Snorkeling In Puerto Vallarta Mexico – Discover The Most Popular Snorkeling Spots in Puerto Vallarta

If you are planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta, you have to take at least one day and check out the amazing snorkeling Banderas Bay has to offer.  The Pacific Coast of Mexico may not have the white beaches and crystal-clear turquoise water of the Caribbean side, but the abundance of wildlife and incredible rock formations make snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta well worth it.

Truth be told, my very first time snorkeling was at Los Arcos over 15 years ago. I am not saying snorkeling here was the reason, but I did move here immediately after. Seriously, I’m not saying, I’m just saying.  My magical snorkeling experience is part of what convinced me to move to Puerto Vallarta. I was at a crossroads and looking for a sign. Well, it came in the form of a dolphin. My very first time snorkeling in my life I had a dolphin come up and swim circles around me while snorkeling at Los Arcos.  I had the most amazing luck I will admit, but I can honestly say after 15 years of snorkeling around the globe now, I have never had a more memorable experience than my first time snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta. Years later, I have scoped many of the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Vallarta to share with you.

When is the best time of year to snorkel in Puerto Vallarta?

Well, between July and November you can find a lot more marine life migrating through Banderas Bay. The water is warmer at that time of year as well, but visibility can be hit or miss due to the rains. For the best visibility, we find October to November best just before the water cools off to be a bit too chilly for these bones that have been acclimated to Puerto Vallarta. But you can still find great snorkeling here year-round. And if you are visiting from the north, well you will probably not mind the cooler water as a refreshing relief from the hot sun.

Where can you find the best snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta?

So, 15 years later, I have had the chance to explore all the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay. We have compiled a list of the most popular snorkeling spots below along with some helpful information about each site based on our personal experience and customer feedback. Before you book your Puerto Vallarta snorkeling tour, take a gander and decide which snorkeling destination is best for you.

Snorkeling Los Arcos National Marine Park – The Iconic Arches of Puerto Vallarta

Distance From Marina Vallarta: 20 to 30 minutes by panga or fast boat, about 45 minutes on the scenic route along the coastline on the larger catamarans and sailboats.

Avg Snorkeling Depth: 10 to 12 meters (30 to 40 ft) but depths can range from 3 to 27 meters (10 to 90 ft) at Los Arcos.

Avg Visibility: 6 to 15 meters (20 to 50 ft)

Types of Marine Life: Variety of tropical fish including pufferfish, clownfish, angelfish, snapper, cornet fish, sea turtles, mantas, eagle rays, sea horses, moray eels, lobsters, octopus, and much more hidden in the rocks and coral reef.

Pros: One of the most popular snorkeling destinations in Puerto Vallarta for good reason and perfect for all skill levels.

Cons: As it is the most popular snorkeling site in Puerto Vallarta, it can also be the most crowded.

Los Arcos is one of my personal favorites. The 3 main rocks that make up the iconic Los Arcos de Mismaloya are home to an amazing abundance of marine birds and marine life below the surface. I swam with a lone dolphin while snorkeling at Los Arcos. I got certified to scuba dive at Los Arcos. I glided over the footprint of a breaching humpback whale at Los Arcos on a paddleboard while my dog looked at me with horror in his eyes (which was actually the moment I realized that following a giant whale on a paddleboard was maybe not the best idea). I had the fortune to see the amazing yet rarely seen bioluminescence at Los Arcos. I literally watched my panga light up at night with the bioluminescence’s blue light like a low rider with ground effects in LA in the ’90s. I even had my wedding reception (AKA hangover party the next day) there. So yeah, Los Arcos National Marine Park is a pretty cool place in general.

It is no secret either. Los Arcos is one of the most popular snorkeling spots in Puerto Vallarta for many reasons. The fact you can go there and back in just a few hours is a bonus. And the water is calm nearly all year round making it great for those who are a novice to snorkeling. But the real draw to Los Arcos marine park is under the sea. Los Arcos has a range of depths allowing for a large range of species to thrive in the protected marine park. You can see huge schools of colorful tropical fish, spotted eagle rays flying along the sandy bottom, colorful rock formations and coral reef, a variety of sea urchins and anemones, curious needlefish, octopus, and lobsters lurking in the crevasses, and if you look close enough, you can spot a super cool nudibranch or sea horse.

