Puerto Vallarta Luxury Sailing with Premium Open bar & lunch

The sea sets the schedule. This six-hour sailing trip gives you a polished day on Banderas Bay, with swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, lunch, and drinks folded into one outing. I like the small-group feel, when numbers are low, and the crew’s steady attention to food, drinks, and safety.

I also like that this is not sold as nonstop sailing. The boat may use its motor to reach the swimming area, then sail back when the wind cooperates. The main drawback is that snorkeling conditions can be poor, and six hours on the water may feel long if you get seasick or prefer a faster-paced tour.

Key details before you book

• A real sailing boat, not always a catamaran: The vessel is described as a beautiful, clean sailboat, with comfortable areas for lounging and toilets on the lower deck.
• The route changes with conditions: You may visit a beach, a protected cove, Los Arcos, or other rock formations around Banderas Bay.
• Water activities are included: Snorkel gear and paddleboards are provided, and you can also swim or relax on a beach stop.
• Lunch and drinks are part of the package: The listed menu includes fruit, guacamole with pico de gallo and chips, a gourmet sandwich, and a dark chocolate brownie.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised: Humpback whales, dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles have all been seen, especially during whale season.
• Bring MX$40 in cash: This small port fee is not included in the $129 price.

A relaxed day on Banderas Bay

This is a good choice when you want your day on the water to feel more like a comfortable outing than a loud party cruise. The group limit is 30 people, but some departures have been much smaller, with only 8, 10, or 11 people aboard. That difference matters.

A small group gives the crew more time to check on you, refresh your drink, explain the water activities, and help you feel at home. It can also make the boat feel almost private without the cost of chartering one. That said, you should not assume every departure will be nearly empty. One otherwise happy customer found the boat a little crowded.

The mood is social but not built around a nonstop party. Music may be upbeat, and the open bar keeps the atmosphere cheerful, but the strongest praise goes to the attentive service rather than wild nightlife. If you want a calm boat day with good food and a few active stops, this balance works well.

Starting at Marina Vallarta at 9:30 a.m.

The listed meeting point is Vallarta Adventures at Marina Vallarta, on Mástil 13 in Puerto Vallarta. You can also be directed to a meeting point in Nuevo Vallarta, depending on your booking details. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the marina.

Before boarding, set aside MX$40 per person for the port fee. It must be paid in cash. This is a small extra, but it is exactly the sort of detail that can cause a scramble at the dock if you arrive without pesos.

Once aboard, the crew introduces the day’s options and explains the route. The captain chooses the exact course according to wind, sea conditions, and the best available places for swimming or wildlife watching. You get a flexible day rather than a rigid checklist.

That flexibility is useful in Banderas Bay. Wind, visibility, and water conditions can change, so the most appealing stop on paper may not be the best one on the day you sail. A route built around conditions can produce a smoother, safer outing, though it means you cannot count on one exact beach or snorkeling site.

The ride to beaches, coves, and Los Arcos

The bay offers a mix of open water, rugged rock formations, small beaches, and sheltered coves. Depending on the day, the boat may travel under motor power toward a beach or rock area, then stop for water activities before sailing back.

Los Arcos is one of the most memorable possible landmarks on this route. Its dramatic rock formations give you a classic Puerto Vallarta view from the water. Several accounts describe a motor ride toward Los Arcos, followed by a quieter sail back toward the Malecón and marina.

Do not expect the boat to sail every minute. One important practical detail is that the motor may handle the outward journey, while the return depends on the wind. When the sails go up, the pace becomes quieter and more restful. You hear the water and feel the boat move with the breeze instead of sitting through a constant engine ride.

The return sail is often the soothing part of the day. It gives you time to stretch out, watch the coast, and let lunch settle. If your main goal is a long, traditional sailing session, keep your expectations measured. This is a mixed sailing and cruising day, not a pure sailing lesson.

Snorkeling, swimming, and paddleboarding

The crew provides snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards. You may swim from the boat, snorkel in a protected cove, paddle across calm water, or visit a beach with soft sand. The exact choices depend on the conditions and the route.

Entering the water requires jumping from the boat. To return, you climb small metal ladders. That setup is manageable for people who are comfortable in the water, but it is important if you have limited mobility, trouble with ladders, or dislike jumping from a boat.

Snorkeling quality can vary sharply. Some outings have produced tropical fish, rays, puffer fish, and even an octopus shown by the snorkeling guide. Other days have had poor visibility and little to see. One account described the snorkeling as underwhelming, while still enjoying the paddleboards and floating mat.

I would treat snorkeling as one possible part of the day, not the sole reason to pay for this trip. If clear water and abundant sea life are your top priority, conditions may disappoint you. If you are happy to swim, paddle, lounge, and enjoy the boat even when visibility is weak, the risk is much easier to accept.

The paddleboards offer a good fallback. You can stay active without committing to a long swim, and the calmer water in a cove may make balancing easier. If you prefer to stay dry, you can simply watch the activity from the deck.

Wildlife watching across the bay

Banderas Bay can bring memorable wildlife sightings. Humpback whales are a seasonal possibility, and dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles may also appear. Some outings have included several whale stops, with sightings of five or more whales, while others have seen whales at a distance.

This is a wildlife opportunity, not a guarantee. The captain may slow down or stop when animals appear, but nature controls the timing. Bring patience and keep your eyes on the water. A distant whale may be the only sighting of the day, or you may see dolphins and multiple whales close enough to make the cruise unforgettable.

