Bay of Banderas: Snorkeling and Hiking Adventure
3.0
1 Rating
Puerto Vallarta

Explore Puerto Vallarta’s stunning Bay of Banderas with snorkeling, hiking, and relaxation on a catamaran day tour. Discover hidden gems and vibrant marine life.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Los Arcos de Mismaloya - Escape your daily routine with this 8-hour tour that seamlessly combines adventure and relaxation in the breathtaking Bay of Banderas.
    Guests are welcomed one hour before departure at the Vallarta Maritime Terminal (API). From there, embark on a 1.5-hour boat journey to the first destination: Los Arcos Marine National Park….
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What's Included
  • Boat trip on Catamaran
  • Snorkel at Los Arcos
  • Light Breakfast and Lunch
  • Drinks on board
  • Music to dance and karaoke
  • Insurance while on the boat
What's Not Included
  • Government fees
  • Photo pack
  • Extra activities & Transportation
Additional Information

Explore the stunning Bay of Banderas on an 8-hour excursion that combines snorkeling and hiking. Begin with a 1.5-hour boat journey to Los Arcos Marine National Park, where a 25-minute guided snorkeling experience awaits in the clear waters, rich with colorful marine life. Then, unwind at Playa Las Ánimas, famous for its white sands and welcoming vibe,…

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Location
Puerto Magico
Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio
There is a check in where you must show the boarding pass that we will send you, there one person of our staff will give you instructions to board the ship
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
3.0
(1 Rating)
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1 star
Chpearl
Oct 27, 2025
Safety and Organization Needed - Overall, this was a decent excursion with potential! The scenery at Los Arcos and the visit to Playa Las Ánimas were very enjoyable. However, a few areas could use improvement, especially regarding organization and safety. To begin with, there was a communication issue about the start time. When I called to confirm, I was told the excursion began at 9:00 a.m. and that we needed to be at Puerto Mágico by 8:40 a.m. In reality, the boat didn’t depart until 10:00 a.m., leaving us waiting for nearly an hour in the heat. Once on board, there was also confusion as we approached the snorkeling site at Los Arcos. We were rushed to grab our gear and life jackets with little notice. The captain should have made an announcement at least 30 minutes beforehand so guests could prepare calmly and receive a proper safety and snorkeling orientation. I had specifically chosen this tour for a beginner snorkeling lesson, as promised over the phone, but that expectation was not met. Another safety concern was how guests were instructed to enter the water. Instead of lowering the ladder, we were told to jump directly from the boat into the ocean. This felt unsafe and uncomfortable — especially for beginners or anyone anxious in open water. In my case, I jumped into the ocean and immediately got water up my nose and returned to the catamaran. It would have been much better to allow guests to use a ladder for a controlled entry. Additionally, there were no proper children's life jackets available; my 10 year-old niece’s life jacket kept floating above her head, making swimming difficult and potentially unsafe. Lastly, the lunch provided at Las Ánimas Beach around 2:30 p.m. was quite minimal, so be prepared to pay extra if you want a full meal. On the return trip, the music played was almost entirely traditional Mexican songs, which was lively but made it difficult for non-locals to join in or dance comfortably. Instead of resting, the master of ceremonies continued talking and continued with his show for the 1.5 hours back to Puerto Magico. Some downtime would have been nice. In summary, this excursion has good potential — the locations are beautiful and the experience could be fantastic with better organization, clearer communication, and stronger attention to guest safety and comfort.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $82
From $82
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).
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