Half-day sailing can feel too short. This one feels just right.

You’re on a 41-foot boat in the Bay of Banderas, and you can steer the day toward romance, adventure, or a calm cove hang. What I like most is the open bar with brand-name drinks, plus the included snorkel and paddle gear that makes it easy to jump in without planning.

One thing to plan for: you meet at the pier in Paradise Village. There’s no hotel pickup/drop-off included, so build in time (and a taxi plan) to get there.

Key Things I’d Pay Attention To

• Private-by-design: it’s only your group, not a mixed crowd shuffle.
• Your itinerary, your pace: there’s no fixed plan, so you can request sunset sailing or active water time.
• Open bar, not a token list: you can choose drinks from water and coffee to beer, wine, tequila, and cocktails.
• Water toys are included: snorkel equipment, paddle boards, plus float options like a water mattress/tube.
• Boat crew can read the room: from birthday surprises to full-on party energy, they adjust.
• Whales are seasonal: if you sail when they’re around, humpbacks are part of the story.

Private Charter on the ChicaSAILING Adventure: What Makes It Feel Different

This is a private sailing adventure on a 41-foot sailboat, built for groups up to 16 people. The best part is the tone: it’s not a scripted “follow-the-leader” excursion. The crew sails or teaches sailing, depending on what your group wants, and you can also choose the simple route—relax, take in the coastline, and let the boat do the work.

If you’re used to big-group tours in Puerto Vallarta, the private format changes everything. You can talk, decide, snack, and swim on your own rhythm. That matters because sailing days go by fast, and you don’t want to spend your precious hours waiting in line, scanning for the next instruction, or negotiating space.

I also like the service style called out by the operator—often described as the famous Chica Locca experience. In practice, that translates to an attentive crew who keeps things moving while still letting you enjoy the ride.

Bay of Banderas Custom Sailing: How the 5 Hours Usually Works

The tour runs about 5 hours. You start at the Paradise Village Public Pier, then spend the main chunk out on the Bay of Banderas with coastline views and open water time around the bay.

Here’s the practical meaning of the no-set-itinerary approach: you’re not stuck with a one-size plan. You can ask for:

• a sunset-leaning cruise (great if you want golden light and slower boat time)
• an active sailing vibe (more sail handling, movement, and energy)
• a secluded cove plan for swimming and paddle boarding

Stop 1 is basically your launch moment. You’ll meet at the pier, settle in, and get your day oriented. Then the crew takes over: you sail, you hang at the places they consider best that day, and you get the included water time.

One more detail I’d keep in mind: because your day is flexible, your experience improves when you speak up early. If you want snorkeling first, say so at the start. If you want the quietest water spot, ask for it. The crew has the freedom to shape your day, but you still have to tell them what you want.

Open Bar and Snacks: The Real Value Factor Here

A lot of Puerto Vallarta boat tours advertise drinks. This one is explicit: it’s an open bar with brand-name options. The list includes everything from water, coffee, juices, and sodas to beers, wine, tequila, and cocktails like piña coladas, plus champagne if you choose it.

The value angle is simple. If you’re going to be on a boat for half a day anyway, you don’t want to pay extra just to stay comfortable. This tour covers the drink side as part of the package, and the food side is built in too.

Your included snacks are the kind that actually fit a sailing day:

• ceviche
• fresh made guacamole with blue corn chips
• potato chips

If you’re on a morning tour, you’ll also get breakfast items like fresh fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices. That’s helpful because a sail with swimming can work up an appetite fast.

Water Time With Included Gear: Snorkel, Paddle Board, Float

This is where the tour earns its keep. You get snorkel equipment and paddle boards, plus float options like a water mattress and water tube. That means you’re not stuck watching the water while everyone else goes in.

In real-world terms, the included gear supports three different traveler styles:

• Swimmers: jump in for a quick refresh and return to the boat
• Snorkelers: gear is ready, so you’re not wasting time or money
• Paddle-boarders: you can get moving without committing to a full lesson

Also, the vibe on board can make a difference. Several experiences mention the crew keeping things fun and social, with music and jokes in the mix. That matters because you’ll likely spend some time sitting back, drifting, and taking in views between water breaks.

A small planning note: if you’re sensitive to sun, bring sunscreen and a hat. Half a day on the water is still strong sun time, especially if you’re in and out of the water.

Whales and Marine Life: Sail in Season for the Best Odds

The bay can be spectacular year-round, but the tour specifically calls out humpback whales in season. If you travel when humpbacks are showing up, you may see pods close enough to make the moment feel real, not just like distant spotting.

Even when whales are not part of the day, you’re still in one of the better settings in the region for marine life sightings—sea life you notice because you’re literally out on the water, not stuck inland or in a distant viewing area.

If whale watching is a top goal for you, consider building your schedule around a sailing day when conditions and seasonal timing align. The itinerary flexibility helps here, because the crew can steer the day based on what’s around.

Who You’ll Be With: Group Size, Privacy, and Comfort

This is a private tour, meaning only your group participates. That’s important for comfort and control. For couples, it tends to feel like a date or anniversary day without the “we’re sharing with strangers” pressure. For families or groups, it feels like a shared celebration instead of a choreographed tour.

Your group size matters too. The price is listed per group (up to 8), but the experience is also described as a charter for groups up to 16. In practice, when you book you’ll select a group size, and the company coordinates the details after you submit.

