Private 51′ Leopard Yacht – Vallarta & Punta Mita All Inclusive

A yacht changes the view. This private cruise pairs friendly, attentive crew service with an onboard chef, bartender, and a premium open bar, so you can spend four hours enjoying the bay rather than managing the details. I also like the freedom of an a la carte meal and the chance to use paddleboards and inflatables once you reach the water.

The main point to check before paying is the meeting location. The experience is described as a Vallarta and Punta Mita cruise, yet the stated start point is in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, not Marina Vallarta. The boat description also refers to both a 51-foot Leopard and a Marquis 50ft Ziba, so confirm the exact vessel, dock, and route with the operator.

Key points to know before booking

• Private use for up to 15 people: Your group has the yacht, crew, chef, and bartender to itself.
• Four hours on the bay: This is a half-day outing, with morning and afternoon start times.
• Chef-prepared a la carte food: Meals are prepared onboard instead of being limited to a fixed snack menu.
• Unlimited premium open bar: Drinks are included throughout the cruise, subject to responsible service by the onboard bartender.
• Water toys included: Paddleboards and inflatables give you more to do than simply sit on deck.
• Dock fee and gratuity are extra: The dock charge is $15 per person, and tips are not included.

Starting from La Cruz, not Marina Vallarta

The trip begins at 63734 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, and returns there after the cruise. That matters because the marketing description focuses on Marina Vallarta, while the practical meeting information points to La Cruz.

La Cruz is on the north side of the bay, so do not assume that a hotel in Puerto Vallarta is close to the dock. Private transportation is not included. You will need to arrange your own way to the meeting point, and you should allow enough time to find the correct marina area without turning the start of an expensive private outing into a sprint.

I would also confirm the boat name before the day of departure. The experience is sold as a private 51-foot Leopard yacht, while the onboard description calls the vessel the Marquis 50ft Ziba. This may simply reflect an outdated or mixed description, but boat size and model can affect your expectations about deck space, seating, cabins, and water access.

These details do not ruin the experience. They simply deserve attention because a private yacht charter works best when the practical pieces are clear from the start.

Four hours from the marina to Vallarta’s beaches

Once aboard, the plan is straightforward: cruise from the marina toward Puerto Vallarta and the bay’s better-known beaches. You will see the coast from offshore, with the mountains rising behind the city and shoreline.

That water-level view is the real attraction. From the yacht, Puerto Vallarta is not just a row of streets and hotels. The green mountain slopes create a strong backdrop, and the bay gives you a different angle on the coast than a road tour or beach day can provide.

The route description is broad rather than highly detailed. It does not name every beach or promise a specific swimming cove, and it does not set out a fixed schedule for cruising, eating, and water activities. That gives the captain and crew some flexibility, but it also means you should ask what the planned route will be on your date.

The title includes Vallarta and Punta Mita, but the detailed route only identifies Puerto Vallarta and the bay. If reaching Punta Mita is important to you, ask directly whether the boat will travel there during the four-hour period. A half-day charter may not cover every part of the coast named in the title.

The crew is the heart of the experience

A captain, sailors, and a host or hostess are included. That is a useful staffing level for a yacht carrying up to 15 people, especially once meals, drinks, towels, and water equipment enter the picture.

The strongest praise for this outing centers on the crew’s attitude. Service is described as accommodating, friendly, and available for requests. That matters more on a private charter than it does on a large shared cruise. You are not working around a group of strangers or waiting for a single crew member to serve an entire boatload.

You should still remember that a private charter is not a formal restaurant with a full dining room crew. The team is handling navigation, safety, drinks, food, and water activities. Good service here means a relaxed hand with the details, not necessarily a rigid schedule or elaborate table service.

For a birthday, family outing, proposal, or reunion, that personal attention can be worth a great deal. The crew helps shape the mood, and the published score of 5 from 42 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience, supports the idea that service is a major strength.

A chef and bartender make the all-inclusive format useful

The chef prepares an a la carte meal onboard, and a premium open bar is included. This is more flexible than a standard boat trip where you receive a set sandwich, a few packaged snacks, and basic drinks.

An a la carte menu lets your group make choices rather than accept one meal for everyone. The supplied details do not list the menu, dietary options, or serving schedule, so ask about those before departure if food is central to your plans.

The open bar is also a practical benefit. You do not have to keep track of a running drink tab while the boat is underway. The bartender can prepare drinks during the cruise, and the crew can help keep the pace comfortable.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean every possible cost disappears. The $15 dock fee per person is extra, as is gratuity. For a full group of 15, the dock fee alone would total $225, so include it in your budget.

What the price means for a private group

The listed price is $2,750 per group, for up to 15 people. That works out to about $183 per person if all 15 places are filled, before the dock fee and gratuity. Add the $15 dock charge and the effective cost becomes about $198 per person, still before tipping.

