Catamaran Tour to the Arches, Playa las Animas, Snorkeling and more

Los Arcos of Mismaloya is the star here: a cluster of rock formations rising from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, with tropical fish below the surface and steep mountain views all around. This tour combines that stop with Playa las Animas, beach food, and a long catamaran ride back to port with music and games.

I like the easy mix of activities. You can snorkel, use a kayak or paddleboard, walk to the Quimixto waterfall, or simply sit on the beach with lunch. I also like that breakfast, snacks, an open bar, and beach food are included in the $92.17 price.

The tradeoff is time and organization. The group can reach as many as 99 people, and boarding at Las Animas has taken much longer than expected. Snorkeling conditions also depend on the sea, and the full day can run an hour beyond the advertised schedule.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main natural attraction: You get a scheduled snorkel stop among rock arches, fish, corals, and other marine life.
• Las Animas gives you choices: Stay on the beach, swim, eat, try an extra activity, or walk 1.5 kilometers through the rainforest to Quimixto waterfall.
• Food is included in several forms: Breakfast and snack food are served aboard, with lunch at the beach.
• The ride home is part of the entertainment: Expect music, games, dancing, open-bar service, and mountain and sea views.
• A large group can affect the pace: The boat may carry up to 99 people, so loading and unloading can take patience.
• Bring pesos or cash: You may need extra money for the MX$35 port tax, tips, photos, beach activities, and extra restaurant food.

What kind of Puerto Vallarta day is this?

This is not a quiet sailing trip. It is a full-day outing built around three things: a scenic boat ride, a water activity at Los Arcos, and a social beach-and-party atmosphere on the way home.

You meet at Puerto Magico, the maritime terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, and register before passing through security. Registration begins at 10:10 a.m., while the catamaran leaves at 11 a.m. Build in enough time for the terminal process. The tour ends back at the same place.

The published duration is about seven to eight hours. That sounds tidy on paper, but the timing may stretch. One account describes a return roughly an hour later than planned, and the departure from Las Animas took about 45 minutes. If you have an evening dinner reservation, airport transfer, or show, leave a generous buffer.

The boat can hold up to 99 people. That makes the tour accessible and social, but it also explains why moving everyone from catamaran to beach boats, and back again, may not be quick. I would choose this outing for an open day, not for a tightly planned schedule.

The catamaran leaves Puerto Magico

Once aboard, the tour heads along Puerto Vallarta’s broad bay toward Los Arcos. The ride gives you a useful view of the coast, with the city behind you and mountains rising along the southern shore.

Breakfast is served during the journey, and the guides explain the day’s activities. Snacks are also included, with wings, boneless pieces, cheese fingers, dips, and sauces listed as the onboard offering. This is helpful because the first proper beach meal comes later.

An open bar is included, but keep your expectations practical. It is part of the package, yet service can be affected by the schedule and onboard operations. One account describes being asked to wait for a drink after returning to the boat, despite the open-bar promise. It is wise to treat the drinks as a bonus rather than the main reason to book.

The boat has a restroom, another small but important comfort on a long day at sea. Some basic maintenance concerns have been noted, including loose railing bolts, worn flooring, damaged life-jacket clips, and bathroom issues. These details may not affect every departure, but they are worth keeping in mind if you want a polished sailing vessel.

Snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya

Los Arcos is the strongest part of the day for scenery. The rock formations sit offshore near Mismaloya, and the catamaran stops so you can use the provided snorkel equipment.

Before entering the water, the crew gives an introduction to the gear and explains how to use it. The stated plan is to see tropical fish, corals, and other marine life in the clear water around the formations. The setting itself is memorable, even if underwater visibility changes from day to day.

Water conditions are the key variable. One outing had calm, pleasant snorkeling with plenty of fish, while another encountered rough water, murkier visibility, and limits on which equipment could be used. That is normal for a sea-based activity, but it matters when you are booking mainly for snorkeling.

You may also find many people using the same area at once. With a large boat, Los Arcos can feel crowded in the water, and your actual time with a clear view of the rocks may be shorter than you expect. I would see this as an introductory snorkel stop, not a private marine excursion.

There is a chance of seeing larger sea life. One account describes giant whales appearing during the trip, but that is luck, not a promised part of the itinerary. Keep your attention on the coast and open water, though the crew cannot control what appears or how close it comes.

If the water is rough, the snorkel portion may not deliver the same experience as the brochure-style description. Still, the rock formations and bay views make this the stop with the most visual appeal. Bring realistic expectations and accept that the crew may restrict equipment use for safety.

Playa las Animas and the choice between beach or waterfall

After Los Arcos, the catamaran continues to Playa las Animas. You do not step straight from the catamaran onto the sand. Instead, a smaller boat carries you from the catamaran to the Las Animas pier.

That transfer is an important detail. It adds another loading process, and it can slow the day when a large group is moving at once. Allow yourself patience here, especially if you are eager to reach lunch or start an activity.

At the beach, you can choose your pace. Stay by the water, swim, eat, or pay for an extra activity. Kayaking and paddle equipment are included in the tour, while other beach activities cost extra. One account chose jet skiing, but you should bring cash for any activity that is not part of the included package.

The second option is a guided 1.5-kilometer walk through the rainforest to Quimixto waterfall. The trail leads to a waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim, then you return to Las Animas for beach time and food.

The waterfall walk gives the day more variety than a simple beach stop. It also means less time sitting on the sand, so choose according to your priorities. If you want a relaxed shore visit, stay at Las Animas. If you want a short nature walk and a swim in a waterfall, Quimixto is the better use of your time.

