Snorkeling at Los Arcos 5 islands Hidden Beach and Cliff Jumping

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the mix of rock jumping, snorkeling, and beach time in one short boat trip. You start near Mismaloya, visit the famous Los Arcos formations, then finish at a beach reachable only by boat. It gives you three very different tastes of the bay without taking up a full day.

I like the small maximum group of 15 and the easy pickup choices, especially the OXXO near the cruise terminal. I also like that water, a soft drink, beer, snorkeling gear, guides, and return transportation are included. The catch is simple: you should be a capable swimmer, and the rock-jump area requires a climb that may feel tough if you have limited mobility.

Key points to know before booking

• 15-foot rock jump: You can make a moderate leap, with a higher option available for those who want more of a thrill.
• Los Arcos snorkeling: The marine sanctuary offers arches, caves, tropical fish, and a chance of seeing larger sea life such as an eagle ray or whales on the ride.
• Boat-only beach stop: You get time to swim, sunbathe, and slow down away from the road.
• Three pickup locations: One meeting point is at the OXXO by the cruise ship terminal, useful for a port day.
• Drinks and equipment included: Bottled water, a soft drink, beer, and snorkeling equipment come with the trip.
• Good value at $44: The price covers the boat outing, guide, gear, drinks, fees, and return transport.

Three bay experiences in about three and a half hours

This is a compact Puerto Vallarta water adventure rather than a long sailing day. The advertised duration is about 3 hours and 30 minutes, including pickup, transfer, time at Mismaloya, and the return ride.

The active portion on the water may feel shorter. One account put the total time out on the boat at about two hours, so you should think of this as a lively half-day plan with transportation around it, not hours of unhurried snorkeling.

That shorter format is useful. You can fit the trip into a cruise-port stop, a morning before lunch, or an afternoon before dinner. You also get a clear change of pace: a little adrenaline, time in the water, and then a quiet beach stop.

Meeting near the cruise terminal

The tour offers three meeting locations, with pickup times listed at 9:00 AM or 1:00 PM. The OXXO at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2749 is about a block from the Puerto Vallarta cruise ship terminal, making it the most practical choice if you are arriving by ship.

You need to pay attention to the exact meeting point. The service includes return transportation to your original meeting location, but it does not promise hotel pickup for every booking. One disappointed customer had expected transport from a hotel, while the operator stated that the listed meeting point was the required starting place.

My advice is plain: confirm the meeting location before you book, especially if you are staying outside the hotel zone or arriving on a ship. Once you find the OXXO or your assigned meeting place, the operator takes care of the transfer to Mismaloya.

Mismaloya gives the trip its local setting

Mismaloya Beach is more than a place to board the boat. You pass small shops, restaurants, and bars, and the guides explain something about the area before departure.

Mismaloya also has a strong connection to Puerto Vallarta’s film history. The cliff-jump stop is near the famous set associated with The Night of the Iguana, which gives the rocky coast a bit of cultural context before the physical activity begins.

The beach is also your end point. After the boat ride, you can use the bathrooms, rinse off, and change clothes before returning by vehicle. That matters after salt water and sand, particularly if you have dinner plans or need to continue sightseeing.

The cliff jump is really a rock jump

The first major stop is a rocky coastal spot near Los Arcos. The tour describes a safe 15-foot jump, with a higher leap for people seeking more of a challenge.

It is worth using accurate language here. This is not a polished platform or a formal cliff-diving facility. You climb over rock and jump into the water. One person described it as rock jumping rather than cliff diving, which is the better way to picture it.

The climb may be the harder part. A participant who enjoyed the jump still found the ascent difficult, so take that seriously if you are older, carrying extra weight, or uncomfortable on uneven rock. You do not need to jump to enjoy the rest of the trip, but the stop is built around the option.

The guides help make the activity approachable. Ivan, Kevin, Brian, and Sebastian are among the guides named in feedback, and the strongest praise centers on their friendliness, help in the water, and attention to comfort. The exact guide depends on the departure, but you can expect English-speaking staff.

If you jump, listen closely to the guide and use the marked or recommended takeoff point. If you are not interested, you can watch, take in the views, or wait for the group to move on. The data does not promise a separate activity at this stop, so non-jumpers should be comfortable treating it as a short scenic pause.

Snorkeling at Los Arcos

Los Arcos is the main event for many people. These tall rock formations create arches and sheltered areas in the marine sanctuary, and the boat brings you close to the formations before you enter the water.

The snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting gear separately. The water may offer tropical fish and other underwater animals, and one outing produced a sighting of a spotted eagle ray. Another group saw a mother whale and calf from the boat on the way back, though wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

Water clarity can change. One account described murky conditions at high tide but still found plenty of fish. That is useful context: Los Arcos can be excellent, but it is not an aquarium. Sun, tide, boat traffic, and weather affect visibility from day to day.

You should be a good swimmer to get the most from this portion. The trip is not presented as a beginner swimming lesson, and the snorkeling area can feel demanding if you are not comfortable in open water. Ask the guide for help if you need it, and do not treat the included equipment as a substitute for swimming ability.

