Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

The best part of this six-hour cruise is the mix: you get a lively boat day, a swim and snorkel stop, and time ashore in Yelapa without having to plan meals or carry water toys. I like the choice between joining the music and activity on deck or finding a quieter seat above, and I like that the crew keeps food and drinks moving throughout the trip. The main catch is time. With two stops, a waterfall walk, lunch, and the return cruise packed into six hours, swimming and snorkeling can feel brief.

I also like the easygoing range of activities. You can jump from the second deck, use a waterslide, paddleboard, kayak, or float in the bay, then trade wet clothes for a short hike to a waterfall. Just know that this is a social party cruise on a catamaran, not a quiet private yacht charter, and snorkeling conditions and equipment availability may vary.

Key Points

• Yelapa plus Playa Chica Locca: Combine a coastal cruise, water sports, and a visit to one of the Bay of Banderas’ small seaside communities.
• All-inclusive food and drinks: Breakfast, fajitas, guacamole, chips, snacks, and a premium open bar are included in the $117.60 price.
• Flexible onboard mood: Ricky Ricardo and DJ David help keep the atmosphere upbeat, while the upper level offers a calmer place to sit.
• Water toys included: Snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, and waterslides are available at the first stop.
• A short waterfall walk: Yelapa’s waterfall is reached by a roughly 15-minute trail, with a swim at the cascade if conditions allow.
• Plan for a full boat: The catamaran can carry up to 115 people, so the experience may feel much busier than a small-group sailing trip.

A Six-Hour Day on Banderas Bay

This outing begins at either Chica Locca Tours at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or Paradise Village. You must choose your meeting point when booking, and that choice matters because hotel pickup is not included. At Puerto Mágico, allow time for port security. It is a federal maritime facility, and liquids, alcohol, weapons, drugs, electronic cigarettes, and vapes are not permitted through security.

Once aboard, you settle into shaded or open seating and meet the cruise director and crew. The catamaran heads south across Banderas Bay, with Puerto Vallarta’s coastline stretching behind you. The bay is also known for seasonal humpback whales, and dolphins or whales may appear during the cruise, though sightings are never guaranteed.

Breakfast arrives early in the form of fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juice. This is a useful touch rather than a token snack, especially if you are arriving from a hotel before your usual breakfast. The open bar begins early too, with water, coffee, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks.

That service makes the day simple. You do not need to budget for lunch at Yelapa or search for a beach restaurant. It also means the cruise can become as much about hanging out with the crew and fellow passengers as it is about the destinations.

Playa Chica Locca: The Active Stop

After about an hour of sailing, the catamaran reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is the main water-play portion of the outing. You can enter the sea from the second deck, use the slides, paddleboard, kayak, snorkel, or lie back on a floating mat.

The setting combines open water with forested coastal views, and the stop gives you a chance to cool off before lunch. One recent booking party reported about 40 minutes of snorkeling and saw plenty of fish, while other feedback points to less time for swimming and paddleboarding. The practical lesson is simple: get ready to enter the water when the crew opens the activity period. If you wait until later, the available time can disappear quickly.

Snorkeling is included, but this should not be booked as a dedicated reef excursion. Water clarity can change, and the boat offers several activities at once. One customer reported that the supply of snorkels ran short when the boat was busy. That appears to be an occasional equipment problem rather than the stated plan, but it is worth knowing if snorkeling is your main reason for booking.

The crew serves guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips as the boat prepares to move on. An onboard massage is also available. It is complimentary, but you need to sign up or ask about it during the cruise. One person missed the massage simply because the option was not clearly understood at first, so do not assume someone will automatically schedule you.

The social tone is part of the appeal. Ricky Ricardo is frequently involved in keeping the energy high, while DJ David has been praised for playful entertainment. If you want a quiet morning on the sea, the upper level may suit you better, since the music there can be calmer. If you enjoy dancing, group games, and a more animated boat ride, stay near the main action.

Lunch on the Way to Yelapa

Lunch is Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, salsa, and the usual flow of drinks. The meal is prepared in the company’s beach kitchen and brought out by boat. That setup lets you eat onboard without giving up time to find a restaurant in Yelapa.

Food quality has received particularly strong praise, with several people calling it among the best prepared food they had encountered on an organized excursion. I would still set expectations correctly: this is a generous excursion lunch, not a formal restaurant meal. You get warm, filling food that fits the day and works well after swimming.

Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available, but you need to request them at booking. Do not wait until lunch service to mention a dietary need. Snacks remain available as the boat moves toward the afternoon stop.

Yelapa Beach and the Waterfall Trail

Yelapa means where two rivers meet the sea, an apt name for a village set around a sheltered bay. The catamaran docks at a pier, and you can choose among several ways to spend the stop. You can follow the guide into town, walk toward the waterfall, stay on the beach, swim near the boat, or remain onboard with a drink and massage.

The waterfall walk takes about 15 minutes, but the route is not perfectly flat. One account describes a fairly steep hill, so anyone with limited mobility should think carefully before choosing the hike. The trail is manageable for many people, yet it is not the same as stepping off the boat onto a level beach. Good shoes will help, especially if the path is wet.

At the waterfall, you can take a dip beneath the cascade if conditions permit. The reward is a natural freshwater stop and a change of scenery from the boat. Yelapa itself is small, so you should not expect a long shopping district or a full afternoon of sightseeing. The charm is in the setting, the village atmosphere, and the chance to walk away from the catamaran for a little while.

