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

Los Arcos, a beach village, an optional waterfall walk, and an open bar make this a full day on Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast. The boat is not fancy, but the views are excellent and the crew keeps the mood lively with music, dancing, games, and drinks.

I like the low price and the chance to combine several coastal stops in one outing. I also like that breakfast, a beach meal, snorkeling gear, insurance, and a national open bar are included. The main drawback is the large group, which can mean long boarding lines, brief snorkeling, late meals, and a return well after the advertised time.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos snorkeling is brief: Plan on roughly 15 to 45 minutes in the water, depending on conditions and group timing.
• Las Animas and Quimixto may be a choice: Many departures send you to one or the other, not both, so confirm the day’s plan.
• The crew is the tour’s strongest feature: David, Adrian, Jimmy, Don Gato, Jorge, and other crew members have been praised for keeping the boat welcoming and entertaining.
• This is a party boat, not a quiet cruise: The lower level tends to be livelier, while the upper deck is better for a calmer ride.
• Bring cash and patience: Beach drinks, chairs, water activities, port fees, and tips cost extra, and schedules can run late.
• The included food is basic: Breakfast is served aboard, and lunch at the beach is one selected dish, not an open menu.

A full day on Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast

This Grupo Naviero de la Bahía excursion costs about $75 per person and lasts around seven hours on paper. In practice, you should keep the entire day free. Several departures have left the marina late and returned around 6:00 or 6:30 p.m., with some taking even longer.

That timing matters if you have dinner reservations, a flight, or another booked activity. The tour works best when you treat it as your main event for the day, not as a neatly timed morning excursion.

You meet at the Terminal Marítima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. The stated start time is 9:15 a.m., but the boarding process can take time. You may need to pay the port charge, wait in line, choose your lunch, pass through checks, and find your assigned boat.

Arrive early. The port can fill quickly, and the fee is paid separately at the terminal. The charge is listed as MX$33 per person. Bring your booking confirmation and some cash for extra expenses.

The terminal can also be confusing. Photo sellers and people offering other services may approach you as you enter. Go directly to the area for your boat and ask staff to confirm the correct line rather than accepting help from the first person who speaks to you.

Breakfast aboard a simple party boat

Once underway, breakfast is served on the boat. Choices include pancakes, eggs with ham, chilaquiles, bread, fruit, coffee, and orangeade. The meal is included, but keep expectations modest. Some plates have been considered tasty and filling, while others have been described as plain, salty, or unappetizing.

The boat itself is basic. White plastic chairs can move on the deck, and walking around requires care, especially when the sea is rolling. Wear shoes with a secure grip and use the handrails when available.

The seating location shapes your day. The lower level is usually closest to the music, dancing, crew activities, and drink service. The upper level offers more air and a quieter place to watch the coast. If you get seasick, motion can still be a problem, but several people have found the lower level easier than the top deck. Bring motion-sickness medicine if you normally need it.

The national open bar is included aboard. Beer, mixed drinks, soda, water, and other nonalcoholic drinks are served, though temperature and supply can vary. Drinks at the beach are not included, so do not assume the open bar continues once you leave the boat.

The ride gives you a fine view of Puerto Vallarta from offshore. You see the Malecón and the parish church from the water, an angle that puts the city, shore, and Sierra Madre foothills into one broad picture. This short coastal view is one of the pleasant parts of the morning, especially if you claim a seat outside.

Los Arcos: beautiful rocks, limited snorkeling time

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the first major stop. These rock formations rise from the water south of Puerto Vallarta and form one of the area’s most recognizable coastal scenes. The boat pauses in the national park area for snorkeling, with equipment included.

The setting is the attraction. Under good conditions, you may see tropical fish around the rocks. Clear water can make this a rewarding quick swim, but visibility depends heavily on wind, waves, and recent weather. After a storm, the water may be cloudy and choppy, and snorkeling can become difficult or be canceled.

Do not book this excursion as a dedicated snorkeling trip. The advertised stop is about 45 minutes, but the actual time in the water can be closer to 15 or 20 minutes after instructions, equipment distribution, and loading everyone back aboard. You need to be a capable swimmer, although life jackets are available.

The group size can reach 130 people. That affects everything at Los Arcos. You may share the water with many swimmers, wait your turn, or have only a short window to look around. If your main goal is marine life, a smaller snorkeling trip would give you more time and less crowding.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but one account noted that fresh, individually packaged mouthpieces cost extra. Bring your own equipment if that matters to you. Listen carefully when the crew gives the return signal. The boat must move people through the water and back aboard in an orderly way, and you should never swim away from the group or lose sight of the boat.

Las Animas: a pretty beach with a long pause

Playa Las Animas is a small coastal community reached by boat. The beach has clear-looking water, restaurants, and a range of paid activities. You may find parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, massages, and other beach diversions.

The beach stop is scheduled for about three hours, which gives you time to swim, sit under an umbrella, eat, or pay for an activity. Parasailing and other options are paid directly and prices can change, so carry Mexican pesos. One reported price for parasailing was MX$700 per person, while jet skis were described as roughly MX$800 for two people, but treat those figures as examples rather than guarantees.

Beach chairs and umbrellas need special attention. Some departures have included seating, while others have required a purchase or rental. One arrangement allowed chairs and an umbrella for MX$300 per person, with the amount usable toward food and drinks rather than charged as a pure rental. Ask before sitting down so you know the cost.

Lunch includes one dish per person, with three choices. Drinks and tips are extra. The meal may be a burger, quesadilla, fajitas, or fish, depending on the available menu. Portions and quality can vary, and service may be slow. Food can arrive late in the afternoon, sometimes around 3:30 p.m.

