Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

Yelapa is the main prize here, but the boat ride is half the fun. You cruise south across Banderas Bay, stop at Playa Chica Locca for snorkeling and water toys, then reach the small coastal village and its waterfall. The day mixes scenery, swimming, food, music, and an open bar rather than focusing on one activity.

I like the easy all-inclusive setup: breakfast, fajitas, snacks, equipment, and drinks are covered, so you are not constantly reaching for your wallet. I also like the choice of moods. You can join host Ricky Ricardo and the lively crew, or head to quieter seating on the upper level.

The main caution is time. Six hours must cover the cruise, water activities, lunch, Yelapa, and the waterfall walk, so snorkeling and swimming can feel brief. Conditions in the bay may also affect visibility, and the uphill trail to the waterfall is not ideal for everyone.

Key points to know before booking

• Yelapa comes with a waterfall walk: The village stop includes a roughly 15-minute trail to a cascade where you can swim, but the route includes an uphill section.
• The boat is a spacious catamaran: It is marketed as a mega yacht, though you should picture a large excursion catamaran rather than a private luxury yacht.
• The open bar runs from breakfast through the return: Drinks include beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, soft drinks, coffee, and juices.
• Water time comes at Playa Chica Locca: You can use snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, a water mattress, and the yacht’s slides.
• The crew provides strong service: Food and drinks are kept moving, and an onboard massage is available.
• Choose your meeting point carefully: Pickup is not included, and you must select either Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village when booking.

A lively six-hour route to Yelapa

This is a social boat outing with a full program. You are not signing up for a quiet sailing trip or a dedicated snorkeling expedition. The day is designed to keep you fed, entertained, and moving between the water, the coast, and Yelapa.

The vessel is a large catamaran with comfortable seating and shaded areas. That matters in Puerto Vallarta, where six hours in open sun can become tiring quickly. The upper level may offer a calmer place to sit, while the lower areas are closer to the action and drink service.

The atmosphere depends partly on the cruise director. Ricky Ricardo is known for keeping the mood high, and the crew encourages dancing, conversation, and group participation. If you like meeting people on organized excursions, this is a plus. If you want a peaceful boat ride, use the quieter seating when you need a break.

The tour can hold up to 115 people, although the actual number may be much lower on some departures. A smaller group changes the feel of the outing, especially when you want equipment, food service, or personal attention.

Boarding at Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village

You have two possible starting points, which is useful if you are staying in different parts of Puerto Vallarta or nearby Nuevo Vallarta. One meeting point is the Chica Locca office at the Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal. The other is Paradise Village.

You must choose your meeting place before completing the reservation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the selected dock. If you use Puerto Mágico, allow time for port security. It is a federal maritime facility, and passengers may be searched.

The port has a strict no-drug policy, including electronic cigarettes, vapes, and drugs of any kind. Liquids, weapons, and alcohol may also be subject to inspection. This is the sort of small detail that can spoil a morning if you ignore it.

Once checked in, you are escorted to the boat. The crew introduces the day, settles you into the seating areas, and begins service soon after departure.

Breakfast with Banderas Bay views

The first cruise south takes about an hour. Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. It is a sensible start because the first water stop comes after the boat has cleared the coastline.

Banderas Bay is the setting for much of the day. You get broad views back toward Puerto Vallarta and the coast as the catamaran heads toward Quimixto. During whale season, you might spot humpback whales, and dolphins are also possible. Sightings are never guaranteed, so treat them as an added bonus rather than the main reason to book.

The open bar begins early and continues through the return ride. The selection includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. The service is a major part of the value, especially if you would otherwise buy drinks separately on a coastal cruise.

Still, remember that unlimited alcohol changes how the boat feels. The crew works to keep the mood fun and safe, but this is not a low-key nature cruise.

Playa Chica Locca: the main water-activity stop

After about an hour of sailing, the boat reaches Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto. This is where you have the clearest chance to get in the water and try the included equipment.

You can snorkel, paddleboard, kayak, use a floating water mattress, or go down the yacht’s waterslides. Some departures also include a jump from the second deck for those who want a little more excitement. You can also stay seated and watch the action. Nobody needs to take part in every activity.

Snorkeling time is commonly around 40 minutes, but the exact amount can vary with the schedule and conditions. This is important: the outing includes snorkeling, but it is not built around several long reef sessions. Cloudy water can also reduce what you see. Fish sightings are possible, yet visibility in a coastal bay is not guaranteed.

Equipment availability deserves attention. The operator provides snorkel gear, but one departure reportedly ran short, leaving some people unable to snorkel. That is a serious issue when snorkeling is a key reason for booking. If it matters greatly to you, ask at check-in how equipment will be assigned, and arrive ready to claim your gear early.

The water stop is also when the crew’s service style becomes most noticeable. Drinks can be brought while you are in the water, and the staff continue serving from the boat. After the swim, guacamole with blue corn chips and potato chips are available.

An onboard massage is another unusual feature. It is included as an option, but you may need to sign up or ask the crew rather than assume it will happen automatically. If you want one, ask early because appointment space may be limited.

Fajitas on the way to Yelapa

After Playa Chica Locca, the boat continues toward Yelapa while lunch is prepared. The meal consists of chicken and beef fajitas with rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if requested at booking.

The lunch is prepared in the operator’s beach kitchen and brought by boat. That setup gives the meal a fresher feel than boxed excursion food, and the menu is familiar enough for most families and mixed groups.