Insider Tip: As mentioned, since this is one of the most popular spots for snorkeling in Banderas Bay. If you are an avid snorkeler and want the best experience, you may want to beat the crowds by booking a private snorkeling excursion. This allows you to leave earlier or later than the main rush of tour boats. Regardless though, once underwater, you will be too distracted by the beautiful marine life to worry about what is going on above the surface.

Snorkeling Marietas Islands National Park – Home to Puerto Vallarta’s Iconic Hidden Beach

Distance From Marina Vallarta: 32 km (20 miles) 60 minutes by panga or fast boat and closer to 1.5 hours on catamaran or sailboat. However, if you are staying in Rivera Nayarit, departing Paradise Village, La Cruz, or Punta Mita marinas it is a much shorter trip.

Avg Snorkeling Depth: 7.5 to 18 meters (25 to 60 ft), but some inlets are very shallow and the rock formations attract fish and marine life as close as just a few feet from the surface.

Avg Visibility: 12 meters (40 ft)

Types of Marine Life: Aside from the marine life similar to what you would find in Los Arcos, you can find 30 different species of birds nesting or feeding here. Among the underwater mountain range of the Marietas Islands, you commonly can find butterflyfish, damsels, surgeonfish, colorful parrotfish, pufferfish. The rocky outcrops are also home to sea sponges, starfish, and sea urchins. If you are lucky, you can spot a sea turtle, the occasional dolphin, or even a humpback whale in season.

Pros: Amazingly beautiful islands that are home to species of birds found only here and the Galapagos Islands!! There are several different snorkeling spots you can hit between the 2 main islands and a few islets. The not so “hidden beach” makes for some amazing photo ops. In the end, Marietas Islands offers some of the best snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta.

Cons: The not so “hidden beach” is not so easy to access. Due to the popularity of the site, people flocked here for the past ten years wreaking havoc on the fragile environment here. So thankfully the government stepped in and applied restrictions to the number of people who could access, and which days of the week they were allowed. This is a good thing. However, the second thing to keep in mind is that you can only access the beach if the tide is right and the water is calm. It is a 120-meter swim through a tunnel to get there. This is not the best family activity or good for first-time snorkelers or those who are not strong swimmers.

So back in the ’60s, oceanographer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau put the Marietas Islands on the map. And by April 2005, the Marietas Islands became a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Islas Marietas have always been an amazing snorkeling destination in Puerto Vallarta, but around the year 2010 a post of the “hidden” or “lovers” beach went viral, and there was massive growth. Finally, to protect the islands, they shut down access temporarily in May of 2015. A few months later in August, they began opening them again to a limited amount of people daily and also closed access altogether Mondays and Tuesdays to help the coral and volcanic islands recover. Restrictions continue today.

That said, you will need to book an organized tour with proper permits to visit the islands.  And if you want to visit the famous Hidden Beach in Mexico, then you will need to book well in advance and have a flexible schedule. Aside from the limitation of the number of permits available, you also have to account for the tides as well as the weather conditions.  At the end of the day though, snorkeling Marietas Islands is spectacular regardless of which island you visit.

Snorkeling Majahuitas Cove – Abundant Marine Life in a Quiet Cove

Distance From Marina Vallarta: 45 to 50 minutes by panga or fast boat, about 75 minutes on the scenic route along the coastline on the larger catamarans and sailboats.

Avg Snorkeling Depth: 6 to 12 meters (20 to 40 ft) but depths can range from 3 to 27 meters (10 to 90 ft) similar to Los Arcos. So depths for all skill levels.

Avg Visibility: 5 to 18 meters (15 to 60 ft) but during the months of October and November you can see up to 30 meters (100 ft)!!

