Every morning a small armada leaves Puerto Vallarta for the same three postcards: the granite arches of Los Arcos, the long sandy curve of Las Ánimas and the jungle village of Yelapa. Most visitors see them from a crowded group boat with a fixed schedule, a queue for the snorkel gear and forty strangers on the same beach. There is another way to do exactly the same route — on your own boat, at your own pace — and it is often less of a splurge than people think. This is how we plan the south shore by private yacht, stop by stop.
Why the south shore is made for a boat day
South of Puerto Vallarta, Highway 200 climbs away from the coast after Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán. From there on, the beaches of the bay's south shore — Las Ánimas, Quimixto, Majahuitas, Yelapa — have no road access at all. You arrive by water or you do not arrive. That is exactly why they stay beautiful, and exactly why the boat you choose shapes the whole day.
The classic group tour solves the access problem with scale: one big boat, one fixed loop, one timetable. It works, and for solo travellers or couples on a budget it is still a good deal. But it also means you snorkel when the boat says so, you eat where the boat has a deal, and you leave Yelapa just as the day-trippers' crowd thins out and the village gets interesting. A private yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta flips that around: the route is the same, the clock is yours.
Private yacht vs. group tour: the honest comparison
We sell tours ourselves, so we have no reason to pretend group boats are bad. They are just a different product. Here is how the two compare on the things that actually change your day:
| Group tour | Private yacht | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Per seat | Per boat (split between your group) |
| Who is on board | Dozens of strangers | Only your group |
| Departure time | Fixed | You choose (early is best) |
| Stops | Fixed loop, fixed minutes | Same places, flexible order and length |
| Snorkel at Los Arcos | With the whole boat in the water | Your group only, often before the crowds |
| Lunch | Partner restaurant | On board or ashore, your call |
| Best for | Solo travellers, couples, tight budgets | Families, friends' groups, celebrations, anyone who hates queues |
The tipping point is group size. Two people will almost always pay less on a shared boat. Six to fifteen people often find that splitting a private boat costs about the same per head — and the experience is not comparable. If you are already in that range, the next step is simply to look at real yacht rentals in Puerto Vallarta and do the division.
Stop 1: Los Arcos — snorkel the arches early
Los Arcos is a cluster of granite islets off Mismaloya, carved into arches and tunnels by the sea and protected as a marine park. The rocks drop into deep water, so the snorkelling along the walls is good even when the beaches are churned up: sergeant majors, parrotfish, angelfish, sometimes rays and turtles. Pelicans and boobies sit on the top of the rocks like they own the place, because they do.
Why a private boat changes Los Arcos
By late morning the arches are ringed by tour boats and the water is a soup of fins and life jackets. On your own boat you can be there first — an early departure from Marina Vallarta puts you at the rocks before most of the fleet. Your captain picks the side with the best visibility that day, you swim as long as you like, and you leave when you are done rather than when a horn blows.
Practical notes for Los Arcos
- Use reef-safe sunscreen — or better, a rash guard — because you will be in the water a long time.
- Ask the owner whether snorkel gear and life vests are on board; most listings say so, but confirm sizes for kids.
- The swell can push through the arches; stay with the captain's chosen spot, not the most photogenic one.
Stop 2: Las Ánimas — the easy beach
Las Ánimas is the south shore's crowd-pleaser: a long, gentle beach with palapa restaurants, calm water most mornings and a short trail that links to Quimixto. It is where the big group boats unload for lunch, which is both its charm and its problem. At noon on a busy day you will share the sand with several hundred people, a banana boat and a mariachi or two.
How to do Las Ánimas on your own terms
With a private yacht you have two good options. Either anchor off the beach, swim in and eat ashore at the hour the group boats are still at Los Arcos, or skip the restaurant entirely and have lunch on board, then swim to the beach for a walk. Some families prefer to treat Las Ánimas as the "everyone in the water" stop and keep Yelapa for the long lunch. There is no wrong answer — that is the point.
If your group includes small children or grandparents, this is also the stop where a boat with a proper swim platform and stairs earns its money. Ask the owner how guests get on and off the boat when it is anchored; on catamarans it is usually as simple as walking down the steps on the back of each hull.
Stop 3: Yelapa — give it the long afternoon
Yelapa is the reason most people book the south shore. It is a real village in a cove backed by jungle, with no road, a river that meets the sea, a beach lined with palapas and a waterfall a short walk uphill from town. Group tours give it an hour or two in the middle of the day; it deserves more.
