Snorkel time and waterfall time. This Majahuitas + Yelapa boat day packs serious ocean time with a beach village that you reach only by sea, plus options to walk to a waterfall when you want more than just sand and sun. I love that the tour includes snorkeling gear and a real marine-life stop, not just a photo break. I also like how your Yelapa time is flexible, so you can keep it chill on the beach or choose an add-on adventure.

One thing to factor in: boarding can feel slow. If you’re the type who hates lines, plan extra patience at check-in. Also, the waterfall stop is optional and can cost extra once you’re there, and not everyone loves the value of the cascade itself.

Key things to know before you go

• Majahuitas snorkeling for 45 minutes with provided equipment and life jackets
• Yelapa’s sea-only access, built for beach time and quick village exploring
• Lunch onboard plus a bar that starts flowing after snorkeling and stays going on the return
• Waterfall options are available during your Yelapa free time (often as a paid add-on on site)
• A fun party on the way back, including music and a dance-off game

Majahuitas Snorkeling: the main event on a Puerto Vallarta catamaran day

If you’re picking this tour for one reason, it’s the Majahuitas Beach snorkeling. The plan is simple: you cruise out from Puerto Vallarta, get geared up, then spend about 45 minutes in the water exploring underwater life near the shoreline.

What makes Majahuitas appealing is that it’s a real snorkeling destination. You’re not just wearing fins for a few minutes to prove you tried. You also have a built-in rhythm: snorkel, then head back to the boat where the vibe shifts from activity mode to relaxation.

This is also where the tour’s included items matter. You’re provided snorkeling equipment and life jackets, so you’re not stuck hunting for rental gear at the last minute. If you’re a more casual snorkeler, that’s a big deal—less hassle, more time actually in the water. If you’re comfortable in the ocean already, the provided gear still saves you money and time.

One practical tip: snorkeling time is time. Wear sunscreen before you get in, keep your phone sealed (if you bring it), and treat the 45 minutes like a window you want to use well. Bring a little towel or cover-up, because you’ll go from ocean to boat pretty quickly.

Yelapa by sea: beach time plus waterfall and activity choices

After Majahuitas, the tour heads to Yelapa, the beach village that you reach by boat. The stop is about 2.5 hours, with time for a photo stop, exploring, and free time that you control.

Yelapa is where you can choose your pace. If you want rest, you can simply spend your time on the sand and in the shade. If you want movement, you may be able to add activities during your free time, including paddleboarding or kayaking (availability depends on what’s running that day and what you choose to book on site).

Then there’s the waterfall idea. One option is a walk to a local waterfall that’s described as about a 20-minute walk. That’s great if you want a short hike without committing to a full-day trek.

Here’s the balanced note: not everyone thinks the waterfall is worth the extra cost once you’re there. One guest felt a paid cascade trip didn’t deliver much in size or authenticity value for what they paid. My advice: if a waterfall is what you truly want, go in with realistic expectations. It’s a nice bonus, but it’s not the sole reason to book the day unless you’re okay treating it as a worthwhile side quest.

The food and open bar that change the feel of the day

This tour feels smoother because meals are handled. Before you even reach the water, you get breakfast onboard: scrambled eggs with ham, fresh fruit, hotcakes, coffee, juice, and water. It’s the kind of start that helps if you don’t want to find food before a morning on the boat.

Then the food rhythm continues. After snorkeling and sailing, you return for lunch onboard with grilled beef burgers, green salad with shrimp, and cold pasta with fine herbs. In a day like this, that matters because the schedule is packed. You’re less likely to end up hangry or forced to buy lunch at whatever corner you can find.

Now add the drinks. The bar opens after snorkeling, and it continues during the return trip. A guest also described being greeted with mimosas, which tells me they sometimes bring a celebratory touch right at the start. Don’t assume that exact detail will happen every time, but the key point is consistent: the return journey includes open bar.

On the fun side, the ride back turns into a party atmosphere. Music plays, people mingle, and there’s a dance-off on the deck with teams picked during the game. If you’re traveling solo, this kind of group interaction can be a pleasant surprise rather than a forced social moment.

The ride itself: how long you’re on the water (and how to use that time)

This is a 7-hour day, and most of your time is split between two real locations plus the travel in between.

• There’s about 1 hour of catamaran time to get to the Majahuitas area.
• You snorkel for about 45 minutes.
• After that, there’s roughly 25 minutes to reach Yelapa.
• Then you have about 2.5 hours at Yelapa, with time for pictures, visiting, and free time.
• You return to Puerto Vallarta for the onboard food and party section.

That pacing is good if you like variety. You’re getting a water activity (snorkeling), a land-and-beach experience (Yelapa), and then a relaxed sailing finish. It’s not a slow sunset cruise with long wandering. It’s more of a structured day where you’ll want to be ready to switch gears.

