Puerto Vallarta: Beach, Breakfast, Lunch & Open Bar

Los Arcos is the star here: dramatic rock formations, protected water, and a chance to spot tropical fish close to Puerto Vallarta. I like that the day combines snorkeling and beach time with a visit to Quimixto, so you are not stuck doing one activity for eight hours. I also like that breakfast, lunch, drinks, kayaks, and snorkel gear are included in the $120 price.

The catch is that this is a large, party-oriented boat outing, not a quiet nature trip. Snorkeling can feel rushed, the food is simple, and the return may run well past the advertised eight hours. If you want music, dancing, and an open bar, that can be part of the fun. If you want calm water time, you may find the pace frustrating.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos snorkeling is brief: The stop may include only about 10 minutes in the water, with extra time spent moving people in and out of the snorkeling area.
• Quimixto requires a choice: You may need to select the waterfall hike or the beach activity quickly, rather than fitting both into the same afternoon.
• This is a party boat: Music, dancing, games, and an open bar are central to the mood.
• Meals are included but basic: Breakfast is continental, while lunch is served at the beach.
• Bring photo ID: You may need it to receive snorkeling equipment.
• Allow more than eight hours: One outing returned about two hours later than expected, so avoid booking a tight dinner reservation.

A full day on Puerto Vallarta’s Pacific coast

This excursion gives you a broad taste of the coast in one long day. You leave from the Maritime Terminal, also called API Puerto Vallarta or Puerto Mágico, and meet the Beach Boy company before boarding a double-decker boat.

The format matters. You are not hiring a small private boat or joining a quiet wildlife cruise. You are signing up for a social day with a crowd, a top deck, a bar, music, games, and scheduled stops. I would compare it to a floating beach party with several outdoor activities attached.

At $120 per person, the value depends on how much of the package you use. Breakfast, beach lunch, unlimited drinks on board, snorkeling gear, kayaks, life jackets, guides, and entertainment are included. A traveler who wants to eat, drink, dance, swim, and sample several coastal stops may find the price reasonable.

You will get less value if your main goal is serious snorkeling or a peaceful waterfall walk. Optional activities can cost extra, and the day may involve upselling once you are on board. Keep that in mind before you treat the advertised price as the final amount.

Breakfast begins the boat ride

The morning starts with a continental breakfast. This is useful fuel before swimming and walking, but do not expect a full Mexican breakfast or a special culinary experience. The breakfast has been described as basic, so I would eat something beforehand if you need a substantial meal to carry you through the morning.

Once underway, the double-decker design gives you a choice of setting. The upper deck is the natural place for sun, views, drinks, and music. The lower areas may feel more practical when you want shade or a break from the party atmosphere, though the exact seating arrangement is not specified.

The open bar is available throughout the boat ride. Drinks are included, but one important detail is that they may be quite diluted. If you are booking mainly for cocktails, keep your expectations modest. The bar is better understood as a convenience during the day than as a polished drinks program.

Music, dancing, and games are part of the experience. The music has been described as dated and wedding-like, so the soundtrack may not suit everyone. Still, if you enjoy a casual group party and do not mind loud music, it can help turn the long boat ride into social entertainment.

Los Arcos: scenic rocks and a crowded snorkeling stop

Los Arcos is the most appealing natural stop. The rock formations rise from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, and the protected area is known for fish and marine life. From the boat, the setting gives you the sort of Pacific views that make the trip worthwhile even before you enter the water.

Snorkel equipment is included, along with a life jacket. Bring photo identification, since it may be requested before equipment is issued. This is a small but useful detail, and forgetting it could complicate the first major activity of the day.

The snorkeling itself needs a realistic description. The boat may place many people in a small marked area, and the actual time in the water can be short. One account described roughly 10 minutes of snorkeling, with much of the stop taken up by loading and unloading people.

Crowding also affects what you see. Too many swimmers can send fish away, and the water may feel more like a quick group dip than an unhurried look at the reef. You might see fish and turtles in the wider area, but there is no guarantee of close sightings. The experience is best for a first taste of snorkeling, not for anyone planning a serious marine outing.

I would bring your own mask if you have one you trust, though the tour provides masks and snorkels. That will not solve the crowding issue, but it can make the short water session more comfortable. Listen closely for instructions, keep your gear secure, and be ready to enter the water promptly when your group is called.

Las Animas Beach: swim, lunch, and a slower hour

After Los Arcos, the boat heads toward Las Animas Beach. This is the day’s main chance to slow down. You can swim, sit near the water, or take part in beach activities, including kayaks supplied by the tour.

Lunch is served on the beach and has received a better assessment than breakfast. Even so, think of it as practical beach food rather than a reason to book the excursion. The real value is eating beside the water without needing to arrange a restaurant stop yourself.

Las Animas is also where the tour can split people into different interests. Some want to swim or sit in the sun. Others want more activity. The beach portion gives you a break from the boat, but the schedule may not leave unlimited time, especially if the group is also trying to fit in Quimixto.

Bring sun protection and clothes that can handle a wet day. The supplied information does not specify lockers, changing facilities, or towel service, so I would avoid bringing anything valuable and pack in a water-resistant bag. That is sensible for any boat and beach outing.

Quimixto and the waterfall choice

Quimixto is a small coastal village reached as part of the day’s route. Its appeal is different from Los Arcos and Las Animas. Instead of rocks and open water, you get a greener inland setting and a chance to walk toward a seasonal waterfall.

