A private sail beats the big-boat shuffle. On the Chica Sailing Adventure in the Bay of Banderas, you can shape the day around your mood, not someone else’s schedule, with brand-name open bar and real time in the water. I also like the crew energy, and names like Gonzalo, Roberto, Victor, and Lalo show up again and again in the way they take care of small details. One thing to plan for: there’s no hotel pickup, and you’ll need to get yourself to the Paradise Village pier meeting spot.

This is built for groups who want a calmer, more personal day on a 41-foot boat, usually around 5 hours total, with a big chunk of that time cruising and hanging out in the bay. If you’re booking for wildlife season, humpback whales can show up, adding that extra wow moment to an already great sunset-or-anytime sail.

Quick hits: what matters most

• Truly private boat time for your group, not a shared cattle-car cruise
• Open bar plus snacks like ceviche and guacamole chips, with breakfast fruit/muffins on morning trips
• Water toys included: snorkel gear, paddle boards, water mattress, and a water tube
• Bay of Banderas cruise with plenty of flexibility, including time to swim and play
• Whale potential in season, so bring your camera and keep an eye on the horizon
• Add-ons you can choose: fajita lunch (extra 200 pesos pp) and photographer services

Why this 41-foot private sail in Puerto Vallarta feels like a real treat

Puerto Vallarta is great, but the usual boat options can feel crowded and timed-to-the-minute. This charter flips that. You get a 41-foot sailing boat experience where the crew can steer the day toward what your group actually wants, whether that means a slow, romantic cruise or an active “time in the water” afternoon.

The other big reason to pay attention: the all-inclusive package isn’t just a free soda and a sad bag of chips vibe. You’re looking at a brand-name open bar, plus snacks that include ceviche and guacamole with blue corn chips, and additional options if you want to turn the day into a full meal. In short, it’s built for people who want the day to run smoothly.

Your start point: Paradise Village Pier and the no-pickup reality

The meeting point is Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico. There’s a quick check-in/boarding window (about 20 minutes at the pier before you head out), then you settle in for the bay time.

Here’s the practical part: hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included, so plan your ride to the marina. Also, you must choose your meeting place before submitting your reservation. If you’re traveling in a group or using taxis, do a simple headcount and confirm everyone has the same pickup spot.

On the plus side, it’s near public transportation, so you’re not locked into one exact method of getting there.

The “no set itinerary” approach: how customization actually works

This tour is flexible by design. There isn’t one rigid stop list you’re forced to follow. Instead, you choose the vibe, and the crew handles the rest.

That matters because the Bay of Banderas can deliver different experiences depending on conditions and what your group feels like doing. Want more swimming than sailing? Or more sailing than snacks? The format is set up so you can steer the day.

One small detail with big impact: the boat crew can also include sailing time in the experience, whether you’re there to relax or you want to learn how sailing works. If you’re the type who likes to be hands-on, this is the kind of setting where that can happen without turning your day into a classroom.

Bay of Banderas cruising: coastline views, swim time, and whale chances in season

After you meet at the pier, you get roughly 4 hours on the water cruising around Puerto Vallarta’s coastline and the Bay of Banderas. That’s where the day really happens.

This is also where the wildlife possibilities come in. In season, humpback whales can appear, and that can turn an ordinary “sunset on a boat” moment into something you’ll remember for years. Based on past experiences shared with the operator, whale sightings can be close enough that people are visibly excited and ready with their phones.

A quick note for your planning brain: whale viewing isn’t guaranteed year-round, so don’t build your entire trip around a single animal. But do bring a camera, sunglasses, and a “we’ll see what we see” attitude.

All-inclusive drinks and snacks: what you actually get

This charter is built around an easy, keep-it-going plan. The bar is open and includes brand-name options. You can order things like piña coladas, margaritas, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and also basics like water, coffee, juices, and sodas.

Food is also part of the package. Included snacks are:

• Ceviche
• Fresh made guacamole with blue corn chips
• Potato chips

If you book on a morning tour, breakfast is included with in-season fruit, muffins, and coffee/juices. That’s great because it removes one more decision. You’re not juggling “lunch first or drinks first.” You can just enjoy the day.

If your group likes Mexican flavors, there’s an easy upgrade: a hot lunch of Mexican fajitas from the boat kitchen is available for an additional 200 pesos per person. It’s optional, so you can keep things light or go full meal mode.

Snorkel gear, paddle boards, and water toys: the fun part you don’t have to plan

One of my favorite ways to judge an all-inclusive boat tour is simple: do you get the gear, or do you just get told where to swim?

Here, you get snorkel equipment and paddle boards, plus water toys like a water mattress and a water tube. That means your group can bounce between relaxing on the boat and getting active without needing to bring your own equipment.

It also makes this a good choice for mixed groups. Some people want to swim and snorkel. Others want to float, sunbathe, or just enjoy the motion of the waves. The setup supports both moods.

From the way the day is described, you can also end up in a calmer, more secluded-feeling area for swimming and paddle boarding. That’s exactly what you want for an afternoon when you’d rather hear wind and water than cruise-ship announcements.

Crew care matters: the service vibe that keeps showing up

On a private sail, the crew becomes part of the story. You’re not just renting a boat and hoping for the best.

