A sailing catamaran under sail on open water

Catamarans & trimarans

Catamaran Charters in Puerto Vallarta

Sailing catamarans, a power catamaran, trimarans and two large event catamarans, all private and crewed. Two or three hulls mean wide decks with room for everyone to spread out.

Why a catamaran

Catamaran charter in Puerto Vallarta: space first

A catamaran spreads its deck across two hulls instead of one, and that changes how a day on the water feels.

Because the hulls sit far apart, a catamaran is wide for its length. In practice that means a broad deck that is easy to move around on, generous seating, and often a lounge or trampoline at the bow. Twin hulls also tend to roll less than a single hull when anchored, which many guests appreciate during swim stops and long lunches. Sea conditions still decide what is comfortable on the day, and the captain has the final word.

The 10 multihulls in this collection cover very different kinds of day. Some are sailing catamarans for smaller groups; one is a power catamaran; two are trimarans with three hulls; and two are event catamarans for groups of 55 and more. All are private charters with a captain and crew.

That variety makes catamarans a natural choice for celebrations, sunset cruises and snorkeling days, whenever people want to move around, find a spot in the sun or the shade, and settle in.

A trimaran anchored off a jungle-backed beach
Sun loungers on the deck of a large catamaran

Four kinds of multihull

Sailing, power, trimaran or event catamaran

The type is listed on every card. Here is what each one means for your day.

Sailing catamarans

The Lagoon 38, Leopard 44, Lagoon 45 and Lagoon 45 II are listed as sailing catamarans. They combine a sailing yacht's character with a catamaran's space, and some list a galley, a sound system or, on the Leopard 44, a BBQ grill. Whether sails are raised on your charter depends on the wind, the route and the crew, so ask if sailing matters to you.

Power catamaran

The Lagoon 43 is listed as a power catamaran: twin hulls driven by engines rather than sails. Its listing describes it as a stable catamaran well suited to birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed cove-hopping, with a kayak and a paddleboard aboard.

Trimarans

Three hulls instead of two. The Custom 34 Trimaran is a shaded, open boat often chosen for parties, sunset cruises and beach-club transfers. The Trimaran 40 is built around a set Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with an open bar, described further down this page.

Event catamarans

Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 are the fleet's largest vessels, with bars, four restrooms each and a captain with a crew of six. Minimum group sizes apply: 55 and 65 guests respectively, per their listings.

The collection

10 catamarans and trimarans

All list a Puerto Vallarta departure, and the two event catamarans can also leave from Nuevo Vallarta. Cards show the listed maximum and food and drink arrangement for each.

Custom 34 Trimaran — trimaran available for private charterIce & water

Custom 34 Trimaran

Up to 30 guests34 ftPuerto Vallarta

A shaded, open trimaran for up to 30 guests, often chosen for parties, sunset cruises and beach-club transfers.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • BYO food & drinks
Lagoon 38 — sailing catamaran available for private charterDrinks & snacks

Lagoon 38

Up to 20 guests38 ftPuerto Vallarta

A sailing catamaran with a large front trampoline, two bathrooms and a sound system, plus a kayak and paddleboard.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
  • Sound system
Trimaran 40 — trimaran available for private charterOpen bar & food

Trimaran 40

Up to 40 guests40 ftPuerto Vallarta

Built around a Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with guided snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch and a national open bar.

  • Open bar
  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
Lagoon 43 — power catamaran available for private charterDrinks & snacks

Lagoon 43

Up to 25 guests43 ftPuerto Vallarta

A stable catamaran for up to 25 guests, well suited to birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed cove-hopping.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
  • BYO food & drinks
Leopard 44 — sailing catamaran available for private charterDrinks & snacks

Leopard 44

Up to 15 guests44 ftPuerto Vallarta

A modern catamaran with a forward cockpit, air-conditioned salon, Bluetooth stereo and a BBQ grill.

