Sailing in Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay
There’s a version of Puerto Vallarta that most visitors never see — the one that unfolds from the water. The Sierra Madre mountains rising behind a jungle-covered coastline. Hidden coves too shallow for anything but a sailboat. Dolphins surfing your bow wake as you head out into open Banderas Bay. Sailing in Puerto Vallarta doesn’t just change your view of the city. It changes the whole trip.
The Bay Is Built for Sailing
Banderas Bay is one of the largest natural bays in Mexico, stretching nearly 40 kilometers from point to point. That scale means consistent afternoon winds, calm protected anchorages, and enough coastline to explore that no two trips feel the same. Whether you’re after a full-day adventure or a sunset cruise as the city lights come on, the bay delivers.
The coastline itself is the draw. Emerald water against volcanic rock. Palms spilling down toward the shore. The kind of scenery that earns Puerto Vallarta its reputation as one of the most beautiful destinations in Mexico — and that you can only really take in from the deck of a boat.
Marine Life Worth Watching For
Banderas Bay is one of the most biologically rich stretches of Pacific coast in the Americas. Common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are a near-daily sighting — they’re fast, curious, and frequently come right up to the boat. Spinner dolphins appear in the outer bay in large pods. Sea turtles surface to breathe. Manta rays breach in the afternoon.
During the winter months (roughly December through March), humpback whales make Banderas Bay their home. It’s one of Mexico’s most important humpback breeding and calving grounds, and sightings are frequent and spectacular. Breaches, tail slaps, mother-calf pairs — the bay puts on a show.
Above the water, the birdlife is equally impressive. Brown pelicans skim the surface in formation. Frigatebirds ride the thermals overhead. Blue-footed and red-footed boobies nest on the rocky headlands. If you pay attention, there’s always something worth watching.
Snorkeling Stops That Go Beyond the Usual
Most of our sailing trips include stops for snorkeling and swimming — and the locations make a real difference. Los Arcos National Marine Park, a protected cluster of rock arches south of Puerto Vallarta, is one of the best snorkeling spots on the bay. The arches create underwater formations filled with reef fish, rays, and sea turtles. El Paredón Beach, further south, offers calmer water and a dramatic stretch of coastline you can’t reach by road.
Venture further and the bay has more to give. Secluded coves, empty beaches, anchorages where you’ll have the water entirely to yourself. The sailing is part of how you get there — and part of why it feels earned.
The Fleet: Sailboats and Catamarans
Anamar Adventures runs a mixed fleet of sailboats and catamarans, which means we can match the boat to what you’re actually looking for. Catamarans offer more deck space and stability — great for groups, families, or anyone who wants to spread out and relax. Our sailboats offer a more traditional sailing experience: heeling into the wind, canvas up, the kind of motion that makes the ocean feel alive beneath you.
Our boats range from the intimate C&C Macarena (10 guests) to the spacious Leopard catamaran (20 guests), with options across the fleet for private charters, small groups, and everything in between.
Food, Drinks, and the Slower Kind of Day
Most of our tours include food and an open bar — because a day on the water deserves to be properly fed. Fresh ceviche. Cold Pacificos. Guacamole made on board. The kind of meal that only tastes that good when you’re eating it on a boat in the middle of Banderas Bay.
Sunset cruises take this further. The light on the bay in the final hour before dark is unlike anything on land — golden, warm, and moving. Bring someone you want to impress.
Ready to Get on the Water?
Whether you want a full-day adventure with snorkeling and wildlife, a private charter for a special occasion, or a sunset cruise to end a perfect day in Puerto Vallarta — we’ll put together the right trip. Our crew knows this bay, and they know how to make a day on it memorable.
Get in touch to book your sailing trip or browse our tours to see what’s available.
