My name is Heidi and I live in Victoria, British Columbia (BC), Canada. Rate 5 star! January 2026 I went to Ixtapa for two weeks and stayed at Posada Real Hotel. Fernando was the Sunnyside representative in our hotel lobby. He was friendly, informative and spoke English very well. We did three excursions with Sunnyside. The tour to Ixtapa Island included a delicious hot lunch on the beach and I paid extra for a snorkelling guided tour. I was able to snorkel by myself after the introduction to the area and sea life. Our guide Mariella took great care to make sure we had the most enjoyable experience. The sunset cruise was so much fun, we celebrated my birthday that day. The crew of the catamaran Picante were amazing! They made sure that everyone was having a good time and provided entertainment that had everyone laughing. The food and drinks were good. The captain spoke English very well and told us about the sights along the way, we even saw humpback whales! The crew put out fishing rods and I reeled in a Spanish mackerel! (I am a fisherperson back home) The turtle release was a highlight for me as I have never done this before. We drove to a remote beach were a family works to conserve the turtle population. Our guide educated us on the endangered turtles and what they are doing to increase the population of green turtles specifically. It was an amazing feeling to dig up the baby turtles, hold them and then release then into the ocean surf. I highly recommend Sunnyside for excursions and will certainly book more with them the next time I am in Ixtapa. Thanks Fernando for making me feel special.
Private Boat Charters: Your Custom Sea Adventure
Enjoy the freedom of exploring Ixtapa–Zihuatanejo aboard a private boat reserved exclusively for your group. Cruise along beautiful beaches and bays, swim, snorkel, fish, watch for marine life, or simply relax while enjoying the Pacific scenery. A flexible and personalized experience perfect for couples, families, and groups of friends.
Overview
Discover the coast of Ixtapa–Zihuatanejo from a completely different perspective with a private boat experience designed exclusively for you and your group.
From the moment you leave the shore, the Pacific becomes your playground. Cruise along beautiful bays, tropical coastline, secluded beaches, and open waters while enjoying the freedom of traveling at your own pace. Depending on the selected boat, your private experience may take place aboard a traditional panga, a comfortable mid-size vessel, or a more spacious option for groups looking for additional comfort.
One of the greatest advantages of a private boat tour is the flexibility to create an experience around your interests. Spend the day swimming and snorkeling in clear waters, visit iconic coastal locations such as Ixtapa Island or Playa Las Gatas, enjoy light fishing, look for marine wildlife, or simply relax on board while taking in the scenery.
During whale season, the journey may also offer the opportunity to encounter humpback whales and other marine life along the Pacific coast, adding an unforgettable natural element to your day at sea. For those looking for a more relaxing atmosphere, a private sunset cruise offers spectacular views as the sky transforms into shades of gold, orange, and pink over the ocean.
Perfect for couples, families, and groups of friends, this private boat experience combines freedom, privacy, and adventure in one memorable day. Whether your idea of the perfect outing means exploring, swimming, fishing, or simply enjoying the sea, the coast of Ixtapa–Zihuatanejo is yours to discover.
What's Included
- Private boat (panga, medium or large) for the contracted duration (up to 7 hours, departing at 7:00 a.m.)
- Licensed captain and experienced crew familiar with the area
- Basic fishing equipment: rods, basic bait, hooks
- On-board drinks: water and soft drinks; some options may include beer or other beverages upon request
- Fuel and necessary permits
- Captain’s advice on the best spots for snorkeling, fishing, or sightseeing
Not Included
- Snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins) for use during the tour
- Food or Lunch** (in many cases there is an option to stop at a beach to eat, but this is an additional cost)
- Transportation from your hotel to the dock, unless otherwise specified
- Alcoholic beverages or other special drinks (if not previously agreed upon)
- Additional water activities at the beach, such as jet ski, banana boat, kayak, etc., if not previously booked or included
Recommendations
- What to Bring:
- Swimsuit and towel
- Sunscreen and hat or cap
- Comfortable shoes that are easy to remove
- Change of clothes if you plan to swim or snorkel
- Camera or phone with waterproof protection
- Bottle of water and snacks
- Notify in advance if you are celebrating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, proposal, etc.)