  • Snorkel gear
  • A/C salon
  • Sound system
  • BYO food & drinks
Lagoon 45 — sailing catamaran available for private charterDrinks & snacks

Lagoon 45

Up to 25 guests45 ftPuerto Vallarta

A modern, elegant catamaran for up to 25 guests, popular for proposals, anniversaries and sunset dinners.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
  • BYO food & drinks
Lagoon 45 II — sailing catamaran available for private charterDrinks & snacks

Lagoon 45 II

Up to 14 guests45 ftPuerto Vallarta

A second Lagoon 45 with two paddleboards and a kayak, styled for intimate celebrations and sunset dinners.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
  • BYO food & drinks
Catamaran 47 — catamaran available for private charterIce & water

Catamaran 47

Up to 25 guests47 ftPuerto Vallarta

A simple, spacious catamaran for groups of up to 25 who prefer to arrange their own food and drinks.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • BYO food & drinks
Catamaran 72 — large event catamaran available for private charterOpen bar & food

Catamaran 72

Up to 150 guests72 ftPuerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta

A 72-foot event catamaran for 55 to 150 guests, with a bar, four restrooms, a sound system and menu options by charter length.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak
Catamaran 90 — large event catamaran available for private charterOpen bar & food

Catamaran 90

Up to 200 guests90 ftPuerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta

The largest vessel in the fleet: up to 200 guests, two bars, a DJ booth and four restrooms for major celebrations.

  • Snorkel gear
  • Paddleboard
  • Kayak

On board

Stability, shade and space

The three reasons guests give for choosing a catamaran, and how to check each one before you book.

Stability

A wide stance makes a catamaran feel steady underfoot, particularly at anchor, which is why families with small children and guests who are new to boats often lean toward one. It is not a guarantee against motion: swell and wind still matter, and the captain may adjust the route to keep the day comfortable.

Shade

Shade varies by design. The Custom 34 Trimaran lists plenty of shade, while other listings do not describe their covered areas in detail. If anyone in your group needs to stay out of the sun, tell us and we confirm the shaded space on each option.

Space

Space per guest depends on the listed maximum as much as on length. Two 45-foot Lagoons in this collection are listed for very different numbers of guests, so the same length can feel roomy or full. The Lagoon 38 lists a large front trampoline, and the Leopard 44 a forward cockpit lounge, an air-conditioned salon and a swim platform.

Choosing between them

Start with headcount and food. For groups of up to twenty-five, compare the sailing catamarans and the Lagoon 43 on their drinks allowances and water toys. For a group that wants to cater for itself, look at the Custom 34 Trimaran and Catamaran 47. For a hosted afternoon with snorkeling built in, there is the Trimaran 40, and for 55 guests or more, the two event catamarans.

Good to know

  • Snorkeling gear is listed on every catamaran and trimaran in this collection
  • Most list a paddleboard or kayak; the event catamarans list two kayaks and two paddleboards
  • Bathrooms are detailed only on some listings: the Lagoon 38 lists two, and each event catamaran lists four restrooms
  • The Leopard 44 is the catamaran whose listing mentions an air-conditioned salon
  • Towels and ground transportation are not listed, so plan for both

Food & drinks

Which catamarans list food or an open bar

Catamarans here list one of three arrangements: ice and water, drinks and snacks, or an open bar with food. The table shows exactly what each listing includes.

Vessels and their listed food and drink arrangements
VesselGuestsDepartureListed food & drinks
Custom 34 Trimaran30Puerto VallartaBottled water
Lagoon 3820Puerto VallartaWater; Sodas and 24 beers; Snacks: seasonal fruit, guacamole and salsa with chips, sandwiches and crudités
Trimaran 4040Puerto VallartaTurkey sandwich, fish ceviche and green salad; National open bar
Lagoon 4325Puerto VallartaIce and bottled water; Sodas and 24 beers; Seasonal fruit and guacamole
Leopard 4415Puerto VallartaIce and bottled water; 48 drinks (beer or soda); Snacks: fruit, guacamole and ceviche
Lagoon 4525Puerto VallartaIce and bottled water; Sodas and 48 beers; Snacks: seasonal fruit, guacamole and salsa with chips, sandwiches and crudités
Lagoon 45 II14Puerto VallartaIce and bottled water; 48 beers and 12 sodas; Snacks: seasonal fruit, guacamole and salsa with chips
Catamaran 4725Puerto VallartaBottled water
Catamaran 72150Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta
Catamaran 90200Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta

Open bar

The Trimaran 40 lists a national open bar with a turkey sandwich, fish ceviche and green salad. Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 describe an international open-bar menu and menus that grow with charter length; confirm exactly which service your quote includes.

Drinks & snacks

The Lagoon and Leopard catamarans list beers and sodas with snacks such as fruit, guacamole, ceviche, sandwiches or crudités, depending on the vessel. The Lagoon 38's listing notes that food and open-bar upgrades can be added by arrangement.

Bring your own

The Custom 34 Trimaran and Catamaran 47 list ice and bottled water only. Both state that you may bring your own food and drinks, with catering available at extra cost, which suits groups with their own plans.

