Frequently Asked Questions

How many people maximum on the cruise?

We are licensed for a maximum of twenty passengers aboard.

How do I find the location for boarding? When do we board?

Rainbow Dancer picks up the passengers at the Los Muertos Pier. This is on Playa Los Muertos (Los Muertos Beach), which is the popular beach area on the south side of town. If you know where the blue and green chairs are, it is the same beach and the pier can be seen just north (toward the river or toward the airport) from the blue chairs. Look for our staff member there who will be showing a Rainbow Dancer sign or wearing our tee shirt.

How will I get out to the boat?

The Rainbow Dancer staff will arrange for a water taxi to ferry the passengers out to the Rainbow Dancer yacht when it arrives. You will board a water taxi (similar to a large row boat with an outboard motor) since the yacht cannot come into the pier directly.

Can I board any other way?

Sure. Rainbow Dancer leaves from Marina Vallarta before picking up most of the passengers at the Los Muertos Pier. You can board in Marina Vallarta, DOCK G-19 at 9:45am and travel with us over to the Los Muertos Pier. This may be more convenient if you have any problems with small boats or are staying in a hotel in the Marina area.  Call 223-1933 before 8am of the day of the trip if you plan to leave from the Marina.  Leave a message on the machine if necessary.

What if I’m late? I sleep late!

Frankly, you lose. We don’t wait for latecomers and try to leave on time as a courtesy to the other passengers. There are no refunds for missing the boat. We strongly advise getting to the Pier at least 15 minutes early!  Anything less, and you are taking your chances, honey.

What should I bring with me?

Swimwear, a towel, a camera, sun block, sunglasses, your appetite and your smile are all that is required.

Is there shade aboard?

Yes, some. But be prepared for sun, it is a natural part of sailing! We have sunblock aboard for those that might have forgotten it.

What kinds of food do you serve?

Our food service includes a mixture of Mexican and gringo. Our chef aboard prepares all the food. There are excellent options available on our buffet to please most everyone, except possibly the reluctant dieter who will have a hard time restraining himself.

What if I find a hot friend at the last minute that wants to go too?

You can buy tickets the night before the cruise at The Net House (until 2am) or Paco´s Things at Paco Paco (4am closing). If you want to reserve after that, call 223-1933 and we will try to make room for you and we’ll stow the food aboard for your additional passenger.

Cancellations? I’m never sure.

Yes. We accept cancellations and changes in reservations up to 24 hours before departure (10 am one day prior to your cruise). Just call 223-1933.

What if I forget my ticket or loose it or something like that?

Since we have your name we can let you board with proper identification. But bring your ticket please; it makes the boarding process from that small boat MUCH EASIER!

Where exactly are we going? Do we stop anywhere? See anything?

We leave Los Muertos Pier bound for Paco’s Hidden Paradise, a small, secluded gay beach resort on the south shore of Banderas Bay. We will be anchoring in the small cove there, and you will be transported by small boat to the beach. You’ll be staying approximately 3 hours at Paradise before you return to the Rainbow Dancer for a dinner cruise.  You’ll see mountainous coast, Los Arcos islands, and sometimes we see whales, dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles.

Our sailing adventure cruise sails to the north side of the bay where the best winds are.  You'll see less scenery on this cruise, but the chances for a brisk sail are much better.

When and where do we return?

Rainbow Dancer cruises return you to the Los Muertos Pier at 6 pm.  If you wish, you may remain onboard until we arrive at the marina for the evening at approximately 7 pm.

Do you take credit cards?

We really don’t have any way to deal with these. We accept United States dollars and Mexican pesos only.

Is there a phone or radio aboard?

The captain has access to four marine radios.

What is included in the ticket price? What is extra?

Sailing trip, all food aboard, all beer and house drinks, water taxi at the Los Muertos Pier, and snorkel gear are included. We have cigarettes, film, disposable waterproof cameras, and our premium bar and wines available for an extra charge.  Trip includes open bar at Paco's Hidden Paradise.

Can I bring my own food and drink if I want to?

No. We cater everything and do not run a picnic cruise. Bring stuff and you’ll insult our cook.

Is this a clothing optional cruise?

If you can be discreet about it we’ll try to look the other way. Please don’t get us in trouble with the authorities that take a dim view of this.

Is there any sex allowed aboard?

We don’t really mind, but don’t get us into trouble with others please.

Can I bring my own music?

Of course you can bring your own personal disc player. Our stereo aboard uses both cassette tapes and CD discs. Sometimes (depending on your musical tastes and the captain’s mood) we can play your tapes and discs, instead of our discs, for everyone aboard to enjoy.

What kind of boat is this?

First of all, it’s a yacht, dear, a yacht. In fact, Rainbow Dancer is a Hans Christian 41 sailing yacht, designed for serious ocean crossing and cruising. She is 52 feet long overall, weighs 23 tons, is 14 feet wide, and carries three working sails. She’s not a racer; the luxuries aboard simply weigh too much for that. She is a classically styled monohull; solidly built of fiberglass with so much wood and bronze on top of the fiberglass that many people think she is a wood yacht

Does the yacht have an engine?

Yes. There is a big Mercedes diesel aboard that we call the iron sail. We try not to use it too much so your day has as much authentic sailing as possible. But, we do use it in the marina and when the winds don’t cooperate.

Does it have the proper safety equipment and inspections?

We had to go through an extensive process to get our license to charter here in Mexico. The boat has been inspected, insured, and thoroughly equipped with life jackets, medical kits, flares, radar, and marine radios.

How experienced is the crew?

While our gay cruise is new this year, we have been in this business with the non-gay crowd for a couple of years here. Your crew speaks English and Spanish well. Each has thousands of sea miles experience as well as years of experience in charter tours here in Banderas Bay.

If your questions about experience have nothing to do with seamanship, well…. this is a gay owned and operated business, but not all the crew are gay. All the crew are happily married, thank you. So please, don’t bother asking crew for a date.

What about seasickness?

The motion of boats affects some people at sea. If you are considering taking some medication, we recommend taking Dramamine or Bonadoxina the night before when you go to bed, getting plenty of sleep, don’t eat a greasy breakfast, and take another Dramamine or Bonadoxina in the morning. The medicine works much better if it is completely established in your system.  You can get these at any pharmacy.

Can I help sail and steer?

Generally we like it when our customer’s offer to do our work for us. When the conditions are right, the captain usually can accommodate passenger participation for those that are interested.

Is there dancing aboard?

Not normally. The yacht’s name is Rainbow Dancer, and the marketing guy refers to our gay cruise as rainbow dancing . The idea is that the boat does the dancing, not you. Of course, spontaneous dancing by the passengers is permitted but not required.

What happens when someone brings illegal drugs aboard?

He walks the plank!   Always!   The captain has no sense of humor about this. Don’t even try! 

Please!  Do not put our business, the other passengers or yourselves at risk!

The zero tolerance drug laws enforced for vessels at sea are severe.  We are subject to boarding and search at any time by the United States Coast Guard (who are here on occasion), the Mexican Navy and the Port Authorities.  All strictly enforce the zero tolerance drug laws.  So do we.