A private boat day with the Bay of Banderas.

On this private charter on ChicaFun 1, you get a cruise south of Puerto Vallarta plus real time in places that most people only reach by boat or a hike. My favorite part is the all inclusive setup, snorkel gear and water toys included, with drinks handled onboard. The one thing to think about first is logistics, hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you must choose your meeting place before booking.

What makes it especially fun is that the day is shaped around your group. You can customize where you’d like to go in the Bay of Banderas, then the captain maps the best route for your stops like Los Arcos National Park, Yelapa, Colomitos, Playa Majahuitas, and Las Caletas. I also like that the crew is tuned to groups and celebrations, and names like Alex, Luis, and Joel show up in the crew stories around drinks, welcome energy, and birthday moments.

Key Highlights: What Makes This Charter Worth Your Time

• ChicaFun 1 is private for up to 15, so your schedule stays yours.
• All inclusive water gear includes snorkel gear plus paddle boards, kayaks, water tubes, and a water mattress.
• Open bar style includes margaritas, beer, wine, piña coladas, champagne, coffee, juices, soda, and water.
• Snorkeling-ready stops like Los Arcos National Park, with caves and granite arches.
• Beach variety from Yelapa’s white sand to Colomitos’ small sand-and-sea feel to Las Caletas relaxation.
• Crew energy matters, and in the past that meant nonstop drink service and special celebration touches.

Cruising Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas, Your Way

This is a half-day on the water, about four hours, and it starts with a simple promise: cruise the Puerto Vallarta coastline and then work your way through the Bay of Banderas based on what you want most. The practical value here is that you are not stuck on a rigid checklist. You customize your private boat tour, and the crew handles the rest.

You’ll feel the difference right away when the group stays together and you can linger where it feels good. That matters in this part of Mexico, because weather, sea conditions, and how busy a spot is can change the “best” plan hour to hour. With a private charter, the captain can make calls for you instead of forcing your day to match a timeline designed for strangers.

If you’re thinking about photos or just soaking up views, the coastline cruise itself is part of the experience. It’s also the moment to settle in, get your bearings, and decide how much time you want for swimming versus snorkeling versus straight beach time.

A quick logistics note that affects the day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you choose your meeting place before you submit the reservation. Plan to get yourself to the start point on time. If you’re staying somewhere off the main corridor, ask early about affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point, since the owner, Gil, says it can be arranged.

Los Arcos National Park: Caves, Arches, and Top-Tier Snorkeling

One stop you’ll want on your list is Los Arcos National Park, just south of Puerto Vallarta. This is where the scenery turns dramatic fast, with naturally occurring rock formations rising right out of the sea. It’s also a snorkeling destination, and not just because it looks good from a boat.

The big reason this stop is popular is what you can do here. You can explore caves and float through the giant granite arches. That kind of underwater structure changes the experience. Instead of one open-water swim, you get pockets of calm water, interesting shapes, and a more varied feel.

What to consider: it’s a snorkeling stop, so your comfort level matters. If you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll still have snorkel gear provided, but you’ll want to take it easy at first and get used to breathing and buoyancy. If you’re a confident swimmer, you’ll likely love how the arches and caves turn a standard swim into a mini adventure.

Yelapa: White Sand, Sapphire Water, and a Slow Pace

After Los Arcos, the itinerary shifts toward Yelapa, a charming coastal village south of Puerto Vallarta. The hook here is simple: white sand beach and sapphire water, plus time to snorkel and play.

Yelapa tends to work well for mixed groups because not everyone has to do the same thing at the same moment. Some people will want to snorkel, others will prefer floating and sun time. If your group includes kids, it’s also a strong “keep everyone happy” stop.

The possible drawback is that this is a village vibe day, not a quiet, empty-island fantasy. You’re still on a private boat, so you control how long you stay and how you move, but Yelapa is a real place with real beach energy.

Colomitos: The Small-Beach Feel and a Taste of Sierra Madre Country

Colomitos is described as a small and beautiful beach surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains. You can expect a more tucked-away mood than the larger, more famous beaches around Puerto Vallarta.

The itinerary calls it the smallest beach in Mexico, and what that implies is the experience is tighter and more intimate. For couples and small groups, that’s a win. You get the feeling of a private swim spot without going full remote survival mode.

What makes Colomitos special is how it connects to the wider area. It’s part of a cluster of beaches south of town, and the water and mountain backdrop do a lot of the storytelling for you.

The Remote Beach Moment, Boat Access or a 1.5-Hour Hike

Another stop option on the route is a remote beach accessible only by boat or a 1.5-hour hike from Boca de Tomatlán’s jungle treks. That line matters because it explains the “why” behind the feeling.

When a beach is hard to reach on foot, it tends to stay more peaceful. When it’s boat-access only, you get the added advantage that the ship is your transport, so you do not have to worry about getting back with the rest of the crowd.

Practical note: if you’re sensitive to heat or you do not want any hiking at all, this stop can still work because it is accessible by boat. The itinerary gives you the choice through the way access is set up.

If your group includes hikers who love a challenge, this also gives them something more active to do. Just be sure to set expectations early, so the slow group and fast group agree on meeting times.