The boat’s slower return under sail can help with wildlife watching. You are not rushing through the bay, and you have time to scan the water while the crew keeps the day moving. During whale season, this can make the trip especially appealing, though you should still book it for the whole sailing day rather than whale watching alone.

Lunch, fruit, and the premium open bar

Food is one of the most praised parts of this outing. The stated menu begins with infused water and seasonal fruit, followed by guacamole, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips. The main course is a gourmet sandwich with Serrano ham, tomato, pickle dressing, Manchego cheese, arugula, and homemade bread, followed by a dark chocolate brownie.

The presentation is part of the appeal. The food feels more considered than the basic buffet fare common on large party boats. Additional onboard accounts describe fresh fruit, snack plates, cheese, meat, crackers, and other refined touches, though the formal sample menu is the best guide to what is planned.

The crew serves food at sensible points during the day, rather than dropping lunch on you all at once and disappearing. Drinks are available throughout the cruise, and the crew is frequently praised for keeping glasses topped up.

The open bar adds real value to the $129 price, especially when combined with lunch, snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and a full day aboard. Still, keep an eye on your own limits. One cheerful account makes clear that unlimited drinks can catch up with you by the end of a long day in the sun.

Drink quality gets mixed marks. The steady service is widely appreciated, but one person found the mixed drinks only average. If premium cocktails are the main reason you are booking, the package may not fully meet your hopes. If you see the bar as a pleasant extra alongside the boat, food, and service, it is a stronger deal.

Crew service and the feel of the boat

The crew is the clearest strength of this trip. Captains and staff are repeatedly described as friendly, attentive, professional, and fun. Captain Sergio is singled out for careful attention in the water, and crew members Rubin, Christian, and Walter have been praised for combining food service with hands-on help during snorkeling.

That personal care changes the character of the day. You are not left to figure out the gear alone, and you can ask for help choosing between snorkeling and paddleboarding. The crew keeps an eye on the group while also giving you room to relax.

The boat itself is often described as clean, comfortable, and beautiful. One sailing boat had four bathrooms, though the general tour information only confirms that toilets are on the lower deck. You should expect to use stairs to reach them.

A photographer may be present during the trip. Professional photos have been appreciated by some people, but there has also been frustration about receiving the wrong group’s images or wanting to buy only a few pictures. If you do not want photos, ask the crew about the arrangement early.

Is $129 a fair price?

At $129 per person, this is not the cheapest way to get on Banderas Bay. You are paying for a longer, more polished outing rather than a quick boat transfer or a basic snorkel trip.

The value improves when you add up what is included:

• About six hours on the water
• Lunch and snacks
• Open bar
• Snorkeling equipment
• Paddleboards
• Crew service
• A chance to see whales and other marine life
• Sailing time when conditions allow

You still need to add transportation to the marina and MX$40 for the port fee. Those extras are small, but include them in your budget.

I think the price makes sense for couples, friends, and adults who want a comfortable day with food and drinks already handled. It is less compelling if your only goal is serious snorkeling, guaranteed whale watching, or nonstop sailing. For a relaxed all-in-one boat day, the package is competitive.

Who should book this sailing trip?

This outing suits you if you want a mix of relaxation and light adventure. You can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, watch for whales, enjoy lunch, and spend part of the ride stretched out on a clean sailboat.

It is especially good for couples and small groups who want something more personal than a large party boat. Families can participate too, but the minimum age is 10, with no exceptions. Since the tour is offered in English, you should be comfortable receiving the safety and activity instructions in English.

Think twice if you suffer from seasickness. Six hours is a long time on the water, and one detailed account specifically advised against the trip for people prone to motion sickness. Mobility also matters because you enter by jumping from the boat and climb metal ladders to get back aboard.

Wear swimwear, bring sunscreen, and expect strong sun on the bay. Towels and snorkel gear are available, but sunscreen is not listed as an inclusion. You will want to keep your own comfort items close.

Booking, cancellations, and useful facts

Confirmation is provided at booking. The tour ends where it begins, at the marina or designated meeting point, and the planned start time is 9:30 a.m.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund. The company may also cancel if the minimum number of people is not reached, in which case you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The maximum group size is 30 people. Actual numbers can be much lower, but they are not guaranteed. The route is also not fixed, so book this for its overall format rather than one promised beach, snorkeling spot, or sailing stretch.

Should you book it?

I would book this tour if you want a well-served day on the bay with lunch, drinks, wildlife chances, and several ways to enjoy the water. The crew’s care, the clean boat, and the smaller-group possibility give it more warmth than a standard party cruise.

I would skip it if you need perfect snorkeling, guaranteed whales, or a full six hours under sail. The strongest choice is to see the water activities as bonuses and the whole day as the product: a comfortable boat, good service, changing coastal views, and a chance to let the bay decide the pace.

FAQ

Where does the Puerto Vallarta luxury sailing tour begin?

The listed meeting point is Vallarta Adventures at Marina Vallarta, Mástil 13, Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. Some bookings may use a meeting point in Nuevo Vallarta.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

How long is the sailing experience?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The listed menu includes infused water, seasonal fruit, guacamole with pico de gallo and tortilla chips, a gourmet Serrano ham sandwich, and a dark chocolate brownie.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included for the cruise.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and paddleboards are included.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10 years, with no exceptions.