Vallarta by Boat: Schedules, Rates and Updated Information
If you’re looking for a quick and efficient way to get more information about Vallarta by Boat is one of the best options. Here you will find all the important information about timetables, fares and how to make the most of this experience.
Check the crossing times below.
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Author: Ripple.
Comment: Didn’t expect much because of the reviews but it was actually a pretty fun experience, went to Islas Marietas and had tons of time to go to beach, snorkeling and kayaking, food was delicious and drinks were on the way back but were very good alcoholic drinks and trip overall was worth it.
Tour guide was mostly in Spanish but they spoke English, only downside was no tables or anything to set drinks or food down but it wasn’t a huge deal. Would definitely do this trip again.
The crew really put effort in to making it fun and they even did song requests! Hidden beach was 1000 pesos extra but was well worth it in my opinion
Rating: 4.0
Date: 5 months ago
Author: Moira Casey.
Comment: We did the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour. It was pretty well organized and fun, the crew were the best. Breakfast and lunch were included and they had an open bar. Breakfast was chilaquiles con huevo and I can’t eat eggs or dairy and one of the guys made some chilaquiles with salsa for me, which was great. We were able to order a choice of items for lunch. Opportunities to snorkel, kayak or paddle board.
I did not expect that we would be tendered from the big boat to a smaller boat to get to the beach at Yelapa but again, the guys were very helpful and would literally carry you if you needed help.
The ride back is a total booze fest and the music is LOUD but everyone seemed to be having a good time. And we saw whales!
Rating: 4.0
Date: 9 months ago
Author: France T.
Comment: We did the Arcos, Animas & Quimixto excursion with Vallarta by Boat on March 10, 2024, as a family of four with two teenagers. We bought our tickets from a shop in the Marina. We paid 950 pesos per person. The excursion starts at Puerto Magico, and all taxi drivers know where this is, so it was easy to get there by taxi. Puerto Magico is beautiful and very well organized. You have to pay a 32 peso port fee per person when you go through this port. We had been told to arrive at 9:20 am for a 9:40 am boarding. This was accurate. (There are a few line ups to go through, which does take 20 minutes.) At 10 am, breakfast was served on the boat, which left the port at 10:20 am. We liked the breakfast: scrambled eggs and red chilaquiles. They also had fresh fruit (watermelon, papaya and pineapple) and pancakes for the children. The boat (the “Sarape”) is very old and rusty, with paint chipping eveywhere, which makes it look dirty. The boat ride is not a smooth one, and we saw two people get sick on the boat. Queasy people beware! The boat has three decks and a bathroom. The majority of the clientele when we did the excursion were Mexican families. I estimate we were 100 people on board. It is a loud ride. There is either loud music or a DJ talking non stop, mostly in Spanish, with some English. When giving important instructions, for example on snorkelling, he does provide instructions in both languages but he speaks too quickly, jokes, and rambles instead of getting the points across clearly, which means you may miss important information. Even if you are a proficient Spanish speaker, you are likely to get confused at least once. (E.g., our excursion included an optional hike to a waterfall, which we wanted to do, but instructions on this option were given quickly as we were exiting the boat at Las Animas, and we missed them, so we ended up missing this hike.) You have to provide a piece of ID as a security deposit on the boat in exchange for the snorkelling equipment. When you go snorkelling, you must leave all your belongings on your seat or table on the boat, which made us nervous. The snorkelling equipment is old. They do not provide a new, clean mouth piece and tube as other, more expensive companies do. You have to use an old one that went into many people’s mouths before, which is gross. My husband said his tasted like soap, so I assume they simply wash these in soapy water. We did have fun during the snorkelling, however! They make you swim a large distance, so only participate if you are a strong swimmer. We saw only a few fish but they were beautiful. They make you swim through a cave at Los Arcos, which was impressive and beautiful. When you get to the beach at Las Animas, you have to step on a smaller, very shaky boat, which is physically demanding. The beach was absolutely beautiful. It is secluded and natural, and has soft, white sand. On the beach, they directed us to a restaurant where we spent several hours waiting for our second meal of the day that is included in the price. The drinks, however, are not included, and are expensive: 550 pesos for four lemonades. Had we known we would be stuck in the restaurant so long, we would have skipped it to fully enjoy the beach during these hours. We only ended up swimming for 20 minutes or so after our meal before we had to head back. There are men going around with a large iguana and a macaw who charge you to take pictures. The meal was OK: a bit bland but good. There is also a photographer on the tour who takes pictures of you for 500 pesos. On the ride back, there is a party atmosphere on the main deck. We had brought ear plugs and sat on one of the top decks to get away from the party. The employees on the boat were polite and helpful, but they expect a tip at the end of the day. We returned at 6 pm. Bottom line: If you are a positive, adventurous person who is physically fit, does not get confused or queasy easily and doesn’t mind loud music, you may like this. However, I would recommend choosing a more expensive company for a higher quality experience.
Rating: 3.0
Date: 7 months ago
Author: Fatima.
Comment: Bought my tickets at El malecon. Instructions to get to the port were a bit confusing but manageable. Once you get to your boat and head out Breakfast is given. 0/10 I was given chilaquiles with egg. Eggs bland and watery chilaquiles were basically chips with tomato sauce. Staff were very friendly and got anything you needed. Barf bags were provided and nausea pills for those that needed it. Restrooms were disgusting and smelled like they weren’t cleaned at all. Once getting to the Animas to get on a smaller boat to the dock was sketchy but staff were patient and made sure everyone was on safely. The walk from the dock to the restaurant was a little far but manageable. Extra food and drinks were charged at a high price 30 pesos for a small water. The restrooms provided at the location were also gross. The beach was worth it in my opinion. The food provided 1/10. I got the fajitas de pollo. Chicken was bland veggies raw, white rice was salty, mashed potatoes also salty and watery the only decent thing was the salad. Once we all had to sail back staff were making sure everyone had all their personal items. Going back you can tell staff had been drinking, they started playing music and having guests participate in different games. I would say not so family friendly action going on but that’s Mexico. Drinking dancing music.
Rating: 3.0
Date: a year ago
Author: Erica Richards.
Comment: We were a little wary after booking and reading the reviews. We paid in cash at a kiosk in town, thinking we were booking with Vallarta Adventures (they had a poster up for them in the kiosk, although it turned out to not be with them). However, my husband and 15-year old had an excellent time. (10-year old and I stayed in the hotel because he had food poisoning from somewhere else). The boat ride was fun – standard, medium sized with restrooms – not luxury but just fine. The staff was nice and helpful. Plenty of snorkel gear – about 25 minutes of snorkeling at Majahuites – saw some colorful fish and dolphins – worthwhile; don’t expect the variety like on the gulf coast, but still calm and safe – then on to Yelapa. Beautiful beach, and ~15 min. hike to the waterfall. Bring water shoes for the pebbly beach when getting off the boat. The breakfast on the boat and lunch on the beach were delicious. As others have said, be ready to pay the port fee at the start and have money for tips and a drink with lunch on the beach if you want. (Lunch included, drinks not, although the drinks on the boat ride to and from are unlimited). There were a couple of tipsy riders on the boat; staff playing drinking games with other riders and music and singing – nothing too shocking and you certainly don’t have to participate. Not offensively loud, but not a super peaceful/quiet ride if that is what you are hoping for. The ride was pretty smooth – my son only got sea sick from the actual snorkeling, but he’s really sensitive and rebounded quickly. The Tour left a bit after advertised (Mexico time), but not too bad. Returned when they said they would, before dark. We can only speak for our tour, but it was well worth it! – From Broomfield, Colorado
Rating: 5.0
Date: a year ago
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