Snorkel, waterfall, and an open bar—smoothly run. This all-inclusive Yelapa adventure mixes a water-toy playground at Playa Chica Locca with time in the laid-back village of Yelapa, plus the short hike to the falls. You’ll sail the Bay of Banderas with plenty of onboard food and drinks while the day moves at a fun, easy pace.

What I love most is the way the day feels truly taken care of: an unlimited open bar keeps things flowing, and the crew runs a tight ship with fast clean-up and attentive service. There’s also a satisfying, hot fajita lunch (with the tortillas and salsa) that doesn’t feel like a “boat snack” afterthought.

One possible drawback: the snorkeling time can feel limited, and water clarity can vary. If your goal is a long snorkel session, keep your expectations flexible, because the itinerary is built around multiple activities.

Key highlights before you go

• Pick between two meeting points (Puerto Mágico Cruise Terminal area or Paradise Village) so you’re not scrambling on the day
• All-inclusive food and drinks from the start: breakfast, fajitas for lunch, snacks, and an open bar
• Playa Chica Locca is the activity hub with snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and waterslides into the sea
• Yelapa feels like real Mexico with beach time and a guided walk (about 15 minutes) to the waterfall
• You can relax on the boat too—not every moment is packed with hiking or water time
• Max group size is capped (115 travelers), which helps keep the day organized even when it’s lively

Why Yelapa and the waterfall are worth the boat ride

Yelapa is the kind of place you go for a mix of scenery and simplicity. The town sits in a sheltered bay, and it’s surrounded by that dramatic coastal-green look that Puerto Vallarta is known for. The standout is the waterfall option: there’s a short guided walk along a trail (about 15 minutes) to the falls, and it’s described as accessible for most people. Once you’re there, you get the payoff—cool water and a cascade that’s great for a quick swim or just soaking in the view.

This cruise also gives you two different “water experiences” in one day. You get the open-ocean fun at Playa Chica Locca (think snorkel and water toys), then you shift to Yelapa’s more relaxed shoreline vibe, which makes the day feel less rushed than doing one stop only.

Getting on board: Puerto Mágico check-in and your meeting point choice

First thing: don’t treat check-in like a casual stroll. You’ll check in at the Chica Locca Tours office at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal, and you’ll be escorted to the yacht. The key detail is that you must choose your meeting place before booking (the experience mentions options at Chica Locca Puerto Mágico and Paradise Village).

Also, because Puerto Mágico is a federal maritime port, you’ll go through security. Plan for a bit of waiting and be careful with what you bring. There’s a strict no-drug policy, and it also calls out electronic cigarettes/vapes, so leave those at home.

Good to know if you’re thinking about logistics:

• Hotel pickup is not included, so you’ll arrive under your own steam.
• It’s near public transportation, which can help if you’re not driving.
• You’ll use a mobile ticket.

Playa Chica Locca: where the water toys happen (and the day starts moving)

After you board, the yacht heads out toward Playa Chica Locca in Quimixto for the first big splash stop. Before you even get wet, you get breakfast on board—seasonal fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. It’s a solid setup because the next part is active.

At the first stop, the vibe changes fast. This is where you’re set up with snorkeling equipment and you also get the non-snorkel toys: kayaks and paddleboards. There are also waterslides into the sea and other water features, so you’re not limited to just one kind of “in the water” time.

Drinks keep flowing during this stretch too, and the service is described as all day. You can order things like margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, and champagne, plus non-alcoholic options like water, coffee, juices, and sodas.

One smart rhythm: start with snorkeling or a quick gear test early, when you’ll have the most energy. Then swap to paddleboard or kayak if you want a slower pace. The day is designed so you can mix adrenaline and lounging.

Snorkeling reality check in Banderas Bay

The tour includes snorkeling gear and positions you where marine life is likely to show up. The Bay of Banderas is also referenced as an important whale breeding area (humpback whales are mentioned as seasonal), so the overall waterscape can be impressive even when you’re not swimming.

Still, snorkeling is one of those “conditions matter” activities. Even with quality gear on board, water clarity can vary, and the itinerary structure means you’re not getting an all-day snorkel session. Some people end up with a shorter snorkel window, and on certain days you may find the water less than perfect for spotting fish clearly.

Here’s how I’d handle it:

• If snorkeling is your top priority, get your mask and snorkel fitted promptly at the stop so you’re not waiting around.
• If you’re a cautious swimmer, stick near the group and treat it like a scenic swim, not a mission.
• Bring or plan to use sun protection. You’ll be out for hours, and a hat helps a lot.

Also, capacity issues can happen on busy days. The tour is capped at 115 travelers, but when everyone wants snorkels at once, you may have to be patient. If you’re very gear-sensitive, consider showing up ready to get fitted quickly.

Yelapa Beach: town time, waterfall hike, and boat downtime

After the first stop, you cruise to Yelapa Beach. The yacht docks at a pier, and from there you have choices. You can explore Yelapa with the guide, swim in the bay, or simply relax on the beach. You also have the option to stay on the boat if you’d rather not move your legs all afternoon.

The waterfall option is the signature “stretch”: it’s a short guided walk (about 15 minutes) to the falls. The trail is described as accessible for most, and it rewards you with that refreshing cascade where swimming is possible. If you want photos, this is also the moment you’ll want to be ready with camera or phone settings because the waterfall environment is very photogenic.

What I like about this design is balance. You’re not forced into hiking. You can go for the waterfall, or you can spend more time just hanging by the water and taking in Yelapa’s laid-back feel.

And just to make it easier: lunch and snacks keep you fueled, and there’s still downtime afterward. You can relax on board, enjoy the open bar again, and snack on guacamole and chips while the day winds down.

