Bertram 38′ Convertible Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

The best part of this outing is the private Bertram 38-foot boat, which gives your group room to shape the day instead of following a fixed sightseeing route. You’ll cruise along Puerto Vallarta’s shoreline, then stop at rocks filled with wildlife for snorkeling and views above and below the water.

I like the flexible length, since four hours works for a quick bay trip while six to eight hours gives you time for fishing, kayaking, and a relaxed meal stop. I also like that snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, bottled water, and chopped fruit are included. The main consideration is price: $800 is reasonable for eight people, but expensive for a small group.

Key points to know

• Private boat for up to eight: You get the outing to yourselves rather than sharing the boat with strangers.
• Four to eight hours on Banderas Bay: A shorter trip covers sightseeing and snorkeling, while a longer booking leaves room for fishing, kayaking, or a meal stop.
• Snorkeling at wildlife-filled rocks: The main water stop offers sights both below the surface and above it.
• Fishing gear and snorkel equipment included: You do not need to arrange these basics separately.
• Custom plans are possible: A six-hour outing has included a stop at Ocean Grill, so ask about shaping the route around your group’s interests.
• Strong overall rating: The experience is rated 4.7 out of 5 from 46 ratings, with 93 percent recommending it.

Setting Out Along Puerto Vallarta’s Shoreline

This private cruise is operated by Mike’s Fishing & Tours and takes place around Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta in Banderas Bay. The boat is a Bertram 38 Convertible, a sizable vessel that suits a private group of up to eight better than a crowded shared excursion.

The first part of the outing is shoreline sightseeing. From the water, you get a different look at Puerto Vallarta than you would from a road or walking route. The coast becomes the subject of the trip, with the boat providing the moving viewpoint.

I like this format because it avoids the pressure of a packed schedule. You can spend more time looking out from the boat, or use the longer booking options for active pursuits. The exact balance depends on how long you reserve and what your group wants to do.

The listed duration is approximately four to eight hours. Four hours is enough for a basic cruise with the wildlife-filled snorkeling stop. If you want to add fishing, kayaking, or a meal stop, I would lean toward six hours or more.

The Wildlife Rocks and Snorkeling Stop

The second main part of the outing is a stop at a set of rocks known for wildlife. This is where you can use the supplied snorkeling equipment and see the area from both sides of the water.

The description does not promise a particular species or a fixed snorkeling time, so keep expectations sensible. You are visiting a natural spot, not an aquarium with guaranteed sightings. Still, the combination of rocks, wildlife, and open-water views gives the stop more interest than a simple boat ride.

Bring a swimsuit if you plan to swim or snorkel. Beach-casual clothing is suitable, and soft shoes are requested. Do not wear heels. Towels are not included, so pack your own if you intend to get in the water.

The snorkeling gear is included, which keeps the outing easier to organize. You also receive bottled water and chopped fruit. Those are useful touches on a warm half-day cruise, though you should not read the inclusion list as a full meal or an open bar.

Fishing, Kayaking, and Building Your Own Day

Fishing equipment is included, making fishing a practical option rather than a separate add-on you must arrange. The tour information also highlights kayaking, and one family of seven used the outing for sightseeing and kayaking. If kayaking is a priority, confirm the exact equipment and plan before departure, since it is not listed among the included items in the same way as the snorkeling and fishing gear.

This is where the private format earns its keep. One person in your group may want to fish, another may prefer snorkeling, and someone else may simply want to sit back and watch the coast. On a shared boat, those different interests can create friction. Here, your group can ask about a plan that suits everyone.

The flexible format has limits. The published details do not give a precise route, fishing location, kayaking schedule, or guaranteed catch. The natural conditions and the group’s chosen pace will affect the day. I would treat the activities as available options, not fixed promises of a particular result.

Why Six Hours May Be the Sweet Spot

The shortest four-hour booking makes sense if you mainly want a private cruise, shoreline views, and the snorkeling stop. It also keeps the day manageable for families or groups with mixed interest in water activities.

A six-hour trip gives you more breathing room. A group used a custom six-hour plan with a stop at Ocean Grill, showing that the outing can be shaped around a meal as well as time on the water. That does not mean a restaurant stop is automatically included, so ask about the plan and any separate costs before booking.

Eight hours is best for a group that wants to make the boat the main event of the day. You have more time for fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, sightseeing, and a leisurely stop. The tradeoff is simple: the longer trip costs more only if the booking price changes, and the supplied information gives one group price rather than separate four, six, and eight-hour rates. Confirm the exact duration and total before paying.

What the $800 Group Price Really Means

The listed price is $800 per group, with up to eight people allowed. At the full eight-person capacity, that works out to $100 per person. For four people, the effective cost becomes $200 per person, and for two people it reaches $400 per person.