Types of Marine Life: A calm protective cove and the gentle sloping of Sierra Madre mountains reaching all the way into the bay create the perfect environment for an abundance of marine life. You can find colorful parrotfish, eagle rays, pufferfish, large schools of giant damsels and sergeant majors, groupers, and more. You may even spot the occasional sea turtle, eel or octopus, and if you are lucky, even a giant manta!

Pros: This is a lesser-visited snorkeling cove that is a favorite snorkeling stop for locals, fishermen, and even a pirate ship. The super calm water and the shallow cove are perfect for all skill level snorkeling. The beach is beautiful too and covered with tiny little hermit crabs, so watch your step.

Cons: One of the larger tour providers recently took possession of the beach area meaning that they are bringing more guests, but it is still a lot quieter than Los Arcos.

Majahuitas Cove is one of the best snorkeling destinations further south than most other snorkeling destinations inside Banderas Bay. As mentioned above, it is also one of the favorite spots that locals like to stop by while out exploring the bay or on the way to Yelapa. The Marigalante Pirate ship has been taking families to snorkel Majahuitas cove for more than a decade due to its calm safe waters perfect for even the youngest snorkelers.

In fact, the water is so calm at Majahuitas, I am able to tow my dog around on a boogie board while I snorkel. He balances on the board and peers over the edge at the fish as well. I have no children, thus my dog, but I have seen parents do the same with their kids that are a bit afraid of the water too.

Snorkeling Colomitos Cove – Quiet Cove On The Beaten Path

Distance From Marina Vallarta: 35 to 40 minutes by panga or fast boat, about an hour on the scenic route along the coastline on the larger catamarans and sailboats.

Avg Snorkeling Depth: 6.5 to 14.5 meters (20 to 40 ft), but depths up to 39 meters (120 ft)

Avg Visibility: 11 to 12 meters (35 to 40ft)

Types of Marine Life: Colomitos has a sandy bottom with a rocky coastline. You can find a variety of tropical fish such as damsels and sergeant majors, pufferfish, boxfish, butterflyfish, eels, eagle rays, and the usual suspects that you will find along Puerto Vallarta’s coastal shoreline.

Pros: This snorkeling spot is not part of the more popular snorkeling tours in Puerto Vallata. So sometimes you can have the place all to yourself.

Cons: You can also hike here from Bocas de Tomatlan, making this a very popular weekend hot spot for locals. Avoid the weekends if you can.

I visit Playa Colomitos probably more often than any other snorkeling cove as I love to hike, and the main coastal hiking trail starts at Bocas de Tomatlan and the first destination you come to is Colomitos Beach. It is a beautiful hike with a wonderful view of emerald green water as you descend down to the beach. There is a small waterfall during the rainy season that is a great place to chill out when not snorkeling. The hike takes anywhere from 30 to 50 minutes depending on your physical condition as well as the condition of the trail. During the rainy season the descent can get a bit sketchy, so takes a bit longer.

Snorkeling Colomitos is great, but I suggest going early before too many boats start pulling in. The water is calmest typically in the mornings. If hiking is not your thing, you can catch a quick water taxi from Bocas de Tomatlan. If you don’t have your own transportation and do not want to take the bus there, then there are a couple of guided tour options that can get you there before the crowds too. You can charter your own private panga from Puerto Vallarta, Kayak or SUP your way around from Bocas on an ecotour, or take a guided hike that takes you all the way to Las Animas after a short visit to this stunning emerald cove.

Snorkeling Las Caletas Beach – Snorkeling & So Much More

Types of Marine Life: All the same marine life located on the south coast of Banderas Bay. There is a resident sea turtle plus the opportunity to meet sea lions if booking the Las Caletas Beach tour. As a bonus, there are 2 sunken ships offshore that make for some great underwater photography.

Pros: There is so much to do aside from snorkeling! This is probably one of the most popular tours in Puerto Vallarta in general and is an amazing vacation experience.

Cons: This is the only non-public beach south of Puerto Vallarta. Vallarta Adventures has been controlling the beach since the ’90s and in order to access you need to book their Las Caletas Hideaway Tour.

