Private Luxury Yacht Chica 55′ VIP All Inclusive + Jet Ski

The Bay of Banderas is best seen from the water. This private Chica 55 yacht tour gives your group a polished four-hour cruise with fresh ceviche and guacamole on board, plus a full bar and water gear. I like the freedom to shape the route, and I like that jet ski use, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, tubing, and a water mattress are included.

The main catch is the price: $3,275 per group of up to 15, before gratuity. That is a serious splurge for four hours, though the cost becomes easier to justify when a larger group shares it. You must also choose your meeting place before booking, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Key points to know before booking

• Private yacht for up to 15 booked guests: You get the boat and crew to yourselves, rather than sharing the day with a large public group.
• Four hours around Banderas Bay: The route can be shaped around your interests, with Los Arcos among the popular choices.
• Open bar with brand-name drinks: Water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and Champagne are included.
• Jet ski use is included: The activity is supervised and described as unlimited, along with snorkeling and several floating and paddling options.
• Food is more than a token snack: Fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are served on board.
• Meeting point matters: Pickup may be arranged, but hotel transportation is not part of the standard inclusion, so confirm the departure location early.

A private four-hour cruise on Banderas Bay

This tour is built for groups who want a boat day without sharing their space with strangers. The yacht is designed for groups up to 20, while this booking is priced for up to 15 people. That gives your party room to spread out, enjoy the deck, and move between the shaded and open areas without the packed feeling common on cheaper excursions.

Your four hours are flexible rather than locked into a rigid sightseeing schedule. You can cruise along the Puerto Vallarta coastline, head toward popular spots around Banderas Bay, or ask for a custom plan with the crew. The exact route depends on what your group wants to do and how much time you prefer to spend cruising, swimming, snorkeling, or using the water toys.

I like this setup for families, birthday groups, wedding parties, and friends traveling together. A private boat also makes it easier to set the pace for mixed groups, since not everyone has to follow the same plan on a shared excursion.

The short duration is worth noting. Four hours is enough for a satisfying outing, but it is not an all-day charter. If your group wants several distant stops, long time at Los Arcos, and plenty of jet ski use, you may need to keep the route focused rather than trying to fit every activity into one afternoon.

Cruising from Puerto Vallarta toward Los Arcos

The most recognizable possible stop is Los Arcos National Park, south of Puerto Vallarta. The rock formations rise from the sea and create caves, arches, and sheltered water where you can look for marine life above and below the surface.

This is the natural choice if snorkeling is high on your list. The tour includes snorkel equipment, so you do not need to arrange that separately. You can also use the kayaks, paddle boards, water mattress, and tube, giving your group several ways to enjoy the water instead of relying on a single activity.

Los Arcos is not only a photo stop. The rock formations give the outing a sense of place, and the caves and arches make the setting more memorable than a simple open-water cruise. If you want the strongest mix of scenery and water time, ask whether Los Arcos fits the day’s plan when you arrange your meeting point and route.

Keep your expectations sensible. The supplied details do not promise a fixed amount of snorkeling time, guaranteed marine life, or a dedicated wildlife itinerary. The Bay can offer wonderful sightings, but nature sets the schedule. One recent account praised the crew for providing a memorable whale-watching experience, but whale sightings should not be treated as guaranteed unless the operator confirms seasonal conditions.

Jet ski time and the included water gear

The jet ski is one of the biggest reasons this charter costs more than a basic sightseeing cruise. Supervised, unlimited use is included, so your group can take turns rather than paying an extra rental fee at the water.

This arrangement is particularly useful for a group with different tastes. One person can paddle board, another can snorkel, and someone else can relax on the water mattress while the jet ski activity runs under supervision. The tube and kayaks add more choices, which helps keep a family or large friend group from getting bored.

The word supervised matters. You should follow the crew’s directions and any operating rules they provide. The available information does not specify age limits, licensing rules, or the exact number of people who can use the jet ski at once, so ask about those points before departure if they affect your group.

The equipment list is generous, but do not mistake variety for unlimited time at every station. With four hours total, your group will get the best value by deciding in advance which activities matter most. If the jet ski is the priority, tell the crew early. If Los Arcos and snorkeling are more important, build the route around those instead.

Drinks, Champagne, ceviche, and a proper onboard spread

The open bar is broad enough to cover a full day’s range of preferences, even though this is a half-day cruise. Included choices range from water, coffee, juices, sodas, and mineral water to beer, wine, tequila, margaritas, piña coladas, and Champagne.

The inclusion of brand-name alcoholic drinks gives the tour a more celebratory feel than a standard boat trip with a small cooler. You can also choose nonalcoholic drinks, which is important for children, designated drivers, and anyone planning to use the jet ski.

