Puerto Vallarta or La Cruz Yacht Charter: Where Should You Board?
Board in Puerto Vallarta if you want the clearest water, the best snorkeling and the widest choice of yachts. Board in La Cruz if you are staying north of the bay, coming for the whales, or simply prefer a calm marina where the car stops a few steps from the dock. And whichever you choose, book six hours or more. That decision changes your day far more than the marina does.
Puerto Vallarta vs. La Cruz at a glance
Banderas Bay has two marinas we like to board from: Marina Puerto Vallarta, and the Marina La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on the north shore. Here is how a Puerto Vallarta and a La Cruz yacht charter compare.
Board in Puerto Vallarta | Board in La Cruz | |
Best for | Snorkeling, clear water, tropical-beach scenery, jet skis | Whale watching in winter, easy boarding, privacy, water toys |
Water and beaches | More beautiful beaches, usually cleaner water | Calm anchorage at El Palito Verde; water can be cloudy |
In 4 hours you reach | Los Arcos and El Paredón | Whales in season, water toys, El Palito Verde |
In 6 hours you reach | A quiet beach with no road and a lovely restaurant | |
The marina itself | Lively and busy; scarce parking, a longer walk, no public restrooms at the dock | Spacious, breezy, quiet; free parking, restrooms, drop-off by the dock |
Privacy | Low. Plenty of people around | High. Our pick for VIP guests (boarding at half hour intervals) |
Cost | Usually lower. Most yachts live here | Often higher. Many yachts add a transfer fee, with two exceptions below |
Easiest if you are staying in | Puerto Vallarta, the Hotel Zone, Zona Romántica, the south shore | La Cruz, Bucerías, Punta Mita, Sayulita |
Boarding in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is the classic starting point, and for good reason. The south side of the bay is where the postcard lives.
What you gain
The tropical beach you pictured. More beautiful beaches, water that is usually cleaner, better snorkeling, and jet skis that are easier to arrange.
A better price. Most yachts in the bay are based in Puerto Vallarta, so there are no transfer costs to add.
A quiet beach within reach. With six hours we can take you to a calm beach with a lovely restaurant and no road leading to it. We call it The Beach With No Road.
Something to do if you arrive early. Marina Vallarta has restaurants, shops, and resident crocodiles you can watch for free. From a sensible distance.
What you trade
Four hours means the popular route. A four-hour charter reaches Los Arcos and El Paredón. It is a pretty route, and it is the one everybody takes, large catamarans and tour groups included. Expect company.
A busy marina in high season. It gets hot, parking is scarce, and depending on the day and the dock you may walk a little from the car. Drivers can struggle to get in, even with paid parking.
Traffic, if you are coming from the north. In high season the drive from the La Cruz side is not 10 to 15 minutes. Allow 30 extra, and up to 45 on a bad day.
Little privacy. There are plenty of people around the docks. For VIP guests or anyone who would rather not be noticed, it is not ideal.
No public restrooms at the boarding area. The usual fix is asking a nearby restaurant. Better to know that now than at the dock.
Boarding in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle sits on the north shore of Banderas Bay, in Riviera Nayarit. The marina is the opposite of hectic, and that is most of its charm.
What you gain
An easy, comfortable start. The marina is spacious, usually cooler, and far less crowded. Your driver can drop you almost in front of the dock and park for free. There are public restrooms, and the beach and the marina exit are right there.
More whales in winter. During whale season there is often more activity toward the north of the bay, especially around the Marietas Islands.
More water toys. Sea scooters, eFoils, dive gear and surf equipment are easier to arrange from La Cruz.
The Sunday market. In high season La Cruz hosts a large, lovely Sunday market. If you enjoy hunting for crafts, food and things that are truly Mexican, plan an hour before or after your charter.
What you trade
Less to see in four hours. A four-hour charter from La Cruz is whales in season, water toys and the beach at El Palito Verde. With six hours we can reach Los Arcos.
