The 15 Best Mexico Island Hopping Tours

1.Boat and Snorkel Tour to 5 Islands of Los Arcos

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,176 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Meet in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica, ride a public bus to Mismaloya, then take a small boat around Los Arcos’ five islands. Guide names may include Bruno, Andrés, Guillermo, Diego, or Sebastián. Expect about 30 minutes of snorkeling, cave visits, bird spotting, and free time at the beach. Snorkel gear, permits, bus fare, and a life vest are included.

“Incredible snorkeling experience. Got to see many colorful schools of fishes that really do swim right up to you. Definitely go in the morning, which is what our guide recommended for the best snorkeling. After snorkeling, we had a rest point at the beach, which was very beautiful and great for swimming. Enjoyed spicy aguachile and margaritas at the beautiful beach after snorkeling, which wasn’t included but still reasonably priced and flavorful. Super grateful to our guide Andrés for this fun and informative tour, would absolutely book a tour with him again. In fact, I hope he’s on the next tour I book in Puerto Vallarta.”

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2.Los Arcos Islands Boat Tour and Snorkeling

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

Travel by public bus from central Puerto Vallarta to Mismaloya, then take a small boat around Los Arcos National Marine Park. Your English- or Spanish-speaking guide, such as Armando, Andrés, Bruno, or Sebastián, explains the islands, birds, and sea life before about 40 minutes of snorkeling. The three-hour outing costs $47 and leaves time for the beach.

“Our guide Andreas was great! He had a nice sense of humor and was knowledgeable about Los Arcos. He made sure we were safe getting on the boat and warned us of a current in the water. He also told us not to snorkel through the arc because it was too wavy. Very good tour!”

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

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

This three-hour Puerto Vallarta outing takes you from Zona Romántica to Mismaloya for optional cliff jumping, snorkeling at Los Arcos, and a short stop at a boat-access beach. Guides such as Alfonso, Diego, Arnold, and Max have led the trip. Expect a lively, active tour with drinks, snacks, and changing sea conditions.

“A thrilling boat ride, a myriad of different fish and bird species, and a spectacular sightseeing tour from start to finish.”

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4.Boat Tour of Three Islands in Holbox with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41

Spend about three and a half hours by boat from Holbox, visiting Yalahau Lagoon, Isla Pasión, and Isla Pájaros when conditions allow. Guides such as Alex, Emanuel, Christian, and Johnny have led wildlife-focused trips, though stops can change with weather, bird seasons, storms, or local closures. Pickup is offered, but return transport is not.

“Emanuel was incredible - he cared so much about the ecology of the islands and the conservation and was able to give us lots of information about the birds, the land, the water etc. such and fantastic experience! 10 out of 10 would recommend!”

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5.Holbox 3 Island Private Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 99 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Cruise Holbox’s waters with a private guide and captain, stopping at Punta Mosquito or Isla Pajaros, Yalahau Lagoon, and Passion Island. You’ll swim in a freshwater cenote, watch pelicans, frigates, herons, iguanas, and perhaps flamingos, dolphins, or a distant crocodile. Guides such as Eddie, Willy, Gustavo, and Edier tailor the pace to your group.

“Excellent tour, we swim in a cenote and then they took us to isla perjures. Highly recommended”

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6.Snorkeling at Los Arcos 5 islands Hidden Beach and Cliff Jumping

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · from $44

Join Mismaloya Xtreme for a small-group boat trip from Puerto Vallarta to Mismaloya, Los Arcos, and a secluded beach. You can make a 15-foot rock jump, snorkel with tropical fish, and swim from shore. Guides such as Ivan, Kevin, Brian, and Sebastian lead the outing, with drinks, equipment, and return transport included.

“Great experience with our group of kids (ages 7-12) and adults. The guides let us stay at each area for as long as we liked and we even got to see a momma and baby whale playing on our way back to the port.”

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7.Holbox 3 Island Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 50 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours (approx.) · from $41

Cruise from VIP Holbox to Punta Mosquito, Isla de los Pájaros, and Isla de la Pasión. Expect short stops for sandbanks, birds, flamingos, and photos, with bottled water and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as David, Eddie, Billy, Julie, and Gustavo have led recent departures, though weather can change the route.

“Eddie was a great tour guide - he is very knowledgeable and his English is excellent. He made it very fun.”

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8.Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · 6 hours · from $131

Cruise from Nuevo Vallarta or Sayulita to the Marietas Islands aboard Chica Locca’s spacious boat. You’ll get breakfast, guacamole, fajitas, an open bar, water toys, and guided access to Playa La Nopalera. Guides such as Saul and Kano keep the day moving, while an onboard photographer captures the action.

