Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this Yelapa cruise is the mix of water time and easygoing service. You can snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, swim, hike to a waterfall, or simply sit under shade with a cold drink while the crew keeps food moving. It feels less like a rushed sightseeing trip and more like a full day at sea with several ways to enjoy it.

I especially like the fresh fajita lunch and the choice of moods onboard. The lower deck brings music and social energy, while the upper level can be quieter. I also like that the crew includes names such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David, whose job is to keep the day lively without leaving you to figure out the details yourself. The main drawback is time: with snorkeling, sailing, lunch, Yelapa, and the waterfall all packed into roughly six hours, you may wish for longer at the beach or in the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Playa Chica Locca is the main water-play stop: Snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, floating equipment, slides, and swimming are all part of the first stop.
• Yelapa adds a completely different setting: You can walk to a waterfall, swim, visit the village, relax on the beach, or stay aboard.
• Food and drinks are included all day: Breakfast, Mexican fajitas, guacamole, chips, soft drinks, coffee, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and mixed drinks are covered.
• The vessel is a mega catamaran: It offers spacious seating and shade, but do not expect a traditional sleek private yacht.
• Snorkeling time can be limited: Water conditions vary, and some departures have had more demand for equipment than available snorkels.
• Choose your meeting point carefully: You must select either Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village when booking.

A six-hour day from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa

At about $117.60 per person, this is priced as a full-service outing rather than a simple boat transfer. You are paying for the yacht ride, food, open bar, water equipment, entertainment, crew service, and two coastal stops. For many people, that package is good value, especially if you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, snorkeling gear, and a visit to Yelapa.

The tour is operated by Chica Locca Tours and is offered in English, though the guide team may be multilingual. The maximum listed capacity is 115 people, so this is not a private sailing trip. The atmosphere depends on the departure and the crowd. Some outings have a smaller group and a relaxed feel, while others may feel more like a proper boat party.

You have two possible starting points. The first is the Chica Locca office at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal. The second is Paradise Village. Pick the right one before completing your booking. If you meet at Puerto Mágico, remember that the cruise terminal is a federal maritime port with security screening. Liquids, weapons, drugs, electronic cigarettes, and vapes are not allowed, so pack lightly and follow the port rules.

Breakfast with coastline views

Once aboard, you settle into shaded or open seating and meet the cruise director and crew. The boat heads south across Banderas Bay, with Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline visible from the water. Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices.

This first stretch is useful for getting comfortable before the active part of the day begins. If you want a quiet seat, claim one early. If you prefer to meet people and join the music, stay near the main social areas. The yacht has enough variety that you can move between the two.

The all-day beverage service is a major part of the experience. Options include water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other mixed drinks. The minimum drinking age is 18. You can also choose not to drink and still have plenty of nonalcoholic choices.

The open bar adds value, but it can also shape the mood. This is not a quiet nature cruise from start to finish. Music, dancing, and drink service are built into the day. If you want a calmer ride, the upper level is the better choice when available.

Playa Chica Locca: the strongest water stop

After roughly an hour of sailing, the yacht reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is where the trip becomes active. You can get into the water for snorkeling, use a kayak or standup paddleboard, try the waterslides, or relax on floating equipment.

The water stop is a good fit if you like having options. You do not need to commit to one activity for the whole hour. You might snorkel first, then sit on a floating mat with a drink, or use a paddleboard before returning to the boat. The crew provides snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, and other water toys.

Set realistic expectations about snorkeling. Conditions can change, and cloudy water may reduce visibility. The tour is not solely a snorkeling expedition, so the water portion shares time with the boat ride, slides, paddleboards, and other activities. Some departures have also had more demand for snorkels than available equipment. If snorkeling is your main reason for booking, ask about gear as soon as you board rather than waiting until everyone is in the water.

About 40 minutes of snorkeling has been possible on some outings, but the exact time can vary. Seeing fish is possible, though this is not the place to expect a major reef experience. The setting, with the bay and rainforest-covered hills nearby, is part of the appeal.

After the water activities, the crew may serve guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips. An onboard massage is also available. It is a complimentary option, but you need to ask about signing up. Do not assume someone will automatically find you and schedule it. The massage is a nice bonus for anyone who wants to trade a few minutes in the water for time on a treatment table.

Lunch and the cruise to Yelapa

The main meal is Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. The food is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and brought to the yacht by boat. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if requested when you book.

The lunch matters because it keeps the day from becoming a series of snacks and drinks. You get a proper hot meal before the afternoon stop, and the food service is one of the reasons the price makes sense. Portions and preparation can vary slightly, but the format is simple, familiar, and well suited to a boat day.

The cruise then continues toward Yelapa. Banderas Bay is known as a seasonal breeding area for humpback whales, so whale sightings are possible during the right months. Dolphins may also appear. Treat this as a fortunate extra, not a promised part of the outing.

