Two beaches, one waterfall, and easy snorkeling. This private boat tour takes you from Los Muertos to Yelapa with guided swimming and snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park, plus a hike to the Yelapa falls. What I like most is how the day is built around actual water time, not just sitting on a schedule.

The other thing I really enjoy is the Yelapa waterfall stop: it’s a short, straightforward walk from town to the lower falls, so it feels doable even if you’re not a hardcore hiker. One thing to consider: this experience runs best with good weather, and poor conditions can change plans.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Private boat for your group: no mixing with strangers.
• Los Arcos National Marine Park snorkeling: caves, tunnels, arches, and reef.
• Two beach stops: Playa de los Muertos area views plus time in Yelapa.
• Waterfall hike without the work: short walk to the lower falls.
• Captain-loaner snorkeling gear: you won’t need to pack bulky equipment.
• Guided route to the best swim spots: you’re not guessing where to go.

A Private Boat Day From Los Muertos to Yelapa

If your ideal Puerto Vallarta day involves real sea time, this is the kind of trip that delivers. You start at the Los Muertos Beach Pier (Francisca Rodríguez 121, Zona Romántica), and you’re back there at the end. The whole outing is about 5 hours 30 minutes, which is long enough to feel like a getaway but not so long that the day drags.

The private setup matters more than you might think. With only your group onboard, you can move at a pace that makes sense for your people. You also get more focused guidance—exactly what you want when the goal is swimming and snorkeling rather than “look at the coastline from a distance.”

And yes, the crew typically keeps things light. On at least some departures, guides like Chema and Manuel are the kind of people who make the day feel fun while still steering you toward good water spots.

Price and What You Really Get for $220

At $220 per person, this isn’t a “cheap and cheerful” excursion. But it does include several things that quietly add value once you’re on the water: snorkeling equipment, an ice chest, and a guide-led route designed around swim time.

Also, you’re paying for convenience. Snorkeling gear can be bulky or expensive to rent separately, and most people would rather spend money on the experience itself than on gear logistics. Here, you’re told you can use the captain’s snorkeling equipment—so you arrive with just the essentials.

Another quiet win: the plan includes a marine park stop where admission is included, plus time at beaches and a waterfall walk. You’re not buying extra tickets all day long, and you’ll know what’s covered before you go. Lunch isn’t included, but you do get time in Yelapa where you can choose from beachfront restaurants.

Playa de los Muertos: The Quick Look That Sets the Tone

The day kicks off with a ride south from Los Muertos Pier. You’ll get a view of Playa de los Muertos—one of the famous names in the area—without it turning into a long land stop. It’s more like a scenic opener: get out on the water, get your bearings, and then start stacking up the main moments.

This first stop is brief by design. You’re not spending the morning doing errands; you’re getting moving toward the part of the trip that people usually book for: Los Arcos snorkeling and Yelapa time. Admission here is free, which helps keep the day simple.

If you like your travel days to start quickly and build momentum, this works well. You won’t feel stuck at the dock long enough to grow bored.

Los Arcos Marine Park Snorkeling: Caves, Arches, and Reef Time

This is the main event, and it earns that role. The boat heads to Parque Nacional Marino Los Arcos de Mismaloya, a protected marine area out at sea between Mismaloya beach and Las Gemelas. Expect an environment with caves, deep tunnels, arches, and a striking reef—structure that gives snorkeling more to look at than just open sand.

You’ll have about 40 minutes here. That’s enough time to get in the water, make a couple of calm passes, and come back with actual “I saw something” moments rather than just a quick splash-and-go.

The best part for most people is the guidance. Your guide is there to help you find good swimming and snorkeling spots—exactly the thing you’d struggle with if you tried to DIY it. And since you don’t have to pack your own gear, you can focus on one goal: get in the water and enjoy what’s there.

A practical note: the snorkel portion is weather-dependent. If conditions are rough, the day may not run as planned. So if you’re sensitive to choppy water, don’t book this as a last-minute gamble.

Yelapa Beach Time: Restaurants, Rest, and a Real Local Tempo

After the marine park, you head to Yelapa. You’ll have about 1 hour 30 minutes here. Yelapa sits in the southern zone of Puerto Vallarta and it’s reached either on foot or by boat, which gives the area a more relaxed, coastal feel than the busier beachfront strips.

The beach stop includes a chance to reset: swim, soak up some sun, and enjoy the setting. Yelapa also gives you a more personal choice for food. You can pick a beachfront restaurant for lunch, and the boat portion of the day keeps you away from long drives.

Bring Mexican pesos for meals, souvenirs, incidentals, and gratuities. Lunch isn’t included in the tour price, so you’ll want a plan for what you want to do on shore—eat right away, or do a snack then lunch.

One more reason this stop works: you’re not rushed into a long land program. The goal here is to let the coast feel like the coast.

