A remote beach day that feels like your own private world. This Mega Catamaran outing sails from Puerto Vallarta to Playa Chica Locca and then onward to Quimixto, with watersports, a guided waterfall option, and a party-minded crew.

I particularly love two things here. First, the stop at Playa Chica Locca reads like a full-on beach resort day, with an infinity pool and swim-up bar, plus shaded lounge spots. Second, the tour is genuinely all-inclusive, with breakfast items, guacamole and chips, a proper fajita lunch, and an open bar that goes beyond basic mixers.

One thing to consider: this is not a quiet, sit-and-stare cruise. The vibe can lean loud, with music carried through the day, so if you want silence and solitude, plan accordingly.

Key Highlights You Should Know Before You Go

• Open bar with name-brand drinks plus nonstop service, including margaritas, tequila, beer, wine, and champagne
• Playa Chica Locca beach club setup with an oceanfront infinity pool, swim-up bar, loungers, and clean bathroom facilities
• Water toys included: snorkel equipment, kayaks, and paddle boards, so you can switch activities without paying extra
• Quimixto waterfall option with a guided walk and a cash-only ATV alternative (horse rides may not be available from the beach club)
• Wildlife spotting on the return: humpback whales Dec to Apr, plus turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and sea birds year-round
• Crew energy you’ll notice: hosts like Isaias (Papi Chulo), Dana, Guadalupe, Luis, and Captain Noah can set the tone fast

Mega Catamaran To Quimixto: What You Are Really Buying

At $135 per person, you’re not paying for a single highlight. You’re paying for a full day that stacks experiences: cruise time, a private-feeling beach club stop, and an extra nature component in Quimixto, with food and drinks included along the way.

That matters because the total cost of doing this piecemeal can add up quickly. Once you factor in boat transport, entry to the beach club, guided components, and the fact that snorkel gear and water toys come included, the price starts to look more like a bundled day pass than an expensive activity ticket.

Also, the tour caps at 120 travelers, so it usually stays lively without feeling like a floating city.

Check-In at Puerto Mágico: The Rules That Affect Your Day

This tour starts at Puerto Mágico Vallarta. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point you select ahead of time.

Plan for port security. Puerto Mágico is a federal maritime port, and you must pass through security checks that can include searches. The company has a strict no-drug policy, including items like electronic cigarettes and vapes. If you carry any of that, leave it behind before you head to the terminal.

If you’re hoping to drink alcohol, note the minimum age is 18.

Boarding and Boat Vibe: What the Catamaran Feels Like

Once you step on board, the tone is upbeat. People often talk about how quickly the crew takes care of them, with drinks offered early and a service style that keeps things moving.

A nice detail: the catamarans are two-level boats, and there’s typically enough shaded space to cool down when the sun is strong.

That said, one fair caution from real-world experience: the exact boat can vary depending on logistics. One review described a smaller vessel that felt less luxurious than another catamaran they’d used earlier. If you’re expecting a specific look, think more “comfortable day cruise with service” than “always the same flagship boat.”

You might also hear names like Isaias (Papi Chulo), Guadalupe, Luis, Dana, and Captain Noah mentioned by the crew members you interact with. When the crew is in motion, the day feels smoother.

Playa Chica Locca: The Private Beach Club Stop (About Four Hours)

This is where the “remote paradise” pitch turns into real beach time.

When you arrive, you get a snack setup right away: fresh guacamole and blue corn chips, followed by open bar service. The beach itself is soft and meant to feel easy, with space to lounge and enough structure to keep you comfortable without needing to constantly hunt for amenities.

Two standout features:

• Infinity pool with oceanfront views: great for a slower rhythm day.
• Swim-up bar: yes, it’s as convenient as it sounds, because you don’t have to commit to leaving the water.

There are also lounge chairs and shaded areas, which is not a small deal when you’re baking under a tropical sun for hours.

