The 15 Snorkeling 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 from Puerto Vallarta to Yelapa aboard Chica Locca’s spacious catamaran. Enjoy breakfast, fajitas, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, a waterfall walk, and beach time. The lively crew, including host Ricky Ricardo and DJ David, keeps the six-hour trip moving.

“We had a great time however not a bough time to swim and explore beach! We haven’t received our photos that were paid for to this email!!”

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2.Los Arcos Islands Boat Tour and Snorkeling

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

Travel by local bus from central Puerto Vallarta to Mismaloya, then cruise around Los Arcos’ five islands with a guide such as Armando, Andrés, Bruno, or Sebastián. You’ll see nesting birds, caves, and marine life before snorkeling in a protected area for about 40 minutes.

“It was great. We saw cool fish and the arches were really interesting to swim through. The tour guide made us feel safe and wanted to make sure that we had a good time.”

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

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

Spend about three hours boating from Mismaloya to Los Arcos for optional cliff jumping, snorkeling among tropical fish, cave viewing, and a short stop at a boat-access beach. Guides such as Alfonso, Diego, Arnold, Maximo, and Panchito lead the outings in English.

“Started out a little fast as soon as we got out of the bay we did the cliff jump. It makes sense they do it first because after the snorkel you do get drinks of your choice so could make judgement a little hard. Alcohol, soda, water However, I wanted to do the jump, but was not offered a life jacket as I am not a great swimmer. Although I asked if that was possible so I could do it I was given one so I didn’t get to do it. Next thing is when we did the snorkel we did not have fins. We were the only company without…”

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

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

Spend about five hours with a biologist or naturalist exploring the Marietas Islands from a small boat. Snorkel in protected waters, watch blue-footed boobies, and try for Hidden Beach access. Guides such as Maggie, Michael, Cynthia, and Luis add wildlife insight, but the beach swim is limited and never guaranteed.

“Excellent snorkeling and cave exploration via boat. Crew helpful and full of knowledge. Lots of whales”

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5.Half-Day Snorkeling Tour

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

Set out from Puerto Vallarta at 9:00 a.m. for shoreline views and a 30-minute snorkeling stop at Los Arcos de Mismaloya. You’ll get equipment, live commentary, fruit, ceviche, paninis, salad, and an international bar. Transport to the meeting point and port fees are extra.

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6.Wild Dolphin Encounter & Snorkeling Adventure

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

Meet Ecotours Vallarta in Marina Vallarta for a short dolphin lesson, then cruise Puerto Vallarta waters with a biologist guide. You may swim near wild dolphins before snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya. Groups are capped at 10, with lunch, drinks, and gear included.

“Margarita was so informative, which made the experience so much more interesting Margarita and the captain were kind and generous while assisting the children and handicapped”

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

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

You’ll spend about six hours aboard a private sailboat with a professional crew such as Captain Luis, Angel, or Felix. Expect Los Arcos and Mismaloya, swimming, snorkeling when conditions cooperate, paddleboarding, fruit, guacamole, and snacks. Alcohol is extra, and sailing may depend on wind.

“We had an amazing day with Captain Jorge and his mate Angel. They helped us navigate the best way to spend our day on the water, indulged our desire to do some whale-watching, guided us in safe swimming and paddle boarding, made amazing guac and drinks, and we’re just really lovely people to spend the day with. My parents, husband, 2-year-old and I felt immediately welcomed into the boat and at the end of the day, felt like we’d made some new friends. Would absolutely recommend!”

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8.Paddleboard and Snorkeling Experience in Los Arcos

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

Meet your guide at 8:30 a.m. in central Puerto Vallarta, ride to Mismaloya, learn paddleboard basics, and paddle about a mile to Los Arcos. Guides such as Felix, Daniella, Mariella, and Sergio help beginners, lead the cave visit, and allow 30 to 40 minutes for snorkeling.

“First time paddle boarding it was a great learning experience. Felix was very helpful and very, very patient.. that’s a snorkel see some fish a sea turtle. It was fun..”

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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 aboard a catamaran from Puerto Vallarta to Majahuitas and Yelapa. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, visit Yelapa Falls, and eat at the Vela Roja restaurant. English and Spanish guides, breakfast, lunch, drinks, and onboard insurance are included.

“We had an amazing experience! Staff and Crew are very amazing, friendly, and fun! My only word of warning is JELLYFISH! One person of our party got stung when snorkeling, but the staff was very helpful! I would totally recommend and we will be booking again!”

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10.Private Marietas Snorkeling Tour – Hidden Beach Access Guaranteed

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

You’ll take a private boat from Marina Vallarta to the Marietas Islands for guided snorkeling, snacks, and seabird views. The optional Hidden Beach swim requires a short cave passage, good stamina, and an extra MX$600 per person in cash. The tour runs about four hours and suits ages 10 to 65.

“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 boat outing from Puerto Vallarta. You’ll visit Mismaloya, jump from rocks near the Night of the Iguana site, snorkel at Los Arcos, and relax at a boat-only beach. Guides such as Ivan, Kevin, Brian, and Sebastian lead small groups of up to 15.

“Snorkeling was so fun! It was cool to see the fishes and the underwater animals. The tour guide was nice and it was a great experience”

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12.3-Hour Whale Watching and Snorkeling

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

Join an English- or Spanish-speaking guide for a three-hour boat trip from Puerto Vallarta’s marina in search of humpback whales and dolphins. You may stop at a beach or snorkeling site, but recent departures varied widely in timing and water access, so bring flexible plans and extra pesos.

“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.)

Meet Fernando and the La Vida Bella crew at Marina Los Peines for a private boat ride to Los Arcos. Snorkel with a guide, watch for fish and manta rays, enjoy Puerto Vallarta views, and adjust the outing to your group’s pace. Gear, life jackets, and bottled water are included.

“Excellent service, so glad we did this as a private tour. We were a party of 4 senior citizens, my husband, myself and two sisters with mobility issues. The weather wasn't particularly good the day we went. It was raining and a little blustery. Fernando and Miguel did a great job of trying to keep us comfortable and as we passed by the beautiful shoreline of Puerto Vallarta they would point out different prominent sites. They asked if we wanted to hear music but we preferred to listen to their commentary. They were very knowledgeable. When we got to Los Arcos the current was quite strong. There were quite a…”

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14.Half Day Private Sailing Cruise Puerto Vallarta with Snorkeling

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

Sail Puerto Vallarta’s bay with a private crew, stopping near Los Arcos and Mismaloya for swimming, snorkeling, and paddleboarding. Expect a four-hour outing for up to 15 people, with guacamole, salsa, chips, water, ice, and gear included. Crew members may include Angel, Luigi, Felix, Ricky, or Francisco.

“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, roughly 2-hour-20-minute boat trip from Punta de Mita to both Marietas Islands. A captain and trained guide lead you through Puente de Piedra, look for blue-footed boobies, provide snorkeling gear, and take you ashore at La Nopalera. Playa del Amor is not included.

“Expensive, no one speaks English, hard to find the company and somewhat unsafe. Not worth it! Please do your homework”

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