Snorkeling at Los Arcos 5 islands Hidden Beach and Cliff Jumping

Salt water and a little nerve make a fine afternoon. This Puerto Vallarta outing packs three good reasons to leave the hotel pool: a boat ride from Mismaloya, snorkeling around the arches of Los Arcos, and time at a beach reachable only by boat. I especially like the included mask and snorkel gear, plus water, soft drinks, and beer, because the $44 price covers the main extras. I also like the small-group limit of 15 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and get help in the water.

The main caution is that the schedule may feel shorter than the advertised 3 hours 30 minutes. One group reported about two hours on the water, and conditions at Los Arcos can bring several boats to the same snorkeling area. You should also be comfortable in the water if you want to get the most from the snorkeling, and the cliff jump is better described as rock jumping from a natural spot than as a formal cliff-diving platform.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Los Arcos is the main event: You snorkel among arches, caves, and tropical fish at Puerto Vallarta’s best-known marine site.
• The jump is optional but physical: A roughly 15-foot jump is available, with a higher leap for those who want more of a challenge. Getting back up can be harder than jumping down.
• Mismaloya keeps the outing simple: You board the boat at the beach, then return there for bathrooms, changing space, and a rinse-off area.
• The $44 price includes useful basics: Snorkeling equipment, bottled water, a soft drink, beer, guides, fees, and return transportation are included.
• Pickup needs careful checking: The stated meeting point is an OXXO near the cruise terminal, and other pickup points are offered, but hotel pickup should not be assumed.
• The water experience can vary: Fish sightings have been excellent for some groups, while high tide and murky water reduced visibility for others.

Meeting Near the Cruise Terminal

The first practical detail is where you meet. The main location provided is the OXXO at Ingreso a Soriana on Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio 2749, in the Zona Hotelera Norte. It is about a block from the Puerto Vallarta cruise ship terminal, making this a useful option if you are arriving by ship.

The available departure times shown are 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Three meeting locations are offered, but only the OXXO address is specified in the details provided. If you are staying elsewhere, confirm the exact pickup point before booking. One unpleasant experience came from a participant who expected transportation from the hotel and found that the service required meeting at the stated location.

That is an easy problem to avoid. Treat this as a meeting-point tour unless your confirmation clearly gives you a hotel pickup. Keep the confirmation on your phone, arrive early, and look for the guide or transport instructions at the OXXO.

The tour is near public transportation, and return service is provided to the original meeting point. That return transfer matters, especially after swimming, when wet clothes and sandy feet make a long independent trip less appealing.

Mismaloya Beach Sets the Scene

From Puerto Vallarta, the group heads to Playa Mismaloya. This is not just a place to board a boat. You have time to see the small shops, restaurants, and bars around the beach, while the guide explains the area and its connection to Puerto Vallarta.

Mismaloya is also tied to the filming of The Night of the Iguana, and the cliff-jumping stop takes place near that famous film location. That small piece of local context gives the boat ride more character than a simple transfer from shore to the snorkeling site.

The beach is the tour’s useful base. You start here, board the boat here, and return here at the end. After the water activities, you can use the bathrooms, changing facilities, and rinse-off area before heading back to Puerto Vallarta.

That setup is especially helpful for families or anyone planning another activity later in the day. You do not have to sit in a vehicle covered in salt and sand, and you do not need to search for a public restroom after returning from the boat.

Rock Jumping Near Los Arcos

The first major thrill comes at a scenic jumping spot near Los Arcos and the old film location. The advertised jump is about 15 feet, with a higher option for those who want more height. You do not have to jump, so people in the same group can choose different levels of excitement.

The wording matters here. The activity is often described as cliff jumping, but one participant felt it was more like jumping from rocks. That is a fair way to picture it. You are not stepping onto a purpose-built platform with a polished setup. This is a natural coastal spot, and the climb back up may require more effort than the jump itself.

One older participant enjoyed the jump but found the climb difficult. That is useful advice for anyone with limited mobility, lower-body weakness, or concerns about slippery rock. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not promise an easy climb or a fully accessible route.

Listen closely to the guide before entering the water. The staff members named in the feedback, including Ivan, Brian, and Kevin, were praised for helping people feel comfortable and keeping the mood friendly. A good guide makes a real difference at a natural jumping site, where the safest entry point and water conditions matter.

If you dislike heights, you can still enjoy the boat ride and snorkeling. Skipping the jump does not remove the central value of the outing.

Snorkeling Around Los Arcos

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the visual centerpiece of the trip. The marine geological sanctuary is known for rock arches, caves, and fish-filled water. The boat brings you close to the formations, then you use the provided snorkeling equipment to explore the area from the surface.

The setting is more than a standard beach swim. The arches create a dramatic frame above the water, while the underwater rock formations give fish places to gather. Several people saw large numbers of fish, and one group even spotted a spotted eagle ray. Whale sightings have also occurred from the boat, including a mother and calf playing on the return ride, though that is a lucky extra rather than a promised feature.

Visibility is not guaranteed. High tide and murky water made the fish harder to see for one group, even though the outing remained enjoyable. Several boats may also be in the same area because Los Arcos is one of the bay’s most popular snorkeling spots.

That crowd factor is the clearest weakness of the experience. You should expect a shared public site, not a private cove with no other boats. The operator says the guides try to find calmer areas, but they cannot control how many other companies arrive at Los Arcos.