Boat feel can vary depending on how many people are aboard. One reason this trip is often loved is that it doesn’t treat everyone like the same passenger number. The crew can adjust attention and pace for small groups and bigger groups alike, including families.

If you want a sailing day with minimal stress, private usually wins.

Meeting at Paradise Village Pier: The Practical Logistics

You meet at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, Paradise Village Public Pier on Blvrd Nayarit (Nuevo Vallarta). The exact meeting point is important, and the operator notes it’s a must to choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, even though pickup is mentioned as offered. That means you should confirm what “pickup” means for your specific booking. If you’re staying outside the immediate area, plan on getting yourself to the pier by taxi or another local option.

Also, you should expect a mobile ticket. That’s generally easier than hunting for paper confirmation, but keep your phone charged and ready.

One last logistics tip: arrive a bit early. Sailing days move on water time, not land time. Getting settled early helps you start enjoying immediately.

Cost and What You’re Actually Getting for $1,155

The listed price is $1,155 per group (up to 8), with the tour typically booked about 23 days in advance. That might sound steep if you compare it to a public catamaran or bus tour.

But compare it the right way: this is a private sail with a lot covered. Your package includes:

• open bar
• ceviche, guacamole, chips, and more snacks
• possible breakfast on morning tours
• snorkel gear, paddle boards, and float items
• landing/facility fees

So the real question is how many people are splitting the cost. A private half-day can feel like a bargain when you divide it across a group of 6 to 8 who would otherwise buy multiple taxis, multiple drinks, and multiple paid activities.

If you’re a couple, it can still be worth it because you’re buying time together on the water plus the crew attention that comes with privacy. You just might feel the price more strongly than a larger group would.

Also, if you’re dreaming of a “special occasion day,” private helps you get that without negotiating with strangers about music, timing, or the overall vibe.

Optional Hot Lunch (Fajitas) and Photographer Add-Ons

You can add a hot lunch of Mexican fajitas for 200 pesos per person. If you’re the type who gets hungry mid-day (very common on boats), this add-on can be a nice “no thinking” solution. If you’d rather stick with snacks and the bar schedule, you can skip it and still leave fueled.

Two more memory-related options:

• a photographer can be reserved to capture moments
• souvenir photos are available for purchase

If you’re celebrating something (birthday, proposal, anniversary), I’d seriously consider the photo option. It’s often the difference between remembering the day in a few blurry phone photos versus having a couple of crisp keepsakes.

One more fun detail: there’s at least one documented moment where the crew handled a birthday cake surprise quickly once they learned it was someone’s day. That suggests they’re attentive to personal milestones when you communicate them.

Crew Energy: Sailing Skills Plus a Social, Fun Tone

The crew is a big reason this experience gets high marks. You’ll see names like Gonzalo, Victor, Pepe, Lalo, and others tied to captaining and hosting. Multiple crew members are mentioned across experiences, such as Roberto, Elon, Eddar, Rameses, Tontino, Alex, Eder, Alonso, David, Kaliko, Mario, Oswaldo, Alejandro, Romero, Victorio, and El Capitan.

What that translates to for you: you can expect a crew that mixes competence with personality. They tend to:

• keep drinks moving
• guide snorkeling and water activities
• explain what you’re seeing and where you’re sailing
• keep the mood playful, with music and laughs when appropriate

If you’re hoping for a day that feels like friends took you out—not a strict service script—that’s the pattern.

Who Should Book This Private Sail in Puerto Vallarta?

Book this if you want:

• privacy and flexibility in a half-day format
• included snorkel and paddle board time
• open bar as part of the deal, not an add-on
• a crew that can handle both chill relaxation and more upbeat party energy

It’s especially good for:

• couples who want a romantic sunset sail without crowds
• groups of friends planning a birthday or celebration day
• small families who want a memorable “boat day” with water toys and attentive hosting

If you’re the type who hates uncertainty, this might take adjustment because the itinerary is custom. The upside is you’re not trapped in someone else’s schedule.

Should You Book Chica Locca Private Sailing Adventure?

I’d book it if you’re aiming for a classic Puerto Vallarta highlight that feels personal: the bay views, the water toys, the included bar, and the private setting. The price makes more sense when you’re splitting it among friends or when you’re buying privacy plus multiple included activities in one go.

I’d pause and do extra planning if:

• you want a very fixed, timed itinerary with no customization
• you’re relying on hotel pickup and don’t want to handle pier logistics
• you’re traveling solo or as a couple with a tight budget

If those boxes check out, this is a strong “half-day wow” option.

FAQ

How long is the Private Chica Sailing Adventure?

The tour lasts about 5 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private activity, and only your group participates.

How many people can fit?

The charter is described as suitable for groups up to 16 people. The listed price is per group up to 8.

Where do we meet?

You meet at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup is listed as offered, so you should confirm what’s available for your booking.

What’s included with the open bar?

The open bar includes options like water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and champagne, plus other choices from the bar.

What water activities are included?

You’ll have use of snorkel equipment and paddle boards, plus water mattress and water tube.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is included on morning tours, with fresh fruit, muffins, coffee, and juices.

Can we add lunch?

Yes. Hot lunch of Mexican fajitas is available for an additional 200 pesos per person.

What’s the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

When will I get confirmation?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.