Yelapa boat tour from Puerto Vallarta
- From Departs from Puerto Vallarta
- 6 hours
- up to 50 guests
- All year
Photos: RichardMills65, CC BY-SA 3.0 · The Cosmonaut, CC BY-SA 2.5 · David et Magalie, CC BY 2.0 · Vaquemami, CC BY 4.0 · Andrew Milligan sumo, CC BY 2.0 · TerryDOtt, CC BY 2.0
A six-hour yacht day from Marina Vallarta to Yelapa, the village at the south end of Banderas Bay that no road reaches, with a snorkel stop at Los Arcos on the way out and two hours ashore for the waterfall and lunch on the beach.
What you do
- Snorkeling
- Swimming
Highlights
- Yelapa, a village with no road and no cars, reached by boat
- A short walk uphill through the village to its waterfall
- An hour of snorkeling at the Los Arcos islets on the way out
- About two hours ashore for the waterfall, lunch on the beach and a swim
- The south shore of Banderas Bay, past Las Ánimas and Majahuitas
About this trip
Yelapa sits in the southernmost cove of Banderas Bay, and there is no road in: you arrive by boat, and there are no cars in the village. Restaurants line the beach facing the anchorage, and a waterfall drops into a pool a short walk uphill through the village.
The day takes six hours. The yacht leaves Marina Vallarta and runs south to Los Arcos de Mismaloya, a cluster of rock islets in a protected marine area, for an hour of snorkeling. It then follows the south shore past Las Ánimas and Majahuitas to Yelapa, where you have about two hours to walk to the waterfall, eat on the beach and swim, before the run back across the bay.
The waterfall flows all year and is fullest in the rainy season, mid-June to mid-October. Bring cash for lunch and anything you buy in the village. The price is for the whole yacht with its crew; what is on board differs from yacht to yacht, so check the page of the one you choose.
Itinerary
After departure: 0:00
Board at Marina Vallarta
Meet your crew at the dock and settle in. The yacht leaves the marina and heads south past the city's waterfront, about 8 nautical miles to Los Arcos.
After departure: 0:45
Snorkel at Los Arcos de Mismaloya
About an hour snorkeling around the rock islets of this protected marine area.
After departure: 1:45
Along the south shore
About 10 nautical miles down the coast past the beaches of Las Ánimas and Majahuitas, roughly 50 minutes.
After departure: 2:35
Yelapa
About two hours here: walk up through the village to the waterfall, have lunch at a beach restaurant and swim in the cove.
After departure: 4:35
Return to Marina Vallarta
The run home across the bay is about 16 nautical miles, roughly an hour and 20 minutes.
Yachts that run this trip
Questions
How long is the boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa?
From Marina Vallarta, Yelapa is about 16 nautical miles across the bay, roughly an hour and 20 minutes at a 12-knot cruise; faster yachts take less. This trip stops at Los Arcos on the way out, so you reach Yelapa about two and a half hours after leaving the marina, and come back without stopping.
How do we get ashore in Yelapa?
The yacht anchors in the cove and you go ashore in its tender where it carries one, or in a local panga. A landing charge in Yelapa or a fee at Los Arcos may apply on the day; we'll confirm what applies to your yacht in the quote.
Is lunch included?
Lunch ashore is not included: you order and pay at the beach restaurant. Some yachts include food or drinks on board and others offer them as an extra; each yacht's page says which.
How far is the walk to the waterfall?
It is in the village, a short walk uphill from the beach. Wear sandals or shoes you can walk in.
Which marina do we leave from?
This trip boards at Marina Vallarta. Some of the yachts listed here are based at Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and come round to pick you up at Marina Vallarta; where a yacht charges for that, its page shows the charge and our quote includes it.
What should we bring?
Swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, sandals for the walk, cash for lunch and the village, 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, marina or dock fees and park fees are also outside the price on some yachts; the quote we send lists them.
$1,940+ Tax
6 hours · 2 guests