The 15 Snorkelling Trips in Puerto Vallarta That Earn Their Price

1.Mega Yacht ALL INCLUSIVE Yelapa Waterfall & Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,515 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $117Our pick

Cruise Banderas Bay aboard Chica Locca’s spacious catamaran with hosts such as Ricky Ricardo and DJ David. You’ll get breakfast, fajitas, snacks, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, a Yelapa waterfall walk, and optional onboard massage time.

“This was the highlight of our whole trip. An absolutely blast and everyone working on the boat was awesome. Special shoutout to Ricky the host!”

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2.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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3.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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4.Marietas Islands snorkeling & Hidden beach (w/ restrictions)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 183 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Join a small group from Marina Vallarta for a five-hour Marietas Islands trip led by a biologist or naturalist. You’ll snorkel, watch seabirds, share lunch, and possibly swim 200 meters into Hidden Beach. Guides such as Maggie, Michael, Cynthia, and Luis add strong wildlife insight, but beach access is never guaranteed.

“The snorkeling for sure!! Margarita was such a great guide as she is a zoologist. Her information on the birds and the fish we saw while snorkeling was fabulous!!”

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5.Half-Day Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Join Mike’s Fishing & Tours at 9:00 am for a four-hour group boat trip from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos de Mismaloya. You’ll see the shoreline, snorkel around natural rock arches for about 30 minutes, and enjoy ceviche, fruit, paninis, salad, and an international bar.

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6.Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet at Ecotours Vallarta in Marina Vallarta for a dolphin briefing, then head into the Pacific with a biologist guide such as Maggie, Michael, or Margarita. You may swim near wild dolphins, watch whales and turtles, and snorkel at Los Arcos. Groups are limited to 10.

“We had a great time as a family of 4 on the dolphin excursion. Michael and our captain (Ricardo?) They were patient, I formative and hospitable. There were whales in the area and they spent extra time letting us watch as a group before moving on to the next part of the trip. Highly recommended!”

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7.Full-Day Private Sailing Cruise Puerto Vallarta with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 6 hours (approx.)

You’ll cruise Banderas Bay aboard the Maple Leaf 48 with a private crew, stopping near Los Arcos and Mismaloya for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Captains and crew members such as Luis, Angel, Felix, and Jorge adjust the day to your group, with guacamole, snacks, water, and ice included.

“The experience was wonderful and our hosts were perfect gentlemen. Incredible scenery and a very relaxing afternoon. Highly recommend.”

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8.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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9.Yelapa and Majahuitas Snorkeling Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 89 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $87

Spend about eight hours sailing from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas and Yelapa aboard a catamaran. You’ll get breakfast, lunch, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, music, and a waterfall walk. Guides may include Alex, Jorge, or Jonathan, known onboard as Johnny Cash.

“11 HOURS! I've done this type of adventure about 4x now, and this was probably the worst one. Seemed disorganized in the beginning, extra fees everywhere, things are run down for the price. They focus on profit. The crew was nice and this young Diego boy was just going above and beyond. So he needs a raise! Yelapa itself was run down, no toilet seats, no napkins on my table. They advertise open bar but they dont open the bar until 3 hours into the cruise.”

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10.Private Marietas Snorkeling Tour – Hidden Beach Access Guaranteed

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 82 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a private four-hour boat trip from Marina Vallarta to the Marietas Islands. Your guide supplies snorkeling gear, snacks, and drinks, then leads you through clear water and seabird habitat. From Tuesday to Sunday, you can pay cash for a timed swim through the cave to Hidden Beach.

“My family most enjoyed the adventure into the Hidden Beach. If you stay calm, breast stroke in, and follow your guides instructions you will be fine. It only takes seconds to clear the lowest point and then your clear as the cave opens up. It helps to have cardio stamina as well. I saw terrified faces as we were exiting and they were entering. Staying calm is key. After, we went snorkeling. Our guide took the time to show us how to properly secure our snorkel gear. It was truly an unforgettable experience.”

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11.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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12.3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 62 reviews · 3 hours · from $45

Set out from Puerto Vallarta’s marina with an English- or Spanish-speaking guide to look for humpback whales and dolphins. The $45 tour includes a three-hour boat trip, life jacket, and guide. Some departures also stop at a beach or snorkeling site, but swimming and snorkeling are not always provided.

“La actividad dejó mucho que desear. Sí logramos ver ballenas, pero fue exactamente igual que con todos los demás barcos; no hicieron ningún esfuerzo extra ni ofrecieron algo especial para mejorar la experiencia. En cuanto al snorkel, fue muy decepcionante: aunque pagamos por la actividad, no nos permitieron bajar al agua. Solo nos dejaron observar desde la lancha cómo otros grupos de otros barcos sí snorkelaban, lo cual resulta muy frustrante. Además, nos llevaron a una playa poco atractiva y la lancha iba demasiado llena de personas, lo que hizo el paseo incómodo. En general, no siento que la experiencia haya valido lo que se pagó ni que cumplieran con…”

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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.Half Day Private Sailing Cruise Puerto Vallarta with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Take a private four-hour sailing trip from Marina Vallarta with your own captain and crew. Cruise past downtown and the mountains, stop near Los Arcos or Mismaloya for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, and enjoy guacamole, salsa, chips, water, and ice on board.

“This tour was nice, but did not do what the described details of the tour. We were supposed to go to the Los Arcos National Park, but instead they took us to a different location with not much to see. Park fees were included in pricing, so we didn't feel it was a fair value. Although, Angel prepared us some amazing guacamole!!”

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15.Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 47 reviews · 2 hours 20 minutes (approx.)

Take a private, two-hour-20-minute boat trip from Punta de Mita to the Marietas Islands with a captain and guide. You will pass through the Stone Bridge crater, watch blue-footed boobies, snorkel with provided gear, and land at La Nopalera. Guides have included Eddie, Daniel, and Joanna.

“Great crew, fun knowledgeable. We saw a ton of whales right by the boat, and the snorkeling was unbelievable despite the murkier windy conditions.”

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