Two beaches, one boat, and real-time water.

This catamaran outing feels like a smooth mix of Yelapa scenery and included snorkeling gear, with an open bar onboard to keep the mood easy. I also like that you get a real chunk of time in each place, not just a quick photo stop. The one thing to consider is that extra water options like kayaking are limited and may not be available for everyone.

You start at 9:00 am from Terminal Maritima in Puerto Vallarta and return back to the same meeting point for a day that runs about 7 to 8 hours. The tour keeps group size under control, with a maximum of 35 people, and includes a bilingual guide plus travel insurance. You’ll use a mobile ticket, and it’s offered in English.

If you’re the type who wants beach time plus a bit of movement, this works. Yelapa gives you both shore time and the option to wander through town and stairways toward river and mountain views, while Majahuitas shifts gears into relaxed beach-club mode with water activities waiting for you.

Key things to know before you go

• Catamaran ride with open bar on board so the “getting there” part is part of the fun
• Snorkeling equipment included (fins, vest, snorkel) to cut down on rental hassles
• Yelapa town option plus beach time with colorful pathways and staircases and views of river plus Sierra Madre foothills
• Majahuitas beach club time is flexible so you can snorkel, kayak, paddle board, or just lounge
• Port tax is extra (MX$30 per person) so budget for it
• Kayaks can be limited and may run on a first-come basis, not guaranteed for every person

Setting sail from Puerto Vallarta, with a day that moves

Most Puerto Vallarta boat tours live or die on pacing, and this one is built for an easy flow. You meet at Terminal Maritima (Las Glorias) and board a catamaran for the ride out. The whole plan is designed so you spend the day at the water, but still get enough time on land to feel like you actually visited two different coastal personalities.

The start time matters here. A 9:00 am departure usually gives you the best shot at calmer sea conditions and better light for views. And because you return to the same meeting point, you’re not stuck solving logistics later.

The group size cap of 35 is also a practical detail. Big crowds can turn beach time into a queue. Smaller groups keep the vibe looser, especially when you’re switching between boat and beach activities.

Finally, the bilingual guide is there for more than announcements. In a day like this, you want clear timing, simple safety guidance, and help staying on track when you’re juggling beach time, optional walking, and water activities.

Yelapa time: beach lounging or a scenic wander through town

Yelapa is the first big “you’re really here” moment. You get about 4 hours in the Yelapa area, and that’s plenty to choose your style: sit on the beach or explore town.

The beach option

If you want the easiest day possible, you can head straight to the shoreline and let the hours stretch. Yelapa has that laid-back coastal feel where it’s normal to do very little and still feel like you had a full experience.

The town hike option (it’s more than a walk)

Yelapa also offers a scenic hike through the town. This isn’t described as a technical trek, but it does include pathways and staircases, plus views that blend beach, river, and the foothills of the Sierra Madre. That combination is exactly why Yelapa feels different from a simple beach stop.

Practical tip: wear comfortable footwear. Staircases plus coastal viewpoints can be slippery if the ground is wet, and you’ll want your balance to be boring.

Why this stop is valuable

A lot of tours toss you onto sand and call it a day. Yelapa gives you the chance to see how the town sits between the Sierra Madre foothills and the water. You’ll also notice colorful artwork along walkways and staircases, which makes even short wandering feel rewarding.

One more thoughtful detail: the timing. Four hours means you can mix and match, beach first and hike later, without rushing.

Majahuitas beach club: almost private vibes with water activities

After Yelapa, you go back to the boat and head to Majahuitas for about 3 hours. This is the second personality shift of the day. If Yelapa is about views and wandering, Majahuitas leans into beach-club relaxation.

Majahuitas is described as an almost private beach with a laid-back hippie-chic vibe. That matters because “almost private” usually means you can find your own patch of shade or sea without feeling like you’re part of a crowded cattle lineup.

What you can do there

You can spend the time however you wish, including:

• snorkeling
• kayaking
• paddle boarding
• sun tanning

One key point for planning: only snorkeling equipment is explicitly included. So if you’re serious about kayaking or paddle boarding, treat those as activities you might do on-site, but don’t assume the gear is provided unless it’s part of what you’re told at the beach.

What I like about the structure

Three hours at a beach club is a sweet spot. Long enough to get in the water and still enjoy a slow snack and drink moment. Short enough that you’re not dragging yourself back onto the boat in sunset exhaustion.

And since the return to Puerto Vallarta happens from this stop, you’re not wasting time shuttling around once you finally arrive.

Open bar, breakfast, and lunch: the real value is how much is included

Let’s talk about value in plain terms. You pay $120 per person, and the package includes:

• breakfast and lunch
• open bar on the boat
• catamaran ride to Yelapa and Majahuitas
• snorkeling equipment (fins, vest, snorkel)
• bilingual guide
• travel insurance

That combination matters because it removes the annoying budgeting parts that often creep into a day trip. When meals and the boat ride are covered, you can focus on the actual experience instead of tallying add-ons every hour.

Open bar: nice, but keep it practical

Open bar onboard is a big perk, especially on a day that runs 7 to 8 hours. Just remember: you’re going between beach activities and swimming time. If you plan to snorkel or get in the water soon after, pace your drinks. The goal is to relax, not to feel sluggish.

