12 NAUTICAL MILES
from Marina Vallarta
~90 MINUTES
at cruising speed
REACHED
only by water
6–8 HOUR
charters
THE DAY
What a day
here feels like
Las Ánimas is where the bay slows down. The water is calm enough for children, the restaurants stand with their feet in the sand, and a wooden dock divides the beach in two — one side with music and grills, one side with almost nothing at all. Oksana, your single bilingual point of contact, composes the day before you step aboard.
10:00
Depart Marina Vallarta. The bar is set; the coast opens south.
10:45
A pause at Los Arcos — granite arches, clear water, a first swim.
12:00
Anchor off Las Ánimas. A panga carries you to shore; your table is waiting.
14:30
The quiet side — the wooden swing, a long walk, or back aboard for the water toys.
17:00
The cruise home, with the sun ahead of you. December to March, whales keep pace.
A wooden dock divides the beach — restaurants and music on one side, open sand and quiet on the other.
THE DETAILS, PREPARED
What is handled
before you arrive
A reserved table
One conversation — your date, your group, what the day is for. You receive a small, deliberate selection of vessels, with clear pricing and everything itemized.
The water taxi, included
The panga that carries you between yacht and shore is already part of your restaurant reservation. Nothing to negotiate at the rail. A tip of 200 to 500 MXN is welcome, never expected.
The bill, without the mathematics
Beach restaurants run on cash. If you prefer, settle through Boat & Bay and step ashore without a wallet — we review the bill so you don't have to (credit card fees may apply)
Ashore, accompanied
If you wish, Oksana comes to the beach with your group — meeting the vendors so you don't have to, walking you to your table, keeping the day yours. At no additional cost, for any size of group.
Beach shoes, on request
The shoreline holds a few rocks. Tell us how many pairs before departure and we bring them aboard, at no charge.
Lunch on deck, if you prefer
Rather stay aboard? The restaurant's kitchen delivers to your yacht by panga — warm seafood, cold drinks, the anchor never lifted.
COMPOSED FOR
Who this day suits
A note on choosing the vessel: Las Ánimas pairs especially well with yachts that do not carry a private chef. Appetizers are catered aboard; the warm meal — grilled fish, shrimp, lobster — waits ashore.
After five, the public boats leave. The beach belongs to those who stayed.
GOOD TO KNOW
Honest answers,
before you ask
Can we swim and snorkel at Las Ánimas?
The water is calm and swimmable — one of the gentlest beaches on the south shore. For snorkeling, the better site is Los Arcos, which sits on your route; we build the stop into the day. From the beach itself, you will still find fish near the rocks at either end.
I read about rocks and stingrays. Is that true?
Yes — and we would rather you hear it from us. There are rocks at the water's edge, and rays occasionally rest near them. The local practice is to shuffle rather than step when entering. We recommend beach shoes, and we provide them at no charge — simply tell us how many pairs before departure.
Do the restaurants take credit cards?
The beach runs on cash; most restaurants have no card terminal. Bring pesos — or settle the bill through Boat & Bay and leave the wallet on the yacht.
My knees are not what they were. Can I manage the transfer to shore?
Yes. Several of the vessels we curate carry their own tender, and the partner crew assists every guest on and off at both ends. The wooden dock lets you land without stepping into the water at all. Tell us in advance and we choose the vessel accordingly.
When is the beach at its quietest?
Before eleven and after five, when the public tour boats are elsewhere. A private charter lets you keep the opposite schedule from everyone else — that is rather the point.
THE CONSIDERED SPENT
Days to Las Ánimas begin at 2,000 USD for six hours, IVA included.
This is the charter itself — the vessel, the partner crew, the day composed. Lunch ashore is ordered from the menu and settled directly with the restaurant, or through us if you prefer. Six hours gives you the crossing, Los Arcos, and a proper lunch; seven to eight lets the afternoon breathe.