Trimaran 40
Built around a Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with guided snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch and a national open bar.
Experiences · Snorkeling
Snorkeling Yacht Charters around Banderas Bay
Rocky islands, reefs and quiet coves, reached on a yacht reserved for your group. Snorkeling gear is listed on nearly every vessel; the captain chooses each stop by the day's sea.
Private snorkeling
Why snorkel from your own yacht
On a shared tour, the boat's timetable decides how long you stay in the water. On a private snorkeling charter, the day bends around your group.
A slow first swim for the nervous snorkeler. A second stop because the children are not ready to climb out. A long float, then snacks at anchor before the next cove. The yacht is your base for the day, with shade, fresh water and somewhere to dry off, and the only people in the water beside you are the people you invited.
Snorkeling gear is listed on nearly every vessel in the fleet, and life jackets on almost all of them. What changes from yacht to yacht is everything around the swim: how many guests fit, whether a kayak or paddleboard comes along, how much shade there is and what food and drinks are included. Those details shape a snorkeling day as much as the reef does, so they are where we start.
This page covers snorkeling charters across Banderas Bay. If Los Arcos is the stop you have in mind, our Los Arcos marine park guide goes into the islands themselves.
Where to snorkel
South-shore stops for snorkeling charters
From Puerto Vallarta, most snorkeling plans point south, toward the islands off Mismaloya and the small coves beyond Boca de Tomatlán that most visitors reach by boat. Which stops you reach depends on charter length, departure point, the yacht, the sea and park rules on the day.
Los Arcos
Granite islands rising off Mismaloya, protected as a refuge since 1975 and a national marine park since 1984. It is among the best-known snorkeling spots in the bay, and the conditions on the day decide whether swimming there is advisable.
Colomitos
A tiny cove on the south shore that hikers can also reach on a coastal trail. Arriving by yacht, you see it from the water first, and the captain judges whether stopping nearby and swimming suit the swell.
Around Las Ánimas
Las Ánimas is a beach with restaurants and the Ánima Beach Club, set among the south-shore coves. It suits a day that mixes a swim off the yacht with time on the sand, if your plan and the sea allow.
Majahuitas
A secluded cove with a beach club, further along the shore toward Yelapa. Some yacht listings mention it alongside Yelapa; whether it fits your day depends on charter length and conditions.
What about the Marietas Islands? The Marietas are a protected national park off Punta Mita, managed by CONANP. Access, landings and visits to Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) are restricted, permit-based, capped and subject to change, so only some charters can include a visit and nothing is guaranteed. In our fleet data, Marietas outings are mentioned only for the Azimut 85, the Azimut 80 and the Sea Ray 55 (Riviera Nayarit).
On board
Snorkel gear and water toys, yacht by yacht
Listings describe "snorkeling gear" without itemizing it, and most do not say how many sets are aboard. A few are specific: the Sunseeker 46 lists ten sets, while the Azimut 46 Fly and the Lagoon 45 II list seven each. For a larger group, we check that the count covers everyone who wants to swim at the same time, or you can simply snorkel in turns.
Extra toys vary far more. Many vessels add a paddleboard and a floating mat or lily pad, fewer list kayaks, and quantities run from a single board to four. At the far end of the fleet, the Azimut 85 lists a jet ski, and the Custom 103 lists two jet skis and a sea scooter. Nothing beyond what a listing names should be assumed, and we confirm the equipment for your date in writing.
Usually listed for a snorkeling day
- Snorkeling gear, on nearly every vessel
- Life jackets, on nearly every vessel
- Ice and water, on most listings
- Paddleboards, kayaks or floating mats, depending on the yacht
Worth packing yourself
- A towel per swimmer, since only two listings include towels
- A mask you know fits, or fins if you like to swim with them
- A rash guard or a reef-conscious sunscreen
- A dry layer for the cruise back
More than a mask
Yachts that list kayaks and paddleboards
Each of these vessels lists at least one kayak and one paddleboard alongside snorkeling gear, with listed maximums from 20 to 50 guests. The cards show what each current listing includes; availability is checked for your date.
Lagoon 38
A sailing catamaran with a large front trampoline, two bathrooms and a sound system, plus a kayak and paddleboard.
Lagoon 43
A stable catamaran for up to 25 guests, well suited to birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed cove-hopping.
Lagoon 45
A modern, elegant catamaran for up to 25 guests, popular for proposals, anniversaries and sunset dinners.
Azimut 58
A foredeck, flybridge and air-conditioned leather salon for up to 20 guests, with a kayak and paddleboard for swim stops.
Hatteras 58
A classic Hatteras with a cushioned bow and panoramic flybridge, listed with an open bar, snacks and a ceviche lunch.
Hatteras 61
A classic 61-foot Hatteras departing Nuevo Vallarta with a detailed open bar, food, a kayak and a paddleboard.
Azimut 80
A wide flybridge and bow for up to 20 guests from Marina Riviera Nayarit, with a ceviche-tostada lunch listed.
Custom 90
A 90-foot event yacht for up to 50 guests, listed with a national open bar, snacks, lunch, kayaks and paddleboards.
For much bigger groups, the Catamaran 72 and Catamaran 90 also list kayaks and paddleboards, with minimum group sizes: see large-group charters. Snorkeling with just a few people? Small-group yachts carry gear too.
Planning
How a private snorkeling charter comes together
Tell us who is swimming
Group size, ages and how comfortable each person feels in open water. Mention beginners, children and anyone who would rather stay aboard.
