Everyone who visits Puerto Vallarta eventually looks out at Banderas Bay and thinks about getting a boat. The problem is not a lack of options — it is too many of them, sold through too many middlemen, with prices that are hard to compare. So we did the comparison for you. Every yacht on this list is a real, currently listed boat on BYRBO, the marketplace where Puerto Vallarta yacht charters are booked directly with the people who own them. Prices are the owners' published starting rates as of October 2026.

How we ranked them

We did not rank by size or by price. We ranked by how much boat you get for the kind of day most visitors actually want, weighing five things:

  • Value per guest — the starting rate divided by a comfortable headcount.
  • Versatility — can it do Los Arcos, a south-shore beach day and a sunset equally well?
  • Comfort — shade, stability, deck space, bathrooms.
  • Wow factor — the “we did that?” moment.
  • Transparency — a published price and an owner you can talk to before paying, which is the whole point of boat rental by owner.

1. Sunseeker 64 — Marina Vallarta

64 ft sport yacht · up to 15 guests · from USD 2,681 per 4 hours. Our number one is the boat that does everything well. The Sunseeker 64 is a genuine British-built sport yacht: fast enough to reach the south shore without eating half your charter in transit, big enough that fifteen people never feel crowded, and polished enough that a birthday or an anniversary feels like an occasion. Split among twelve guests it is roughly USD 220 per person for four hours — a long way from cheap, but a fair price for a private yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta that feels this good. If your group wants one day that looks like the brochure, this is it.

Best for: celebrations of 8–15 people, Los Arcos plus Majahuitas, sunset with style.

2. Lagoon 38 “Sail & Celebrate” — Marina Vallarta

38 ft sailing catamaran · up to 23 guests · from USD 1,100 per 4 hours. The best-value boat on the whole list. The Lagoon 38 in our cover photo — that is it at Los Arcos — carries up to 23 guests for a starting price that works out under USD 70 each with a group of sixteen. Two hulls mean a steady deck for kids and anyone who gets seasick, the bow nets are the best seats on the bay, and under sail it is quiet enough to hear the water. If you are looking for affordable yacht rentals in Puerto Vallarta for a big family or a group of friends, start here.

Best for: families, groups on a budget, snorkelling at Los Arcos, sunset sails.

3. Custom 45 Party Catamaran with Waterslide — Marina Vallarta

45 ft catamaran · up to 30 guests · from USD 1,666 per 4 hours. There is a waterslide. That should be enough, but there is more: the Custom 45 party catamaran has a huge open deck, sun loungers, shade and room for thirty, which makes it the most fun boat in Marina Vallarta for birthdays, bachelorette parties and teenagers who are “too old” for family vacations. At full capacity it is under USD 60 per person.

Aerial view of the Custom 45 party catamaran with waterslide and paddleboards, a party yacht charter in Puerto Vallarta
The Custom 45 at anchor with its waterslide and paddleboards out. Photo: BYRBO listing.

For a group, it is one of the clearest arguments for party boat rentals in Puerto Vallarta booked owner-direct: you know exactly which boat you are getting, and you can ask the owner about music, decorations and catering before you pay.

Best for: parties of 15–30, swimming stops, groups with teens.

4. Cheoy Lee 90 — Marina Vallarta

90 ft motor yacht · up to 45 guests · from USD 3,600 per 4 hours. The most accessible superyacht in the bay. The Cheoy Lee 90 has the presence of a true big yacht — multiple decks, indoor salon, serious crew — but a four-hour starting rate and a 45-guest capacity that bring the per-person cost down to around USD 100 for a large group. For a corporate outing, a rehearsal dinner or a milestone birthday where you want everyone on one magnificent boat, nothing else on the list touches it for value.

Best for: large celebrations, company events, “wow” on a sensible budget.

5. Lagoon 42 Luxury Catamaran — Marina La Cruz

42 ft catamaran · up to 20 guests · from USD 1,600 per day. A full day for twenty from USD 1,600 is the standout deal on the north shore. The Lagoon 42 leaves from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, roughly 45 minutes from the Marietas Islands, which makes it the natural choice for a Marietas-and-Punta-Mita day if you are staying in Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías or Punta de Mita. The wider north-shore fleet is listed under La Cruz yacht charters.

