Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta: Luxury Yacht with Open Bar

Drift over reefs at Majahuitas, then paddle back across Banderas Bay

Snorkel from a luxury Leopard catamaran in Puerto Vallarta's Banderas Bay, with access to Majahuitas Cove and its rock formations, deli lunch, unlimited premium drinks, snorkeling gear and paddleboards included. The five-hour cruise navigates the bay according to sea conditions; a live guide leads in English or Spanish, and children from age 10 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Luxury yacht cruise and snorkeling

• Cruise along Banderas Bay
• Pass by Los Arcos Marine Park
• View Malecon Boardwalk from sea
• Snorkel at Majahuitas Cove beach
• Enjoy deli lunch and open bar

The Experience

The catamaran leaves the dock and heads south toward Majahuitas Cove, a secluded beach ringed by tropical rainforest and dramatic rock formations. The route follows Banderas Bay and may pass Los Arcos National Marine Park and the Malecón boardwalk depending on the day's sea conditions. Once at Majahuitas, you enter water so clear that the reef below is visible from the surface — the snorkeling here is what draws people back to Puerto Vallarta. The crew provides all equipment and stays nearby while you explore.

Between water time, the boat anchors and the crew serves a deli-style lunch on deck. The open bar runs throughout the five hours: tropical cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks are included, not a separate charge at the end. Paddleboards sit ready if you want to explore the cove from the surface instead of below it, or just float and watch the rock formations rise from the water.

The group stays small — that is the whole point of the Leopard catamaran — so the crew can attend to what you need without the noise and jostling of a larger boat. The attentive service and the yacht itself set this apart from the standard snorkel tour: you are not crammed onto a deck with fifty people, and the drinks are not watered down. Children from age 10 can join; the boat is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, though it suits all other fitness levels.

What’s included

• Five-hour luxury yacht cruise on a Leopard catamaran.
• snorkeling equipment and access to Majahuitas Cove.
• deli-style lunch.
• unlimited premium open bar with tropical cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks.
• use of stand-up paddleboards.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for heart conditions

Operated by Vallarta Adventures

Is this one for you?The five-hour duration leaves your morning or afternoon free, so you can pair this with a meal in town or time at your hotel without the day becoming a full commitment. The small-group setting and attentive crew mean you spend the time snorkeling and floating, not waiting in line or competing for the crew's attention — a difference that compounds over five hours on the water.

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Top questions

What is Majahuitas Cove like for snorkeling?

Majahuitas Cove sits just south of Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by lush tropical rainforest and dramatic rock formations that rise from the water. The cove is one of the most sought-after snorkeling spots in Puerto Vallarta because the water is clear and the reef teems with vibrant marine life.

Can I bring my own snorkeling gear, or is it provided?

Snorkeling equipment is included with the tour, so you don't need to bring your own or rent it separately. The crew provides everything you need to enter the water.

Is the five-hour tour the full day, or can I do other things in Puerto Vallarta the same day?

The five-hour cruise leaves room for other activities before or after — breakfast or dinner in town, a walk along the Malecón, or time at your hotel. The tour itself runs five hours from dock to dock, so plan accordingly if you want to fit in a second activity.

What happens if the sea conditions are rough?

The route through Banderas Bay is entirely determined by the day's sea conditions, so the crew adjusts the course to keep the boat and passengers safe and comfortable. You may pass Los Arcos and the Malecón, or the route may change — the crew decides based on what the water is doing.

Is the open bar really unlimited, or are there limits on what I can order?

The unlimited premium open bar includes tropical cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks throughout the five hours. There are no separate charges or limits on what you order during the cruise.

Can children join this tour?

Children are welcome from age 10 and up. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health, but it suits all other fitness levels, including families with kids in that age range.