The advertised choices are a horseback ride or a guided hike to the waterfall. The walk leads to a natural pool where you can swim beneath the cascade, conditions permitting. Because the waterfall is seasonal, the amount of water can vary. Do not book this trip expecting a powerful cascade at every time of year.

The most important planning detail is that you may have to choose between the beach activity and the waterfall visit. The decision can come quickly, with only a few minutes to register. The schedule may not let you change your mind later, so decide in advance what matters most to you.

I would choose the waterfall walk if you want the more distinctive part of Quimixto. A forested trail and natural pool offer a change from the boat and beach routine. Choose the beach option if you prefer swimming, resting, or using a kayak without worrying about a walk in heat.

Be careful with the word horseback. One account reported that motorcycles were offered instead of horses and that the activity cost extra. The added charge was described as 600 pesos per person, not per motorcycle, with the participant not driving. Since optional arrangements can vary, ask exactly what is offered, who controls the vehicle or animal, and what the total cost will be before agreeing.

The ride home is part of the calculation

The advertised duration is eight hours, but you should block out your entire day. One outing left at 10 a.m. and returned around 7 p.m., while another ran about two hours beyond the expected finish.

That delay can matter. Do not book a fixed dinner, airport transfer, or evening show with a narrow gap after the boat returns. Puerto Vallarta traffic and the process of unloading a large group can add time, and the tour may keep its party atmosphere going late into the afternoon.

The return trip is also where the open bar, music, dancing, and games can become either a highlight or a nuisance. If you like meeting people and joining group activities, this is a chance to enjoy the boat’s social side. If loud music wears you down, plan for breaks and bring sunglasses, water-resistant storage, and anything else that helps you stay comfortable.

The views remain a strong point. The Pacific coast is attractive from the upper deck, and whale and turtle sightings are possible. They are not promised, but they can add a memorable moment to the ride home. The sunset can also be beautiful, though it depends on timing and weather rather than the tour company.

What the $120 price really includes

The $120 price covers more than transportation. You receive:

• Bilingual English and Spanish guides
• Continental breakfast
• Beach lunch
• An all-you-can-drink open bar on board
• Mask, snorkel, and life jacket
• Kayaks at the beach
• Music, dancing, and games

That is a substantial bundle for a full day on the water. I especially like the simple logistics: you do not need to arrange separate transport to Los Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto, then find a place for lunch. Families and groups with mixed interests may appreciate having swimming, walking, kayaking, and sightseeing in one package.

The price becomes harder to justify if you do not drink, dislike loud music, or expect a high-quality meal. You are paying partly for the party setup and hosted group activities. The snorkeling time may also feel too short for the price if marine life is your main goal.

There is a free-cancellation window up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while postponing payment. Those terms help if your plans are still shifting, but they do not change the basic nature of the outing: this is a long, structured group day with several moving parts.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend it to you if you want to see several Puerto Vallarta sights without arranging each piece yourself. It suits social groups, couples who enjoy lively boat rides, and families with older children who can handle a long day in sun and water.

It also works well if you want a mix of activities. You can snorkel, swim, kayak, walk to a waterfall, eat on the beach, and spend time on deck with a drink. Few individual stops are likely to feel complete on their own, but together they create a varied day.

I would hesitate to recommend it to you if you want quiet nature, precise timing, gourmet food, or unhurried snorkeling. A small-boat excursion focused on Los Arcos would likely be a better match for marine life. A dedicated hiking trip would give you more time around Quimixto’s waterfall.

Practical advice for a better day

• Bring photo ID for snorkeling equipment.
• Allow nine hours or more, even though the stated duration is eight.
• Pack sun protection, a swimsuit, a light cover-up, and a water-resistant bag.
• Eat a little beforehand if a basic continental breakfast will not be enough.
• Decide before boarding whether the waterfall walk or beach time matters more.
• Ask about the cost and exact nature of any optional activity.
• Expect music and group entertainment rather than quiet cruising.
• Avoid scheduling a fixed evening commitment immediately afterward.

My verdict: book it for the party, not the snorkeling

This Puerto Vallarta boat trip offers a lot in one day, and the best parts are easy to identify: the coastal views, Las Animas Beach, the chance to reach Quimixto, and the convenience of included meals and drinks. The sunset, whales, and turtles can add pleasant surprises.

But the tradeoff is clear. Snorkeling may be short and crowded, meals are basic, drinks may be weak, optional activities can cost extra, and the return time may stretch. I would book it if you want a social, active day with music and an open bar. I would skip it if Los Arcos snorkeling or a peaceful waterfall visit is your main reason for going.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Puerto Vallarta?

Meet at the Maritime Terminal, also called API Puerto Vallarta or Puerto Mágico. Look for the Beach Boy company.

How long does the activity last?

The stated duration is eight hours, but you should allow extra time. One departure returned about two hours later than expected.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. Bring photo ID, since it may be required to receive the snorkeling equipment.

Are meals included?

Yes. A continental breakfast is provided, and lunch is served on the beach.

Are drinks included?

Yes. An all-you-can-drink open bar is available aboard the boat. The drinks may be diluted, so do not expect a premium cocktail service.

Can I visit both the beach and the Quimixto waterfall?

You may need to choose between the beach activity and the waterfall visit. The activity requires a quick decision and may not allow you to change your selection afterward.