Maxum 30
A compact cruiser for couples and very small groups, with cushioned bow seating, a dining area and a cozy cabin with a bed and bathroom.
Up to 10 guests
Small Group Yacht Charters for Couples & Families
Private yachts for two to ten guests: a quiet day for a couple, a family outing with snorkeling stops, or a proposal with nobody else aboard but the crew.
Small private yachts
Why a small yacht often makes the better day
With a small group, a private charter becomes personal. The crew learns your names, the plan can change on a whim, and the whole deck belongs to the people you invited.
Small group yacht charters suit the days when the company matters more than the size of the boat: a couple marking an anniversary, parents and children snorkeling together, a few friends on vacation, or a proposal planned around the evening light. There are no strangers waiting for the swim ladder and no timetable set by anyone else.
Every vessel in this collection is listed for a maximum of ten guests or fewer. They range from compact cruisers to larger, more finished yachts with cabins and air conditioning, and they depart from both Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. What they include varies widely, from ice and water only to a private chef with an open bar, so it pays to compare before choosing.
A listed maximum is a ceiling, not a target. Two people can charter a yacht listed for eight or ten and simply enjoy the extra room, which is one of the quiet pleasures of traveling as a small group.
The collection
7 yachts for up to 10 guests
Every vessel here lists a maximum of ten guests or fewer. Cards show the listed maximum, length, departure and food and drink arrangement. Availability is checked for your date when you inquire.
Hipocampo 30
A straightforward, private option for up to eight guests who want a simple day on the bay with snorkeling stops.
Cranchi 34
An Italian-built sport yacht sized for small private groups who value style and privacy on a shorter outing.
Beneteau 48
Modern finishes, air conditioning and reclining stern seats for up to ten guests seeking a polished small-group day.
Beneteau 35
An intimate option from Nuevo Vallarta for up to six guests, with Punta Mita outings possible at extra cost.
Sea Ray 52
A flybridge with hardtop and sunroof, bow and stern lounges, and three cabins for a private group of up to ten.
Custom 55
An exclusive Italian yacht for up to ten guests with a private chef, an open bar, towels and a chef-selected lunch.
Who it suits
Couples, families and close friends
A small private yacht works for very different kinds of day. These are the ones guests plan most often, and what to think about for each.
Couples & anniversaries
For two people, choose comfort over capacity: somewhere to stretch out in the sun, shade when you want it, and a crew that keeps a respectful distance. If the sunset matters, ask about a late-afternoon departure; the bay faces west, so the sun sets over the water.
Families with children
Life jackets and snorkeling gear are listed on every yacht in this collection. Tell us the children's ages so suitable sizes can be confirmed, and expect the captain to decide where and when swimming is advisable on the day.
Proposals
A small yacht keeps the question private. Share the plan when you inquire so the crew knows the moment, and ask what can be arranged for that vessel, such as flowers or a cake, before you rely on it.
A slow day with friends
Swim, snorkel, anchor off a beach and let the day run at your own pace. Most small yachts state that you may bring your own food and drinks, which makes it easy to plan a picnic exactly the way your group likes it.
Choosing between them
How to compare small yachts
With 7 vessels in this size range, the differences are easy to see once you know where to look.
Inclusions vary the most
The smallest vessel in the collection, the Maxum 30, lists ice and bottled water and leaves the rest to you: your own food and drinks are welcome and catering is available at extra cost. Most of the others list a set number of beers or sodas with seasonal fruit or snacks. At the other end, the Custom 55 lists a private chef, an open bar, towels and a chef-selected lunch.
Cabins and comfort
If you want somewhere cool or private below deck, check the listing. The Beneteau 48 lists air conditioning, reclining stern seating and staterooms. The Sea Ray 52 lists a flybridge with a hardtop and sunroof, plus a master stateroom and two guest cabins. The Maxum 30 lists a cozy cabin with a bed and bathroom.
Departure
4 small yachts depart from Puerto Vallarta and 3 from Nuevo Vallarta. Boarding near your hotel saves time on land, and the departure point also shapes which part of the bay suits your charter. The Beneteau 35's listing mentions Punta Mita outings at extra cost.
Music and the little things
The Maxum 30 lists a Bluetooth sound system and a cooler for drinks, and the Beneteau 48 a sound system with smartphone connection. Other small-yacht listings do not mention music, so if a playlist matters, ask and we confirm it before you book.
What small yachts usually don't list
- Paddleboards and kayaks: none of the small-group listings include them, so look at slightly larger yachts if water toys matter
- Towels, except on the Custom 55
- Ground transportation to and from the marina
- Gratuity for the crew
- Marina or port fees where they apply, such as at Marina Vallarta
Same size, different day. Two yachts listed for eight guests can include very different things. We send each shortlisted yacht's listed inclusions in writing, so you compare like for like.
Exactly ten guests?
A group of ten has two good options
3 yachts in this collection are listed for exactly ten guests, so a group of ten fits the small-group fleet. Booking a vessel at its listed maximum, though, means every seat and sun pad is in use.
If you would like more space to move around, a separate shaded area or water toys, look at the 34 yachts listed for 11 to 20 guests. A yacht listed for twelve or fifteen gives a group of ten noticeably more room per person, and many in that range list a paddleboard, a kayak or a floating mat. A few examples are below.
Sea Ray 42
A shaded bridge deck with wrap-around seating, a forward sun deck and two staterooms make this a relaxed choice for families and friends.
