The 15 Best Los Arcos Snorkelling Tours

1.Boat and Snorkel Tour to 5 Islands of Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,176 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Meet in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica, ride a public bus to Mismaloya, then take a small boat around Los Arcos’ five islands. Guides such as Bruno, Andrés, Guillermo, Diego, and Sebastián explain the birds and marine life, lead a 30-minute snorkel, and leave time for the beach.

“The views were phenomenal. But, communication on site lacking. We showed our ticket to tour guide and yes in the right place. We left at 9:30, our booking time. We were supposed to be on the following bus. Didn’t know the shuttle was a public standup bus for 20 min ride. We were called by your company after the earlier tour guide told them we went early. I was reprimanded for not being I. The eight bus. And they waited for us. An international call to get scolded. The boat in ad doesn’t look like the ponga we were in. If you are older with mobility limitation, not for you.…”

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2.Bioluminescence & sunset local boat tour to Los Arcos Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $83Top rated

Ride from Zona Romántica to Los Arcos with guides such as Alex or Victor, watch the sunset, learn about the marine sanctuary, then swim among glowing plankton after dark. The best display comes in the water, especially on a moonless night. Snorkel gear, life vests, towels, and water are provided.

“That was awesome! Alex was a fantastic guide! Our boat ride was interesting, with ops for sunset photos, info on local marine life and what creates the bioluminescence. Getting I the water and experiencing the bioluminescence is an experience like no other!”

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3.Los Arcos Islands Boat Tour and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 317 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Meet your guide in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone, ride a local bus to Mismaloya, then take a small boat to Los Arcos. Guides such as Armando, Andrés, Bruno, and Sebastián explain the islands and lead a snorkeling stop with fish, coral, and occasional turtles, rays, eels, or octopus.

“It was fun even thought i didn't know how to swim, the guide helped me through it. They were nice! Thanks again! 🥰”

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4.Los Arcos 5 islands Snorkeling Cliff Jumping and Hidden Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 295 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $49

Join Mismaloya Xtreme for a three-hour boat trip from Zona Romantica to Los Arcos. You’ll get cliff-jumping options, snorkeling among tropical fish, a ride through arches and caves, and time at a small beach. Guides including Alfonso, Diego, Max, and Arnold lead the outing.

“Great no-nonsense half day active tour. Plenty of time in the water and back at the hotel before the lunch buffet ends. Alfonso and crew were great.”

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5.Puerto Vallarta snorkel tour at Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 113 reviews · 3 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $79

Set out from Marina Vallarta at 9 a.m. with Eco Explorer Vallarta for a small-group snorkel trip at Los Arcos. Guides such as Rodrigo, Eric, and Carlos help with gear, safety, and marine life. Expect about three to five hours, snacks, wildlife sightings, and a possible beach stop.

“Very relaxed atmosphere, host knows area well. Would do it again if back in the area. Great deal for the price.”

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6.Paddleboard and Snorkeling Experience in Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

From central Puerto Vallarta, Felix, Mariella, Daniella, or Sergio takes you to Mismaloya for a lesson, then leads a one-mile paddle to Los Arcos. Expect cave passages, birdlife, snorkeling, snacks, and a small group of no more than six people.

“Be ready to paddle a mile out and back. It was work but so worth it. They help you paddle if needed. The guides stay right with you. Everything is provided. Good luck at the paddle boarding competition in Oregon!!!”

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7.Sunset and Bioluminescence Boat Tour at Los Arcos Islands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 102 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Cruise from Mismaloya to Los Arcos for sunset, then snorkel in dark caves as glowing plankton flicker around you. Guides such as Gabriel, Alexis, Efraim, and Ivan lead the outing, with gear, snacks, drinks, and shared transport included.

“First, they pick you up at a gas station in a van with seatbelts that don’t work. Then we drove to a very sketchy neighborhood and got on a small sketchy boat. Our guide was very nice and helpful. The bioluminescence was cool but the snorkel masks they provided smelled of gasoline and the bite piece was mostly chewed off. To top it all off the van that was to take us back to the sketchy gas station wasn’t there when we got back. I asked when it would be there and was told “any minute”. Forty minutes later it still was there. I don’t appreciate being lied to. They…”

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8.Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta Undersea Arcos or Marietas

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 77 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $125

Spend 4 to 6 hours exploring Puerto Vallarta’s underwater sites with Eco Explorer Vallarta. Los Arcos welcomes beginners, while Marietas requires certification. Guides including Eric, Carlos, Nahum, and Javi provide patient instruction, equipment, and safety help. Dolphins and seasonal whales may appear during the boat ride.