The area can also get crowded. Los Arcos is one of the best-known snorkeling spots in the bay, so several boats may arrive at the same time. That can mean more people in the water and less quiet around the formations. The small group limit helps, but it does not control how many other boats visit the sanctuary.

The boat-only beach is the trip’s quiet finish

After the active part, the boat heads to a small beach accessible only by water. This is where the outing slows down.

You can swim, sit on the sand, sunbathe, or simply enjoy the coast without another activity to master. That balance is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. A trip made only of jumping and snorkeling could feel rushed, while the beach stop gives you time to relax.

The available information does not promise a restaurant, beach chairs, or a full meal, so plan this as a natural beach stop rather than a resort visit. Bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a towel. Water, a soft drink, and beer are included, but food is not listed.

Timing seems to matter here. One family had a peaceful beach visit before crowds arrived, while other outings encountered more activity around Los Arcos. The earlier departure may suit you if you prefer cooler conditions and a quieter feel, though the exact crowd level depends on the day.

Guides, boats, and group size

The maximum group size is 15 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough for the guide to give direct instructions and keep the outing manageable.

Some departures have been much smaller. Groups of eight or nine have sometimes had the boat to themselves, while other trips include several separate parties. You should not book expecting a private boat unless that is confirmed for your date.

The guides receive the most consistent praise. Ivan is described as friendly, chatty, and attentive to a group that included teenagers. Alfonso helped make the outing easier for a couple. Brian was thanked for guiding the trip, and Sebastian was praised for leading a good outing despite less-than-perfect water clarity.

The guide’s role matters here. They explain the area, help with the equipment, point out places to snorkel, and set the tone for the rock jump. The service is in English, and the company also offers help or information about the area before or after the trip.

What the $44 price really covers

At $44 per person, this is a strong value if you plan to use the full package. The price includes:

• Boat transportation for the activity
• Snorkeling equipment
• Bottled water
• A soft drink and beer
• English-speaking guides
• Fees and taxes
• Return transportation to your original meeting point
• Access to rinse-off areas, bathrooms, and changing facilities at Mismaloya after the outing

You would pay separately for many of those pieces on a self-planned day. You would also need to arrange transport to Mismaloya, find a boat, rent snorkeling equipment, and decide where to jump or swim.

The value is less clear if you only want calm beach time or if you are unlikely to enter the water. This is an activity-focused trip. The price makes the most sense for a couple, family, or small group that wants several experiences in one outing.

WiFi is not provided on board. That is hardly surprising for a short boat trip, but download directions and meeting details before you leave.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta outing?

I would point this tour toward active families, couples, groups of friends, and cruise passengers with a free half-day. Teenagers often fit the format well because there is enough action to keep the outing interesting, but the hidden beach also gives adults a chance to relax.

It can work for children as young as seven, based on the family outing described, but the key issue is water comfort. Every child is different, and the rock jump is optional rather than required.

You should think twice if you dislike boats, struggle with open-water swimming, or have trouble climbing over uneven rock. One person became seasick on the ride back, although the issue did not ruin the day. If you are prone to motion sickness, plan accordingly, since the information does not indicate that medication or special seating is provided.

The tour suits you less if you want a private, polished yacht experience. This is a practical local boat outing with a small group, a popular snorkeling site, and a simple beach stop.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

You receive confirmation at booking, and the experience is near public transportation. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, so keep your departure plans firm once that cutoff passes.

The operator lists the activity as suitable for most people, but that does not remove the need for swimming ability at Los Arcos. Read the water activity honestly: the jump is optional, but snorkeling is best for someone comfortable in the sea.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want three active coastal stops for $44, especially if you are near the cruise terminal or can easily reach one of the meeting points. The combination of Los Arcos, rock jumping, and a boat-only beach gives you more variety than a basic snorkeling trip.

Skip it if you need guaranteed hotel pickup, a private boat, a quiet snorkeling site, or a full meal. Also skip it if uneven rock and open water are not a good fit.

For the right person, Mismaloya Xtreme offers a friendly, well-priced half-day on the bay. Go for the fish and the arches, try the 15-foot jump only if you feel ready, and save enough energy to enjoy the final beach stop.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes, including pickup, transportation, the Mismaloya stop, the boat activity, and the return trip.

Where does the tour meet?

One listed meeting point is the OXXO at Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio 2749 in the Hotel Zone, about one block from the Puerto Vallarta cruise ship terminal. The tour also offers two other meeting locations.

Does the tour provide pickup and return transportation?

Pickup is offered from the listed meeting points. Return transportation is provided to your original meeting point. Confirm your assigned location before departure, since hotel pickup is not stated for every property.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included in the tour price.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The tour includes bottled water, a soft drink, and beer.

Do I have to jump from the rocks?

No. The rock jump is an activity at one stop, but you do not have to take the jump. The tour describes a 15-foot option and a higher leap for those who want more of a challenge.

Is the tour suitable for children?

The activity is listed as suitable for most participants, and one outing included children ages seven to twelve. You should still consider each child’s swimming ability and comfort around boats, open water, and rocky areas.

What happens if the weather is bad?

If poor weather cancels the experience, you can be offered a different date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.