You have chosen Puerto Vallarta for your celebration. Now comes the most exciting decision: where should your private yacht charter take you?
South of the city, Banderas Bay opens into a spectacular chain of hidden beaches, jungle-backed coves, fishing villages, and vibrant coastal escapes. Yelapa, Majahuitas, and Las Ánimas each offer a distinctly different experience: and the right choice depends on the atmosphere you want your group to remember.
With Aurora Yacht Charters Puerto Vallarta, you do not have to fit your celebration into a standard tour schedule. Aboard a spacious 75-foot Hatteras yacht, your group can cruise in comfort, enjoy chef-prepared meals and a premium open bar, and shape the day around the destination that best matches your occasion.
Which Banderas Bay destination fits your group?
| Destination | Approximate boat time from Puerto Vallarta* | Signature atmosphere | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Ánimas | About 20–30 minutes | Lively beach energy, restaurants, and water activities | Easygoing groups, families, and fun-filled celebrations |
| Majahuitas | About 35–40 minutes | Pristine, secluded, and nature-focused | Snorkeling, relaxation, and elegant beach days |
| Yelapa | About 45–50 minutes | Bohemian village charm, waterfalls, and exploration | Groups seeking variety, culture, and adventure |
*Travel times are approximate and can vary depending on your departure point, sea conditions, and itinerary.
All three destinations are reached by water along Puerto Vallarta’s southern coastline. That journey is part of the experience: you pass lush Sierra Madre foothills, dramatic rock formations, and emerald coves that feel wonderfully removed from the city.
Choose Yelapa for waterfalls, village charm, and a full day of discovery
Why Yelapa feels different
Yelapa is the most immersive choice of the three. Tucked into a remote southern cove, this small coastal village combines a broad beach, colorful local life, jungle trails, and waterfalls reached on foot from the shore.
As you approach by yacht, the landscape becomes increasingly lush. Palm trees sway above golden sand, hills rise behind the village, and the bay opens into a serene tropical panorama. Yelapa is accessible by boat, helping it retain the peaceful, bohemian character that makes it so memorable.
According to the Puerto Vallarta Yelapa guide, the trip from Puerto Vallarta generally takes around 45 minutes by water. That makes Yelapa a rewarding full-day destination, especially when your group wants more than swimming and sunbathing.
What can your group do in Yelapa?
You can begin with a refreshing swim in the calm bay before heading ashore to explore. From there, an easy walk leads toward the nearby waterfall, where you can cool off beneath the lush canopy and experience a completely different side of the Mexican Pacific.
Your group can also:
- Walk through the village and discover its relaxed local atmosphere
- Hike toward one of Yelapa’s waterfalls
- Enjoy fresh seafood at a beachfront restaurant
- Snorkel, kayak, or swim in the warm coastal waters
- Sample a famous handmade Yelapa pie
- Take photographs among the jungle, river, beach, and mountain scenery
Yelapa is especially appealing for birthday groups, family reunions, and multigenerational celebrations because everyone can choose their own pace. Some guests can explore while others remain aboard Aurora with a chilled drink, a gourmet lunch, and uninterrupted views of the bay.
Choose Majahuitas for a pristine cove and effortless relaxation
Why Majahuitas feels exclusive
Majahuitas is the choice when your group wants to disconnect from the ordinary. The small, jungle-backed cove is known for its clear water, quiet shoreline, and sense of seclusion. There is no busy town to navigate and no long list of competing distractions: just the sea, the palms, and the people you came to celebrate with.
The Majahuitas destination guide places the cove approximately 18 miles south of Puerto Vallarta and notes that it is accessible only by sea. That exclusivity is precisely what makes it so appealing for a private group yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta.
What can your group do in Majahuitas?
Majahuitas is ideal for creating a beautiful rhythm to the day. Start with a scenic cruise and a chef-prepared meal aboard Aurora. Then, anchor near the cove so your guests can move naturally between the yacht and the water.
