Full-Day Private Sailing Cruise Puerto Vallarta with Snorkeling

Puerto Vallarta’s best day on the water may be the one that slows down. This private cruise takes you from Marina Vallarta toward Los Arcos and Mismaloya, where you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply stretch out under the coastal sun. The scenery is the star: steep green mountains, rocky islands, open bay, and small beach communities.

I like the private setup, since your group gets the crew’s full attention instead of sharing a boat with strangers. I also like the food, especially the fresh guacamole, fruit, chips, and other snacks that turn a simple boat ride into a comfortable six-hour outing. The main caution is that this is not always a pure sailing trip. Several departures have used the engine for much or all of the route, and snorkeling conditions can be poor when the water is green or visibility is low.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main water stop: Swim and try snorkeling near this famous rock formation, with paddleboarding sometimes added to the plan.
• The crew makes the day personal: Captains and crew members such as Luis, Jorge, Chuy, Angel, Felix, and Israel have been praised for attentive service and local stories.
• Food is better than basic boat snacks: Expect guacamole, chips, fruit, drinks such as mint lemonade, water, ice, and other snacks.
• Sailing depends on the day: Wind, weather, and crew decisions may mean using the engine instead of opening the sails.
• The price works best for a group: At $985.73 for up to 15 people, a full group pays about $66 per person before any separate costs.
• The boat requires steady footing: Getting aboard, moving around, and entering the water can be awkward if you have balance or mobility concerns.

Six hours across Banderas Bay

The cruise begins at the Marina Vallarta Boat Ramp at Proa 22. This is near public transportation and close to the cruise ship area, but it is not the same place as the cruise terminal. If you are arriving from a ship, allow time for a short taxi ride to the marina. The meeting area can be associated with a dive shop, so it helps to confirm exactly where the crew will meet you.

Once aboard, the day is flexible within the six-hour schedule. The crew can shape the outing around relaxing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, coastal views, and, when conditions allow, whale or dolphin watching. This flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private boat.

You are not signing up for a rigid sequence of group activities. If your family wants more time in the water, you can ask about it. If your group prefers a quiet ride along the coast, the crew can keep the pace easy. Past outings have also included a stop at a fishing village or a beach restaurant, but lunch is not guaranteed, so ask about that before departure.

The boat returns to the same marina. The total time is about six hours, long enough to combine a water stop with a leisurely ride along the bay without turning the day into a rushed series of stops.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya: rocks, water, and changing conditions

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the signature stop. These tall rock formations rise from the water south of Puerto Vallarta and create one of the bay’s most recognizable views. The setting is especially good from a sailboat because you see the rocks, mountains, and shoreline from the water instead of from a crowded overlook.

The crew provides snorkel equipment, and you can also have the chance to swim or use a paddleboard. The water conditions matter here. Some outings have produced enjoyable snorkeling, while others have found green water and little to see. I would book this as a scenic boat trip with snorkeling available, not as a dedicated wildlife or reef excursion.

Sea life can still make the stop memorable. Sightings have included sea turtles, dolphins, and whales, including a mother humpback with a calf and large pods of dolphins. These encounters are never promised, but the six-hour format gives you more time on the bay than a quick sightseeing ride.

Bring realistic expectations about the gear. One person specifically wished for more large fins, so if you need a particular size, ask when booking. The included equipment is useful, but it may not fit every person perfectly.

The water entry also deserves attention. You may need to step carefully from the boat into the sea and back aboard. The crew has helped people with different body types and levels of confidence, but the boat is not a step-free beach excursion. If you are unsteady on your feet, tell the operator in advance and consider making swimming optional.

Mismaloya and the southern coast

Mismaloya gives the trip a second setting and helps break up the time on the water. The southern coast of Puerto Vallarta is known for steep hills, rocky coves, and small beach communities that are easier to appreciate from a boat than from a road.

Depending on the plan for your day, you might stop for a swim, visit a fishing village, or arrange a beach lunch. Some groups have enjoyed fresh fish and guacamole at a beach restaurant, while others have spent the full outing on the boat without a meal stop. This is an important point to settle with the crew early, especially if lunch is a priority.

The visit to Mismaloya is less about checking off a major attraction and more about having room to choose your pace. You can sit in the shaded cockpit, watch the shoreline, or ask to spend more time in the water. The southern coast is also a good place to keep an eye out for whales during the right season, though sightings depend on nature.

What the private boat feels like

The boat is described in one detailed account as Echos of Summer, a 48-foot Maple Leaf sloop with a center cockpit. That description presents a sturdy, older sailing boat with padded deck space, a roomy cockpit, and a smooth ride in stronger wind.

The available accounts are not completely consistent about space. One person found the boat comfortable for a group of nine, while another felt there was little room to sit and move around, especially in rougher seas. Both impressions can be true depending on group size, weather, and how much time you spend in the cockpit or on deck.

For a group of four to nine, the boat should offer a more relaxed feel than a tightly packed shared excursion. The advertised capacity is up to 15 people, but that does not mean 15 people will have the same personal space as a smaller group. If you are booking near the maximum, ask how many people will actually be aboard and where everyone can sit.