El Palito Verde is not a private beach. In high season several yachts and catamarans share the same small beach.
Water clarity varies. At El Palito Verde the water is not always crystal clear and can turn cloudy depending on conditions. You can snorkel and dive there, but it is not among the best spots in the bay.
Jet skis are harder to get in high season.
It can cost more. Most yachts have to come over from Puerto Vallarta, which adds transfer, docking and boarding fees, and sometimes higher provisioning costs. Two yachts are the exception, and they come next.
Sundays are busy. The market is wonderful and very full. If you are after peace and quiet, choose another day or board before it fills up.
Staying in La Cruz, Bucerías, Punta Mita or Sayulita? Two yachts with no transfer fee
If your hotel or villa is on the north side of the bay, boarding in La Cruz saves you the drive to Puerto Vallarta and back. The usual catch is the transfer fee a yacht charges to come and get you.
Two of the yachts we recommend most do not charge it:
Both board in La Cruz with no transfer added to your quote. If you are staying north and want the easy marina without paying extra for it, these are the two we suggest first.
The decision that matters more: 4, 6 or 8 hours
Our honest recommendation is six or eight hours, from either marina.
With four hours you are limited to the closest and most visited spots. A good part of the charter goes to getting there and back. With six to eight hours we can leave the busy areas behind and reach the beaches of southern Jalisco, which are, in our opinion, the most beautiful on this stretch of coast.
Charter length | From Puerto Vallarta | From La Cruz |
4 hours | Los Arcos and El Paredón, shared with other boats | Whales in season, water toys, El Palito Verde |
6 hours | A quiet beach with no road and a lovely restaurant | |
8 hours | The secluded beaches further south | Ask us. The route depends on the season and what you want to do |
So the question is less "which marina" and more "how much of the day do you want to spend enjoying the yacht instead of commuting on it".
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to board a yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta or La Cruz?
Puerto Vallarta is better for snorkeling, clear water, scenic beaches and price. La Cruz is better for winter whale watching, a calm and private boarding experience, and guests staying on the north shore. For the best day from either marina, book at least six hours.
Which marina is closer to Punta Mita, Sayulita and Bucerías?
La Cruz. In high season, traffic between La Cruz and Puerto Vallarta can add 30 to 45 minutes to the drive, so boarding in La Cruz gives guests on the north shore a much easier start.
Is it more expensive to charter a yacht from La Cruz?
Often, yes. Most yachts are based in Puerto Vallarta and add transfer, docking and boarding fees to pick guests up in La Cruz. Boat and Bay recommends two yachts, [1LOS name] and [2BR name], that board in La Cruz with no transfer fee.
Where is the best snorkeling on a Puerto Vallarta yacht charter?
On the south side of the bay, which is closest from Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos is within reach on a four-hour charter. Longer charters reach quieter beaches further south with fewer boats.
Where is the best place to see whales in Banderas Bay?
Humpback whales can be seen across the bay in winter. There is often more activity toward the north, especially around the Marietas Islands, which makes La Cruz a strong starting point in whale season.
How many hours do I need for a yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta?
Four hours covers the nearest and busiest spots. Six hours reaches a quiet beach. Eight hours reaches the secluded beaches of southern Jalisco. We recommend six or eight.
Which marina is more private?
La Cruz. It is spacious and quiet, and your car can stop almost at the dock. Marina Vallarta is busy, with many people around the boarding area.
Is there parking at the marinas?
In La Cruz, parking is free and plentiful. In Marina Vallarta, parking is scarce in high season, even paid parking, so allow extra time.
Still undecided? That part is our job
Tell us where you are staying, how many hours you have, and what matters most to you: snorkeling, whales, a quiet beach, or simply a long lunch at anchor. We will recommend the marina, the route and the yacht that fit, and explain why.
Write to us at YOURELAX@boatandbay.com or through boatandbay.com.
You relax. We'll handle it.