The ride itself gives you time to rest. The crew keeps serving drinks, and the photo team takes pictures throughout the day. Photos are not included in the ticket price, so you can decide onboard if you want to buy them. If you do purchase photos, keep your receipt and confirm the delivery details before leaving.

Yelapa brings a slower change of pace

Yelapa is a small coastal village reached from the water. The name refers to the place where two rivers meet the sea, and the sheltered bay gives the stop a different feel from the open-water activity at Playa Chica Locca.

You have several choices here. You can leave the boat and walk into the village, spend time on the beach, join the short guided walk to the waterfall, or stay aboard and swim from the yacht. That choice is important because Yelapa is not simply a quick photo stop. You can use the time for a little local exploration, but you can also treat it as a chance to rest.

The walk to the waterfall takes about 15 minutes. The route is described as accessible for most people, but it includes an uphill section that may be tiring for older adults or anyone with mobility concerns. Wear secure sandals or walking shoes, and do not choose the hike if you would rather avoid uneven or sloping ground.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip and cool off. It is a pleasant reward after the walk, though the area may feel busy when several groups arrive. If you want the waterfall photo, go with enough time left to enjoy the water rather than racing back to the boat.

Yelapa’s main strength is contrast. The morning gives you equipment, slides, music, and open-water swimming. The afternoon offers a village, a short walk, a beach, and a waterfall. Its weakness is that you may not have enough time to do all of those things at a leisurely pace.

The return trip keeps the party going

The ride back across Banderas Bay is part of the entertainment rather than a silent transfer. Depending on the crew and group, you may see dancing, music, more drink service, and another chance to watch for whales or dolphins.

Ricky Ricardo is associated with the high-energy side of the experience, while DJ David helps keep the boat atmosphere moving. The crew’s service is one of the strongest parts of the outing. Staff members repeatedly clear surfaces, offer drinks, serve food, and help people with activities. That attention matters on a large boat, where a neglected deck or slow service can quickly spoil the mood.

Still, do not mistake attentive service for a private experience. With a possible maximum of 115 people, the boat can feel social and busy. If you want personal space, use the shaded upper areas or sit away from the main music. If you want to make friends, the group setting works in your favor.

The tour generally returns with enough of the afternoon left for other plans, though the exact timing depends on the day. That makes it easier to fit into a Puerto Vallarta vacation than a full-day excursion that keeps you out until evening.

What the price really includes

The $117.60 price covers more than the boat ride. You receive:

• Breakfast with fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices
• A hot fajita lunch with sides
• Guacamole, chips, and other snacks
• Premium alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks
• Snorkel equipment
• Kayaks and paddleboards
• Floating equipment and water activities
• Access to the Yelapa waterfall walk
• Entertainment and crew service

If you plan to drink, eat well, and use the water equipment, the bundled price is attractive. You also avoid the small costs that can add up on a separate beach day. If you do not drink alcohol and mainly want a long snorkeling session, the value is less clear, since the tour divides its time among many activities.

Gratuities are optional and not included. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also not included, so you need to reach your chosen meeting point yourself. Souvenir photos cost extra.

Who will enjoy this outing most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social day with food, drinks, scenery, and several activities in one package. Families, couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who enjoy meeting people can all fit into the format.

It is especially good for anyone who wants to visit Yelapa without arranging separate transport, lunch, equipment rentals, and a waterfall walk. It also suits mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can kayak, another can book a massage, and someone else can stay under the shade with a drink.

You may want a different trip if your top goal is quiet sailing, serious snorkeling, a long beach stay, or an intimate boat setting. The snorkeling window may feel short, and the Yelapa stop can pass quickly if you want both the village and waterfall. The boat is a mega catamaran, not a small private yacht, despite the tour name.

Weather matters, too. The outing requires good conditions. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

Should you book the Yelapa waterfall cruise?

Book it if you want an easy, active, all-inclusive day and like the idea of choosing your own pace. The food, open bar, equipment, shaded seating, attentive crew, and two very different stops make the $117.60 fare reasonable for many visitors.

Go in with clear expectations. This is a lively group cruise on a mega catamaran, not a private yacht charter or a dedicated snorkeling trip. Claim equipment early, ask about the massage when you board, choose the quieter upper level if music is not your thing, and leave enough time for the waterfall walk if Yelapa is your priority. With those points in mind, Chica Locca’s tour offers a generous amount of variety in six hours.

FAQ

How long is the Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour depart?

You can choose to meet at the Chica Locca office at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or at Paradise Village. You must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

What food is included?

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

Are drinks included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating equipment, and other water activities are included. Equipment availability can be limited if demand is high, so ask the crew early.

Can I visit the Yelapa waterfall?

Yes. The waterfall is reached by a guided walk of about 15 minutes from the beach area. The route is accessible for most people but includes an uphill section.

Is the massage included?

An onboard massage is available as a complimentary option. Ask about signing up when you board, since it may not be offered to you automatically.

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 minimum group size cancels the tour, you will be offered another option or a full refund.