Yelapa and Majahuitas boat trip from Nuevo Vallarta
- From Departs from Nuevo Vallarta
- 8 hours
- up to 50 guests
- All year
Photos: RichardMills65, CC BY-SA 3.0 · David et Magalie, CC BY 2.0 · Vaquemami, CC BY 4.0
An eight-hour yacht day from Nuevo Vallarta across Banderas Bay to its south shore: snorkel at Majahuitas, close to three hours in Yelapa for the waterfall and lunch, and a swim off Las Ánimas on the way home.
What you do
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Highlights
- Three stops on the south shore of Banderas Bay in one day
- Snorkelling at Majahuitas
- Yelapa: the waterfall, the village and lunch on the beach
- A last swim off Las Ánimas
- Two crossings of the bay, with a chance of whales in winter
About this trip
This is a day we have designed around three stops on the south shore of Banderas Bay. Majahuitas, a small beach between Quimixto and Yelapa, has no road and is reached only by boat. Yelapa, in the bay's southernmost cove, has no road big enough for cars: visitors come by water taxi or by boat, and there are no cars in the village. Las Ánimas is a beach a little further east, on the way home.
The yacht crosses the bay from Marina Nuevo Vallarta to Majahuitas, where the day boats from Puerto Vallarta also stop to snorkel. From there it is about a quarter of an hour to Yelapa. Ashore you walk uphill through the village to its waterfall, eat at one of the beach restaurants and swim in the cove. On the way back the yacht anchors off Las Ánimas for a last swim before crossing the bay.
The waterfall is fullest in the rainy season, mid-June to mid-October. From December to March humpback whales are in the bay, and you may see them on the crossings.
The price is for the whole yacht with its crew, for the full eight hours. What is on board, from snorkel gear to lunch and drinks, differs from yacht to yacht; each yacht's page lists it.
Itinerary
After departure: 0:00
Board at Marina Nuevo Vallarta
Meet your crew at the dock, around 9 am, and head out through the marina channel and south across the bay, about 13 nautical miles. The times here are for a motor yacht.
After departure: 1:10
Snorkel at Majahuitas
About an hour and ten minutes at the beach: snorkel, swim off the stern, and paddle where your yacht carries boards.
After departure: 2:40
Yelapa
About 3 nautical miles west to Yelapa, then close to three hours ashore. Walk up through the village to the waterfall, have lunch at a beach restaurant and swim in the cove.
After departure: 6:00
Swim stop at Las Ánimas
About 6 nautical miles back east along the coast to Las Ánimas, with 45 minutes at anchor off the beach.
After departure: 6:45
Return to Nuevo Vallarta
About 12 nautical miles back across the bay to the marina, roughly an hour.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
How long does it take to reach Yelapa from Nuevo Vallarta?
Yelapa is about 16 nautical miles from Marina Nuevo Vallarta. We plan on 12 knots for a motor yacht, which makes the direct run about an hour and 20 minutes. On this trip you stop at Majahuitas first and reach Yelapa about two and a half hours after leaving. Kaii is a sailing catamaran: at the 8 knots we plan on for her, the route is about four hours and 20 minutes under way, which leaves about three hours and 40 minutes for the three stops together, so each stop is shorter.
How do we get ashore in Yelapa?
The yacht anchors in the cove and you land in its tender where it carries one, or in a local panga, which may charge its own fare. We'll confirm which applies to your yacht, and any landing charge, in the quote.
Is lunch included?
Lunch in Yelapa is not: you order and pay at the restaurant. Some of the yachts include a chef, food or drinks on board and others offer them as extras; each yacht's page says which.
How far is the walk to the waterfall?
It is in the village, about 20 minutes on foot from the beach and uphill for the last part. Wear sandals or shoes you can walk in.
Which marina do we leave from?
Marina Nuevo Vallarta, and every yacht listed here boards there. Kaii is based at this marina. The others are based at Marina Vallarta, about 20 minutes away by road, or at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, about 25 minutes away, and some charge a fee to come to Nuevo Vallarta. That fee is on top of this trip's price, and your quote shows it.
What should we bring?
Swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sandals for the walk to the waterfall, cash for Yelapa, insect repellent in the rainy months and any medication you need.
How do I book, and what if I have to cancel?
A 50% deposit confirms your date and the balance is due 7 days before the trip. If we cannot run the trip because of weather or a mechanical problem, you get a full refund or a new date. Otherwise the deposit is not refundable, but it can be moved to another date within 6 months on the same yacht. Terms vary by yacht and we confirm them in writing before you pay.
Is the crew's tip included?
No. Tipping the crew is customary and in Mexico it usually runs 10% to 15% of the charter price, at your discretion. Mexican sales tax and marina or dock fees are outside the price on some yachts; the quote we send lists them.
$2,600+ Tax
8 hours · 2 guests