Best for: Marietas Islands, north-shore resort guests, full days at a half-day price.

6. Azimut 105 — Marina Vallarta

105 ft super-luxury yacht · up to 20 guests · from USD 8,500 per day. Here the list moves into a different world. The Azimut 105 is an Italian superyacht with the deck space, interiors and crew to make a full day feel like a private resort that moves. Twenty guests is a capacity chosen for comfort, not to squeeze in more bodies. For a once-in-a-lifetime day, this is the most complete luxury yacht rental in Puerto Vallarta we found short of the 122.

Best for: VIP days, proposals with the whole family aboard, a full-day south-shore cruise in total comfort.

7. Hatteras 122 — Marina Vallarta

122 ft super-luxury yacht · up to 12 guests · from USD 12,670 per day. The biggest yacht in the bay and the most expensive on our list. The Hatteras 122 carries just twelve guests across 122 feet — that ratio tells you everything about the experience. It ranks seventh rather than first only because so few groups need this much yacht. If yours does, there is nothing else like it in Puerto Vallarta. See the wider luxury yachts in Puerto Vallarta for comparison.

Best for: executives, small VIP groups, the ultimate superyacht charter in Puerto Vallarta.

8. Montefino 84 — La Cruz

84 ft super-luxury yacht · up to 25 guests · from USD 7,500 per day. The north shore's flagship. The Montefino 84 leaves from La Cruz and has room for twenty-five, which makes it the luxury choice for a large group heading to the Marietas or around Punta de Mita. Classic big-yacht elegance with the shortest possible run to the islands.

Best for: luxury Marietas days, Punta de Mita and Riviera Nayarit guests.

9. Party 90 Custom Catamaran — Marina Nuevo Vallarta

90 ft catamaran · up to 150 guests · from USD 3,100 per day. The only boat on our list that can take an entire wedding. The Party 90 is built for celebrations up to 150 guests, and at that scale the vessel itself costs about twenty dollars a head for the day. Catering, bar and music are where the real budget goes — agree them with the owner up front.

Best for: destination weddings, company incentives, very large groups.

10. Mikelson 60 Sportfishing Yacht & Cruiser — Marina Vallarta

60 ft sportfishing yacht · up to 30 guests · from USD 1,250 per 4 hours. The wildcard. The Mikelson 60 is a proper sportfishing yacht that also works as a roomy cruiser, so one group can fish in the morning and swim in the afternoon. Thirty guests from USD 1,250 for four hours makes it one of the cheapest big boats in the marina per head. If half your group wants to fish and half wants to sunbathe, book this. For dedicated fishing boats, see our Top 10 fishing charters in Puerto Vallarta.

Best for: mixed fishing-and-cruising groups, budget big-boat days.

The Top 10 at a glance

#YachtMarinaGuestsFrom
1Sunseeker 64Marina Vallarta15USD 2,681 / 4 h
2Lagoon 38 “Sail & Celebrate”Marina Vallarta23USD 1,100 / 4 h
3Custom 45 Party CatamaranMarina Vallarta30USD 1,666 / 4 h
4Cheoy Lee 90Marina Vallarta45USD 3,600 / 4 h
5Lagoon 42Marina La Cruz20USD 1,600 / day
6Azimut 105Marina Vallarta20USD 8,500 / day
7Hatteras 122Marina Vallarta12USD 12,670 / day
8Montefino 84La Cruz25USD 7,500 / day
9Party 90 Custom CatamaranMarina Nuevo Vallarta150USD 3,100 / day
10Mikelson 60Marina Vallarta30USD 1,250 / 4 h

Prices are owners' published starting rates in October 2026. Holidays, catering, extra hours and Marietas permits can add to them. To see the other 67 boats on the bay, browse the full list of yacht rentals around Banderas Bay.