How to use the ride time well:

• Treat the boat as your reset. Breakfast and shade matter on a sunny coast day.
• If seasickness is a concern for you, this is when you want to be proactive—especially during the longer boat stretches. (Bring what works for you; nothing about this tour is described as medicine-included.)
• Keep your valuables dry. You’ll be back and forth from deck to your gear.

Price and value: what $81 really covers

At $81 per person, this is a mid-range excursion for Puerto Vallarta. What pushes it toward good value is what’s included.

Included highlights:

• Breakfast and lunch onboard
• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets
• Professional guides
• Open bar on the return trip

Not included:

• A port tax/fee that’s listed (depending on the exact note) around 30–32 pesos
• Pictures (so if you want photos handled by staff, you’ll pay separately)

When you compare it to the cost of booking snorkeling gear plus boat transport plus meals plus drinks, this package price starts to make more sense. The food alone helps, because beach lunch can add up quickly on a busy coastal day.

One more value lens: if you’re the kind of person who would otherwise spend money trying to get to a snorkeling spot independently, the tour saves effort. You don’t have to coordinate times, transport, or equipment.

The main value risk is the optional waterfall. If you end up paying for a waterfall add-on that doesn’t satisfy you, the day’s overall feel can shift. But if you treat Yelapa as the main beach experience and the waterfall as a maybe, the day stays strong.

Getting there: meeting point and the moment to arrive calm

The starting point is Puerto Mágico – Centro Comercial en Puerto Vallarta. Meet at the main entrance on the left side.

Here’s the key logistics detail that can save you stress:

1. Pay the port fee at the entrance first (the note says 30 pesos).
2. Then find the Grupo Naviero team, in gray polo shirts with a white logo.
3. Only staff check your ticket, and any additional payments are handled directly with the company staff.

Because boarding can involve lines, I recommend you arrive early enough that you’re not rushing. One traveler described waiting over an hour for ticket verification because there was only one person doing the checks and handing out meal and boarding items. I can’t promise your day will match that, but early arrival is your hedge.

What to bring:

• Sunscreen and a hat (you’ll be in the sun for hours)
• A cover-up for the boat-to-beach switch
• Reef-friendly swimwear if you have it
• If you plan to do extra activities in Yelapa, keep small cash for on-site options

Who should book this tour?

This tour suits you if you want a balanced day: real snorkeling time plus a beach village stop, with food and drinks handled for you. It’s also a decent choice if you’re okay with a group format and you like a bit of onboard energy on the way back.

You might want to skip it (or at least go in with open expectations) if:

• You hate waiting and want a perfectly smooth boarding process
• You’re mainly chasing the waterfall experience as your top priority
• You’d rather not pay extra once you reach Yelapa for optional add-ons

On the positive social side, one solo rider described feeling welcomed quickly by local people at the dock and made friends before leaving. That’s not guaranteed, but it hints at the friendly feel of the stop.

Should you book Marina Vallarta: Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Tour?

Yes—if your priority is snorkeling at Majahuitas plus easy meals and an open bar return, this is a strong value day. The best-case version is a smooth morning start, a good snorkel session with provided gear, and a relaxing Yelapa beach stop where you can choose how active you want to be.

My final advice: treat the waterfall as an optional bonus, not the anchor of your day. And if you’re sensitive to lines, arrive early and keep your expectations flexible during boarding.

If that sounds like your style, this tour is built for you.

FAQ

How long is the Marina Vallarta Yelapa and Majahuitas snorkeling tour?

It lasts about 7 hours.

Where does the tour meet in Puerto Vallarta?

The meeting point is at Puerto Mágico – Centro Comercial en Puerto Vallarta, at the main entrance on the left side.

What is the port fee, and is it included?

A port fee is paid at the entrance. It is listed as 30 pesos in the meeting-point instructions, and a port tax of 32 pesos is noted as not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes all necessary equipment for snorkeling, plus life jackets.

How long do you snorkel at Majahuitas?

Snorkeling time is listed as about 45 minutes.

What happens during the Yelapa stop?

You’ll have a photo stop and visit time, then about 2.5 hours of free time in Yelapa. Options may include relaxing on the beach, hiking to a nearby waterfall, and activities like paddleboarding or kayaking.

What food is included during the tour?

Breakfast onboard includes scrambled eggs with ham, fresh fruit, hotcakes, coffee, juice, and water. Lunch onboard includes grilled beef burgers, green salad with shrimp, and cold pasta with fine herbs.

Is there alcohol on the tour?

Yes. There is an open bar on the return trip, and the bar opens again after the Majahuitas snorkeling portion.

Are pictures included?

No. Pictures are not included.

What languages are the tour guide?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish and English.