What to do in Yelapa
- The town waterfall: a short, steep walk through the village; locals will happily point the way (or guide you for a tip).
- The beach and the river mouth: swim, paddle or just sit in the shade with a fresh coconut.
- Pie: Yelapa is famous for the pie sellers who walk the beach. Have cash ready.
- A longer hike: if you have a full day and the energy, ask locally about the bigger waterfall upriver.
Getting ashore
Larger yachts usually anchor in the cove and use a tender or a local panga to land you on the beach. Smaller boats may nose closer. Either way, put phones and cash in a dry bag and wear shoes you do not mind getting wet. Ask the owner before booking how they handle the landing in Yelapa — it is a good test of how well they know the route.
A sample full-day itinerary
This is the order we suggest to friends who want all three stops in one day. Times are approximate and depend on your boat's speed and where it is based.
- 8:00 — Board at the marina. Coffee, safety briefing, sunscreen.
- 8:45 — Cruise south along the Hotel Zone and the Malecón; in winter, keep an eye out for whales.
- 9:30 — Los Arcos snorkel, ahead of the main fleet.
- 11:00 — Las Ánimas: swim, beach walk, early lunch ashore or on board.
- 12:45 — Short run to Yelapa. Land, walk to the waterfall, beach time, pie.
- 15:30 — Back on board, slow cruise north with the afternoon light on the Sierra Madre.
- 16:30–17:00 — Back at the marina.
Only have four hours? Pick Los Arcos plus one beach. Many boats are listed by the 4-hour block, which is enough for Los Arcos and Las Ánimas or a direct run to Yelapa with a shorter stop. For all three without rushing, look for a full-day rate.
Which boat fits your group?
The south shore route is not demanding — it is a sheltered coast in a big bay — so the right boat is mostly about how many of you there are and how you want to spend the day. All examples below are real boats published on BYRBO, a marketplace where owners list their own yachts and you deal with them directly. Prices are the "from" rates on each listing as of October 2026.
| Boat | Type | Guests | Base | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bertram 38 "Nicolle" | 38 ft sportfishing boat | up to 8 | Marina Los Peines | US$200 per hour |
| Down East 38 | 38 ft sailboat (day boat) | up to 15 | Las Peinas Marina | US$500 per 4 hours |
| Sea Ray 46 | 46 ft sport yacht | up to 14 | Marina Vallarta | US$1,000 per 4 hours |
| Lagoon 40 (2019) | 40 ft catamaran | up to 18 | Marina Vallarta | US$1,400 per day |
| Lagoon 38 "Chase the Sunset" | 38 ft catamaran | up to 23 | Marina Vallarta | US$1,290 per 4 hours |
| Power Cat 43 | 43 ft power catamaran | up to 30 | Marina Vallarta | US$1,500 per 4 hours |
Couples and small families (2–8 guests)
A compact sportfishing boat or sport yacht is quick, which matters on the south shore: less time running, more time swimming. The Bertram 38 listed at US$200 per hour is a good example of a smaller boat that can do a tailored bay tour at an hourly rate. If you want to see everything that size class offers, browse the private boat rentals in Puerto Vallarta page and filter by guests.
Friends' groups and multi-generation families (10–20 guests)
This is catamaran territory. Two hulls mean stability at anchor (a big plus for anyone prone to seasickness), lots of shade, nets to lie on and easy swim access. The Lagoon 40 above is listed for up to 18 guests at a day rate, which is exactly what a three-stop south shore day needs. More options are on the catamaran charters in Puerto Vallarta list.
Big celebrations (20–30+ guests)
Power catamarans and larger party boats take bigger groups — the Power Cat 43 is listed for up to 30. At this size, landing everyone in Yelapa takes planning, so ask the owner how many trips the tender makes and whether a local panga is arranged.
What owner-direct booking means for a south shore day
Most people book boats through a hotel desk or a booking agent and never speak to whoever actually runs the yacht. With boat rental by owner, you talk to the person who knows the boat and the route. For a trip like this one, that conversation is worth a lot, because the questions that matter are specific:
- What time can we leave, and how long is the run from your marina to Los Arcos?
- Is the price for 4 hours, 6 hours or a full day — and what happens if we want an extra hour in Yelapa?
- How do guests get ashore at Las Ánimas and Yelapa: tender, panga or swim?
- What is included: captain, crew, fuel, drinks, snacks, snorkel gear, paddleboards?
- Are national-park or dock fees extra?
- What is the deposit and the weather-cancellation policy?