Bayliner 43
A flybridge for wildlife spotting, a cushioned foredeck, a shaded aft deck and a windowed saloon with an integrated bar.
Marquis 50
A sporty, modern luxury yacht for up to 12 guests, with a ceviche lunch and snacks included in the listed arrangement.
Shaping the day
Three ways small groups spend the day
There is no fixed script on a private charter. These are starting points only: the route always depends on charter length, departure point, the yacht, the weather and park rules.
Swim and snorkel
Anchor in a sheltered spot, pull on the snorkeling gear listed aboard and let everyone take turns from the swim platform. The captain decides where and when swimming is advisable, based on the conditions that day.
Lunch by the beach
Follow the south shore toward a beach with restaurants, such as Las Ánimas, or the beach club at Majahuitas, when the charter length and sea conditions allow. Meals ashore are not part of a yacht's listed inclusions.
Golden hour for two
Board later in the day, keep the guest list short and let the light do the work. Because the bay faces west, the sun goes down over open water: a natural moment for a toast, or a question.
Plan the day
Ideas for a small group yacht charter
Pick the yacht for the group, then shape the day around the occasion. Routes always depend on charter length, departure point, the yacht and the conditions.
Proposals & vows
Weddings & proposals
From a private question to a small ceremony.
Reefs & coves
Snorkeling charters
Gear is listed on nearly every yacht.
Golden hour
Sunset cruises
The sun sets over the water here.
South shore
Yelapa & Majahuitas
Coves, beach clubs and villages by sea.
Onboard dining
Catering & private chef
When snacks are not enough.
26 vessels
Luxury yachts
Several take ten guests or fewer.
Private charter request
Two guests or ten, tell us the plan.
Share your date, the number of guests, the occasion and where you are staying. We check which small yachts are free and send their details and inclusions in writing.
Questions & answers
Small group charter questions
Straight answers to the questions guests ask most. Anything not covered here is confirmed in writing when you inquire.
What is the smallest yacht available for a private charter?
The Maxum 30, a 30-foot sport cruiser listed for up to 5 guests. Its listing includes ice and bottled water, states that you may bring your own food and drinks, and describes cushioned bow seating, a swim platform and a cabin with a bed and bathroom.
Can we charter a yacht for just the two of us?
Yes. Every charter here is private, so a couple can book any vessel in the fleet, and a small yacht keeps the day intimate without feeling empty. Tell us the occasion and the time of day you prefer, and we suggest yachts that suit two people.
Are small yachts suitable for young children?
Yes, with a little planning. Life jackets are listed on every yacht in this collection; tell us the children's ages when you inquire so suitable sizes can be confirmed. Swimming and snorkeling stops are at the captain's discretion, based on conditions on the day, and children should be supervised by an adult throughout.
Do small yachts have a bathroom on board?
Some listings mention one and others do not say. The Maxum 30 lists a cabin with a bed and bathroom, while the Beneteau 48 and Sea Ray 52 list staterooms or cabins. If a restroom matters to your group, tell us and we confirm it for each yacht we suggest.
Which small yachts have air conditioning?
Among yachts for ten guests or fewer, air conditioning is mentioned only in the listing for the Beneteau 48. Other small-yacht listings do not mention it, so ask before assuming.
Which small yacht includes the most food and drink?
The Custom 55, departing from Nuevo Vallarta, lists a private chef, an open bar, towels and a lunch from the chef's menu for up to 10 guests. Most other small yachts list a set number of beers or sodas with fruit or snacks, and the Maxum 30 lists ice and water only.
Which small yachts depart from Nuevo Vallarta?
The Beneteau 35, Sea Ray 52 and Custom 55 depart from Nuevo Vallarta; the rest of the small-group collection departs from Puerto Vallarta. If you are staying on the Nayarit side of the bay, boarding nearby saves time on land.
We are exactly ten people. Should we book a yacht listed for ten?
You can, since 3 yachts are listed for exactly ten guests. At the listed maximum every seat is in use, though, so if you want more room or water toys, a yacht listed for 11 to 20 guests will feel noticeably more spacious with the same group. We are happy to suggest options on both sides of the line.
Do small yachts come with paddleboards or kayaks?
Not as listed. None of the yachts for ten guests or fewer include paddleboards or kayaks in their listings, although every one lists snorkeling gear. If water toys matter, look at the yachts for 10 to 20 passengers, many of which list a paddleboard, a kayak or a floating mat.
Can we plan a proposal on a small yacht?
Yes, and a small yacht is one of the most private ways to do it. Share the plan when you inquire so the crew knows the moment, and ask what can be arranged on that vessel, such as flowers or a cake, rather than assuming it is included. Our weddings and proposals page has more ideas.
Can a small yacht take us to a beach club for lunch?
Often, depending on the charter length, the departure point and sea conditions. On the south shore, Las Ánimas has beach restaurants and the Ánima Beach Club, and Majahuitas is a secluded cove with a beach club. Tell us where you would like to go and we check whether it fits the yacht and hours you choose. See Yelapa & Majahuitas by yacht.
What should a family bring on a small-yacht charter?
Swimwear, sun protection, hats and towels, since towels are not listed on most small yachts. Add your own food and drinks if the listing allows it, any medication your family needs, and a light layer for the evening. Gratuity for the crew is not included in the charter.