- Tips:
- Arrive on time to make the most of your sailing experience
- Follow all crew instructions for your safety
- Keep your belongings secure and protected from water
- Enjoy the experience while respecting the environment and marine life
Important Information
Restrictions:
External alcoholic beverages are not allowed
Not suitable for passengers who are intoxicated at boarding
Minors must be accompanied by an adult at all times
Capacity is limited depending on the type of boat
Departure is subject to favorable weather conditions
Important Notes:
To ensure your tour is safe, comfortable, and meets expectations, please consider the following:
Whale watching season: typically from December 15 to March 20, when whale sightings are most likely. Outside this season, sightings are not guaranteed.
Maximum tour duration: up to 5 hours for comfort; longer trips may require an additional charge or a larger yacht.
Boat capacity: depends on the vessel selected; pangas are more basic and for smaller groups, while medium or large boats offer more comfort and space.
Sea conditions: ocean state may affect snorkeling, fishing, and wildlife viewing. If the sea is rough, some activities may be adjusted or rescheduled.
Weather conditions: rain, storms, or rough tides may affect the itinerary. Always check forecast and availability.
Age / health considerations: minors must be supervised; pregnant guests or people with mobility issues should consult the operator beforehand.
Sun protection & clothing: bring swimsuit, towel, hat, biodegradable sunscreen, light clothing, and dry change of clothes.
Advance reservations are highly recommended, especially during high season, to secure boats and availability.
Respect for the ecosystem: avoid touching coral, disturbing marine life, or leaving trash; always follow guide or captain instructions.
Meeting / Pickup Information
Main peir of zihuatanejo
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3. Select Your Units
4. Your Details
CUSTOMER GOOGLE REVIEWS
Real experiences from our guests in Ixtapa and Riviera Maya.
On June 5, 2026, my husband and I went on the City Tour, and Oscar was our guide. He was very knowledgeable about the areas around Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. When we visited the La Ropa area, we stopped at the beach, where there were various restaurants and shops where you could make purchases. We stopped and saw various bird species, crocodiles, and iguanas. We grabbed a bite to eat at Chekos for lunch, and it was delicious, and the customer service was great. They were very friendly people. Afterward, we opted not to go to the downtown marketplace and instead went to the Parthenon. The view was breathtaking, and the artwork was beautiful. Even though the story behind the place sounds horrible, I am glad the government was able to turn it into something that could benefit its citizens. Thank you, Oscar, for making our excursion memorable, and thank you to Sunnyside for an amazing tour.
Todo excelente, la verdad. Alder una persona increíble, la verdad sin comentarios negativos! Todo increíble!! (Translated by Google) Everything was excellent, truly. Alder is an amazing person, honestly, no negative comments at all! Everything was incredible!!
Muy buen trato por parte del guía, la visita a la playa y el tur contratado estuvo increíble, la camioneta muy limpia. Recomendado para contratar tours ahí (Translated by Google) The guide was excellent, the beach visit and the tour were amazing, and the van was very clean. Highly recommended for booking tours there.
Muy buena lo recomiendo ampliamente por parte del guía todo muy bien (Translated by Google) Very good, I highly recommend it. The guide was great, everything was excellent.
Excelente servicio por parte del guía, lo recomiendo para su próxima visita a Ixtapa, resuelve cualquier duda y muy respetuoso! (Translated by Google) Excellent service from the guide, I highly recommend him for your next visit to Ixtapa. He answers all your questions and is very respectful!
Increíble recorrido, guía muy bien capacitado, excelente en todo (Translated by Google) Incredible tour, very well-trained guide, excellent in every way
Fue una experiencia inolvidable y muy recomendable (Translated by Google) It was an unforgettable and highly recommended experience
Excelente servicio, puntuales y muy buen trato (Translated by Google) Excellent service, punctual and very friendly
Buena experiencia, la comida y transporte todo muy bien (Translated by Google) Great experience, the food and transport were all very good.
