Puerto Vallarta/ Mexican Riviera excursion questions

[jbwinvan]

I have seen that a couple of tour companies advertise a snorkeling trip in PV in the Bay of Banderas where, if the oppertunity presents itself, you can actually swim with wild dolphins that come up to your boat. Has anyone else done this and how was it?

 

Thanks

 

JBW

[Another Cruise]

For OP. If you still want to know about Yelapa and Snorkeling: We just got back today and did this tour through Vallarta Adventures. We had a great time but, if you are most interested in snorkeling, there might be better places to go. We weren't able to snorkle at the orginal spot (Majahuaitas??) because there were too many jelly fish. They moved a little further on and as soon as people got in the water, they started getting out because they were getting stung by jelly fish. The water is also pretty murky. This was April 6, so maybe it is different in Sept. We were to be there an hour, but everyone was back on board in 30 minutes so we ate lunch and watched dolphins. Yelapa was great, but there is no snorkeling there. The boat ride over is close to shore and you get to see a lot. Coming back is further from land, but it is party time. The crew does a great time entertaining everyone. We booked online before we left and got a 10% discount. You board right next to where the cruise ships are docked. We were gone 7 hours and I think final cost was around $52. It was lots of entertainment and we saw a lot for the price. We thought Vallarta Adventures was very organized.

[gottago2mexico]

In September, the visibility is often much better than April, unless the spot you're in has runoff after a storm. Jellyfish are a fact of life in Banderas Bay, however, they aren't there all the time, they float around the bay - one day they can be filling the water, the next day, there are none at all. You just never know.

 

Last month, we snorkeled at Majahuitas and there were no jellyfish at all (well, I saw one small one). Last summer, we were there and there were a lot. We went to Las Caletas last month, the day after Majahuitas and found out where all the jellyfish went - there were so many nobody could go in the water. However, a couple days later we talked to people at Las Caletas who had a great time swimming and snorkeling. Talked to someone recently who had a great time at Los Arcos - someone else the next day said they got skunked due to jellyfish. You just never know.

 

Wear a wetsuit, and you won't have to worry about the jellyfish if there happen to be any. You can pick one up at Costco for cheap.

[simonv]

Yelapa is a lovely cove. Even though it's on the main land, there's no road to it, and there's no car there. The only access is by water taxi or tour boat. Electricity came in only about three years ago. We used to go there often to relax. There's a water fall you can go to, or hiking up country is nice also. Snorkeling is nothing to write home about. If it's full moon, waves get water murky. You'll probably be taken to the beach area. There's no pier so it's wet landing. The restaurants along the beach where you land are all good. Fish are all local landed at 7am in the morning, so it can't be fresher. During the morning walk, we check what fishing boats are bringing in to see what's for lunch. I think mahimahi runs in winter and they tend to get tuna in summer. Don't miss the pie ladies of Yelapa. Two women come by the palapas selling home made pies. They are wonderful. Yelapa is a low key beautiful beach day. Enjoy.