An owner who answers those clearly, in writing, is usually an owner who runs a good day. If you want to charter a boat directly from its owner, send these questions in your first message and compare the replies.
Season, weather and timing
November to May: the sweet spot
Dry season brings calm mornings, clear water at Los Arcos and comfortable temperatures. From December to March, humpback whales are in the bay, and the run south often doubles as an unofficial whale-watching tour — keep a respectful distance and let the captain lead.
June to October: warm water, early starts
Summer is greener, hotter and quieter, with warmer water and fewer boats at the arches. The trade-off is afternoon storms. Leave early, keep the plan flexible and be back by mid-afternoon. Rainy-season visibility at Los Arcos varies with river runoff, so ask the owner how the water has looked that week.
Weekdays beat weekends
Las Ánimas and Yelapa get extra local visitors on weekends and holidays. If you have the choice, a Tuesday-to-Thursday private yacht day is noticeably quieter, and owners are more likely to have open dates — worth checking when you browse midweek yacht charter dates in Puerto Vallarta.
What to pack for Los Arcos, Las Ánimas and Yelapa
- Reef-safe sunscreen, rash guard, hat and sunglasses with a strap.
- Cash in pesos for Yelapa: guides, pie, drinks and tips for the crew.
- Dry bag for phones and wallets on the tender ride.
- Water shoes or sandals with grip for the Yelapa waterfall walk.
- A light long-sleeve layer for the ride home.
- Motion-sickness tablets if anyone in your group needs them — take them before you board.
How to book a private yacht for the south shore
- Count your group and decide half-day or full day.
- Shortlist three boats that fit your numbers and budget on the Puerto Vallarta yacht rental listings.
- Message the owners with your date, the route (Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, Yelapa) and the questions above.
- Confirm in writing: hours, inclusions, boarding point, deposit and weather policy.
- Plan the land side: arrive at the marina 20 minutes early; if you have questions about the rest of your trip, contact us.
Prefer a shared boat after all? That is fine — our own yacht charters and the rest of our Puerto Vallarta tours are listed with clear prices, and if you are heading north instead, read our guide to Punta Mita yacht charters.
Los Arcos, Las Ánimas & Yelapa by yacht: FAQ
Can you visit Los Arcos, Las Ánimas and Yelapa in one day by private yacht?
Yes. The three stops sit along the same stretch of the south shore of Banderas Bay, so a full-day charter of 6–8 hours covers all of them comfortably: a snorkel stop at Los Arcos, a swim or lunch at Las Ánimas and a long stop at Yelapa for the waterfall walk. In a half-day (4 hours) you usually pick two of the three.
Is a private yacht more expensive than a group tour to Yelapa?
Per boat, yes; per person, often not. Group tours charge per seat, while a private yacht is priced per boat. On BYRBO, for example, a 38 ft Down East sailboat for up to 15 guests is listed from US$500 per 4 hours and a 40 ft Lagoon catamaran for up to 18 guests from US$1,400 per day. Split across a full group, that can land close to the group-tour ticket — with the whole boat to yourselves.
Where do private yachts to the south shore leave from?
Most yachts listed for Puerto Vallarta sail from Marina Vallarta, next to the airport and the cruise terminal. Some boats are based at other marinas, such as Marina Los Peines or Nuevo Vallarta. Ask the owner exactly where boarding happens and how long the run to Los Arcos takes from that dock.
Do I need to bring cash to Yelapa?
Yes. Yelapa has no road and very few card terminals. Bring pesos for the waterfall guides, beach restaurants, pie ladies and any water-taxi or panga you use to get ashore. Keep it in a dry bag on the tender ride.
What is the best time of year for a yacht day on the south shore?
November to May is the calmest and clearest stretch, with December to March adding humpback whales on the crossing. Summer brings warmer water and greener jungle but also afternoon storms, so plan an early departure and be back by mid-afternoon.
Can kids join a private yacht trip to Las Ánimas and Yelapa?
Yes, and it is one of the easiest ways to do the south shore with children: your own shade, your own bathroom, your own schedule and no waiting for a full boat to reload. Confirm child-size life jackets with the owner before you book.
Final word
The south shore is the same whether you see it from a 100-seat boat or your own deck — the arches, the long beach, the waterfall behind the village. What changes is how much of it you actually get to enjoy. If you are travelling as a group, do the math on a private boat before you buy tickets; there is a good chance the south-shore private yacht costs less per head than you expect and gives you the whole day back. For more ideas on the water, see our ranking of the best Puerto Vallarta tours.