Food timing and pacing

Breakfast and lunch are included, which helps you avoid the typical mid-tour scramble. You can eat, drink some water, and then make a real choice about how much time you want in the sea. That’s a better setup than tours that only offer snack-sized extras.

Snorkeling gear included: what you should expect, and how to make it worth it

Snorkeling equipment is included: fins, vest, and snorkel. That’s a meaningful inclusion because it saves you from renting gear or trying to make something work with mismatched sizes.

The vest is also a comfort detail for people who want extra confidence in the water. It doesn’t mean you should skip basic swimming awareness, but it does help you feel steadier.

How to get better results on a limited schedule

You’re not snorkeling for hours. You’re snorkeling within a day that also includes land time and beach lounging. So the best move is to snorkel when you’re rested and ready, not at the end when you’re already worn out from sun.

Bring your own essentials if you have them:

• sunscreen
• a simple cover-up
• a dry bag or water-safe phone solution

Those aren’t listed as included, so plan to handle your personal sun and water protection.

The kayak reality: why one complaint matters more than you think

Here’s the one potential headache worth addressing directly. A key review complaint centered on kayaks not being available the way the guest expected. The issue wasn’t that no one could kayak. It was that only singles were available, availability felt uneven, and the limited time made it hard to work around.

The operator response clarified something important: kayaks are treated as an additional item, with a limited number of kayaks (they mentioned 5 kayaks) and a group size around 30 people in their explanation. The message was basically first come, and you should not count on kayak time for everyone for the whole tour.

My practical takeaway for you

If kayaking is a must-do, don’t assume you’ll get a kayak right away. Ask early. Expect limited capacity. If you’re traveling with someone who wants to kayak together as a pair, plan a backup option like snorkeling, paddle boarding, or just beach time at Majahuitas.

This is also where pacing helps. If you’re the first group back to the water area, you’ll usually have a better shot at whatever equipment is in demand.

Timing, group size, and how to plan your day like a pro

A tour lasting 7 to 8 hours can either feel relaxed or rushed. This one is structured to feel fair because you have two main activity blocks with meaningful time allocations: about 4 hours in Yelapa and about 3 hours at Majahuitas.

Group size max 35 is another factor. With smaller groups, transfers and timing are usually smoother, and you spend more time doing the things you paid for.

What to do before you arrive

• Arrive a few minutes early so you can settle in before departure.
• Bring cash for the port tax (MX$30 per person).
• Have sunscreen and water ready because beach time is the main event.

What to do on the day

• Decide early whether you’ll do the Yelapa town stroll. If you want views, do it while you still have energy.
• When you reach Majahuitas, decide quickly if you want to snorkel first or lounge first. That choice changes your whole mood for the remaining time.

Price and logistics: is $120 a fair deal?

Let’s break down cost and value without hand-waving.

At $120 per person, you’re paying for:

• catamaran transportation between two destinations
• guided experience with bilingual support
• breakfast and lunch
• snorkeling equipment
• open bar on the boat
• travel insurance

The one clearly stated extra is the port tax of MX$30 per person, which you should plan to pay on top of the tour price. Tips are not included either.

When you compare what you’re getting, this is the kind of day trip that can be a good deal for people who hate paying for meals and rentals separately. It’s also a solid value if you want snorkeling gear provided, because that’s often where costs add up at the last minute.

If you only care about one beach, you might feel like you’re paying for extra time you don’t fully use. But if you like variety, Yelapa plus Majahuitas is exactly the point.

Who this tour fits best (and who should look elsewhere)

This catamaran day trip works well for:

• couples who want a mix of scenery and beach downtime
• travelers who like having meals and snorkeling gear handled
• people who enjoy short sightseeing walks, especially with Yelapa’s staircases and colorful paths
• anyone who wants a relaxed boat day with open bar included

It might not fit you as well if:

• you’re counting on kayaks being guaranteed or evenly available for everyone
• you need a very quiet, uncrowded beach from start to finish, because it’s a 35-person max group
• you want a long, dedicated snorkeling session, since snorkeling is offered within beach-club time

Should you book this Yelapas and Mahahuitas catamaran day?

If you want a classic Puerto Vallarta coast day with two different beach styles, this is a strong choice. The value is hard to ignore: boat ride, breakfast and lunch, snorkeling equipment, and open bar all included. Add in the optional Yelapa wander with river and Sierra Madre foothill views, and you get more than a simple beach transport.

Just go in with clear expectations about kayaking. If you get a kayak, great. If not, you still have plenty to do at Majahuitas, especially snorkeling and beach lounging, and you won’t feel like the whole day depends on one specific gear item.

If your top priority is guaranteed tandem kayaking, look for a more specialized kayak-focused option. For everyone else who wants a fun, well-rounded day at sea and on shore, this one earns a yes.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What time does it start, and where do I meet?

The tour starts at 9:00 am at Terminal Maritima, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included for snorkeling?

You get snorkeling equipment: fins, a vest, and a snorkel.

Is there open bar and are meals included?

Yes. There is an open bar on the boat, and breakfast and lunch are included.

Is there a port tax?

Yes. A port tax of MX$30.00 per person is not included.

What if weather is bad, or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.