A basic swimming ability will help. One participant specifically advised being a good swimmer to benefit fully from the activity. The equipment is included, but a mask and snorkel do not remove the need to stay comfortable in open water. If you are unsure, tell the guide before entering and stay near the boat or supervised portion of the group.

The guide support receives some of the strongest praise. Ivan was described as friendly, attentive, and eager to check that everyone was comfortable. Sebastian and Alfonso were also singled out for helpful service. Those details matter because a short snorkeling trip works best when the guide points out where to look, helps with equipment, and keeps less confident swimmers from feeling rushed.

A Hidden Beach to Slow Things Down

After the jump and snorkeling, the boat heads to a small beach accessible only by water. This is the quietest part of the outing, and it gives you time to swim, lie in the sun, or simply enjoy the coast without a scheduled activity every minute.

The beach is not presented as a developed resort stop. That is part of its appeal, but it also means you should think of it as a simple natural break rather than a place with a full range of facilities. The bathrooms and changing space are back at Mismaloya, not necessarily at the beach itself.

The length of this stop can depend on the group and the day. One family reported that the guides allowed people to remain at each area as long as they liked, while another group described the total time out as about two hours. The official duration is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes, so the timing appears to include transportation, beach time, boarding, and the return process.

If you want a relaxed swim and a little sun, the beach gives the trip a welcome change of pace. If your priority is long snorkeling time, ask the guide how the schedule is shaping up. A short tour can feel perfectly balanced for families, while serious snorkelers may wish for more time around the rocks.

What the $44 Price Really Covers

At $44 per person, this is a reasonably priced half-day water outing, provided the meeting point works for you. You are paying for boat transportation from Mismaloya, a guide, snorkeling equipment, applicable fees and taxes, drinks, and return transportation to the starting meeting point.

The included drinks are practical rather than luxurious: bottled water, a soft drink, and beer are provided. That saves you from carrying everything yourself, though you should still bring any personal snacks or other items you need because food is not listed as included.

The biggest value comes from combining three activities in one booking. A separate boat ride, snorkeling rental, and coastal excursion could cost more and require additional planning. Here, you get the rock jump, Los Arcos, and a boat-only beach in one compact outing.

The value is less convincing if you need hotel pickup, dislike shared snorkeling areas, or want several hours in the water. Since the advertised duration and actual time reported by one group differ, confirm the expected schedule if your day is tightly planned.

The maximum group size is 15 people. Some groups of eight or nine ended up with the boat to themselves, but that is not guaranteed. The smaller capacity is still useful because it should limit the size of the group compared with large excursion boats.

Who Will Enjoy This Puerto Vallarta Tour

I would recommend this experience to families with older children, couples who want more than a passive boat ride, and small groups looking for an active morning or afternoon. Children ages 7 to 12 took part successfully with adults, and teenagers especially enjoyed the rock jumping.

It can also work well for cruise ship passengers because the OXXO meeting point is close to the terminal. Just allow enough time to return to the ship, since the listed duration is approximate and the trip includes return transportation after changing and rinsing off.

Strong swimmers will get the most from the snorkeling. You should also be willing to manage a natural shore entry and a climb if you choose the jump. The supplied information says most people can participate, but it does not provide detailed accessibility information for the rocks, boat, beach, or water entry.

This is not the best choice if you want a luxury yacht, a private beach, or a fully quiet snorkeling site. It is an active, straightforward excursion with a natural setting and a shared popular attraction.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel. You will have access to a rinse-off area, bathrooms, and changing facilities at Mismaloya after returning, but it is easier if your dry clothes are packed where you can reach them quickly.

Keep your phone protected from water. The tour includes a mobile ticket, but WiFi on board is not included. Download or save your booking information before leaving reliable service.

Arrive ready for a mix of activity levels. The boat ride and beach stop are easygoing, while the jump and climb require more confidence and physical effort. You can skip the jump, but the snorkeling still calls for comfort in open water.

Check the weather before setting out. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time, while cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a compact Puerto Vallarta adventure with snorkeling, rock jumping, and a boat-only beach for $44. The guides receive strong praise for friendliness and personal attention, the gear is included, and the return facilities at Mismaloya make the day easy to manage.

I would book it with three expectations: confirm your pickup point, be ready for a shared Los Arcos snorkeling area, and do not assume the full 3 hours 30 minutes will be spent in the water. If those conditions suit you, this is a good-value choice for families, cruise passengers, and active couples.

If you need a hotel pickup, have limited comfort in the water, or want a longer and quieter snorkeling session, choose a different outing. For everyone else, the combination of fish, arches, a natural jump, and a small beach gives you a lot of Puerto Vallarta in a short span.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The specified meeting point is the OXXO at Ingreso a Soriana, Avenida Francisco Medina Ascencio 2749, in Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. It is about one block from the cruise ship terminal.

What departure times are available?

The listed departure times are 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is 3 hours 30 minutes. The time includes transportation, the Mismaloya stop, the boat activities, the return to Mismaloya, and transportation back to the original meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. Bottled water, a soft drink, and beer are included.

Do I have to jump from the rocks?

No. The rock jumping is an optional part of the experience. The available jump is about 15 feet, with a higher option for those seeking more of a challenge.

Are bathrooms and changing facilities available?

Yes. After returning to Mismaloya Beach, you can use the rinse-off area, bathrooms, and changing facilities before taking the return transportation.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The activity requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.