Most boat tours in Puerto Vallarta work the same way: you pick a fixed package — "4-hour snorkel tour," "half-day fishing trip" — and you get exactly what's on the flyer. Ours doesn't work that way. Every boat at Ol' Salty's Ranch is booked by the hour, which means the itinerary isn't fixed at all. You decide how long you're out, and your captain builds the day around whatever mix of fishing, snorkeling, beach time and whale watching you want.
That freedom is great, but it also means there's no menu to point at. This guide walks through how to actually plan a day on the water here — starting with the boat, then the hours, then the itinerary itself.
Start With the Boat, Not the Itinerary
Before you think about what you want to do, think about who's coming and how they'll be most comfortable for the hours you're out. We run three boats out of Marina Nuevo Vallarta, and they're built for different kinds of days:
- Peaceful Feeling — a 32' center console Super Panga with twin Mercury 300 HP outboards, an onboard bathroom, and Furuno GPS and fish finder. Fast and agile, up to 8 guests. Best for smaller groups who want a quick, capable boat focused on fishing.
- Guanatuna — a 34' Gulfstream with twin turbo 250 HP Cummins diesels, 1 bathroom, and Raymarine GPS, radar and fish finder. Open-air (no A/C), up to 15 guests. A solid middle option for mid-size groups doing a full day of fishing, cruising or a custom mix.
- Steel n Time — our flagship: a 53' Hatteras sport fisher with twin Detroit diesel 900 HP motors, 2 full bathrooms, 2 bedrooms, a full kitchen and salon, and 3 air conditioners. Up to 22 guests. This is the boat for private celebrations, longer charters, and the only boat in the fleet available for multi-day trips.
If you're a family of six wanting a relaxed beach-and-snorkel day, Peaceful Feeling or Guanatuna will do it comfortably. If you've got a group of 15-20 and want a party-boat feel, or you're planning a multi-day offshore fishing trip, Steel n Time is the call.
How Many Hours Do You Need?
Every charter has a 4-hour minimum, and you can extend by the hour after that — there's no need to guess and overbook, and no need to settle for less time than you actually want. As a rough guide:
- 4 hours — enough for a beach stop at most south-shore coves (with an hour free at anchor), or a couple hours of fishing inside the bay plus time to cool off.
- 6-8 hours — a full day that can combine fishing further out, a beach stop, and time to watch for whales along the way.
- 8-10+ hours — serious fishing range (see below), or a long, unhurried day mixing all four experiences.
- Multi-day — only on Steel n Time, which sleeps up to 8 adults with a full kitchen and salon on board.
Build Your Own Itinerary
Here's the part that actually makes this a custom charter rather than a tour: once you've got a boat and a block of hours, you tell us what you want to do with them. Most days end up being some mix of the following.
Fishing
How far offshore you go is a function of hours, not boat. Inside the bay on a 4-6 hour trip, just outside the bay (5-8 miles) on 6-8 hours, out to Corbeteña on 8-10 hours, and out to El Banco on 10+ hours. Rods, tackle and an experienced captain are included on every boat. Read our full fishing guide for the breakdown by hour and by boat.
Snorkeling
Any boat can anchor over a snorkel spot — Los Arcos and Majahuitas are the two most popular, with Majahuitas being the clearer, more secluded of the two. Bring your own mask and fins, or ask when you book.
Beach Time
South-shore coves like Los Arcos, Las Ánimas and Yelapa, or north toward Punta Mita and Sayulita — see our full Beach Destinations page for the list, minimum hours and free anchor time for each stop.
Whale Watching
We don't run whale watching as its own separate tour — it's almost always folded into a fishing or beach trip. The typical flow: we fish (or cruise) while keeping an eye out, stop the moment we spot whales and let everyone enjoy watching until they move on or lose interest, then pick back up — fishing again, or heading toward a beach for the rest of the day. Our most popular charter is exactly this: fishing, whale watching and a beach stop, all in one trip.
Sample Custom Itineraries
To make this concrete, here's how a few different groups have used their hours:
- 4-hour family day (Peaceful Feeling or Guanatuna) — cruise to Los Arcos, snorkel for a bit, anchor on the beach for the included free hour, head back.
- 8-hour fishing + whale combo (any boat) — fish just outside the bay on the way out, watch for whales the whole time, stop to fish again on the way back toward a beach for the last hour.
- Multi-day offshore (Steel n Time only) — 1-3 days at sea, sleeping aboard, targeting El Banco and beyond with a full kitchen and salon to make it comfortable.
What's Included, Every Time
Regardless of how you build your day: captain and crew, life jackets, and bottled water and ice are included on every charter. Fishing gear is on board depending on the boat. What's not included: food and alcohol (bring your own, or ask about arranging catering), fishing license if required, and a fuel surcharge for trips that run well outside the bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the minimum booking time?
Every boat is booked by the hour with a 4-hour minimum. You can extend in 1-hour increments — just tell us how long you'd like the boat when you book.
Can I combine fishing, snorkeling, beach time and whale watching in one charter?
Yes — that's how most of our charters actually run. Tell us your priorities when you book and we'll build the day around them.
Which boat should I choose for a group of 10-12?
Guanatuna (up to 15 guests) is usually the right fit — enough room to be comfortable without paying for capacity you don't need. For 15+ or a celebration with amenities, go with Steel n Time.
Do you offer multi-day trips?
Yes, on Steel n Time only. She sleeps up to 8 adults and has a full kitchen and salon, making her the only boat in the fleet set up for 1-3 days out at sea.
Do I need to know exactly what I want before I book?
No — a rough idea of your group size and hours is enough to start. Your captain will help shape the itinerary once you're out on the water, based on conditions that day.