Aerial view of a small turquoise cove

A set itinerary

Trimaran 40: Los Arcos and Colomitos

Most catamarans here are chartered for an open-ended day, with the direction chosen together with the captain. The Trimaran 40 works differently: its listing describes an afternoon itinerary built around two of the south shore's best-known spots.

  1. Los Arcos

    Guided snorkeling at the granite islands off Mismaloya, a protected national marine park, when conditions allow.

  2. Colomitos

    Kayaks and paddleboards at the tiny cove, which can also be reached by a coastal trail.

  3. On board

    A turkey sandwich, fish ceviche and green salad, with a national open bar.

Schedules and stops can change with sea conditions and park rules, so we confirm the current itinerary when you inquire. For a different plan, any other catamaran can be chartered privately with the day built around your group.

Los Arcos by private yacht

Private charter request

Two hulls, your plans.

Send your date, group size and the kind of day you have in mind. We check which catamarans are free and send exactly what each one includes.

Questions & answers

Catamaran charter questions

Straight answers to the questions guests ask most. Anything not covered here is confirmed in writing when you inquire.

Ask us something else

Is a catamaran more stable than a motor yacht?

Generally it feels steadier, especially at anchor, because two widely spaced hulls resist rolling better than a single hull of similar length. It does not remove motion altogether: swell and wind still matter, and the captain may adjust the route to keep everyone comfortable.

Will we actually sail on a sailing catamaran?

Not necessarily. The Lagoon 38, Leopard 44, Lagoon 45 and Lagoon 45 II are listed as sailing catamarans, but whether sails are raised depends on the wind, the route and the crew on the day. If sailing is important to you, tell us when you inquire.

What is the difference between a catamaran and a trimaran?

A catamaran has two hulls and a trimaran has three. In this fleet, the Custom 34 Trimaran is listed for up to 30 guests with plenty of shade, and the Trimaran 40 for up to 40 on a set Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with an open bar.

Can we add food or an open bar to a catamaran that does not include one?

Often. The Lagoon 38's listing notes that food and open-bar upgrades can be added by arrangement, and the listings for the Custom 34 Trimaran, Lagoon 43, Leopard 44, Lagoon 45, Lagoon 45 II and Catamaran 47 state that catering is available at extra cost. Upgrades and menus are confirmed in writing with your quote.

Which catamaran suits a group that wants to arrange its own food?

The Custom 34 Trimaran and Catamaran 47 list ice and bottled water only and state that you may bring your own food and drinks, with catering available at extra cost. That leaves the menu and the bar entirely up to your group.

How many guests can a catamaran take?

Listed maximums in this collection run from 14 to 200 guests. The sailing and power catamarans and the trimarans cover groups up to about forty, and the two event catamarans are built for much larger groups, with minimum group sizes.

Is there a catamaran for a group of ten or fewer?

No catamaran is listed for ten or fewer; the smallest listed maximum is 14 guests, on the Lagoon 45 II. Because every charter is private, a smaller group can still book one and enjoy the extra room.

Does the Trimaran 40 always visit Los Arcos and Colomitos?

Its listing is built around that itinerary: guided snorkeling at Los Arcos, then kayaks and paddleboards at Colomitos, in the afternoon. Sea conditions and park rules can change the plan on the day, so we confirm the current schedule when you inquire.

Do catamarans have bathrooms on board?

Some listings say so. The Lagoon 38 lists two bathrooms, and Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 each list two women's and two men's restrooms. Other catamaran listings do not describe their facilities, so we confirm them for the vessel you choose.

What is the trampoline on a catamaran?

It is a tight net stretched between the two hulls at the bow, a favorite place to lie in the sun and watch the water. The Lagoon 38 lists a large front trampoline. The crew will tell you when it is safe to use, particularly while the boat is moving.

Is a catamaran a good choice for a sunset cruise?

Yes. Banderas Bay faces west, so the sun sets over the water, and a catamaran's open deck gives everyone a view. The Lagoon 45's listing mentions sunset dinners among its popular uses. See our sunset cruise guide for more ideas.

Which catamarans can depart from Nuevo Vallarta?
Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 list both Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta departures, with La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita optional at extra cost. The other catamarans and trimarans depart from Puerto Vallarta.
Does any catamaran have air conditioning?

The Leopard 44 is the catamaran whose listing mentions an air-conditioned salon, along with a forward cockpit lounge, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen. Other catamaran listings do not mention air conditioning.