Water activities you can actually use

Included water toys are part of why this stop works. You can usually rotate between:

• Kayaking
• Paddle boarding
• Snorkeling with provided equipment
• Swimming on the beach access area

If you’re the kind of person who hates waiting for the next planned activity, this stop gives you enough freedom to fill the time your way.

What to pack for this stop

Bring sunscreen and a hat or sunglasses. The tour is outdoors for most of the day, and you’ll be exposed while you cruise and while you’re at the beach club.

Also, consider footwear with traction. One person reported rocky, rough water conditions, so it can help to have shoes that don’t punish you the moment you step into uneven areas.

Quimixto Waterfalls: Short Time, Steep Choices (About One Hour)

Quimixto is accessed by boat, and that remoteness is the point. It feels like you’re visiting a place that’s not easily reached, which is why the scenery and the waterfall payoff feel special.

Here’s the reality of Quimixto: you have limited time on your feet, so your plan matters.

You’ll have a chance for a guided hike related to the waterfall, and the guide team can point out local details like birds and the feel of the area. Dana was specifically mentioned as a guide who added context during the hike.

The hike option: be ready for steep terrain

Expect a trail that can be steep and rough. Some experiences describe needing solid walking shoes and say the hike can be roughly an hour each way, or that the route is about 1.5 miles with tougher parts. If you show up in sandals or flip-flops, the terrain can feel punishing fast.

The ATV alternative: cash-only and practical

There is a cash-only option to reach the waterfall area via ATV. One family reported paying 500 pesos per person, and they noted that someone drives the ATV while you ride as a passenger, with room for two passengers.

In the same kind of practical spirit, there’s also a note that a horse ride may not be offered from the beach club anymore and that the trail to where horses are would still require hiking. So don’t build your whole plan around assuming a horse option will be ready on the day.

Once you reach the waterfall area

At the waterfall spot, there’s a restaurant by the water, and it can be a cool break after the walk or ride. People also mention cold “refreshing” swim water there, plus a relaxed atmosphere where you’re not rushed to only pose and leave.

One charming detail that came up: you might meet Pancho the dog at the restaurant area during your visit.

Return Cruise to Vallarta: Marine Life and a Final Party Wave

On the way back, the energy often stays high. Drinks continue, music can crank up, and some people end up dancing during the return cruise.

Wildlife spotting is part of the fun, and it’s not just marketing. The tour notes that:

• Dec to Apr: watch for humpback whales
• All year: you might see turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and sea birds

One traveler described whales spotted in the distance during the outbound portion, so don’t assume it only happens on the return.

Photos and souvenirs

If you want picture memories, there’s a photo setup onboard. A photo team captures candid and action shots. You’ll have a digital album shared within 24 hours, and you can reserve or purchase the photos afterward.

There’s also a retail store stop where you can buy photos or souvenirs.

Meals and Drinks: Why the All-Inclusive Part Matters

This is not an all-inclusive that gives you one sad sandwich and a watery soda. You get multiple food moments and a serious drink package.

Breakfast and snacks

You get a breakfast-style start with:

• fresh fruit
• muffins
• coffee
• juices

Then, you get the classic Playa Chica Locca snack moment: guacamole and blue corn chips.

Lunch: a real meal

Lunch is described as a traditional fajita lunch with options including chicken, beef, rice, beans, tortillas. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, and you can request needs like gluten-free when booking.

In most experiences, the lunch hits after time on land, but there is one timing issue worth calling out. One review said lunch was served later, around 2 pm, and that earlier guests finished before their group ate. If you’re the type who gets cranky when hungry, pack a small backup snack just in case.

Open bar: more than beer and rum

The included open bar is broad. It can include water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, and named cocktails like pina coladas and margaritas, plus beer, wine, tequila, and champagne.

Also, several experiences noted that even non-drinkers felt comfortable and not pressured. So if alcohol is not your thing, you can still enjoy the day without it becoming the whole story.

Water Toys and Snorkeling Reality Check

It’s easy to assume snorkeling will always be perfect. It’s not. Conditions change.