For a smaller group, the price feels very different. Six people would divide the base cost at roughly $458 per person, before the dock fee and gratuity. In that case, the yacht is a premium splurge rather than a bargain.

The value improves when you compare what is bundled together: a private boat, captain, sailors, host or hostess, chef, a la carte meal, unlimited premium drinks, towels, and water toys. A larger family or friend group can make good use of those inclusions without paying separate prices for every plate or beverage.

You are also paying for privacy. On a shared boat, your schedule, seating, noise level, and swimming time are shaped by other people. Here, your group has the space to itself, which may matter more than the raw number of hours.

I would book this for a special day or a group that genuinely wants a yacht experience. I would not choose it simply because it is the cheapest way to see the coast. A public cruise or ordinary boat excursion will likely be a better fit for a smaller budget.

Paddleboards and inflatables add a welcome break

Water toys are included, including paddleboards and inflatables. These give you a reason to get off your seat and into the bay instead of spending the entire four hours watching the shoreline pass.

The equipment is especially useful for mixed groups. Some people can stay onboard with a drink and enjoy the view, while others can paddle or float. That flexibility is one of the quiet advantages of a private charter.

The details do not specify how many paddleboards or inflatables are available, nor do they promise a particular swimming stop. If your group is excited about water time, ask how long the boat usually remains at anchor and what equipment will be ready.

Towels are provided, which is a small but welcome touch. You can swim or use the inflatables without bringing a beach towel from your hotel, though you should still confirm what personal items and clothing the operator recommends.

Morning or afternoon timing

You can choose a morning or afternoon start time. That makes the cruise easier to fit around a hotel breakfast, a dinner reservation, or another activity.

A morning outing may suit you if you want a fresh start and a relaxed afternoon afterward. An afternoon departure can work well if you prefer a slower morning or want the cruise to become the main event of the day.

The exact start options are not provided, so check the available times when booking. Four hours is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough that you are not committing to a full-day charter.

Weather matters. The trip requires good conditions, and if poor weather cancels it, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That is a reasonable safeguard for a boat trip, but keep your schedule flexible if the cruise is a key part of your vacation.

Who will enjoy this yacht most

This charter suits a group that values comfort, privacy, and personal service. It is particularly appealing for families, couples traveling together, birthday groups, and friends who can share the cost.

You will likely appreciate it if you want:

• A private setting instead of a shared cruise
• Food and drinks handled onboard
• A flexible day on the water
• Mountain and coastal views from the bay
• Swimming and paddleboarding without arranging separate equipment
• A polished outing for a celebration

The experience may not suit you if you want a detailed sightseeing tour with a tightly planned list of landmarks. The route description is scenic but general, and the information does not promise a naturalist guide, historical commentary, fishing, snorkeling, or whale watching.

It may also be a poor match if your group is small and price-sensitive. The per-person cost rises quickly when only a few people split the charter.

Details worth confirming before you pay

A few questions can prevent surprises:

• Is the actual vessel the 51-foot Leopard or the Marquis 50ft Ziba?
• Is boarding in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle or Marina Vallarta?
• Does the route include Punta Mita, or mainly Puerto Vallarta and nearby beaches?
• What dishes are available from the a la carte menu?
• Can the chef handle dietary needs?
• How many paddleboards and inflatables are onboard?
• What start times are available?
• Is the $15 dock charge paid in advance or at the marina?

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is private, meaning only your group participates. Most people can take part, although the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility notes. If anyone in your party has mobility or medical concerns, ask the operator before booking.

The cancellation terms are fairly useful. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and poor weather brings the choice of a new date or a full refund.

Should you book the Private 51′ Leopard Yacht?

Book it if you have a larger group, want privacy, and will make real use of the chef, bar, and water toys. The crew’s accommodating service is the experience’s strongest feature, and the all-inclusive setup removes much of the usual effort from a day on the water.

Think twice if you are traveling as a couple or a small party, or if you mainly want a precise Punta Mita sightseeing route. First confirm the meeting point, yacht model, and intended route. If those details line up with your plans, this is a comfortable and celebratory way to spend four hours on Vallarta Bay.

FAQ

Where does the yacht cruise begin?

The stated meeting point is 63734 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico.

Where does the experience end?

The cruise ends back at the meeting point in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.

How long is the yacht cruise?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Is the cruise private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

How many people can join the private charter?

The listed price covers a group of up to 15 people.

Is food included?

Yes. An onboard chef prepares an a la carte meal.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The experience includes an unlimited premium open bar.

Are towels provided?

Yes. Towels are included.

Are water activities included?

Yes. Water toys are provided, including paddleboards and inflatables.

Is transportation to the marina included?

No. Private transportation is not included.

Is there an extra dock fee?

Yes. The dock fee is $15 per person.

Is gratuity included?

No. Gratuity is not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. The cut-off uses the local time of the activity.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund.

Is the cruise offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.