Match the yacht
We weigh gear counts, water toys, shade, swim access and food against your group, then send options with their listed inclusions.
Read the sea
On the day, the captain chooses stops by swell, wind, current and visibility. A sheltered cove can replace a planned spot at short notice.
Swim, float, repeat
Snorkel wherever conditions allow, with snacks or lunch between swims according to your yacht's food and drink arrangement.
Safety
Snorkeling safely in open water
Snorkeling from a yacht is relaxed, but it happens in open water away from the beach. A few habits keep the day easy for everyone.
Life jackets
Listed on nearly every vessel. A life jacket keeps a less-confident swimmer floating at the surface, which is exactly where a snorkeler wants to be.
Honest swimming ability
Tell us beforehand who is new to snorkeling or uneasy in deep water, so the crew knows before the first stop and nobody feels pressured to jump in.
The captain decides
Swell, current and visibility change from day to day. Whether and where to stop is the captain's call, and a calmer alternative always beats a rough swim.
Look, don't touch
Avoid standing on rock or coral, never feed the fish, and follow the rules that apply in protected areas such as Los Arcos.
Sun and water
Sun reflecting off the sea is strong. Cover up with a rash guard or reef-conscious sunscreen, and drink water between swims.
Stay together
Swim with a buddy, keep the yacht in sight and come back aboard when the crew signals that it is time to move on.
Keep planning
Build the rest of the day
Snorkeling rarely fills a charter on its own. These guides help with the stops, food and timing around it.
Private charter request
Planning a snorkeling day?
Tell us how many people are swimming, any beginners or children, and where you would like to depart. We check which suitable yachts are free on your date and send exactly what each one lists.
Questions & answers
Snorkeling charter questions
Straight answers to the questions guests ask most. Anything not covered here is confirmed in writing when you inquire.
Do we need to be strong swimmers to snorkel from a yacht?
Not strong, but comfortable. Snorkeling stops are in open water away from the beach, so each snorkeler should be able to swim and float calmly. Life jackets are listed on nearly every vessel, and less-confident swimmers can wear one while snorkeling at the surface. Tell us in advance who in your group is a beginner.
How many snorkel sets come with the yacht?
Most listings say snorkeling gear is included without giving a number. A few are specific: the Sunseeker 46 lists ten sets, and the Azimut 46 Fly and the Lagoon 45 II list seven each. If everyone in a larger group wants to swim at once, we confirm the count for your yacht before you book.
Are fins included with the snorkeling gear?
Listings describe snorkeling gear without itemizing it, so do not assume fins in every size. If fins, a prescription mask or children's sizes matter to you, tell us when you inquire, or bring your own set if you already have one you like.
Can young children snorkel on a private charter?
Yes, with an adult close by. Floating in a life jacket at the surface is the simplest way for children to start, and sheltered, calm stops suit them best, which is a judgment the captain makes on the day. Ask us to confirm child-size life jackets and masks for your yacht.
What marine life might we see while snorkeling?
Rocky reefs and islands typically attract reef fish, and what else appears depends on visibility, season and luck. Sightings are never guaranteed. Floating quietly, without chasing or touching anything, is the best way to see more.
Is there a guide in the water with us?
Not as a rule. Most listings include snorkeling gear rather than a guided tour; the Trimaran 40 is the exception, with guided snorkeling at Los Arcos named in its listing. If you would like in-water guidance on another yacht, ask when you inquire and we will check what is possible.
Which yachts have kayaks or paddleboards for after snorkeling?
Many vessels list a paddleboard, a floating mat or a lily pad, and fewer list kayaks; quantities range from one board to four. The vessels shown on this page list both a kayak and a paddleboard. We confirm the exact equipment for your date.
Can a snorkeling charter include the Marietas Islands?
Only on some charters, and never guaranteed. The Marietas are a protected national park with restricted, permit-based and capped access that can change. Our fleet data mentions Marietas outings for the Azimut 85, Azimut 80 and Sea Ray 55 (Riviera Nayarit); see our north-shore guide for details.
Is Los Arcos the only place to snorkel near Puerto Vallarta?
No. Los Arcos is among the best-known spots, but south-shore coves such as Colomitos and the area around Las Ánimas and Majahuitas are also options when charter length and conditions allow. The captain chooses stops on the day; the Los Arcos guide covers the marine park itself.
What happens if the water is too rough to snorkel?
The captain decides whether it is safe to swim. If a planned spot is too exposed, the alternative may be a more sheltered cove, a beach stop or simply a longer cruise. Any change to the booking itself follows the terms confirmed in writing for your charter.
Should we bring our own towels?
Yes, in most cases. Towels are listed on only two vessels in the fleet, the Azimut 85 and the Custom 55, so pack one per swimmer plus a dry layer for the ride back.
Can we snorkel during the winter whale season?
Yes, when conditions allow. Humpback whales visit the bay in winter, typically from about December to March. If whales are near, Mexican standard NOM-131-SEMARNAT-2010 sets approach distances and prohibits touching or feeding them, and whale watching is arranged only with vessels authorized for the season. Read our whale watching guide.
How is a private snorkeling charter different from a group snorkel tour?
The yacht carries only your group, so pace, number of swims and breaks follow what your guests want rather than a shared timetable. The route still depends on the yacht, charter length, departure point and the sea, and stops are never guaranteed.
What should we pack for a snorkeling charter?
Swimwear, a towel, sun protection such as a hat and rash guard, a refillable water bottle, a dry bag for phones and a light layer for the return. Bring your own mask or fins only if you prefer a personal fit.