Nautical Miniguide for Vallarta · Nayarit

Sailing is always a unique experience: being inspired by the sea breeze on board your sailboat, seeing the best sunsets in a romantic moment or enjoying an adventurous excursion on a yacht with your friends and family. Any reason is perfect for hoisting the anchor and sailing the seas.

Along Banderas Bay, five impressive and sophisticated marinas offer services and premier amenities, as well as direct access to the most interesting activities and attractions in the region. In addition, our destination offers two specialized shipyards, nautical and yacht clubs for both experts and amateurs, service providers, maritime products of the highest quality and the expert work of highly qualified professionals.

If you are passionate about the sea and navigation, this practical nautical miniguide will provide you with important information to consider.

HOW TO SAIL: RENTALS AND SALES

In our destination, there are several brokers and companies dedicated to boat rentals, who will seek the ideal craft for your needs. If you are not yet ready for that, you can visit the seas on a tour or learn to sail at any of the sailing schools in Banderas Bay.

Sailing Schools

• Capitán Eugenie I. Russell / US (510) 282-8502
• International Sailing Academy / (329) 295-5446
• J/World / US (510) 271-4780
• Programa de Navegación Junior de Vallarta Yacht Club / (322) 297-2222
• Ocean Adventures / (322) 297-2249
• SMA Yachts / (331) 850-5854

Tours and Charters

• Amanecer Yacht Charters / (334) 624-2966
• Aurora Yacht Services México / moc.l1714048841iamto1714048841h@sek1714048841azsal1714048841guod1714048841
• Charter Dreams / (322) 221-0690
• Ecotours Vallarta / (322) 209-2195
• Francisco Martínez / (329) 295-0162
• Marigalante / (322) 223-0875
• Mike’s Charters & Tours / (322) 221-1979
• Puerto Vallarta Tours / (322) 222-4935
• Superior Tours / (322) 222-0024
• Surf Mexico / 01 (800) 000-7873
• Vallarta Adventures / (322) 297-1212
• Vallarta By Boat / (322) 221-2510
• Vallarta Under Sea / (322) 209-0025

Brokers

• Nautica Boats / (322) 297-1103
• Performance Boats / 01 (800) 002-6287
• SMA Yachts / (331) 850-5854
• Vallarta Yacht Sales & Services / (322) 297-2249

WHERE TO ARRIVE: MARINAS

Marina Vallarta
Harbormaster: Pablo Fernández
Paseo de la Marina S/N Interior 3, Marina Vallarta
(322) 221-0275
marina-vallarta.com.mx
LAT: 20°39.82’N · LNG: 105°15.06’W
VHF Channel 18

Located in Puerto Vallarta, in the heart of Banderas Bay, this famous marina offers world-class facilities and amenities. The sophisticated port has 352 docks, for boats between 30 and 150 feet, used by various yachts and recreational boats, since it has a strategic location five minutes from the international airport and close to the city center. Marina Vallarta is tranquil and at the same time full of entertainment options, with its malecón featuring some of the best restaurants, boutiques and galleries in the region, as well as some of the most renowned resorts and the legendary Marina Vallarta Golf Course.

Nuevo Vallarta Marina
Harbormaster: Juan Sebastián Estrada
Paseo de la Marina S/N, Nuevo Vallarta
(329) 297-7000
marinanuevovallarta.com
LAT: 20°41’N · LNG: 105°17’W
VHF Channel 16

This lovely marina is found after entering the Nuevo Vallarta canal, where a shelter is created that protects the boats against winds and waves, thanks to the breakwater at the entrance. It has 62 docks, from 56 to 130 feet, with a capacity for 80 boats. With excellent facilities and avant-garde services, it is located in one of the most peaceful and exclusive areas of Nuevo Vallarta, with a wide range of dining options and entertainment such as restaurants, bars, cafes, shops and entertainment venues.