Food is one of the tour’s strongest practical benefits. You receive breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks without arranging separate meals in Yelapa. That saves both time and money, though the food is part of a group excursion rather than a private dining experience.

If you do not drink alcohol, the included coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, and other nonalcoholic choices still make the package useful. The tour does not force you to treat the open bar as the main event.

Yelapa village and the waterfall trail

Yelapa is a small coastal community at the meeting point of two rivers and the sea. The boat docks at a pier, giving you several ways to use the stop.

You can walk into the village, relax on the beach, swim near the bay, join the guided walk, or stay aboard with a drink and a massage. That flexibility is valuable because not everyone in a family or group wants the same afternoon.

The waterfall is reached by a short trail that takes about 15 minutes. The walk is accessible for many people, but it includes a noticeable uphill section. Wear secure sandals or walking shoes rather than loose flip-flops, and bring water even though the boat has plenty of drinks.

At the cascade, you can take a dip and cool off. The waterfall is scenic and makes a good contrast to the open-water stop, but do not expect a long wilderness hike. The visit is brief, and your time must be shared between the waterfall, village, beach, and boat.

If you have limited mobility, knee trouble, or difficulty with hills, staying near the beach or aboard the catamaran may be the better choice. The tour is broadly suitable for most people, but the waterfall path is not equally comfortable for everyone.

One drawback is that some people want more time ashore. The itinerary tries to include the village, waterfall, beach, lunch, and boat activities in one half-day. You get a taste of Yelapa, not a slow full afternoon there.

The return cruise through Banderas Bay

The ride back is part of the entertainment. Music, dancing, drinks, and conversation continue as the boat heads toward the departure point. The crew and photo team may show action pictures taken during the day, which you can purchase separately.

Photos are not included in the price. If you want them, ask about reserving them at check-in or buying them aboard. Keep your receipt or purchase details until the images have been delivered, since photo processing or email delivery can occasionally take longer than expected.

The return trip is also your best chance to settle into the shaded seating, watch the coast, and enjoy the remaining snacks. The six-hour schedule often brings you back around midafternoon, leaving time for other Puerto Vallarta plans. Exact timing can change with weather, sea conditions, and the day’s pace.

Is the 117.60 dollar price good value?

At $117.60 per person, the cost is reasonable if you plan to use several parts of the package. Breakfast, fajitas, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, the waterfall visit, entertainment, and the boat ride are all bundled together.

The value is strongest for people who would normally pay for drinks and lunch separately. Families also benefit from having food and activities handled in one booking. You can board with a towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, and hat, then spend much of the day without extra purchases.

The value is weaker if you only want to visit Yelapa or only want serious snorkeling. A local water taxi and independent beach time may suit you better, though those options do not provide the same level of service, food, equipment, or entertainment.

Gratuities are not included. They are optional, but you should budget for one if the crew handles your day well. Souvenir photos also cost extra.

Who will enjoy this catamaran day most?

I would recommend this outing to couples, families, and groups who want a social day with plenty of choices. It works especially well if one person wants to snorkel, another wants a massage, and someone else would rather sit in the shade with a drink.

The tour also suits visitors who value convenience. You do not need to plan separate transport to Yelapa, rent water gear, find lunch, or arrange entertainment. The crew keeps food and beverages moving, and the schedule gives you a broad taste of the bay.

You may want another option if you are seeking quiet sailing, a small private boat, long snorkeling sessions, or several hours in Yelapa. The maximum group size is 115, and the music and social energy are central to the experience.

Older family members can enjoy the boat comfortably, but the waterfall trail deserves a careful look. The boat has seating and shaded areas, yet the uphill walk may be difficult. Anyone with limited mobility can remain aboard or enjoy the beach area instead.

What to bring and what to arrange

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and secure footwear for the walk to the waterfall. A dry change of clothes is also sensible after snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

Tell the operator about vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free requirements when you book. Select your meeting point before submitting the reservation, and remember that hotel transportation is not included.

The tour is offered in English, although it may sometimes be operated by a multilingual guide. The minimum drinking age is 18.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. The experience depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Yelapa waterfall cruise?

Book it if you want a social, food-and-drink-focused day with a little of everything: coastline views, water toys, snorkeling, a waterfall, music, and an easy lunch. The attentive crew, steady service, and range of included activities make the price fair for many people.

Think twice if your priority is serious snorkeling or a long, quiet visit to Yelapa. Water clarity can change, equipment may be limited, and the schedule gives you only a short window for each activity.

My practical call is this: choose the tour for the complete package, not for one perfect stop. Ask about snorkel gear and the massage when you board, protect time for the waterfall walk, and pick your meeting point carefully. If that balance suits you, this is a lively and convenient way to see Yelapa.

FAQ

How long is the Yelapa cruise?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

Where does the tour depart?

You can choose to check in at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico or Paradise Village. You must select your meeting place before completing the reservation.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

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 provided.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes water, coffee, juices, soft drinks, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other listed beverages.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, a water mattress, and the yacht’s waterslides.

Is the waterfall walk difficult?

The walk takes about 15 minutes and includes an uphill section. It is accessible for many people, but it may not suit everyone with limited mobility.

Can I request a special meal?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you advise the operator at booking.

Is the onboard massage included?

An onboard massage is available as part of the experience. Ask the crew about signing up when you board.

Are photos included in the price?

No. A photographer is aboard, but souvenir photos must be purchased separately.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age is 18.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.