“Loved this excursion! The transportation was comfortable. The included continental breakfast of a fruit plate and muffin was perfect to start the day. The service aboard the boat was excellent! The drinks were plentiful and we were never left wanting. There was plenty of sun available on the water, and paddleboards were provided. The wet landing on Marietas island was exhilarating, and 20 minutes on the island was enough to see what we wanted to see. Due to the wet landing, bringing a camera was difficult unless you brought a waterproof case that wrapped around your neck and we did not, however the photographer came to shore with us and…”

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9.Whale Watching and Los Arcos 5 Islands Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $79

This 4 to 5 hour Puerto Vallarta outing combines whale watching in Banderas Bay with snorkeling at Los Arcos. An English-speaking local guide leads a group of no more than 15 people from Playa Mismaloya. Water, soda, beer, snacks, and snorkeling gear are included.

“We saw whales and dolphins. The dolphins were jumping out of the water and a whale breached right in front of us.”

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10.Private boat tour (3 islands tour)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Explore Holbox’s shallow beaches and waters on a private 3.5-hour boat trip for up to eight people. Stop at Isla Pasión, swim at Yalahau Lagoon, and visit Punta Mosquito. Johnny and David have arranged pickup by boat for some guests, while drinks, water, and soft drinks are included. Route changes may follow sea conditions.

“The tour was phenomenal! We were able to chose our start time and this allowed us to be at the cenote before the shared boat tours arrived. We highly recommend taking the private tour if you have a small group.”

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11.Los Arcos Snorkeling & 5 Island Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $39Best value

Meet at Mismaloya Beach for a roughly two-hour boat trip around Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary. Guide Alfonso leads the snorkeling stop, while Alfonso and Chito focus on safety. Expect sea caves, fish, drinks, equipment, transport, and free time at Mismaloya Beach after the tour.

“Alfonso was very attentive, kind, patient, and had excellent attention to detail. He made the tour special and showed us off-the-beaten-track spots. Chito is helpful too and make our trip safe. They focuses more on the safety of travellers. Thank you both! definitely will come back. The place is amazing with amazing friendly staff.”

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12.2 Island Adventure: Contoy & Mujeres with Snorkeling & open bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about eight hours sailing from Marina Puerto Xtabay to Isla Mujeres, Ixlaché Reef, and protected Isla Contoy. You get breakfast, snorkeling gear, a guided reef stop, buffet lunch, open bar, and an optional eco-tour. The crew is multilingual, and the group is capped at 30 people.

“The host made us feel like family. Over all 10 start experience will highly recommend. The tasting of the food and liquor were amazing.”

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13.3 Islands tour Holbox . (Yalahau and more)

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 6 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50

Set out from central Holbox with Gamaextreme Tours for a roughly three-hour boat trip to Isla Pasión, Yalahau Lagoon, and Punta Mosquito. Expect a small group of up to 12, bilingual service in English, life jackets, calm water, and time for beaches and wildlife. Yalahau admission costs an extra 200 pesos per person.

“My daughter (11) and I did this trip yesterday and it was great! It was a small group, only 6 people in addition to us, and our tour guide Alex was very passionate about and familiar with the nature reserve and excited to share his knowledge with us. It didn’t hurt that we had absolutely perfect weather, and even got to see a few flamingos in the wild, even though it’s not really flamingo season. I’d definitely recommend this tour. I only wish we’d had a little more time to explore at each stop.”

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14.Holbox: Three Islands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 5 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $72

Spend 3.5 hours by boat around Yalahau Lagoon, Isla Pájaros, and Isla Pasión. You’ll swim in the Ojo de Agua, watch for flamingos and dolphins, and see a turtle nursery. Groups are limited to 10, with English or Spanish guiding, hotel pickup, water, and refreshments included. A 100 MXN lagoon fee is extra.

“The perfect trip! A nice start time (not too early!), great pacing of the trip and loved the cenote. Really enjoyed seeing dolphins which was a great added bonus!”

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15.Tour Holbox – Two Island & Cenote from Cancun & Playa Del Carmen

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $168

Spend about 13 hours exploring Holbox, Yalahau Cenote, Isla de la Pasión, and Punta Mosquito. The trip includes round-trip transport, a box lunch, a restaurant meal, cenote entry, a life jacket, and drinks during the boat ride. Guides such as Arturo and Robert may lead the group, with English service available.

“If you leave from Cancun the journey is really long (nearly 4h) so if you do it is better from Playa del Carmen (you save more than 1 hour outbound and 1h return), otherwise the rest is really topAuto-translated”

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