Playa Majahuitas and Las Caletas: Two Different Beach Moods in One Day

Playa Majahuitas is often considered the best beach of Puerto Vallarta. That’s a bold statement, but it tells you what the reputation is built on: strong beach time appeal. If your group wants a “swim, relax, do nothing” block of the day, this is the likely favorite.

Then Las Caletas comes in as a “magical private beach” designed for full relaxation. The tone shifts from sun-and-swim to a calmer, softer landing at the end of the journey.

If you like variety, this pairing makes sense. You’re not stuck with one beach personality for the whole half-day. You start with a snorkeling and adventure bent, then you end with relaxation. That balance is great for a birthday group or a multi-generational crew.

Drinks, Snacks, and the Water Toys: All Inclusive in Real Terms

The all inclusive part here is not just “some drinks.” It includes a long menu of beverages and a practical set of water play gear.

Beverages you can expect onboard

You’ll have alcoholic beverages plus water and non-alcoholic options, including coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, margaritas, beer, wine, piña coladas, and champagne. The practical value is that you can keep the day moving without constantly leaving the boat for cash transactions.

If you’re celebrating, this matters a lot. In the crew stories, Joel was known for going the extra step with drink service, even swimming out with drinks in the ocean. That kind of service is exactly what makes open bar feel like part of the day, not an afterthought.

Snacks that actually show up

Snack time includes fresh made guacamole and blue corn chips, plus potato chips. It’s simple food, but it keeps you satisfied between swims and snorkeling sessions without breaking your rhythm.

Water gear included, so you can choose your own fun

Included gear covers snorkel gear, paddle boards, kayaks, water mattress, and water tubes. Translation: you’re not limited to one activity. If the sea feels rough for one thing, you can switch to another. If someone gets tired of swimming, there are still options that feel like play, not effort.

Price and Value: $2,490 for Up to 15, What You’re Really Buying

The price is listed as $2,490 per group for up to 15 people, for about four hours. At first glance, it can feel like a big number, but it changes shape when you factor in what’s included.

You’re paying for:

• A private boat charter, meaning no sharing the day with strangers.
• All inclusive activities and equipment, not just snorkeling access.
• Alcoholic beverages plus soft drinks, water, and coffee, all handled onboard.
• Snacks on top of the drinks.

So the value calculation becomes group math. If you split the cost across a full group of 15, it can work out in line with what many people spend on multiple separate beach activities plus food plus drinks. If you only have a small group, it’s more of a splurge. In that case, I’d treat it as a “pay for convenience and privacy” day, not a bargain hunt.

Also, the private nature is what you feel most. You can linger at a cove, cut a beach stop short, and keep the whole group together, which is hard to do on shared tours.

Who This Private Charter Fits Best

This is built for groups who want control and a shared experience. It fits especially well if:

• You want a birthday or celebration day and you care about service details. The crew stories include birthday cake surprises.
• Your group includes mixed ages, because snorkel gear, float time, paddle boards, and kayaks give options for different comfort levels.
• You want a day that balances sightseeing with water play, rather than choosing just one lane.

It’s also a good match for friend groups who want privacy without planning every step. The captain and crew handle route decisions and onboard flow, while you customize what you want within that structure.

Who might hesitate

If you hate planning around meeting points and you rely on hotel pickup, this may take extra effort since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If your group needs wheel-level accessibility for an exact departure point, ask the operator in advance for the exact meeting logistics so you can plan calmly.

Should You Book ChicaFun 1 on Chica Locca Tours?

If your dream day is a private half-day boat charter in Puerto Vallarta with snorkeling gear, water toys, and open bar, I think this is an easy yes. The best part is that you’re not paying for a vague experience. You get a clear set of stops and you get the equipment and drinks that make those stops fun, not stressful.

I’d book it if:

• You can fill the group to get better per-person value.
• You want a day that includes real beach time plus snorkeling at Los Arcos.
• You like having a crew that can keep service moving, like Alex welcoming you and Joel handling drink energy.

I’d hesitate if:

• You don’t want to coordinate a meeting place and get to the marina area on your own.
• Your group only wants one simple activity and would prefer a smaller, cheaper setup.

If you want, tell me your group size, ages, and whether you plan to snorkel. I can suggest the best way to time your day across Los Arcos, Yelapa, Colomitos, Majahuitas, and Las Caletas based on what you’re likely to enjoy most.

FAQ

Is this a private yacht charter?

Yes. This is a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

How many people can be on the ChicaFun 1 charter?

The charter is priced per group up to 15 people.

How long is the experience?

The duration is about 4 hours.

What is included in the all inclusive package?

It includes all inclusive activities, use of snorkel gear, paddle boards, kayaks, water mattress, and water tubes. It also includes alcoholic beverages plus water, coffee, juices, soda, mineral water, and more, along with snacks like fresh made guacamole and blue corn chips (and potato chips).

Do they pick you up from your hotel?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup is offered, but you also need to choose your meeting place before booking, and the owner Gil says help with affordable luxury transportation to the meeting point can be requested.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience start time, the amount paid is not refunded.