That late meal is a real issue for families and anyone expecting a regular lunch hour. Bring a small snack if you need food earlier, though terminal rules may prevent you from bringing outside food or drinks onto the boat. You can also pay for snacks at the beach, but budget for them.

The beach itself is attractive, yet it is not a private, polished resort. Chairs may be worn, dogs may wander through the area, and the restaurant zone can feel untidy. If you want a quiet beach with carefully managed service, this may disappoint. If you want an easy coastal stop with swimming and optional activities, it can work well.

Quimixto waterfall: the more active option

Quimixto offers a different kind of stop. After leaving the boat, you walk inland for about 30 minutes toward a waterfall. Horse rental is optional, and the walk ends at a pool where you can swim for roughly 20 minutes.

The waterfall is the reason to choose Quimixto instead of simply settling on the beach. Water levels change with weather and season, so the falls may be impressive or quite weak. A walk there can make the day feel more connected to the coast’s small communities, but you need moderate physical fitness and shoes suited to an uneven path.

Listen closely for meeting instructions. The group may divide between the beach and waterfall walk, and you cannot assume that the crew will come find you when it is time to return. Ask exactly where and when to meet before setting off.

The tour information presents Las Animas and Quimixto as separate stops, but actual departures have often treated them as alternatives. You may choose Las Animas for beach time or Quimixto for the waterfall walk. Do not assume you will have enough time to enjoy both. Confirm the plan with the crew before leaving the boat.

The return ride is where the party grows

After the beach stop, you are ferried back to the main boat in smaller boats. Loading and unloading can take time when a large group is involved. Keep your belongings close and expect a wait.

The return trip is often the liveliest part of the outing. The open bar continues aboard, and the crew may organize dancing, karaoke, contests, birthday games, and group participation. Mexican music and popular dance songs are common, and Spanish-language jokes may go by quickly if you do not understand Spanish.

You can still enjoy the atmosphere without speaking Spanish. The crew has made efforts to explain things in English, and David has been singled out for checking on English-speaking passengers. Adrian and other crew members have also been praised for attentive service. Still, this is a social boat with a Mexican party feel, not an English-language sightseeing lecture.

The crew may invite everyone to tip at the end. Tips are not included, so set aside cash if you feel the service earned it. The strongest part of this tour is the human energy: staff members collect empty cups, encourage dancing, help with boarding, and work hard to keep the mood friendly.

Price, crowd size, and what you really receive

At $75, the tour offers a lot for the money: coastal sightseeing, breakfast, an included beach meal, snorkeling gear, insurance, and an open bar aboard. It is one of the cheaper ways to combine Los Arcos with a beach stop and an optional waterfall visit.

The tradeoff is control. You do not get a small boat, a quiet schedule, a long snorkeling session, or much choice about the beach restaurant. A large group keeps the price down but adds lines, noise, shared facilities, and slower transfers.

The 130-person maximum is important. On a busy day, chairs may be limited and movement can feel crowded. If you value personal attention and smooth timing, pay more for a smaller vessel. If you mainly want scenery, drinks, music, and several coastal experiences in one day, the value is better.

Port tax, beach drinks, tips, and optional activities are extra. The stated port charge is MX$33 per person, and beach drinks have been listed around MX$70 per person. Bring enough cash for chairs, water sports, snacks, tips, and unexpected needs.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta boat trip?

I would choose this outing for friends, families with older children, couples who enjoy music, and anyone who sees the boat ride as part sightseeing trip and part social event. It suits people who can laugh off a late lunch, a crowded deck, and a flexible schedule.

I would not choose it for a serious snorkeler, anyone with a strict dinner booking, or someone seeking a refined yacht experience. It is also a poor fit if you dislike loud music, alcohol-centered entertainment, or long periods sitting on a beach.

The tour is offered in English, but much of the onboard entertainment may be in Spanish. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. A moderate fitness level is recommended, especially if you walk to the Quimixto waterfall or find boat transfers difficult.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted. Poor weather can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Should you book Arcos, Las Animas, and Quimixto?

Book it if you want a budget-friendly, high-energy day with coastal views, a quick snorkel, open drinks, beach time, and a crew that knows how to keep people involved. The best memories are likely to come from the scenery and the ride back, not from the included meal or carefully timed logistics.

Skip it if Los Arcos snorkeling is your main goal or if you need dependable timing. For the best value, arrive early, carry cash, choose your seating with care, ask whether the day includes Las Animas or Quimixto, and leave your evening open. With those expectations, this can be a cheerful and affordable way to spend a day on Banderas Bay.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour is scheduled for about seven hours, beginning at 9:15 a.m. and returning to the maritime terminal. Actual departures and returns can be later, so keep the full day free.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts and ends at Terminal Marítima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and the Los Arcos stop is free of an additional admission charge.

Is snorkeling guaranteed?

No. Snorkeling depends on sea and weather conditions. Choppy or cloudy water can make swimming difficult, and some departures may have little or no useful snorkeling time.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast aboard includes items such as pancakes, eggs with ham, chilaquiles, bread, fruit, coffee, and orangeade. A beach meal with one dish per person is also included.

Are drinks at the beach included?

No. The national open bar applies aboard the boat. Drinks at the beach are extra and have been listed at about MX$70 per person.

Do you visit both Las Animas and Quimixto?

Not always. The day’s arrangements may require you to choose between beach time at Las Animas and the optional walk to Quimixto waterfall. Confirm the plan with the crew before leaving the boat.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time.