The south shore beaches of Puerto Vallarta, by boat

A pocket of sand between two rock walls, barely 30 meters wide, with clear, calm water. About 25 minutes by boat from Los Muertos Pier, or a 20 to 25 minute jungle trail on foot from Boca de Tomatlán. There are no services, so it is a swim stop rather than a place to spend the day. We stop here on the Los Arcos and Las Animas tour.

A long beach lined with restaurants where you eat with your feet in the sand, about 30 minutes from the pier. Calm water, shade, bathrooms and fresh seafood. It is the best choice for families with small children and for a first day on the bay.

It gets busy around midday when the water taxis arrive, which is why a private boat makes a difference: you can get there early or stay late.

A fishing village about 35 to 40 minutes from the pier, with a beach, a few restaurants and a waterfall inland. The hike is around 40 minutes each way, or you can ride horseback for an extra fee. Plan 5 to 7 hours in total if you want the waterfall and lunch.

A small beach about 40 minutes from the pier with clear water over rock and reef. A private club occupies part of it, so there are no public services for boat visitors: bring everything you need, the cooler on board is your kitchen here. Good for snorkeling and for groups that want quiet.

The largest village on the south shore, roughly 45 minutes to an hour by panga. A wide beach, restaurants, a 20-minute walk to a waterfall and a town with no cars. It deserves a full day; our Yelapa tour runs 6 to 8 hours, minimum 6, and stops at Los Arcos on the way.

In 4 hours: Los Arcos plus Colomitos or Las Animas. In 5 to 6 hours: Los Arcos, a swim at Colomitos, lunch at Las Animas and a stop at Majahuitas on the way back. In 6 to 8 hours: Yelapa with Los Arcos, or Quimixto with the waterfall and a late lunch.

The water taxi follows a fixed schedule and a fixed route. A private boat leaves when you want, stops where you want and comes back when you are done. That is the whole difference.