The 10 Best Puerto Vallarta Catamaran Cruises

1.Catamaran Yelapa Beach Tour with Snorkeling, Food and Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 23 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $94Our pick

Spend 7 to 8 hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas and Yelapa. You get breakfast, lunch, snorkeling, water activities, an open bar, and beach time. Guides such as Alberto and Brown Sugar help lead the onboard games, but expect loud music, a difficult beach transfer, and extra charges for horses or ATVs.

“Well organized with great entertainment. Although we were out of the port about an hour after we were supposed to head out, the experience stretched far into the evening. It was truly a jam packed day.”

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2.2 Hours Catamaran Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 18 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

You’ll sail from Paradise Village Public Pier along Puerto Vallarta’s coast aboard a catamaran, with sunset views, an international bar, vegan ceviche, dips, tapas, pesto pasta, and possible whale sightings in January. Live saxophone music and open-air decks add to the easygoing evening.

“Very friendly and helpful staff. Answered my questions via email prior to trip so we knew food would not be gluten free but we were welcome to bring our own. The food served was very good for those of us who can eat gluten. Loved the live music saxophone player. Says wheelchair friendly which it is to get on boat, but restrooms are downstairs and although they had railings on both sides, they were a spiral, so not wheelchair friendly. Cruise itself was a very mellow ride - easy to walk around. Boat has upper and lower deck with benches and some tables & chairs. We got to sit at…”

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3.Discover Hobie-Cat Sailing and Fish your own Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Learn to read the wind and sail a 16-foot Hobie Cat with a licensed guide in Puerto Vallarta. You will practice steering and basic maneuvers, set fishing lines, and may finish with fresh ceviche or sashimi from your catch. Dolphins, turtles, and seasonal whales are possible sightings.

“We had a wonderful time sailing with our 8 year old son! This was a highlight of the trip. They are really patient and easy to understand. They let everyone try to steer and turn the boat around all while teaching the basics of sailing. We sadly did not catch any fish, but we still enjoyed the fresh guacamole on the beach afterward and stuck around to relax. I would highly recommend this activity!”

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4.Catamaran Tour to the Arches, Playa las Animas, Snorkeling and more

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 6 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $92Best value

Spend 7 to 8 hours aboard a catamaran from Puerto Vallarta, snorkeling at Los Arcos, stopping at Playa Las Animas, and choosing between beach time, water sports, or a 1.5-kilometer walk to Quimixto waterfall. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, an open bar, and onboard entertainment are included.

“Trip was just okay, wouldn't do it again. Only made 2 stops, thought we were making 3. Snorkeling was okay, water was pretty murky, a lot of people in same area swimming together. Lunch at thr Beach was just okay, took a long time to get food. Getting back on the boat after beach stay took way to long, need a better process. Boat ride back to the port was way to slow. Seemed dragged out for longer trip. Workers were friendly and nice, they did a great job for what it was.”

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5.Tour Yelapas and Mahahuitas in Catamaran with Lunch and Open Bar!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $120

Join ParaViajantes Tours for a 7 to 8 hour catamaran trip from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa and Majahuitas. Walk Yelapa’s colorful paths, then snorkel, kayak, paddle board, or relax at a quiet beach club. Breakfast, lunch, equipment, insurance, and boat drinks are included.

“Extremely disappointed! Wanted to kayak with my husband using a 2 person kayak and only singles were available. The single kayaks were not available for everyone. I had to wait 20 minutes for other people to finish first. No time limit. I only had 4 minutes as our time was up. Had to move to the next stop. Very disappointed”

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6.Isla Marietas Catamaran Tour! Full Day Nature Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 5 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $96

Spend about eight hours aboard a two-level catamaran from Puerto Vallarta, with breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, music, and an open bar after Isla Marietas. Expect roughly six hours on the boat and two hours near the islands. Extra cash fees apply.

“We had a motor issue but the crew took care of us. We made the best of it and had lots of fun. Still completed our tour, took a little longer than expected but once again the crew was amazing. Definitely recommended”

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7.Islas Marietas – Incredible Tour Catamaran from Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 5 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $92

Set out from Puerto Vallarta at 8 a.m. on a shared catamaran to the Marietas Islands. You get breakfast, lunch, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, music, and drinks on the return. David, Charly, and Alan are among the crew named in the tour experience.

“Best of the best! This tour was amazing and the guys work so hard to make this possible. Thank you David, Charly and Alan !! You guys rock. 💙”

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8.Catamaran Islas Marietas – Snorkel & Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 3 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $92

You’ll sail from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands National Park for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, breakfast, lunch, and music. Hidden Beach may be offered, but conditions can affect access. The tour lasts about 10 hours and allows up to 90 people.

“The description that was given was not accurate. This was not a catamaran, there was over 100 people on this trip, not 30, we were told this guide was in English and it was 90% Spanish. The food was so so and the drinks hardly had any alcohol. The didn’t give out snorkels for the snorkeling because of Covid. I’ve been other places where they did. We were only allowed 30 mins to snorkel. This was supposed to be a 6 hour trip but turned into 9. 90% of the music was in Spanish. On a good note the staff were very nice and friendly.”

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9.Catamaran Sunset Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $115

Mike’s Sunset Catamaran Tour sails for 2.5 hours from Paradise Village Public Pier across Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay. You’ll have an international bar, vegan ceviche, tapas, pesto pasta, live saxophone, onboard facilities, and crew entertainment while the sun drops over the water.

“The tour itself was great. Open bar, saxophonist and staff were great. The view of the sunset and length of tour was fantastic - we even got to see whales! Getting on the boat was weird. The directions were correct but everyone just kinda stood there until someone came out and had half the group write their name on a sheet and then stopped. It would have been much better if someone was directing everyone before that. I didn’t deduct stars but the food was meh. Eat beforehand or bring your own food.”

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10.Islas Marietas Experience! Catamaran Nature Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $96

Spend about eight hours aboard a two-level catamaran from Puerto Vallarta to the Marietas Islands. Expect breakfast, lunch, snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, music, and an open bar after the island visit. The trip includes about six hours at sea and two hours at the islands, with a maximum of 75 people.

“Highly recommended tour. The entire crew was friendly, attentive, and genuinely supportive throughout the experience. We were lucky enough to see whales on both rides, and the Marietas Islands eco tour was absolutely worth it. A truly memorable experience from start to finish.”

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