Paradise Village Marina
Harbormaster: Dick Markie
Paseo de los Cocoteros 1, Nuevo Vallarta
(322) 226-6728
paradisevillagemarina.com
LAT: 20°41.2’N · LNG: 105°17.9’W
VHF Channel 16

Considered by various specialized publications as one of the best marinas in Mexico and the world, Paradise Village Marina offers high-quality services and sophisticated facilities, as well as a yacht club. With space for 200 docks ranging from 26 to 240 feet, it is the only marina in Mexico that holds the Clean Marine certification. In addition, you have immediate access to Paradise Village, a luxury resort with amenities such as casino, shopping center, hospital and business center. It enjoys an excellent location in one of the most exclusive areas of Vallarta · Nayarit.

Boutique Marina Pueblo Náutico
General Manager: Rodrigo Virgen
Blvd. Nayarit 300 Norte, Nuevo Vallarta
(322) 297-4553
marinapueblonautico.com
LAT: 20°41’N · LNG: 105°17’W

Located in the Nuevo Vallarta channel popularly known as El Chino, this boutique marina is known for being a very peaceful and exclusive site, as it is isolated from the transit of external vessels, as well as external pedestrians. It has only 10 berths, with a length of 80’, making it an exceptional option for those with medium-length yachts and sailboats.

Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz
Harbormaster: Rafael Alcántara
Marlín 39, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Riviera Nayarit
(329) 295-5526
marinarivieranayarit.com
LAT: 20°45’N · LNG: 105°24’W
VHF Channel 16

This impressive marina stands out as one of the largest in Latin America, with capacity for up to 600 vessels and a distribution of 354 docks for vessels from 31 to 400 feet, as well as its full range of services and facilities, including a modern shipyard. Marina Riviera Nayarit at La Cruz has several options for enjoyment, such as a yacht club and proximity to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s assorted activities and places of interest (such as its excellent gourmet and traditional restaurants and varied deli product and seafood markets).

WHAT TO VISIT: POINTS OF INTEREST AND ANCHORAGE

In addition to the aforementioned marinas, the region has multiple anchorages, where you can visit, on board your yacht or sailboat, some of Banderas Bay’s most important micro-destinations and tourist attractions.

Puerto Vallarta and the North Shore

From Puerto Vallarta and its extensive skyline to the north of Banderas Bay lie some of the most emblematic coastal communities in the area, such as San Pancho and Sayulita, which are small tourist destinations with great atmosphere and excellent culinary options. Within the bay, you can visit the enigmatic Islas Marietas, and you cannot miss luxurious Punta Mita and Nuevo Vallarta, vibrant La Cruz de Huanacaxtle or the breadth and grandeur of Puerto Vallarta. The following anchorages are located in this zone:

• Punta de Mita, in front of El Anclote (20.766734 N, -105.514282 W)
• Las Tres Marietas (20.700326 N, -105.575875 W)

South Shore 

To the south of Puerto Vallarta, the extensive coast of the bay is full of fishing villages with a lot of flavor and tradition, such as Boca de Tomatlán, Yelapa and Quimixto, paradisiacal beaches such as Las Ánimas, Los Corrales and Majahuitas, as well as a unique and spectacular natural environment, highlighted by the Los Arcos marine park, where you can dive and observe the diverse marine life. If you want to discover the wild and magical South Shore of Banderas Bay, these are the most interesting anchorages:

• Parque Marítimo Los Arcos (20°32.72’N/105°17.45’W)
• Boca de Tomatlán (20°30.76’N/105°18.93’W)
• Las Ánimas (20°30.45’N/105°20.70’W)
• Quimixto (20°30.28’N/105°22.18’W)
• Majahuitas (20°30.49’N/105°23.45’W)
• Punta Boca (20°30.43’N/105°24.14’W)
• Yelapa (20°29.47’N/105°26.60’W)
• Manzanillas (20°29.44’N/105°29.39’W)
• La Cueva (20°29.01’N/105°34.30’W)
• Chimo (20°28.96’N/105°34.67’W).
• Los Corrales (20°24.56’N/105°26.60’W)