Day Sailing on Banderas Bay

There were good, bad and ugly. The good is that the vessel's captain and crew were great, very helpful, cheerful and upbeat. Also good were the refreshments, as much of the limited assortment of drinks you wanted, and lots of quacamole and chips early, then a nice lunch, bento-style, of shrimp, maki rolls, pasta salad, ham chunks stuffed in rolls, jicama, cucumber, melon and berries. More moderately good was the swim stop, not really in a sheltered bay and windy so the only possibilities were to swim tethered to the boat or to use the four swim motors supplied. The sand beach was an impossible swim away so no one went there. Those who did jump in and used the appliances seemed happy to have done so. Also good, the sail back to the marina across the bay was nice, sailing with the wind and waves under jib alone. Some reviewers mentioned the difference in marinas for embark/debark. I think Vallarta Adventures heard this and provided transport to those who were closer to the embark marina back to that marina. The bad began with delays in embarkation we were to told to arrive at Vallarta Adventures by 9 am, but we did not actually leave the marina until 10, with a 30 minute wait at their office, which was nice and had a great large aquarium set up where four dolphins played and we could photograph. More bad we were expecting a 40-45 foot monohull with a small group, but instead were given a 40 foot catamaran with around 20 people aboard, what I would call a party boat experience, and not what was pictured in the Viator advertising. The ugly after the late embarkation, we motored, did not sail, across the bay for most of the way to the swim/lunch area. There were others aboard who also complained of the switch from small group monohull to party catamaran at the outset, and were told we could go to the office and ask for a refund and not take the trip. Since we were all aboard and had planned this day this way, we just took it and went on the trip.Luxurious swimming/snorkeling was impossible as we were not anchored in a protected bay, but in open water, at least 150 meters from the beach and windblown at around 15 knots. The only swimming possible was in the lee of the boat. As for wildlife, some said there was a pod of dolphins nearby, but we did not see them, nor did we see any whales, rays or other wildlife except for the omnipresent seabirds, which one among us took great joy in feeding. So, unless some changes are made in the way this trip is represented, I would not recommend this trip to any sailor or any other person wanting a semi-private sailing experience on Banderas Bay. For others, though, who are not indisposed to taking a party cruise in sun and wind and water, you might like this a lot. And, it is a lot of trip for the money I will say.

Enjoyed the day sailing. Our guide was very knowledgeable, courteous and attended to our every need. Saw lots of beautiful fish when we went snorkeling. Very relaxing day.

I had an absolute blast! Great food and drinks, great weather, awesome crew! Actually got to see dolphins and sea turtles!