Picking the right yacht for your group

  • Couple or small family (2–6): you do not need anything on this list. Smaller sailboats and sport boats start around USD 700 per 4 hours — see private boat rentals in Puerto Vallarta.
  • Families and friends (8–23): #2 Lagoon 38 for value, #1 Sunseeker 64 for style, #5 Lagoon 42 from the north shore.
  • Parties (15–45): #3 Custom 45 for fun, #4 Cheoy Lee 90 for grandeur, #10 Mikelson 60 for budget.
  • Weddings and incentives (50–150): #9 Party 90.
  • VIP and milestone days: #6 Azimut 105, #7 Hatteras 122, #8 Montefino 84.

Why we only listed owner-direct boats

Every yacht above is booked through its owner or operator, not through a reseller. That matters for three reasons. First, price: every intermediary takes a commission, and you pay it. Second, accuracy: the person answering your question about the shower, the snorkel gear or the Marietas permit is the person who runs the boat. Third, flexibility: an owner can adjust the route, the menu or the hours in a way a reseller with a fixed package cannot. An owner-direct yacht charter is simply a shorter, clearer chain between you and your day on the water.

When to charter: the season in one paragraph

The bay is at its calmest and driest from November to May, and from roughly December to March humpback whales arrive to breed and calve — the most requested weeks of the year, when the best boats on this list go first. Christmas, New Year and Easter week are the hardest dates to get. Summer, from June to October, is hot, green and quiet: warm water, short afternoon storms, plenty of availability and owners with more room to talk about longer charters. Whatever the month, mornings are usually the smoothest time on the water, and sunset departures are the most popular. If your dates are fixed, decide on the boat first and book it as soon as you know your headcount; if your dates are flexible, choose a midweek day and let the yacht you want decide when you go.

Booking checklist

  • Confirm the exact boat, marina and slip — and get the crew's phone number for the day.
  • Ask what the base rate includes: crew, fuel for your route, snorkel gear, paddleboards, ice and drinks.
  • Ask what costs extra: catering, open bar, Marietas permits, decorations, extra hours.
  • Respect the maximum guest number — it is a safety limit.
  • Read the deposit, weather and cancellation policy before paying.
  • Budget a tip for the crew; 10–15% is common in Puerto Vallarta.

Visiting in winter? Combine your charter with the whales — see our Top 10 things to do in whale season. Looking for more on the water? Our Puerto Vallarta tours page rounds up the best of the bay.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best yacht to charter in Puerto Vallarta?

For most groups, the Sunseeker 64 out of Marina Vallarta (up to 15 guests, from USD 2,681 per 4 hours) offers the best balance of speed, comfort and style. On a budget, the Lagoon 38 catamaran (up to 23 guests, from USD 1,100 per 4 hours) is the best value.

How much does it cost to charter a yacht in Puerto Vallarta?

Published starting rates in October 2026 range from about USD 700 per 4 hours for small boats, through USD 1,100–2,700 per 4 hours for the popular 38–64 ft yachts and catamarans, to USD 12,670 per day for the Hatteras 122.

What is the largest yacht for charter in Puerto Vallarta?

The Hatteras 122, based in Marina Vallarta, is the longest yacht listed. For the most guests, the Party 90 custom catamaran in Marina Nuevo Vallarta takes up to 150.

Which marina is best for the Marietas Islands?

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, on the north shore, is the closest of the main marinas — about 45 minutes by boat. The Lagoon 42 and Montefino 84 on our list both leave from there.

Can I book a yacht directly with the owner?

Yes. Every yacht in this ranking is listed by its owner or operator, so you can message them, agree the route and extras, and pay them directly.

How far in advance should I book?

For Christmas, New Year, Easter and whale season (roughly December to March), book several weeks ahead. Midweek dates in the summer low season can often be booked a few days out.

Our verdict

Ten boats, ten different days on the water — and every one of them a real yacht you can message today. Start with the Sunseeker 64 if you want the all-rounder, the Lagoon 38 if you want the deal, and the Cheoy Lee 90 if you want to bring everyone. Then compare the full fleet of Puerto Vallarta Yacht Charters & Rentals and book the one that fits.

See all 77 Puerto Vallarta yachts on BYRBO »

Sources & references