Food includes fresh-made ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips. I consider that a real advantage. You are not paying for a private charter only to discover that lunch consists of a few packaged snacks, though this should still be treated as a light onboard spread rather than a full formal meal.

Because drinks are included, the price is easier to assess as a group package. At the full 15-person capacity, the cost works out to about $218 per person before gratuity. With 10 people, it is $327.50 each, and with six people, it rises to about $545.83 each. The value improves sharply as your group gets larger.

What the crew adds to the day

The crew and captain are central to the experience. The tour is presented as a polished private service, and the available account specifically praised the crew for keeping the group safe, entertained, and informed during both whale watching and jet ski use.

That combination matters. A boat day can feel awkward if the crew only handles the engine and drinks, leaving your group to organize every activity. Here, the stated role of the crew includes managing the water activities and helping shape a custom day.

You should still tell them what kind of outing you want. Say if your group prefers a relaxed cruise, active water time, snorkeling, wildlife watching, or a balanced mix. The route is customizable, but customization works best when you give clear priorities before the boat leaves.

The owner, Gil, is listed as the contact for special meeting points or help arranging affordable luxury transportation to the meeting place. That does not mean hotel transportation is automatically included. It means you can request assistance, so do not wait until the last minute if your group needs help getting to the marina or agreed departure point.

Price, group size, and what the splurge buys

At $3,275 per group, this is not a casual add-on for most Puerto Vallarta trips. You are paying for privacy, a dedicated crew, an open bar, fresh snacks, a flexible route, and several included water activities.

The price makes the most sense for a group close to the 15-person limit. Split among a full party, it can compare more favorably with buying separate boat seats, drinks, food, jet ski time, and equipment rentals. For a small group, the private setting may still be worth it, but the cost per person becomes much harder to defend.

I would also compare the value against your priorities. If your group mainly wants a cheap ride with a view, this is too much. If you want a private celebration with the boat, food, drinks, and activities handled in one booking, the package is more practical.

Gratuities are optional and not included. Plan for that extra cost if the crew provides the attentive service described in the tour details. Souvenir photos are also available for purchase, but they are not part of the package.

Meeting points and planning details

You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation. This is not a minor formality, especially because pickup is offered in the general tour information while hotel pickup and drop-off are specifically excluded from the standard inclusions.

Confirm the exact meeting arrangement before you pay. If you need a different location or transportation help, contact Gil, the owner, rather than assuming the boat will collect you at your hotel.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The experience is available in English, is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Since this is a private activity, only your group takes part.

The tour is commonly booked about 22 days ahead. That is a useful planning guide for a popular date, a large group, or a special celebration. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that 24-hour window, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy Chica 55 most

I would recommend this yacht for a group that values privacy and wants several activities included in one half-day. It suits families with varied interests, groups celebrating a birthday or reunion, and friends who want a comfortable boat with food and drinks already arranged.

It is also a good fit if your group has no single shared idea of fun. The snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, tube, water mattress, and jet ski let people choose different ways to spend time on the water.

I would be more cautious if your group has only two or three people, is watching every peso, or wants a long full-day cruise. The four-hour limit and high total price may not work well for those needs.

The same caution applies if you require guaranteed wildlife sightings or a fixed itinerary. The route is customizable, which is a strength, but it also means you should discuss the plan clearly before departure.

Should you book this private yacht?

Book it if your group can share the cost and wants a private, activity-filled boat day with a good food and drink setup. The strongest reasons are the flexible route, supervised jet ski use, Los Arcos access as a possible stop, and the crew’s role in keeping the outing safe and well organized.

Skip it if you want the lowest-cost way to see Puerto Vallarta from the water. Four hours passes quickly, and a small group may find the per-person price steep. For a larger party celebrating something special, though, Chica 55 offers a convenient package that removes much of the usual boat-day planning.

FAQ

How much does the private yacht tour cost?

The tour costs $3,275 per group of up to 15 people. Gratuities and souvenir photos are not included.

How long is the yacht experience?

The cruise lasts approximately four hours.

Is the boat private?

Yes. This is a private tour, and only your group participates.

How many people can join?

The booking is for groups of up to 15 people. The yacht itself is designed for groups of up to 20.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, piña coladas, margaritas, Champagne, and other drink choices.

Is food included?

Yes. Fresh ceviche, guacamole, blue corn chips, and potato chips are included.

Is jet ski use included?

Yes. Supervised, unlimited use of the jet ski is included, along with snorkel equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a water mattress, and a water tube.

Can the route be customized?

Yes. You can customize where you would like to visit around Banderas Bay. Los Arcos National Park is one popular possible stop, but the final plan should be discussed with the operator.