Food and drink: what makes the all-inclusive part feel real

Boat tours sometimes skimp on food. This one doesn’t. Breakfast is on board with fruit, pastries, coffee, and juices. Lunch is prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and delivered by boat: hot Mexican fajitas with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa. That’s the difference between “I ate something” and “I actually had lunch.”

Snacks are part of the flow too, including fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, plus potato chips. It sounds simple, but that matters on a day where you’re sweating, sunning, and moving around.

Now the drinks: it’s a premium open bar. The list includes the usual Puerto Vallarta crowd-pleasers—margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila—plus wine and champagne. Non-alcoholic drinks are part of the service as well. Minimum drinking age is 18.

Two practical notes:

• Pace yourself if you plan to snorkel. The day is social and drinks are easy to access.
• If you have dietary needs, there are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available when you advise at booking.

Comfort on a mega catamaran: shade, seating, and a choose-your-vibe layout

The yacht is described as comfortable, with shaded seating options. That’s important in Puerto Vallarta sun—shade turns the trip from exhausting to enjoyable. You can spend time lounging between activity blocks without constantly fighting for sun.

Music and energy levels also matter, and there’s a built-in “choose-your-mood” setup. One review mentioned quieter music on the top level, which is exactly what you’d want if you’d like conversation without bass rattling your ears. On the flip side, if you’re there for a fun party vibe, the overall atmosphere is meant to be upbeat.

If you’re going with mixed group ages, this layout helps. Some people want to be in the action; others want to watch from the shade.

The host, the crew, and why the vibe feels smooth

A big part of why this tour gets high ratings is the way the crew manages the day. Service is described as attentive from start to finish, and people notice the small details—like keeping decks clean and staying responsive.

You may also have a lively host experience. Some departures mention a DJ-style energy (DJ David is named in one account), and the cruise host role can feel like it’s driving the party forward (Ricky Ricardo is named as an example of the energy guy). Even when the vibe is energetic, it’s handled with safety in mind.

This matters because when a tour has water activities, open bar, and a waterfall hike option, the day can get chaotic fast. Here, the crew’s job is to keep everyone moving in the right direction and still make it feel fun, not like a school field trip.

Onboard massage and the small extras you might miss

Massage is an option mentioned as available on board. But since it’s not described as automatically guaranteed in every account, I recommend you treat it like a “check early” plan: ask the crew at or soon after boarding so you don’t assume it will happen later without a signup.

Other extras:

• A photographer is onboard. Photo purchases are offered onboard or at check-in.
• There are also action shots available after the day, if you choose to buy them.

One small caution: if you’re expecting photos emailed immediately, allow for some processing time. Connectivity and upload schedules can be unpredictable in coastal zones.

Who this tour suits best (and who should rethink)

This cruise is a strong match if you want a day that blends:

• Water play (snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, waterslides)
• A real beach stop (Yelapa)
• A waterfall option with guided walking and swimming possibility
• All-inclusive comfort (food, snacks, and an open bar)

It also fits multigenerational groups because you can choose your effort level. A person who doesn’t want the waterfall hike can stay on the boat or spend more time relaxing in Yelapa.

However, consider a different choice if:

• You need lots of time for snorkeling and swimming as your main goal. The itinerary balances multiple activities, so snorkeling time may not be long enough for hardcore reef time.
• You have mobility limitations that make the waterfall trail hard. The walk is described as accessible for most, but it does involve a hike.

Price and value: is $117.60 worth it?

At $117.60 per person, the “value” isn’t just about the boat. It’s about what’s bundled together.

You’re paying for:

• Transportation by yacht with a full day structure
• Breakfast and a proper hot lunch (fajitas)
• Snacks like guacamole and chips
• Use of snorkeling equipment
• Use of kayaks and paddleboards
• Waterslides and other water toys
• A premium open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks

A lot of Puerto Vallarta boat days charge extra for water activities and drinks. Here, the open bar is included, and that alone can swing the math for anyone who plans to enjoy cocktails.

If you prefer a quieter, food-focused day, you may still feel it’s worth it because the lunch and snack setup is genuinely part of the experience. If you only want to snorkel for a long time and skip everything else, you might find other tours align better with your priorities.

Should you book this Mega Yacht Yelapa tour?

I’d book it if you want a single-day hit list: snorkel and water toys at Playa Chica Locca, then Yelapa beach time plus the waterfall option, all wrapped in meals and an open bar. It’s especially good for groups where not everyone wants the same kind of activity, because you can mix and match.

Skip it or choose carefully if your main goal is long, uninterrupted snorkeling or a totally low-effort day with minimal walking. In that case, the waterfall trail and the activity rotation might not match your pace.

If you’re flexible, sun-ready, and happy to go with the flow, this is the kind of cruise that feels like you paid for convenience—and it shows.

FAQ

Where is the check-in location?

Check in at the Chica Locca Tours office located at Puerto Mágico Cruise Ship Terminal. You’ll be escorted to board the yacht after check-in.

Do I need to choose a meeting place when booking?

Yes. The experience notes that it’s a must to choose your meeting place before submitting your reservation, and meeting options include Puerto Mágico/Chica Locca and Paradise Village.

What’s included in the all-inclusive package?

The tour includes use of snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattress, and all-inclusive food (breakfast, lunch, snacks) plus a premium open bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

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

Is alcohol included, and is there an age limit?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included via the premium open bar, and the minimum drinking age is 18.

What is the lunch like?

Lunch is Mexican fajitas (with chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas, and salsa), prepared in the Playa Chica Locca kitchen and delivered by boat.

Is there a waterfall hike at Yelapa?

Yes. There’s a guided walk of about 15 minutes to the waterfall, and the trail is described as accessible for most, with a refreshing cascade where swimming is possible.

Are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options available?

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

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