Your group can:
- Snorkel among colorful marine life and rocky underwater formations
- Paddleboard across calm, crystal-clear water
- Swim directly from the yacht
- Relax on the beach or aboard the shaded decks
- Enjoy a floating mat gathering with cocktails
- Take photographs against the jungle and turquoise sea
Majahuitas works particularly well for proposals, anniversaries, wellness-inspired celebrations, and elegant bachelor or bachelorette parties. It offers plenty of activity without requiring a packed schedule.
The experience feels polished but never rushed. Your crew handles the practical details while you soak up the sun, sip something refreshing, and make the kind of memories that remain vivid long after your return to Puerto Vallarta.
Choose Las Ánimas for beach clubs, restaurants, and easygoing energy
Why Las Ánimas is the most accessible option
Las Ánimas is the closest of the three destinations when traveling from Puerto Vallarta, making it an excellent choice when your group wants a beautiful escape without committing to the longest cruise.
The beach is known for soft sand, gentle water, palapa-style restaurants, and an animated coastal atmosphere. Because it is a popular stop for water taxis and day trips, Las Ánimas feels more social and lively than the secluded coves farther south.
The official Puerto Vallarta guide to Las Ánimas describes the boat ride from Boca de Tomatlán as approximately 25 minutes, with the journey from Los Muertos Pier taking less than an hour. A private yacht gives you an even more comfortable way to enjoy the route and the surrounding coastline.
What can your group do in Las Ánimas?
Las Ánimas is made for groups that want a little bit of everything. You can swim in the calm water, enjoy a beachfront meal, walk along the sand, or add a burst of excitement with water activities.
Popular options include:
- Paddleboarding and swimming
- Snorkeling in clear coastal water
- Banana boat rides and parasailing
- Fresh seafood and cocktails at beachfront restaurants
- A scenic walk toward nearby Playa Caballo
- A relaxed beach club-style gathering with your favorite people
For birthday parties, graduation celebrations, corporate outings, and family groups with different interests, Las Ánimas makes planning simple. Guests who want action can get active, while others can settle into the shade with a cold drink and watch the water sparkle.
How does Aurora make each destination better?
Your destination matters, but so does the way you experience it.
A shared water taxi can take you south. A private yacht charter transforms the entire day.
On Aurora, your group enjoys space to spread out across multiple areas of the yacht, including a panoramic flybridge, air-conditioned salon, four staterooms, and three bathrooms. That means you can celebrate together without feeling crowded: and retreat into a quieter space whenever you want.
Your all-inclusive charter also includes:
- Professional crew and attentive service
- Premium open bar
- Gourmet meals prepared by your private chef
- Snorkel equipment and fishing gear
- Paddleboards and a floating lily pad
- Water tube and wave runner
- A flexible itinerary customized for your group
Aurora can host groups of up to 50 guests, making it one of the few yachts in Banderas Bay designed for large private celebrations. You can combine destinations, pause for swimming, or let your captain recommend the best route based on the day’s conditions.
Which destination should you choose?
Choose Yelapa if your group wants waterfalls, village exploration, local character, and a complete day trip with several different experiences.
Choose Majahuitas if your priority is tranquility, snorkeling, crystal-clear water, and the feeling of having discovered a private tropical cove.
Choose Las Ánimas if you want a shorter cruise, lively beach energy, restaurants, and accessible activities for guests of different ages and interests.
And if your group wants the best of several destinations, ask the Aurora team about a customized southern Banderas Bay itinerary. A day might include snorkeling near Majahuitas, a scenic cruise past the coast, and a final swim or sunset celebration near Las Ánimas.
Begin planning your private yacht charter Puerto Vallarta
The most memorable celebrations are not defined by one location alone. They are created by the people around you, the freedom to move at your own pace, and the feeling that the entire day was designed just for your group.
Whether you choose the bohemian waterfalls of Yelapa, the pristine seclusion of Majahuitas, or the vibrant beach energy of Las Ánimas, Aurora gives you a luxurious, seamless way to explore Banderas Bay together.
Ready to plan your group yacht charters Puerto Vallarta experience? Contact Aurora Yacht Charters Puerto Vallarta at fun@aurorayachtcharterspuertovallarta.com or call 1-707-902-3100 to discuss your preferred destination, guest count, celebration, and itinerary.