“We saw and had the most amazing dolphin viewing experience in addition to the scuba. We also had a chance to see two pods of whales. It was a memorable and very exclusive trip as only a few other boats were around, not like the usual tourist swarms during other trips where you see dophins and whales.”

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9.Private Los Arcos Snorkel and Beach Tour from Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $168

Set out from Los Muertos Pier with an English-speaking guide and private boat crew. Snorkel near Los Arcos, search for tropical fish, then spend time at Las Ánimas beach. Your four-hour outing includes snorkeling gear and a cooler, but lunch and drinks cost extra. Guides may include Chema, Manuel, Alexis, or Yair.

“Yair and Alexis were great guides. And if you want to get away from the crowds of people, do the 9 am private tour.”

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10.Arcos – Animas – Quimixto. By Grupo Naviero de la Bahìa (Bahia Alegre)

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 72 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about seven hours on a lively boat from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos, Playa Las Animas and possibly Quimixto. You get breakfast, an open bar, snorkeling gear, beach lunch and time for swimming or a waterfall walk. Expect a large group, music, dancing and a relaxed Mexican party atmosphere.

“The employees were very friendly. The difficulty and length of time to get on and off the boat was frustrating. The snorkeling was disappointing. I actually left the tour and took a taxi back to my hotel.”

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11.Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 72 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about eight hours cruising from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto. The package includes breakfast, lunch, drinks aboard, snorkeling gear, and bilingual guides. You may also reserve a kayak or paddle board, but beach activities and some waterfall-area services can cost extra.

“One of the crew mates was rude. Food was okay, water was too dark to see anything while snorkeling. Your was mostly in Spanish, with some English peppered in. Guide was nice. You can find better trips for the same amount.”

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12.Snorkeling at Los Arcos 5 islands Hidden Beach and Cliff Jumping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $44Best value

Join Mismaloya Xtreme for a 3.5-hour Puerto Vallarta outing to Los Arcos. You’ll make a safe rock jump, snorkel among arches and tropical fish, then rest at a boat-only beach. Guides including Ivan, Brian, and Kevin have been praised for friendly help. Pickup and return transport are included.

“Great time, great guide. Thanks Brian! Cliff jump was fun, but a hard climb for a semi-fat old guy. Snorkeling was fantastic, quality gear, and sooo many fish! Even a spotted eagle ray!( I had to look it up.). Ride back I got seasick, but it didn't spoil the trip. Thanks Mismaloya Xtreme!!”

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13.Private Snorkeling Tour to Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Join Fernando and his crew for a private three-hour boat trip from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos. Snorkel with provided gear, look for fish and rays, hear local stories, and tailor the outing to your group. Bottled water is included, while lunch, towels, and the MX$41 port fee are extra.

“Excellent experience for our family of three. Friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable crew, plenty of drinks, and delicious homemade guacamole and chips. All equipment included. We felt very lucky to have our own private boat when we got to Los Arcos and saw the crowded tour boats. If you are planning to visit Los Arcos, this is the way to do it. Highly recommend”

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14.Small Group Snorkeling in Los Arcos, Puerto Vallarta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Cruise from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta to Los Arcos with a certified lifeguard and marine biologist. You’ll get gear, safety guidance, snacks, and soft drinks, with a possible second snorkel stop at Mismaloya.

“2nd trip with her both were great. Looking forward to another during our next trip to Pvr. Would recommend highly”

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15.Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $79

Join Mismaloya Xtreme for a 4 to 5 hour boat trip from Puerto Vallarta into Banderas Bay. Look for humpback whales and dolphins, then snorkel at Los Arcos with equipment, drinks, beer, snacks, and a maximum of 15 people.

“We saw whales and dolphins. The dolphins were jumping out of the water and a whale breached right in front of us.”

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