Yacht Charters for Nuevo Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit Resort Guests: Marina Nuevo Vallarta, La Cruz and Punta Mita
Staying at a resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Flamingos, Bucerías or Punta de Mita? Your nearest yachts leave from Marina Nuevo Vallarta and La Cruz, closer to the Marietas Islands. Docks, real boats and rates, and how to book owner-direct.
Most yacht advice for this part of Mexico is written from the Puerto Vallarta side of the bay, as if everybody sleeps near the Malecón. If your resort is in Nuevo Vallarta, Flamingos, Bucerías or out on the Punta de Mita peninsula, that advice sends you on the wrong drive. You are in the state of Nayarit, on the north shore of Banderas Bay, and the better boats for you are already moored up your side of the coast.
This guide re-draws the map for north-bay resort guests: which of the three northern docks suits which hotel strip, what is actually listed there right now, how much it costs, and why the north shore is the smarter starting point for the Marietas Islands and whale season. Throughout, the prices come from owners who list on BYRBO, the marketplace for Puerto Vallarta yacht charters where you book directly with the boat's owner or operator.
Why the north shore changes your charter plan
Banderas Bay is roughly a giant horseshoe. Puerto Vallarta and its Hotel Zone sit on the southern and eastern curve; Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita run along the northern arm toward the open Pacific. Three things follow from that geography:
- The Marietas Islands are close. From La Cruz, the islands are roughly 45 minutes by boat. From the south of the bay it is a much longer run each way.
- Whale-watching water is on your doorstep. Humpbacks gather across the bay in winter, and boats leaving the north shore reach the open-water side of the bay quickly.
- No cross-town traffic. Driving from a Nuevo Vallarta resort to Marina Vallarta at breakfast time means crossing the river, the airport corridor and the city. The northern docks keep your morning short.
The three northern departure points
Marina Nuevo Vallarta: the big-group dock
The marina inside Nuevo Vallarta is, for most resort guests along Paseo de los Cocoteros and in the Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusive strip, close enough to be a quick taxi ride. It is home to the largest party boats in the bay, which matters enormously if you are travelling as a wedding party or a company incentive group. It also has smaller sportfishing boats and an increasing number of catamarans listed in the wider Nuevo Vallarta area.
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Marina Riviera Nayarit): the luxury and Marietas dock
A fishing village turned yachting hub, La Cruz is a short drive from the resorts in Bucerías and La Cruz. Its marina is where many of the bay's luxury motor yachts are based, and where a Marietas run is shortest. If you want one of the big Azimuts or a classic yacht for the day, this is usually where you will board. BYRBO keeps a dedicated page for La Cruz yacht charters.
Punta Mita: the exclusive end of the peninsula
If your resort sits on the Punta de Mita peninsula, you are already at the mouth of the bay, a few minutes from open water. A smaller number of high-end yachts board guests here — see the current list of Punta Mita yacht charters.
Which dock to choose from your resort zone
| Your resort is in… | Nearest dock | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Nuevo Vallarta (main hotel strip) | Marina Nuevo Vallarta | Party catamarans, groups, sportfishing |
| Flamingos / north Nuevo Vallarta | Marina Nuevo Vallarta or La Cruz | Either: group boats south, luxury yachts north |
| Bucerías | La Cruz (Marina Riviera Nayarit) | Marietas Islands, luxury motor yachts |
| La Cruz de Huanacaxtle | La Cruz | Everything north; walk or a quick ride |
| Punta de Mita | Punta Mita or La Cruz | Superyachts, surf-coast cruising, whales |
None of this is a rule. Plenty of north-shore guests happily board in Marina Vallarta when a specific boat they love is moored there. But if you are choosing on convenience, start from the dock nearest your resort and work outward. The easiest way to do that is to browse all yacht charters around Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit and look at the departure marina printed on each listing.
What is actually listed on the north shore (October 2026)
These are real boats with their published starting rates. Note that some owners price per 4 hours, some per full day, some per hour and one per person — compare like with like before you decide.