Todo excelente! Elder siempre estuvo al pendiente, buen servicio, gracias por la experiencia, (Translated by Google) Everything was excellent! Elder was always attentive, great service, thank you for the experience!
El servicio fue tal cual lo que pedimos, nuestro guía fue excelente, muy educado, muy servicial y estuvo atento a todo lo que necesitábamos (Translated by Google) The service was exactly as we requested; our guide was excellent, very polite, very helpful, and attentive to all our needs.
Enrique nos dió un excelente servicio, siempre puntual y la camioneta limpia en todo momento. Súper recomendable contratarlos para cualquier viaje en donde estés. (Translated by Google) Enrique provided excellent service, always punctual, and the van was spotless at all times. We highly recommend hiring them for any trip, wherever you are.
Increíble servicio de Enrique, súper amable y muy puntual (Translated by Google) Enrique provided amazing service, he was super friendly and very punctual.
On June 9th, my wife and I went on the Horseback riding excursion, and Oscar was once again our amazing guide. I have to tell everyone, he felt more like our cousin back home. He was very personable, and we were able to cut up with one another. He has a great sense of humor as well. He even helped us with our Spanish. When we arrived at the ranch, Eduardo “Lolo” was waiting for us. The horses were well fed and cared for, which made our hearts feel good because we knew they were cared for. We took a beautiful ride along the shoreline, talked, and laughed with Eduardo and Oscar. We were very thankful that Enrique was able to reschedule our excursion from the previous day because of the storm. OSCAR, we want to say, muchas gracias, mi amigo.
Servicio rápido, atento y amable por parte de Gabino y Enrique (Translated by Google) Fast, attentive and friendly service from Gabino and Enrique
Muy buen servicio, atención y comodidad (Translated by Google) Excellent service, attention and comfort
Me encantó su servicio es excelente el trato del guia muy informativo y pendiente en todo momento hicimos el City Tour y quedamos enamorados de Zihuatanejo. Volveremos para laa proximaa vacaciones. (Translated by Google) I loved their service; it was excellent. The guide was very informative and attentive at all times. We did the City Tour and fell in love with Zihuatanejo. We will return for our next vacation.
Muy buen servicio del personal y camionetas prácticamente nuevas y en excelentes condiciones, tour tomado a chichén. 100% Recomendado
Todo bien (Translated by Google) All good
Excelente servicio!! En todo momento estuvieron al pendiente de lo que necesitábamos. Gracias (Translated by Google) Excellent service! They were attentive to our needs at all times. Thank you!
Súper recomendando, muy buena atención y se preocupan por brindarte una buena experiencia (Translated by Google) Highly recommended, excellent service and they care about providing you with a great experience
Siempre que necesito algún servicio de transporte, yate o velero recurro a ellos, tienen gran variedad de opciones y un gran servicio al cliente, nunca fallan! (Translated by Google) Whenever I need any transportation, yacht, or sailboat service, I turn to them. They have a wide variety of options and excellent customer service; they never let me down!
Excelente servicio, muy recomendado el equipo de SunnySide, siempre al tanto de ti y tus necesidades para tener una gran estadía en Zihua e Ixtapa (Translated by Google) Excellent service, highly recommend the SunnySide team, always attentive to your needs to ensure a great stay in Zihua and Ixtapa
Excelente servicio. Conocí esta empresa en Cancún y tuve muy buena experiencia con mi traslado al hotel y al aeropuerto. En diciembre pasado, pasamos navidad con mi familia en Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, y sorpresa, los encontré nuevamente en el hotel Posada Real y contraté un tour a la Isla de Ixtapa: ¡increíble! Todo muy bien organizado y con gran atención. Terminé reservando 2 tours más, sin duda recomendados. (Translated by Google) Excellent service. I first encountered this company in Cancun and had a great experience with their transfers to and from the hotel and airport. Last December, my family and I spent Christmas in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, and to my surprise, I found them again at the Posada Real hotel and booked a tour to Ixtapa Island: incredible! Everything was very well organized and the service was excellent. I ended up booking two more tours; I highly recommend them.