Las Caletas is more of a vacation experience rather than your average Puerto Vallarta snorkeling tour. If you are looking for the best snorkeling experience in Puerto Vallarta, choose one of the other destinations. If you are looking for the best overall experience including snorkeling, then Las Caletas is your place. Since all tours are done with the same company, we have had a bit of trouble finding the average snorkeling depths and the time it would take to arrive in a panga. That said, if you know, help a sister out and please list in the comments below.

Las Caletas beach, only accessible by boat, was once home to John Houston who first put Puerto Vallarta on the map as a tourist destination in Mexico (Thank you Mr. Houston and RIP). Now Las Caletas is a wonderland of hammocks, spa services, extreme activities, amazing food, and open bars dotting the beach and nestled in the jungle.

However, just because you cannot access the private beach does not mean you cannot take a panga and snorkel offshore. Las Caletas has a great abundance of marine life to be discovered from many levels. In fact, it is known as a great dive site as well. If you do not want the whole package and just want to snorkel, then we suggest hiring a private charter and heading out there early before all the tourists arrive. Also, the fishing around Las Caletas is incredible. So you can maybe catch your lunch to recharge after all that snorkeling.

Snorkeling Conchas Chinas – Beautiful Snorkeling Gem Just a Short Walk From Old Town

So Conchas Chinas is not really a very well-known snorkeling destination for tourists, but locals love it. It is actually best for things like catching lobsters or spearfishing. And, it is within walking distance. If you follow Los Muertos Beach down to the end and follow the trail up and over the large rock at the end, you will find yourself in Conchas Chinas. Conchas chinas are little seashells, and you will find them whole and crushed all over the beach thus how it got its name. Keep following it and there are endless little coves and tide pools to explore. Snorkeling can be amazing here on calm days and in some of the coves, but if the weather is bad or the tides are strong, it can be a bit tricky here. So on that note, let’s talk about snorkeling safety in Puerto Vallarta.

Snorkeling Safety in Puerto Vallarta – Be Smart, Be Respectful, & Have Fun

You should NEVER snorkel alone, always with a buddy. Better yet, go with a professional guide or on a guided snorkeling tour in Puerto Vallarta. If you are a tourist, this is really an absolute must. Do not go venture out into unfamiliar territory on your own. We do not have many issues with tourists running into trouble while snorkeling n Puerto Vallarta since most of the best snorkeling spots require you to take a boat to access them. But in cases like Conchas Chinas, those who have their own gear and want to explore a bit on their own, you need to be cautious, please.

And it’s not about protecting yourself, you need to be respectful of marine life as well. Coral takes years to grow, and just by touching a small part with your fingers, your oils can prove toxic. Also, on that subject, please try to use biodegradable ocean-friendly sunblock. If you cannot find it, then apply sunblock at least an hour before you enter the water so the oils and toxins are soaked into your skin and not damaging the fragile marine life. In regards to touching things, just don’t do it. Aside from the toxic chemicals on your skin, disturbing marine life can cause trauma to marine life as well. Even if you can catch it or pick it up…please don’t. Imagine if you were in a tidepool a stupid tourist kept plucking you out of the safety of your home. Not cool peeps. Don’t be that guy.

Finally, hydrate!! If you have been snorkeling or diving before, you probably realize the sensation of thirst and hunger as you emerge from the water. This is real. You are most likely starting to get dehydrated from the sun even though you are in the water. Bring plenty of drinking water. Better yet, grab an electrolyte or two to bring along. These are basically like Pedialyte you get back home, but here in the tropics, you can get them at every mini-mart because as locals, we realize they are necessary.

Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta – Let Us Help You Get The Best Experience

This is just a sample of some of the most popular snorkeling spots in Puerto Vallarta, but there are hundreds of coves to explore around Banderas Bay. Let us know your favorites! And if you would like help booking a snorkeling tour in Puerto Vallarta, let our Activities Experts help you. We have snorkeled all around Banderas Bay and we can help you choose the perfect snorkeling adventure. Just contact us today!

Happy Snorkeling in PV!!