Puerto Vallarta Luxury Sailing with Premium Open bar & lunch

The best part of this outing is its balance: you get a proper sailing day on Banderas Bay, but you also have time to swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat well, and watch for whales. The boat may motor toward Los Arcos or a beach area, then sail back when the wind cooperates.

I like the small-group feel reported on many departures, along with the crew’s steady service. I also like that lunch is more thoughtful than the usual boat buffet, with fruit, guacamole, a gourmet sandwich, and a brownie. The main caution is simple: snorkeling conditions can be weak, and six hours on open water may feel long if you get seasick or dislike boat time.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours on Banderas Bay: This is a full day on the water, not a quick cruise.
• Route changes with conditions: You may visit Los Arcos, a beach, or a sheltered cove, depending on wind and sea conditions.
• Open bar and lunch included: Drinks flow through the cruise, with a plated and snack-style menu rather than basic packed food.
• Water activities are optional: Snorkel, swim, or use a stand-up paddleboard, or stay aboard and enjoy the views.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised: Whales, dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish have all been spotted.
• Boat access matters: You enter the water by jumping from the boat and climb back by small metal ladders.

A luxury sailing day, with room for real adventure

At $129 per person, this Puerto Vallarta sailing trip sits above a basic sightseeing cruise but below the price of a private charter. That price includes roughly six hours aboard, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling equipment, and paddleboards.

I see the value in the combination. You are not paying only for transportation across the bay. You are paying for a full day with a captain and crew, food service, drinks, water equipment, and the chance to see some of Banderas Bay’s best scenery from the water.

The tone is also different from a loud party boat. Music may be upbeat, and the bar is generous, but the boat is meant to feel social and relaxed. Several small groups have found the experience almost private when the departure carried around 8 to 11 people. The maximum is 30, so the mood can vary by date.

Starting at Marina Vallarta at 9:30 a.m.

The listed meeting point is Vallarta Adventures at Mástil 13 in Marina Vallarta. If you are staying in Nuevo Vallarta, the tour may also offer a Nuevo Vallarta meeting point, so check your booking details carefully.

There is no hotel pickup or return. You need to reach the marina yourself and allow time to find the meeting point. Bring MX$40 in cash per person for the port fee. That fee is not part of the $129 price.

Once aboard, the crew explains the day and the available activities. Names connected with highly praised departures include Captain Sergio and crew members Rubin, Christian, and Walter. You may not have this exact team, but the recurring service pattern is clear: drinks are replenished often, food arrives at sensible times, and the crew stays involved without forcing you into every activity.

The route across Banderas Bay changes for good reason

Do not expect a fixed list of stops. The captain chooses the route based on wind, water conditions, and the best practical place for swimming or snorkeling that day.

A typical outing may use the motor to reach a beach, cove, or rock formation, then raise the sails for the return. One well-regarded pattern is motoring toward Los Arcos and sailing back toward the Malecón and marina. On other days, the boat may stop at a white-sand beach or a sheltered area with calmer water.

This matters because the word sailing can create the wrong picture. You will not necessarily sail under canvas for six straight hours. The engine may be needed to reach the activity area, while the wind determines how much sailing happens later. If you want a long, technical sailing lesson, this is not that. If you want a comfortable day with real sailing mixed with swimming and sightseeing, the plan makes more sense.

The bay gives you plenty to watch as you move along. Rock formations, open ocean, the Puerto Vallarta shoreline, and the curves of Banderas Bay create a changing view. Sailing back with the motor quiet can be the calmest part of the day.

Los Arcos, beaches, and the water stops

Los Arcos is one of the most memorable possible settings on this route, with dramatic rock formations rising from the water. It is a strong place for photographs and may also be used as an activity area. You may stop near rocks or a protected cove, depending on conditions.

The snorkeling quality is the least predictable part of the trip. Some departures have produced tropical fish, rays, puffer fish, and even an octopus handled briefly with a guide. Other days have brought poor visibility and little to see. Water conditions, light, location, and season all matter.

I would book this tour for the whole day, not solely for snorkeling. If underwater wildlife is your top priority, the experience carries some risk. You might get a terrific session, but you might also find the water murky and the fish activity modest.

Swimming and paddleboarding provide useful alternatives. You can use the stand-up paddleboards, snorkel gear, or simply float and swim. If you would rather not enter the water, you can stay aboard, enjoy a drink, and watch the scenery. The crew may offer a floating mat or similar water-play option, but the listed inclusions are snorkeling and paddleboarding.

Be aware of the physical setup. You jump from the boat into the water and return using small metal ladders. This is not the easiest arrangement for anyone with limited mobility, and it may not suit people who feel uneasy climbing from the sea onto a boat.

What lunch and the open bar actually add

Food is one of the strongest parts of the package. The published menu starts with infused water and seasonal fruit, followed by guacamole with pico de gallo and tortilla chips. The main course is a gourmet sandwich with serrano ham, tomato, pickle dressing, Manchego cheese, arugula, and homemade bread. Dessert is a dark chocolate brownie.

The exact presentation can vary, and additional snack plates have appeared on some departures. These may include fruit, crackers, cheese, meat trays, ceviche, or a fruit tart. The common thread is food served throughout the day rather than one rushed meal.

The open bar is available for the cruise. Drinks are made individually, and the crew keeps them coming. That is a major part of the value for people who want a carefree day, but it also deserves a practical warning. Unlimited does not mean you need to drink heavily, especially in strong sun and on moving water. Eat early, drink water, and pace yourself.

