Two stops can feel like a whole vacation. This catamaran day pairs Majahuitas snorkeling with a Yelapa beach escape, then turns the return ride into an open-bar party. I especially like how the day includes both solid food choices and a real mix of water play plus beach time.

Just be aware of one big variable: your timing can shift, and the Yelapa waterfall plan may not match expectations if conditions aren’t ideal.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Majahuitas water time for snorkeling with provided equipment and a chance to spot lots of tropical life.
• Yelapa stays long enough to breathe: beach time plus an optional trip up to the Horsetail waterfall.
• Open bar and onboard games on the way back turn the catamaran ride into the party portion of the day.
• Water activity choices can be limited so plan for picking one main activity rather than doing everything.
• Steep, stony terrain in Yelapa makes footwear matter if you’re walking to the waterfall.

Why this catamaran day feels complete

This tour is built like a classic Puerto Vallarta “big day” plan: morning on the water, midday on land, then a fun finish back on the catamaran. You get both ocean time and a real beach village experience, not just a quick stop where everyone scrambles off the boat.

I like that it’s structured but not rigid. You can spend your Yelapa time by the sand or work a short adventure by going toward the Horsetail waterfall. Then, once you’re back on board, the mood shifts to games, contests, and drinks.

The vibe is also family-friendly in a practical way. You’re not stuck in one place all day, and the boat portion gives you breathing room between activities. Just know it’s not a quiet, soft-spoken experience—music and party energy are part of the package.

Price and what $94.45 buys in real terms

At about $94.45 per person for roughly 7 to 8 hours, the value comes from what’s bundled together. You’re paying for a full day that includes:

• Breakfast with two options plus juice
• Lunch on the beach with multiple menu choices
• An open bar with beer, margaritas, rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey
• Snorkeling and other water activities plus snorkeling gear
• A boat-based transport day that saves you from coordinating your own rides between spots

Where the money gets tricky is how you personally like to spend time. If you love doing several water activities back-to-back, you may feel time pressure. Some feedback points to limited time for the water portion and the fact that you typically choose one activity. On the other hand, if you want a well-fed day with one or two quality water moments, this is usually a strong fit.

Also watch for the port tax of MX$33.00 per person, which is not included. That small extra cost is easy to miss if you only look at the headline price.

The Puerto Magico meeting point and the timing you should plan for

You meet in Puerto Magico, at Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. Check-in is at 9:10 am and departure is 10:00 am.

That check-in window matters because you’ll pass through registration and security before boarding. If you’re coming from a cruise ship, build in extra margin. There’s also a practical reality: when port traffic is heavy, departure and return times can shift.

One more small heads-up: you’re not just dealing with your own schedule—you’re dealing with the port’s timing too. So if you have a late dinner plan with tight connections, leave slack.

Stop 1: Puerto Magico to Majahuitas, plus breakfast views

The day starts with you boarding at the maritime terminal area in Puerto Vallarta, then getting underway. The first segment is short—about 35 minutes—but it sets the tone: register, security, then you’re moving.

Before Majahuitas, you’ll have breakfast while you admire the Banderas Bay scenery. You choose one of two breakfast options:

• Yogurt with fruit and pancakes
• Chilaquiles with egg

Then it’s juice to start the day right. This is the kind of start I like on a boat tour: you’re not hungry and grumpy when you hit the water. It also helps you power through the afternoon heat in Yelapa.

Majahuitas snorkeling: the water is the main event

Majahuitas is where this tour earns its reputation. You’ll have time here for about 2 hours, and the focus is swimming and spotting marine life in clear water.

You’ll get snorkeling equipment and head into one of the most popular water areas in the Puerto Vallarta region. If you’ve never snorkeled in a tropical bay before, Majahuitas is often the kind of place that makes you slow down and actually look.

A few practical notes:

• You’ll likely be choosing one water activity rather than doing every option back-to-back.
• Some feedback suggests fins weren’t included, so if you’re a fin-snorkeler, consider whether your own equipment would make you happier.

Also keep expectations realistic. You’re on a schedule, and the snorkeling portion isn’t set up like an all-day liveaboard. It’s a solid window to swim, enjoy the reefs, and then move on.

What else you can do in Majahuitas (and why you might feel time-boxed)

The tour includes water activities such as:

• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Inflatable float
• Extreme inflatable

You also have snorkeling on the list. The detail that changes your experience is how the day is managed once you arrive. Some people found that the activity time felt short and that it was not possible to do multiple water options in one visit.

So I’d treat Majahuitas like this: pick the one activity you’ll be happiest with. If you’re the kind of person who cares most about snorkeling, let that be the main event. If paddleboarding is your thing, choose it and don’t rely on “maybe I’ll fit snorkeling too.”

Stop 3: Yelapa beach time and the Horsetail waterfall choice

Yelapa is the heart of the land portion. You get about 3.5 hours there, which is long enough to do the waterfall plan or just enjoy the beach without racing.

