If you want a massage, sign up as soon as the option is announced. If you prefer peace and quiet, head upstairs or ask the crew where the calmer seating is located.

Tell the operator about vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free needs when booking. Keep alcohol consumption moderate if you plan to snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, or walk uphill. The open bar is part of the fun, but the bay and waterfall are more enjoyable when you can safely take part.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are generally not accepted. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book the Yelapa catamaran adventure?

Book it if you want an active social outing where the cost covers nearly everything: breakfast, fajitas, snacks, drinks, equipment, entertainment, and time in Yelapa. The attentive service, comfortable seating, open bar, and mix of water and land activities make the $117.60 price reasonable for a full six-hour package.

I would not book it as your only ocean activity if snorkeling is the main goal. The stop can be enjoyable, but visibility and equipment availability vary, and several parts of the day compete for your time.

For most visitors who want a fun Puerto Vallarta day without planning each meal or activity separately, this is a strong choice. Go for the bay views, the waterfall, the crew energy, and the freedom to switch between adventure and relaxation. Just remember that you are booking a lively catamaran excursion, not a private yacht and not a specialist snorkeling trip.

FAQ

How long does the Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours, including the cruise to Yelapa, the water activities at Playa Chica Locca, time at Yelapa and the waterfall, lunch, and the return trip.

Where do I meet the yacht?

You can choose between Chica Locca Tours at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal and Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point before submitting the reservation.

What food is included?

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

What drinks are included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and a water mattress are included. Equipment availability can be limited during some departures, so ask for snorkeling gear early if it is important to you.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.