The mixed drinks have received a few lukewarm comments, so I would set expectations at good vacation drinks rather than cocktail-bar craft. The food has earned more consistent praise than the cocktails.

Whale watching, dolphins, rays, and luck

Banderas Bay is known for seasonal humpback whale activity, and this cruise gives you a chance to see them from the boat. Sightings have included several whales, sometimes at a distance and sometimes during multiple stops. Dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, tropical fish, and rays are also possible.

Nature makes no guarantees. The crew can watch for animals, but it cannot produce a whale on schedule. A departure with no major sighting can still work as a sailing and swimming day. A departure with whales and dolphins may become the highlight of your Puerto Vallarta visit.

If whale sightings matter to you, ask about the seasonal timing before booking. The tour specifically notes humpback whales in season, but it does not promise them year-round.

The boat, the group size, and the overall mood

Some people book expecting a catamaran and find a large sailboat instead. That difference is worth knowing. The boat is described as clean, comfortable, and spacious enough for lounging, with toilets on the lower deck.

The group size can shape the day. A departure with eight or ten people may feel almost like a private charter, with plenty of personal attention. A full departure of 30 will feel more social and may seem crowded, especially around the water equipment or dining area. One otherwise happy outing received criticism for feeling overfilled.

The atmosphere is generally relaxed rather than rowdy. Music may be upbeat, and the crew is friendly and playful, but the experience is not sold as a nightclub on water. That makes it a good match for couples, adult friends, and families with older children who want comfort without giving up swimming and wildlife watching.

The minimum age is 10, with no exceptions. This is not an outing for toddlers or younger children.

How long six hours feels on the water

Six hours sounds generous, and it is. The upside is that you are not rushed through lunch, water activities, and sailing. You have time to settle into the boat, enjoy a swim, dry off, eat, and watch the bay.

The downside is that some people find the day longer than necessary. If you are prone to seasickness, a half-day on open water can feel demanding. Take appropriate precautions before boarding, and bring sunscreen. One simple practical tip is to reapply it often, even when a breeze makes the sun feel mild.

The day may also include stretches when little is happening beyond the boat ride. For some, that is the point. For others, a five-hour trip would feel better. Know your own tolerance for open water before paying for the longer format.

What to bring and what not to forget

The boat supplies snorkeling equipment and paddleboards. Towels are also available according to the tour information shared by the operator’s staff, but I would still confirm this when booking if packing space is tight.

Bring:

• Sunscreen and a way to protect your face from the sun
• A swimsuit and a change of dry clothes
• Cash for the MX$40 port fee
• Any motion-sickness treatment you normally use
• A phone or camera you can protect from water
• A hat secured well enough to handle wind

A loose hat can blow overboard. One captain even turned back to retrieve one, but that is a favor you should not plan on needing.

Professional photography may be offered on board. Photo service has been useful for some people, but the purchase process has not always felt clear. If you want pictures, ask how the files are sold and confirm that the images are from your group.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several experiences in one booking: a scenic boat ride, an open bar, a proper lunch, swimming, paddleboarding, and a chance at marine life. It works especially well for couples and small groups that value service and comfort but do not want a private charter price.

It also suits first-time sailors. You do not need sailing skills to enjoy the day, and the crew handles the boat and activities. The trip has enough structure to feel easy, but enough free time to avoid feeling like a tightly managed sightseeing circuit.

I would choose another activity if snorkeling is your main goal, if you have significant mobility limits, or if you strongly dislike spending several hours at sea. I would also think twice if you expect sailing under canvas the entire day. The actual balance depends on wind and route planning.

Booking, cancellation, and final value

The tour costs $129 per person and is offered in English. Confirmation arrives when you book, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 9:30 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted.

The price feels fair when you make use of the lunch, open bar, water gear, and full six-hour schedule. It feels less compelling if you stay dry, skip the drinks, and mainly want a short harbor cruise. The small port fee is minor, but remember to bring the cash.

Should you book Puerto Vallarta Luxury Sailing?

Yes, if you want a polished day on Banderas Bay with attentive service, good food, generous drinks, and several ways to enjoy the water. The strongest reasons to book are the clean sailboat, often-small groups, thoughtful lunch, and the chance to see whales or other marine life.

Book with realistic expectations about the snorkeling and sailing time. Conditions control both, and the engine may handle part of the route. If that tradeoff sounds fine, this is a strong all-around choice for a relaxed Puerto Vallarta day. If you need guaranteed wildlife or serious snorkeling, spend your money on a more specialized excursion instead.

FAQ

How long is the Puerto Vallarta luxury sailing tour?

The experience lasts approximately six hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour start?

The listed meeting point is Vallarta Adventures at Mástil 13 in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. A Nuevo Vallarta meeting point may also be available, so check your booking information.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes infused water, seasonal fruit, guacamole with pico de gallo and tortilla chips, a gourmet sandwich, and a dark chocolate brownie.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An open bar is included throughout the cruise.

Are snorkeling equipment and paddleboards included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and stand-up paddleboards are included.

Is whale watching guaranteed?

No. Humpback whales are possible in season, along with dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles, and other marine life, but sightings are not guaranteed.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10 years, with no exceptions.

Is there an additional port fee?

Yes. You must pay MX$40 per person in cash at the marina.