The boat has shaded and open areas, useful in Puerto Vallarta’s strong sun. Still, bring sun protection, a hat that will stay put, and clothing that can get wet. The sea can be rough enough that you need to hold on, particularly when the boat is moving under engine power or crossing open water.

Sailing, motoring, and the honest catch

The name of the experience sets an expectation of wind-filled sails and a quiet ride. That can happen. One experienced sailor described the boat sailing strongly and smoothly in 23-knot wind, with the captain allowing him to take the helm briefly.

But other outings have used the engine because the sails were not opened. One person also noticed exhaust during the motorized ride. This is the most important difference between the ideal version of the trip and the version you might receive.

A private charter gives you control over the pace and activities, but it cannot create wind. If sailing itself is your main goal, ask Anamar Sailing Adventures about the expected plan and wind conditions before paying. If you mainly want a private day on the bay with swimming, food, views, and a good crew, engine use is less serious.

I would think of this as a private boat day with sailing possible, rather than a technical sailing lesson or guaranteed wind-powered cruise.

Food, drinks, and the small comforts

The included food is a real strength. You receive guacamole, snacks, fresh water, ice, and snorkel equipment. Past menus have also included chips, fresh fruit platters, pineapple salsa, and mint lemonade.

The guacamole receives special attention for good reason. It is prepared aboard, and it gives the day a local, homemade feel that packaged snacks cannot match. Fresh fruit is useful after swimming, while chips and salsa make the ride back more enjoyable.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. You can ask the operator what you may bring or purchase, but the supplied information does not promise an onboard alcohol service. Plan around the included water and nonalcoholic drinks unless you confirm otherwise.

Lunch is also separate and not always part of the route. If you want to eat at Mismaloya or a fishing village, ask before boarding so the crew can tell you if the timing and route allow it. Otherwise, eat a good breakfast and treat the included food as snacks rather than a full meal.

The crew is a major part of the value

The crew’s attentive service is the most consistent strength of this outing. Captains and crew members named in past departures include Luis, Jorge, Chuy, Angel, Felix, Israel, Alberto, Cesar, Francisco, Ramona, Paula, and Luis’s first mate Gusto.

The crew helps with snorkeling and paddleboarding, keeps food and drinks moving, and shares information about Puerto Vallarta, birds, sea life, and local culture. Several outings have been shaped around whale watching, quiet swimming, or visiting a fishing village instead of following a fixed script.

That matters on a private boat. You can ask for help without feeling like you are holding up a large group. Families with children, older adults, and people who are nervous around the water may appreciate this personal attention, though everyone still needs to manage the boat’s steps and movement.

Service is not a substitute for good conditions. A friendly crew cannot guarantee clear snorkeling water, open sails, whales, or calm seas. What they can do is adjust the day, explain the options, and help you make the most of the conditions.

Is $985.73 a good price?

The cost is $985.73 per private group of up to 15 people. With 15 people, that works out to about $66 per person. With six people, the cost is about $164 per person, and with two people it is nearly $493 per person.

That makes the cruise strongest for families or groups sharing the cost. You are paying for exclusive use of the boat, a six-hour outing, crew service, snorkel equipment, snacks, and the ability to shape the day. Compared with a basic shared boat ride, the private format can be worth the extra money if you value privacy and flexibility.

For a couple, the price is harder to justify unless a private sailboat is the main purpose of your Puerto Vallarta visit. For a larger group, the math improves quickly. The cruise is also a useful choice for a birthday, family gathering, or special holiday, since the crew can make the day feel personal without requiring your group to follow strangers’ plans.

Remember to budget separately for transportation to the marina, alcoholic drinks, and any lunch stop. The activity is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking, so confirm the date, group size, meeting point, and desired activities first.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta cruise?

You should consider it if you want a private day on Banderas Bay, especially with a group large enough to share the cost. It suits people who enjoy a flexible schedule and are happy to combine scenic cruising with swimming, paddleboarding, and possible snorkeling.

Families have plenty of room to make the day their own, while couples and friends can enjoy a quieter outing than a large shared catamaran. Sailors may appreciate the sturdy Maple Leaf sloop and the chance of real sailing when wind conditions cooperate.

I would hesitate if you need guaranteed snorkeling, guaranteed sail power, a full lunch, or easy step-free access. I would also ask more questions if your group includes someone with poor balance, since the boat can move underfoot and the water entry is not effortless.

Should you book it?

Book this cruise if your priority is a private, friendly day on the bay with excellent snacks, coastal scenery, and a crew that can adjust the plan. The guacamole, fresh fruit, Los Arcos views, and chance to see turtles, whales, or dolphins add plenty of appeal.

Skip it if you want a predictable sailing performance or a serious snorkeling trip. The best way to book is to confirm the expected wind, actual boat capacity, fin sizes, lunch options, and meeting details. For a group of six to 15, this is a strong value. For two people, it is a special-occasion splurge.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta sailing cruise?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

How much does the private cruise cost?

The listed price is $985.73 per private group of up to 15 people.

Where does the cruise begin?

The meeting point is the Marina Vallarta Boat Ramp at Proa 22, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the cruise end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at the marina.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Guacamole, snacks, natural water, and ice are included. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Which places does the cruise visit?

The planned stops are Los Arcos de Mismaloya and Mismaloya.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private activity.

Can service animals join the cruise?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.