From Nuevo Vallarta
| Boat | Type | Guests | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Party 90 Custom Catamaran | Party catamaran | 150 | USD 3,100 / day |
| Canuwa II 72' Catamaran | Party yacht | 120 | USD 105 / person |
| Hatteras 75 | Party yacht | 50 | USD 2,490 / day |
| Hatteras 58 “Florero” | Classic motor yacht | 20 | USD 485 / hour |
| Fountaine Pajot 47 (2020) | Catamaran | 20 | USD 3,000 / day |
| Lagoon 42 “Tropical Escape” | Catamaran | 20 | USD 1,750 / 4 h |
| Loreta 60 | Sport yacht | 15 | USD 3,175 / day |
| Baltra 45 | Sport yacht | 15 | USD 2,500 / day |
| Hatteras 54 | Sportfishing | 15 | USD 1,545 / day |
| Cabo 35 | Sportfishing | 10 | USD 1,349 / day |
| Gulf Stream 34 | Day boat | 10 | USD 710 / day |
From La Cruz and Punta Mita
| Boat | Type | Guests | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lagoon 42 Luxury Catamaran (Marina La Cruz) | Luxury catamaran | 20 | USD 1,600 / day |
| Sea Ray 52 (La Cruz) | Luxury yacht | 20 | USD 2,000 / 4 h |
| Chris Craft 65 vintage (La Cruz) | Classic yacht | 16 | USD 2,900 / day |
| Nautical Kings 47 (Marina Riviera Nayarit) | Luxury yacht | 16 | USD 2,925 / 4 h |
| Baltra B6 60 (La Cruz) | Sport yacht | 20 | USD 3,530 / day |
| Sunseeker 58 Flybridge (La Cruz) | Luxury yacht | 15 | USD 3,975 / day |
| Azimut 80 (La Cruz) | Superyacht | 30 | USD 7,060 / day |
| Montefino 84 (La Cruz) | Superyacht | 25 | USD 7,500 / day |
| Azimut 85 Fly (Punta Mita) | Superyacht | 10 | USD 7,810 / day |
The standout value on the north shore is probably the Lagoon 42 out of Marina La Cruz: a full day for up to 20 guests from USD 1,600 is a strong starting price for a private yacht rental on Banderas Bay, and it is the right boat for a Marietas day with two or three families. You can open its listing directly: Lagoon 42, Marina La Cruz.
Weddings, incentives and very large groups
The north shore is where the bay's resort weddings and corporate incentives tend to happen, and the fleet reflects that. Two boats in Marina Nuevo Vallarta take groups most charters cannot:
- Party 90 Custom Catamaran — up to 150 guests from USD 3,100 per day. Split across a full boat that is around twenty dollars a head for the vessel, before catering and bar. See the Party 90 listing.
- Canuwa II — a 72 ft catamaran for up to 120 guests, priced per person from USD 105, which makes budgeting simple when the guest list keeps changing.
For a rehearsal-dinner-at-sea feel with 30–50 people, the Hatteras 75 (50 guests, from USD 2,490 per day) or the Azimut 80 at La Cruz (30 guests) are the boats to ask about. Whatever the size, charter a catamaran for the whole group rather than splitting people across several small boats; a wedding day works best when everyone is on the same deck.
A north-shore day, sketched out
Here is how a typical full day from La Cruz runs for a group staying in Bucerías or Nuevo Vallarta. Times are indicative; your captain will adjust for wind, swell and permits.
- 8:30 — Pickup or taxi from the resort; board at Marina Riviera Nayarit.
- 9:00 — Cast off and head west along the coast toward the mouth of the bay.
- 9:45 — Arrive at the Marietas Islands. Access to the islands is regulated by the national park and some activities need permits — confirm with the owner what your charter includes.
- 11:30 — Run back toward the Punta Mita coast for a swim and lunch at anchor.
- 14:00 — Paddleboards and snorkelling in calmer water near the shore.
- 16:00 — Slow cruise back to La Cruz; whale-watching on the way in season.
Swap the Marietas for a bay crossing to Yelapa or Las Ánimas and you have a south-shore day instead — longer transit from the north, so book a full day rather than four hours.
Leaving the wristband behind: practical notes for resort guests
- Ask the restaurant for a lunch to take. Many all-inclusives will prepare packed lunches for guests heading out on excursions if asked the night before. Check that the boat owner is fine with outside food.