Yelapa Waterfalls: The Short Walk to a Cool-Off

Next comes the Yelapa Waterfalls hike. This is one of those experiences that sounds more intense than it is. The walk to the lower falls is described as short and easy, and it’s near the small beachfront village. You go from the town area to the lower falls, where you can cool off in the clear, chilly water.

You’ll have about 30 minutes for this. That’s enough time to get the photos, feel the payoff, and still be ready when the boat part of the day resumes.

What I like about this stop is the simple contrast. You snorkel in ocean water, then you get that different kind of cooling—fresh water, cooler temps, and a bit of forest-and-rock atmosphere. It breaks up the trip so it feels varied instead of repetitive.

If you’re traveling with mixed levels of fitness, this is often a good compromise. It’s not a long trekking day, but it’s still something you genuinely do, not just watch from a distance.

The Snorkeling Gear Setup That Keeps the Day Easy

Here’s a real comfort point: you don’t need to pack snorkeling gear. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment, and you’re told you can borrow the captain’s gear. For a lot of travelers, that single detail is worth booking by itself, because it removes one of the least fun parts of vacation packing.

The tour also provides an ice chest, which helps with keeping beverages cold on the water. It’s explicitly encouraged that you bring beverages and snacks for the boat ride. That’s smart, because your day includes several active segments and you’ll appreciate having something on hand if you get hungry between stops.

Bring the basics you’d bring for any water day: swimsuits, towels, and sunscreen. And if you’ve ever had sunscreen disasters mid-trip, bring enough to cover you properly—sun plus sea equals fast burn.

Timing, Weather, and How to Plan Your Day

The start time is 9:30 am, and the tour ends back at the same meeting point. The schedule is built around different environments: morning marine park snorkeling, early-to-midday beach time in Yelapa, and a short hike to the falls.

That timing usually works well because you’re not trying to squeeze these things into one miserable afternoon window. You get morning energy for snorkeling, and you still have enough daylight for the waterfall stop.

The big planning factor is weather. The tour requires good conditions, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund. That’s not something to ignore. If you’re choosing between tours and one is clearly more weather-prone, this is the one you should watch carefully.

Guide Style and the Value of Local Spot-Finding

One of the most underrated parts of boat tours is how much effort goes into finding the right swim areas. Here, your guide is responsible for steering you toward the best swimming and snorkeling spots around the marine park and coastline.

On trips like this, conditions can shift: visibility changes, current can vary, and not every spot is equally comfortable in the same moment. A guide’s judgment makes the difference between “we floated near something cool” and “we saw things up close.”

Also, if you get guides like Chema and Manuel, expect a friendly vibe. The stories about them highlight a fun attitude—exactly what you want when the tour includes both active water time and a land walk.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Want Something Different)

This is a great choice for you if:

• You want snorkeling time without the gear hassle.
• You like a balanced day: ocean, beaches, and a short hike.
• You prefer a private setup where your group can stay together without compromises.

It’s also a smart option if you’re booking with people who want different types of fun. Someone might focus on snorkeling, someone else might love Yelapa’s beach pace, and the whole group can enjoy the waterfall payoff.

You might want a different kind of tour if:

• You hate being on boats for a good chunk of the morning.
• Your group needs a long, structured land itinerary with lots of time on foot (this is mainly sea + short shore stops).

Should You Book This Yelapa Boat Tour?

I’d book it if you want a day that feels like a true coastal escape: guided snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park, beach time in Yelapa, and a quick walk to a waterfall payoff. The $220 price is easier to justify when you look at what you get included—gear, ice chest support, a guide-led route, and marine park admission coverage.

Skip it only if your travel style needs a more flexible, wandering itinerary, or if weather timing is risky for your trip window. Otherwise, this one is a strong bet for Puerto Vallarta visitors who want authenticity without complexity.

If you do book, do one thing well: pack like a water traveler. Sunscreen, towel, swimsuit, and a plan for pesos for lunch and extras will make the whole day feel smoother from pier to waterfall.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Private Boat Tour to Yelapa?

The tour runs about 5 hours 30 minutes.

Where does the tour start, and what time does it begin?

It starts at Los Muertos Beach Pier (Francisca Rodríguez 121, Zona Romántica) and the start time is 9:30 am.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. The tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment, and you can borrow the captain’s gear.

What snorkeling location does the tour include?

You’ll snorkel at Los Arcos National Marine Park (Parque Nacional Marino Los Arcos de Mismaloya).

Is lunch included in the price?

No. Lunch isn’t included. The tour provides beach and town time so you can buy food on your own.

What should I bring?

Bring swimsuits, towels, sunscreen, and Mexican pesos for restaurant meals, souvenirs, incidentals, and gratuities. You’re also welcomed to bring beverages and snacks for the boat ride.

Does the tour run in all 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.