You’re provided with snorkel equipment, and the protected beach areas and calm water moments can make it enjoyable. But one family specifically noted that water was rough and murky with lots of rocks on their day, making snorkeling less impressive.

So my practical advice:

• treat snorkeling as a bonus, not the main guarantee
• do the water toys you can control, like kayaks and paddle boards
• plan to switch quickly if the water looks rough

And again, footwear helps. Rocky edges and uneven surfaces can show up without warning.

What This Tour Is Like Day to Day: Timing and Comfort

The day runs about 6 hours 30 minutes total. Stop times shown for the experience include:

• around four hours at Playa Chica Locca
• about one hour in Quimixto
• about one hour back on the cruise into Vallarta

That means the Quimixto experience is tight. If you want both lots of waterfall time and lots of water-toy time, you may have to choose how you split it, especially if you hike or do ATV.

Comfort-wise, people commonly praise the service pace and how staff keep checking in. One review highlighted that staff made people feel taken care of in a very hands-on way, even on the beach, which is one reason the day feels easy once you’re underway.

But there is also a fair “systems” caution: one person described delays after check-in where they didn’t get onto the boat for about an hour. That may be due to outside logistics, but it’s real enough that you should keep a flexible mindset.

Who Should Book This, and Who Should Skip It

This is a great fit if you want:

• an all-day beach club feel without planning every detail
• watersports included so you can stay active
• a day with open bar and a crew that keeps the energy up
• wildlife chances, especially during whale season

It can also work for families. One family took their daughter age 12 and said everything felt fun and inclusive. Another noted that a group of different ages had a good time.

Skip it if you need quiet

If you want a calm, low-volume cruise, you might not like the party vibe. Loud music through the day and limited places to escape that sound showed up as a complaint.

Be careful if you hate steep hikes

If you don’t want to walk steep terrain, don’t assume the waterfall option will be effortless. The ATV cash option is your friend here, but it does add a cost.

Consider maintenance expectations

Most accounts praise cleanliness and the facilities. Still, one harsh review complained about beach club condition, pool tile issues, sharp bar edges, and a lack of towels. I cannot confirm that as typical. But it’s a reminder to look closely when you arrive and speak up right away if something feels unsafe.

Should You Book the Mega Catamarans Remote Paradise Beach Adventure?

If you want a high-energy, all-inclusive day that mixes beach time, watersports, and a waterfall adventure option, this tour is often worth the money. The best value is in the stack: boat ride, beach club access, two meals, snacks, and open bar, plus the gear for water activities.

Don’t book if you:

• need quiet and low music volume
• expect snorkeling to be consistently clear and easy
• refuse to handle cash add-ons like the ATV option
• are sensitive to the idea that the exact vessel and schedule flow can vary with logistics

If you go in with the right expectations, you’re likely to leave with the kind of day you can remember on a long winter night. And if you’re lucky with wildlife, that final cruise into Vallarta can be a real closer.

FAQ

What is included on this tour?

You get breakfast items like fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. There’s guacamole and chips, plus a fajita lunch with vegetarian and vegan options available. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, and other water toys are included, and there’s an open bar with brand name alcoholic beverages plus soft drinks.

Are alcoholic drinks included, and is there an age limit?

Yes, alcoholic beverages are included through an open premium bar. The minimum drinking age is 18.

How long is the day and how much time do I get at each stop?

The total duration is about 6 hours 30 minutes. You have about four hours at Playa Chica Locca, about one hour in Quimixto, and about one hour on the return trip back toward Puerto Vallarta.

Do I need hotel pickup or drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to make your own way to the meeting place you select.

Is the waterfall ATV ride included?

No. The ATV ride is an optional add-on and is cash only. Horse rides are not described as an available option from the resort in recent experiences, so if you want that route, you should confirm what is offered when you book.

Are photo services included?

No. The photo team captures images, but photos are available for purchase after the tour. A digital photo album is shared within 24 hours.