Getting to the beach happens by small boat transfer from the catamaran. Then you’ll drop off belongings at a restaurant area so you can get organized for the waterfall or beach time.

From there, you choose your vibe:

• Walk toward the Horsetail waterfall
• Rent a horse or a quad/ATV for extra cost (with a local guide)
• Skip the waterfall and enjoy more beach relaxation and restaurant time

If you walk, come prepared. There’s guidance to wear footwear with traction, because there are lots of stones and the route can be steep.

About the waterfall itself: some reports mention that it may not deliver as expected, especially when water levels are low. That’s not something you can control, so I’d go in with a flexible mindset. Plan to enjoy Yelapa either way—the waterfall is a bonus, not the only reason to be there.

Food on the beach: choices matter more than you’d think

Lunch is served on the beach and is included, with menu choices listed as:

• Shrimp cocktail
• Chicken fajitas
• Beef fajitas
• Fish fillet
• Hamburger
• Cheese quesadillas

Portion size and quality tend to be the kind of issue that can swing a rating. Some feedback calls the food amazing, while other comments mention disappointment with breakfast items (like cold scrambled eggs). So keep it simple in your expectations: lunch is the more reliable meal in the plan, and it’s served in a beach setting that makes even basic dishes feel better.

If you’re sensitive to salt, spice, or temperature, think about what you can handle on a day that’s not a sit-down restaurant.

The return ride on the high seas: open bar, games, and loud music risk

After Yelapa, you get back aboard and enjoy about 2 hours of “high seas” fun. This is where the tour really turns into a party.

Open bar is active with drinks including:

• Beer
• Margaritas
• Rum
• Vodka
• Tequila
• Whiskey

There are also games and contests run onboard. The energy is high, and you should know that some people felt the music was uncomfortably loud. If you’re noise-sensitive, you’ll be happier with that expectation set before boarding.

On the plus side, this is also the segment many people remember most—the time when everyone’s loosened up, the sea is the scenery, and the ride back feels like part of the fun instead of just transportation.

Getting on and off boats: the physical reality in Yelapa

One thing that can make or break this tour for some people is the boat-to-shore process. Yelapa doesn’t work like a smooth dock day. You transfer from the catamaran to smaller boats, and there can be a jump down to reach the beach area once the waves hit.

Some feedback also notes that loading and unloading can feel difficult for older adults or people with mobility challenges, and that there are no stairs in the transfer setup.

If you have:

• limited balance,
• difficulty with stepping down,
• a fear of uneven surf boarding,

then this is the section to think about carefully. The staff may help, but you still need to be comfortable with the mechanics of getting on and off in moving water.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip)

This is a strong choice if you:

• want a full day without planning transfers yourself,
• like snorkeling and tropical water time,
• enjoy an active, social atmosphere with drinks and games,
• want Yelapa with optional waterfall time instead of only a beach chair day.

It may be less ideal if you:

• need quiet and low music,
• are strict about exact stop times,
• count on doing multiple water activities in one visit,
• dislike the idea of jumping from small boats during transfers,
• expect the waterfall to be guaranteed water-full at all times.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you want a value-packed day that mixes snorkeling, beach village time, and a fun return ride with a real bar menu. The route makes sense, the food is included in a way that actually helps, and the Majahuitas water time is the kind of stop that justifies a boat trip.

I’d hesitate if waterfall timing is your top reason for going, or if you’re mobility-limited and you don’t feel comfortable with the small-boat transfers to shore. For those cases, it’s not that the destination isn’t worth it—it’s that the mechanics of how you reach it may be the problem.

If you book, do one smart thing: keep your expectations flexible. Treat Yelapa as the win, and let the waterfall be a bonus when conditions are right.

FAQ

What time does the tour start in Puerto Vallarta?

Check-in is at 9:10 am, and the tour departure is at 10:00 am (local time).

Where do I meet for the catamaran tour?

You meet at Puerto Magico, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 7 to 8 hours.

What’s included for breakfast and lunch?

Breakfast is included with two choices: yogurt with fruit and pancakes, or chilaquiles with egg (plus juice). Lunch on the beach is included and you can choose from options such as shrimp cocktail, chicken fajitas, beef fajitas, fish fillet, hamburger, or cheese quesadillas.

What water activities are offered at Majahuitas, and is snorkeling gear provided?

The tour includes snorkeling and other water activities like kayaking and paddleboarding, plus inflatable options. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is the open bar really included?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages included are beer, margaritas, rum, vodka, tequila, and whiskey.

Is the Horsetail waterfall time optional, and can I walk to it?

You can visit the Horsetail waterfall during the Yelapa stop. You can choose to walk, or rent a horse or a quad/ATV for an additional cost.

Is the port tax included?

No. There is a port tax of MX$33.00 per person.

Will the tour run in poor weather?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Are kids free?

Children ages 0 to 2 are free of charge.

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