Mega Yacht Sunset, All Inclusive

Puerto Vallarta Mega Yacht Sunset and Whale Watching All Inclusive runs through Chica Locca Tours.

Overview

Chica Locca Tours runs this three-hour all-inclusive cruise out of Puerto Vallarta that pairs whale watching in Banderas Bay with a sunset finish. Drinks flow the whole time: an open bar covers water, coffee, juices, sodas, margaritas, pina coladas, beer, tequila and wine, and the snack spread includes freshly made guacamole with blue corn chips.

The boat carries a maximum of 115 travellers. Reviews repeatedly mention attentive crew who bring drinks and food to wherever you are sitting, music on the way home, and dancing on the return leg. Whale sightings are a highlight for many guests, with several reviewers describing breaching humpbacks and dolphin pods.

It suits families, couples and groups who want comfort and open-bar socializing along with the wildlife. It is not a fit for wheelchair users, and infants must sit on laps. You must select your meeting point before completing the reservation, and since the departure point is a federal maritime port, everyone passes through security screening before boarding.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at your chosen pointMeet at the meeting place you selected when booking, since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. All passengers pass through security screening at the federal maritime terminal, so arrive with time to spare.
2. Board the mega yachtBoard the vessel and settle in. The crew begins service with drinks and snacks.
3. Whale watching in Banderas BaySpend 2 hours cruising Banderas Bay looking for humpback whales and dolphins, with the crew keeping drinks and food coming throughout.
4. Sunset cruiseContinue around the bay for another 30 minutes as the sun sets. Admission is included in the tour price.
5. Return to portCruise back toward Puerto Vallarta after dark and disembark at the terminal.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points make the difference between a good evening and a rushed one on this tour.

• Choose your meeting point. The listing states you must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation, so decide this at booking rather than on the day. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
• Port security screening. The departure point is a federal maritime port, and every passenger passes through security and may be searched for drugs, alcohol, weapons or liquids. Electronic cigarettes and vapes fall under the strict no-drug policy, so leave all of it behind. Build in buffer time before departure for the screening process.
• Bring layers. The listing advises a sweater or blanket for cooler evenings and the cruise home after sunset. One reviewer also suggests a windbreaker and light pants since it can get windy on the water.
• Food and drink. The open bar includes brand-name spirits, cocktails, beer, tequila and wine, with a minimum drinking age of 18. Snacks are guacamole and blue corn chips; multiple reviewers also mentioned ceviche being served.
• Group size and pace. Up to 115 travellers can be aboard, and one reviewer counted 55 passengers on their sailing. The feel is social and lively, with music and dancing on the return, rather than a quiet whale-watching trip. Most travellers can participate, and infants sit on laps.
• Timing the whales. Whale sightings during the season are frequently described as plentiful, with reviewers reporting breaching humpbacks, mothers with calves and large dolphin pods. One reviewer said the best sighting came on the way back after a longer search, so patience helps. Go in whale season for the best odds.

Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, infants must sit on laps, and hotel transport is not included, so you make your own way to the meeting point. One reviewer was unimpressed with the snacks and found the drinks watered down. The experience needs good weather and a minimum number of travellers; if it is cancelled for either reason, you are offered a different date or a full refund. Gratuities and souvenir photos cost extra. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, and no changes are accepted inside that window.

Common Questions