The names that keep popping up include Gonzalo, Roberto, Victor, Lalo, Pepe, Victorio, and others. What stands out isn’t just friendliness. It’s the combination of:

• making sure your drinks stay flowing
• keeping food and snacks arriving at the right times
• giving you helpful local context about the area
• making people feel comfortable on the boat fast

People also mention the crew as attentive without being overbearing, which is a fine line on a small-group charter. If you want a day that feels like you’re being hosted, this is the sort of operation that tends to deliver.

And if your group wants music, it sounds like the crew can read the vibe and keep things fun while you’re sailing and hanging out on the water.

Price and value: $1,155 per group and why private can still make sense

The posted price is $1,155.00 per group (up to 8). On its face, that’s not a “cheap excursion.” But private sailing math often comes out better than expected once you compare it to multiple tickets on a bigger boat where you still have to buy drinks and snacks separately.

Here’s the value logic that matters:

• you’re paying for a whole private experience, not just a seat
• drinks are included (and that’s usually the biggest add-on cost on boats)
• snorkel gear and paddle boards are included
• food snacks (ceviche, guacamole chips, etc.) are included, and breakfast is included on morning tours

If you split the total across eight people, the cost can feel more reasonable than it first appears—especially if your group actually drinks and plans to use the water toys.

If you’re a larger group, pay attention: the operator mentions groups up to 16 people as a charter fit, but the price is per group up to 8. That means you should confirm how pricing works for your headcount and what your exact group size selection covers.

Lunch add-on and photographer options: simple upgrades, clear tradeoffs

Two add-ons can make your day even easier to remember:

1. Fajita lunch for an additional 200 pesos per person

This is the “turn it into a full meal” option. If your group is hungry and you don’t want to go find food later, it’s a convenient way to handle it.

1. Photographer services for purchase

If you want photos without passing the phone around constantly, reserve a photographer. It’s not included, but it’s a smart add-on for birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, bachelorette groups, or any day you want to look back on later.

If you do add either option, plan your budget with the expectation that they’ll be charged separately on top of the base charter price.

Who this sail is best for (and who might want a different plan)

This charter shines when you want:

• private boat time
• plenty of time to swim, snorkel, and paddle board
• a bar-and-snacks setup that keeps the day relaxed
• a crew that works to match your group’s energy

It’s also a strong pick for couples. Many couples like this kind of charter because you’re not squeezed into a larger mixed group. If you’re celebrating something, the private setting gives you space for small surprises—cake moments and birthday surprises have happened on this kind of day, based on what’s been shared.

Who might not love it? If your group depends on hotel pickup and wants everything handled end-to-end, remember: you’ll need your own transport to the pier. Also, if you’re expecting a fixed, tick-the-box route with specific guaranteed stops, the flexibility might feel less structured than some people prefer.

Tips to make your 5 hours feel longer (in a good way)

Here are practical things that help on any sailing day, and they match how this charter is set up:

• Get to the pier early and together. The day starts at Paradise Village Pier, and check-in is quick.
• Bring swim basics even if snorkel gear is provided. You’ll want your own towel and a plan for what to do with wet items.
• Use the water toys before you’re hungry or tired. People tend to do better when they catch the best energy window for swimming and paddle boarding.
• Plan your group vibe. If you want calm and romantic, say that early. If you want more active time, ask for it.
• If whales matter to you, treat it like a bonus. In season, it can happen, but the real win is the sail itself.

Should you book this Puerto Vallarta private sailing adventure?

If you want one standout day in Puerto Vallarta that feels like a treat—not a crowded tour—this private charter is an easy yes to consider. The big selling points are the all-inclusive open bar, the included water gear, and the way the crew focuses on comfort and fun. Add in the Bay of Banderas cruising and the whale-in-season possibility, and you’re looking at a day that can be either calm and scenic or playful and active.

Book it if:

• you’re traveling with a group of up to eight (or you’re willing to confirm how pricing works if you’re bigger)
• you want to swim/snorkel/paddle board without extra rentals
• you’d like a crew-led experience that still feels personal

Skip it if:

• you need hotel pickup and door-to-door transport
• you want a rigid, scheduled itinerary with guaranteed wildlife every time

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Chica Sailing Adventure private cruise?

The tour lasts about 5 hours total, including a short pier meeting/check-in time and about 4 hours on the water around the Bay of Banderas.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are not included. You’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point at Paradise Village Public Pier.

What’s included in the all-inclusive package?

Included items include a brand-name open bar, snacks like ceviche and guacamole with blue corn chips, and water activities gear such as snorkel equipment and paddle boards (plus water mattress and water tube). Landing and facility fees are also included.

What’s the meeting point?

You’ll meet at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier (Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico). The operator notes it’s important to choose your meeting place before booking.

Can my group be larger than eight?

The price is listed per group up to 8, but the charter is described as suitable for groups up to 16 people. You should confirm how your exact group size maps to the booking options and pricing.

Are humpback whales guaranteed?

No. Humpback whales are mentioned as a possibility in season, so you can have great odds during the whale period, but it’s not guaranteed.

Is lunch or a photographer available for extra cost?

Yes. You can add a hot lunch of Mexican fajitas for 200 pesos per person. Photographer services are also available for purchase.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.