- Plan for the resort shuttle. North-shore resorts are spread out; book a taxi both ways in advance, especially for sunset returns.
- Bring cash for the crew tip and a dry bag for phones.
- Sunscreen that is reef-safe, hats and a light long-sleeved layer. The Marietas run can be breezy on the way back.
- Seasickness: the open water near Punta Mita can roll more than the inner bay. Catamarans are the most stable choice for anyone sensitive.
Booking owner-direct on the north shore
The resort tour desk on the north shore sells the same shared Marietas boats everyone else does. If you want a private boat, you have two routes: a broker who resells someone else's yacht with a margin, or boat rental by owner, where you speak to the people who actually run the vessel. The second is faster to answer detailed questions — can the kids fish off the stern, is there a freshwater shower, can we stop at Punta Mita for lunch — because you are asking the captain's own team.
A good owner-direct booking conversation covers:
- Exact departure marina and slip, and whether hotel pickup is possible.
- What the rate includes: crew, fuel for the planned route, snorkel gear, paddleboards, drinks, food.
- Marietas permits and any national-park fees.
- Maximum guests, including children, and life jackets in their sizes.
- Deposit amount, balance due date, and the weather and cancellation policy.
To shortlist quickly, browse the owner-listed boats across Banderas Bay, filter mentally by departure marina, and message two or three. Most guests have an answer the same day.
When the north shore is at its best
Winter and spring (roughly November to May) bring dry weather, settled seas in the mornings and, from about December to March, humpback whales — the most requested months on the north shore and the first to sell out. Summer is hotter and greener with warm water and the best availability; plan morning departures because afternoon storms are more likely. Our season-by-season guide goes into more detail.
FAQ: yacht charters from Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
Where do yacht charters leave from in Nuevo Vallarta?
Most north-shore charters board at Marina Nuevo Vallarta, at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Marina Riviera Nayarit) or, for a few high-end yachts, at Punta Mita. Each listing on BYRBO states its departure marina.
Is La Cruz closer to the Marietas Islands than Puerto Vallarta?
Yes. From La Cruz the run to the Marietas is roughly 45 minutes, much shorter than from the south of the bay, which leaves more of your charter for swimming and snorkelling.
How much does a private yacht cost from Nuevo Vallarta?
Published starting rates range from about USD 710 per day for a 10-guest day boat and USD 1,349–1,545 per day for sportfishing boats, to USD 2,490–3,175 per day for larger yachts, and USD 3,100 per day for a 150-guest party catamaran.
What is the best boat for a large wedding group?
For 50 or more people, the large party catamarans in Marina Nuevo Vallarta — the Party 90 (up to 150 guests) and Canuwa II (up to 120) — are designed for exactly that.
Can we see whales on a private charter?
In season, roughly December to March, humpback whales are regularly seen across Banderas Bay. Captains follow distance rules around whales, so ask the owner how they run whale-watching on their boat.
Do private charters pick up from resorts?
Some owners can help arrange transport, but most guests take a taxi to the marina. Ask when you book and confirm the exact meeting point.
Plan your north-shore day
You chose a resort on the quiet side of the bay; there is no reason to start your best day of the trip on the busy side. Pick the dock closest to your hotel, decide whether the day is about the Marietas, a celebration or a lazy swim, and compare the Puerto Vallarta yacht rentals listed by their owners. If you are travelling for a milestone, a luxury yacht day from the north shore is the splurge your group will remember longest.
Still deciding where to stay? Compare the all-inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta or browse our roundup of the best boat tours and yacht rentals around the bay.
Browse north-bay yachts on BYRBO →
Sources & references
- Owner-direct yacht listings for Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay — boats, capacities and starting rates (October 2026).
- La Cruz yacht charters — boats departing Marina Riviera Nayarit.
- Punta Mita yacht charters — yachts boarding on the peninsula.
- Catamarans in Puerto Vallarta — sailing and power catamarans around the bay.
- Lagoon 38 catamaran listing — source of the cover photo.
- Power Cat 43 listing — source of the bow-lounge photo.