Time is the issue here. Several people felt they wanted more time to swim, explore the beach, or use the paddleboards. The itinerary gives you enough time to make a choice, but not enough to do everything at a leisurely pace. If the waterfall matters most, go directly to the trail. If beach time matters more, skip the walk and settle near the water.

What the All-Inclusive Price Really Covers

At $117.60 per person, the price is strong if you plan to use the inclusions. You receive the boat ride, breakfast, lunch, snacks, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, and waterslides. An onboard massage is also available without an extra charge, while photos cost extra.

That bundle can save money compared with paying separately for a sailing trip, lunch, drinks, and water-sport rentals. It also removes the small expenses that add up quickly on a beach day. The value is best for someone who will eat onboard, enjoy several drinks, and use the water equipment.

The price is less compelling if you do not drink, dislike group entertainment, or mainly want a long snorkeling session. You are paying for the whole production: crew service, music, food, drinks, activities, and the coastal route. It is not priced like a simple ferry to Yelapa.

The boat is described as a mega yacht, but it is more accurately a large catamaran. That distinction matters because a catamaran offers broad deck space and stable seating, yet this is still a shared excursion vessel. Capacity can reach 115 people. Some departures may have a much smaller group, which improves the crew-to-passenger ratio, but you should not book expecting an intimate charter.

Service, Music, and the Feel of the Boat

Service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. Crew members repeatedly receive credit for attentive drink service, frequent cleaning, fast food delivery, and a willingness to help. The boat is kept notably clean, even during a day involving wet passengers, sand, food, and open drinks.

The crew also works hard to bring people together. Ricky Ricardo is known for a high-energy hosting style, and DJ David helps keep the ride moving with music and humor. That can make six hours pass quickly, especially if you like meeting people and joining the party.

Still, this atmosphere will not suit everyone. The tour is designed to be fun and social, not silent and meditative. Music, dancing, and drink service are central to the experience. An upper deck with quieter music gives you an escape, but you are still on a group cruise.

Professional conduct is also worth noting. One complaint raised concern about inappropriate behavior by a cruise director. Management responded that it takes boundaries and professionalism seriously. Most of the available feedback praises the crew, but the incident is a reminder to judge the atmosphere for yourself and speak up if anything makes you uncomfortable.

Practical Details Before You Book

The tour lasts about six hours and usually returns with time left in the afternoon. One account noted a typical return around 3 p.m., though exact timing can change. That makes it easier to fit dinner or another Puerto Vallarta activity into the same day.

Bring a swimsuit, sunscreen, towel, hat, and footwear suitable for the waterfall path. The boat provides the listed water equipment, but you should not rely on bringing outside drinks or liquids through Puerto Mágico security. The port has strict rules, including a ban on electronic cigarettes and vapes.

The minimum drinking age is 18. A multilingual guide may operate the tour. Public transportation is nearby, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so check the route to your selected meeting point before departure day.

Gratuities are optional and not included. Souvenir photos are also extra. A photographer takes pictures during the outing, and you can reserve them at check-in or purchase them onboard. If you buy photos, confirm how and when they will be delivered before leaving the boat.

The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the trip, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, refunds are not offered.

Who Will Enjoy This Cruise Most?

I would choose this tour for couples, families with older children, and friends who want a full day without making many decisions. It works especially well if you like the idea of combining swimming, a waterfall, food, music, and drinks in one package.

It can also suit an older parent or relative who prefers to stay onboard rather than participate in every activity. Comfortable seating, shaded areas, meal service, and the option to skip the waterfall walk make the day flexible. The hike itself may not suit anyone with serious mobility limits.

I would look elsewhere if you want a small private boat, a serious snorkeling trip, or long uninterrupted time in Yelapa. The main tradeoff is variety versus depth. You get many activities, but you cannot spend hours on each one.

Should You Book the Yelapa Waterfall Cruise?

Book it if you want a sociable, all-inclusive day on Banderas Bay and you value service as much as sightseeing. The combination of breakfast, fajitas, premium drinks, water toys, Yelapa, and a waterfall is a good deal at $117.60, particularly for an active group.

Think twice if snorkeling is your top priority, if you dislike party boats, or if a steep walk would be difficult. Ask about current equipment availability and the expected group size at check-in, then choose your meeting point carefully. For the right mood, this is an easy and entertaining way to see the coast south of Puerto Vallarta without worrying about the day’s logistics.

FAQ

How long is the Yelapa Waterfall and Snorkeling Adventure?

The tour lasts approximately six hours, including the cruise, Playa Chica Locca, Yelapa, the waterfall option, meals, and the return trip.

Where can I board the catamaran?

You can choose to check in at Chica Locca Tours at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal or at Paradise Village. You must select your meeting point before submitting your reservation.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the selected meeting point.

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 premium open bar includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks.

Are snorkeling equipment and kayaks included?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, and other listed water activities are included.

How long is the walk to the Yelapa waterfall?

The walk takes about 15 minutes. The route can include a fairly steep hill, so it may not suit everyone with limited mobility.

Is the onboard massage included?

An onboard massage is available as part of the experience, but you need to ask about it or sign up during the cruise. It is not automatically scheduled for every person.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this experience is 18.

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 or accepted. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to another date or a full refund.