The tour description calls the walk guided, but it does not provide a guide’s name or detailed information about trail difficulty. The distance is 1.5 kilometers, yet heat, uneven ground, and the pace of the group may affect how it feels. Wear footwear suited to walking and bring only what you need.

Food at the beach and the pace of lunch

Lunch is served on the beach and is included in the price. That is convenient, since you do not have to organize a restaurant stop during the shore visit.

The meal is not the main selling point, and service can take time. One account describes the beach lunch as average and slow to arrive. If you are hungry after snorkeling or the waterfall walk, the wait may feel longer than it would on a relaxed beach afternoon.

Extra food and drinks at the restaurant are not included. Keep some cash ready if you want more than the included meal, or if you decide to buy something during the beach stop. Tips, photos, and extra activities also require separate spending.

The best approach is to enjoy the included food without expecting a restaurant meal built around your personal timing. The onboard snacks help bridge the gap, especially if lunch service is delayed.

The two-hour ride back to Puerto Vallarta

The return is not simply transport. The crew schedules about two hours of music, games, and dancing on the open sea. For people who enjoy a lively boat party, this can be a high point. The ride also offers views of the mountains and sea, with the possibility of a sunset near the end of the day.

For people who prefer quiet scenery, two hours of organized entertainment may feel long. One account describes the boat moving slowly on the return, making the day seem stretched out. That slow pace may be intentional, since the crew is using the trip home for social activities, but it can test your patience if you are ready to return.

This is where knowing your travel style matters. I would enjoy the ride if I wanted music, dancing, and a friendly group atmosphere. I would not choose this tour if I wanted a fast, calm transfer back to Puerto Vallarta.

Staff friendliness is one of the stronger points. Even when the timing or process was frustrating, the crew was described as pleasant and helpful. That does not remove the practical delays, but it can make a crowded boat easier to manage.

What the $92.17 price really covers

At $92.17 per person, the price is reasonable if you plan to use several inclusions. You receive the catamaran ride, breakfast, onboard snacks, an open bar, snorkeling equipment and instruction, the Las Animas visit, beach food, kayaking, paddle equipment, and the Quimixto option.

A similar day planned independently would require arranging transport to Los Arcos, a boat trip, food, drinks, and access to beach activities. The package saves you from coordinating those pieces. Its value is strongest for people who want one organized day with many elements already bundled together.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want a short snorkel trip. You are paying for the long ride, food, entertainment, and beach stop as much as for the snorkeling itself. If the sea is rough or visibility is poor, the main activity may not meet your hopes, though the rest of the day remains available.

Remember the extra MX$35 port tax per person. Add money for tips, photos, restaurant purchases, and beach activities. Children ages 0 to 2 are free, which can improve the value for families with very young children, although the tour still lasts most of a day.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to you if you want variety and do not mind a group setting. It suits people who like to switch between water activities, a beach stop, a possible waterfall walk, food, drinks, and music without planning each piece themselves.

It also suits first-time visitors who want to see the coast south of Puerto Vallarta. Los Arcos and Las Animas provide two different coastal settings, while Quimixto adds a short inland option.

Families may appreciate the included food, restroom, and mix of gentle activities. Still, parents should be ready for long periods aboard the boat, transfers between vessels, and a busy group environment.

I would be cautious if you need reliable timing, quiet travel, premium boat upkeep, or uncrowded snorkeling. The group size and delays are not minor details. They shape how much time you actually get at each stop.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. The activity uses Puerto Vallarta local time, GMT-6.

Practical ways to make the day better

Arrive for registration at 10:10 a.m., not just the 11 a.m. departure. The meeting point is Puerto Magico at the maritime terminal, and you must register and pass through security before boarding.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, a towel, and cash. The supplied information specifically calls out money for the port tax, extra beach activities, photos, restaurant purchases, and tips.

Keep your schedule open after the planned return. A delay of about an hour has occurred, and the Las Animas loading process may be slow. I would avoid booking an evening commitment that cannot move.

If snorkeling is your top goal, watch the sea conditions and stay flexible. The crew may limit equipment use in rough water. You can still enjoy the rocks, boat views, beach, food, and entertainment, but the underwater portion is not fully within anyone’s control.

Take the waterfall walk only if you genuinely want a short rainforest outing. Otherwise, Las Animas offers enough to fill the beach stop with swimming, food, and optional activities.

Should you book this catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a busy, social day that combines Los Arcos, snorkeling, Las Animas, optional Quimixto, included food, an open bar, and a party-style return. The strongest praise centers on the friendly crew, the beautiful coastal setting, and the chance to fill one day with several different activities.

Think twice if you want a carefully timed tour, a quiet sail, or a high-end boat. The water may be murky, the snorkel area may be crowded, and loading the boat can take too long. At $92.17, it is a fair package for a broad day out, but its value depends on enjoying the whole mix rather than chasing perfect snorkeling.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at Puerto Magico, located on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Hotelera Norte.

What time should I arrive?

Registration begins at 10:10 a.m., and the catamaran departs at 11 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is approximately seven to eight hours, though the return may take longer than planned.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour visits Los Arcos de Mismaloya and Playa las Animas. At Las Animas, you can also choose the guided 1.5-kilometer walk to Quimixto waterfall.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling, equipment instruction, kayaking, and paddle equipment are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Breakfast, onboard snacks, beach food, and an open bar aboard the catamaran are included. Extra restaurant food and drinks are not included.

Is there an additional port charge?

Yes. The port tax is MX$35 per person and is not included in the tour price.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.