That makes this outing strongest for a full family group, a group of friends, or several couples traveling together. One previous booking included seven family members, which is close to the boat’s stated capacity and spreads the cost well.

The value comes from privacy and flexibility, not simply from transportation. You receive a dedicated boat, fishing gear, snorkeling equipment, water, and chopped fruit. You can also ask about activities such as kayaking and a meal stop rather than paying for a short, fixed harbor ride.

For a small group, compare the price with a shared cruise before booking. The private setting may still be exactly what you want, especially if your group cares about choosing the pace. But if everyone is happy with the same basic route, a lower-cost shared trip could make more financial sense.

Service, Food, Drinks, and Photos

The strongest praise focuses on the captain and crew, service, snorkeling, food, drinks, entertainment, and a photo service. That gives you a useful picture of the day’s possible character: it can be more than a quiet sightseeing run.

Still, separate the confirmed inclusions from extras described in individual experiences. Bottled water and chopped fruit are included. Fishing gear and snorkeling equipment are included. A full food service, alcoholic drinks, entertainment, and professional photos are not listed as standard inclusions, so ask before assuming they come with the $800 price.

This point matters because a group may plan the outing around a meal or celebration. If you want a restaurant stop such as Ocean Grill, drinks, or photos, settle the details in advance. The private format makes special planning possible, but possible does not always mean included.

Who Will Get the Most From This Boat Trip

I would recommend this outing most strongly to groups of five to eight people who want a private day on the bay. Families can mix sightseeing with kayaking, while friends can split their time among fishing, snorkeling, and relaxing on the boat.

It also suits groups that dislike rigid tours. You can choose a shorter outing or reserve up to eight hours, then discuss how much time to give each activity. The private setup is especially useful when people in the same group have different energy levels.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide, though English is the stated offered language. If language support matters to your group, confirm it at booking.

This is less ideal for anyone seeking a guaranteed fishing catch, a fully specified restaurant lunch, or a detailed naturalist program. The available information points to a flexible recreational cruise, not a specialized wildlife expedition.

Practical Details Before You Go

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The experience is near public transportation, so you will need to arrange your own way to the departure point. The exact meeting details should be checked when you book.

Dress for the beach. Wear soft shoes and bring a swimsuit if you plan to snorkel or swim. Pack a towel, since towels are not supplied, along with any personal items you need for several hours on the water.

Confirmation is received at the time of booking. Children need an accompanying adult, and service animals are permitted. The activity requires good weather, so a poor-weather cancellation results in an offer of a different date or a full refund.

Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation inside that window is not refunded, and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time.

Cruise ship passengers need special care with timing. If you miss the activity because your ship arrives late or you do not arrive, no refund is issued. Do not schedule this tightly against a ship arrival or departure.

How It Compares With a Standard Bay Cruise

A standard group cruise usually gives you a set schedule and a lower individual price. This boat trip asks you to pay more for a private setting and a say in how the hours are used.

That difference matters most when your group has a clear plan. If eight people want a mix of fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, and a meal stop, the private boat can be good value. If your group only wants a quick view of the coast, four hours may be enough, but the price may feel high with only two or three people aboard.

The 4.7 out of 5 rating from 46 ratings and 93 percent recommendation rate point to a consistently positive experience. The most praised parts are the crew’s service, the water activities, the food and drinks offered on some outings, and the photo service. I would use those points as encouragement, not as a guarantee that every booking includes the same extras.

Should You Book the Bertram 38?

Book it if you have a larger group, want a private boat, and like the idea of combining shoreline sightseeing with snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking. At full capacity, the $800 price is easier to justify, and the flexible four to eight-hour format lets you match the day to your interests.

Think twice if you are traveling with only one or two people, need hotel transportation, or expect a fully inclusive lunch and drinks. Ask about the exact duration, kayaking equipment, meal stops, photos, and any added food or beverage costs before confirming.

For a group of friends or a family of up to eight, I would choose six hours as the most useful starting point. It gives you time for the coast, the wildlife rocks, and at least one active pursuit without turning the day into an exhausting marathon.

FAQ

How much does the private boat experience cost?

The price is $800 per group for up to eight people.

How long is the boat trip?

The experience lasts approximately four to eight hours.

How many people can join the private tour?

Up to eight people can participate in the private activity.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment provided?

Yes. Fishing gear is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and chopped fruit are included. A full meal, additional drinks, and other food service are not listed as standard inclusions.

Is kayaking available?

Kayaking is highlighted as an activity, but the included equipment list specifically names snorkeling equipment and fishing gear. Confirm the kayaking arrangements before booking.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Do I need to bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included, so bring your own if you plan to swim or snorkel.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the activity to be canceled.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

Can children join the activity?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if I miss the tour because my cruise ship is late?

A refund will not be issued if you miss the activity because your cruise ship is late or you do not arrive.