Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure

Puerto Vallarta’s south coast is at its best from the water, and this half-day outing gives you more than a quick swim with fish. You ride a local bus through lush coastal scenery, cruise past beaches reachable only by boat or foot, snorkel at two sites, and stop for a coconut or cold drink on a quiet beach. I especially like the small maximum group of 10 and the care shown by guide Elian, who helps first-time snorkelers and older swimmers feel at ease.

I also like the personal touch of the boat captain, Brian, who knows the coast and snorkels himself. You may see king angel fish, eels, sea cucumbers, starfish, baby conch, and, in the right season, whales. The main point to watch is cost: the advertised price is $54.36, but lunch, bus fare, beach refreshments, and tips can add to your total.

Key points at a glance

• Two snorkeling sites: Spend up to about 30 minutes at each stop, with equipment, fins, a tube, and a life jacket supplied.
• A scenic local bus ride: The trip begins in Puerto Vallarta’s Romantic Zone and follows the winding road south to Boca de Tomatlán.
• Personal guide service: Elian is named as the guide, with Brian handling the boat on some outings. The small group size allows for hands-on help.
• Three coastal stops: The route includes Majahuitas Beach, Playa Colomitos, and Boca de Tomatlán, with additional hidden beaches pointed out from the boat.
• A useful beach pause: You get about 30 minutes for drinks, coconuts, or a short rest before returning to Boca.
• Optional meal by the harbor: Check the booking option carefully, since lunch is not automatically part of every fare.

From Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlán

Your meeting point is at C. Constitución 363 in the Romantic Zone. From there, the group takes a bus south to Boca de Tomatlán, a small coastal community and the launch point for the boat.

The bus ride takes roughly 25 minutes and is part of the character of the outing. You pass tropical foliage and winding coastal roads rather than sitting in a resort shuttle. It is not a luxury transfer, and the bus fare is not included, but the ride gives you a quick look at the coast south of central Puerto Vallarta.

At Boca, you walk a short distance from the bus stop to the beach. The boat may need a few minutes to get ready, so you wait at a restaurant table with a view of the water. You do not have to order anything while waiting, which is a small but welcome detail.

This pause also gives you time to use the restroom, settle your things, and ask questions before boarding. The restaurant becomes important later if you select the meal option, so take note of the setting. It is right by the water and gives the trip a local, family-run feel rather than the polished atmosphere of a large marina operation.

The boat ride toward Majahuitas and Yelapa

Once aboard, you head south along the coast toward Yelapa. The ride to the first snorkeling area takes around 20 to 30 minutes.

The route itself is part of the experience. Your guide points out beaches and coves that can only be reached by boat or by walking coastal trails. The boat has a cover, so you can get some shade while moving along the coast. That matters in Puerto Vallarta, where a long ride in direct sun can take the pleasure out of an otherwise beautiful trip.

The boat ride is also a good time to watch the water. Whale sightings are not guaranteed, and they are not the main purpose of the outing, but several participants saw whales. One group heard whale songs underwater while snorkeling, and another saw about 10 whales. Treat this as a lucky extra, not a promised part of the program.

The exact boat and crew may vary, but the named captain Brian received especially strong praise for his boat handling and knowledge of snorkeling. A captain who also gets in the water can make a difference because you are more likely to receive useful direction about where to look and what you are seeing.

Snorkeling at Majahuitas Beach

Majahuitas Beach is one of the principal coastal stops. The water here is used for one of the two snorkeling sessions, with up to about 30 minutes in the water.

The outing provides a mask and snorkel tube, fins, and a life jacket. The equipment is included, as are bottled water and the boat trip. You should still bring a swimsuit, sun protection, and a way to keep personal items dry, since the supplied information does not describe storage for phones or bags.

Expect a guided rather than free-form swim. Elian helps fit equipment, explains what to do, and keeps an eye on people who are new to snorkeling. That is useful if you have never used fins or feel uneasy getting into open water. The guide has also helped older swimmers get in and out of the boat, which can be more important than any fish sighting.

The marine life can include king angel fish and sergeant fish swimming close to you. You might also see an eel, sea cucumber, starfish, or a small conch. The guides have allowed people to hold some of the gentler sea life, including a sea cucumber and starfish. Conditions change, so you should not expect the same animals every time.

This is not a dedicated wildlife expedition, and the tour does not promise a particular species. Its strength is the combination of a pleasant coastal setting, a manageable swim period, and close guidance in the water.

Playa Colomitos and the second swim

Playa Colomitos is the other named beach stop on the route. The boat points out several coves along the way, but the two snorkeling locations are the heart of the outing.

You get up to about 30 minutes at the second snorkeling site. Two separate swims are a better setup than one long session. You can enjoy the first stop, warm up or rest during the boat ride, then decide how much energy you want to use at the next one.

For first-time snorkelers, this format lets you gain confidence without committing to a full morning in the water. For experienced swimmers, it provides a second chance to look for different fish and reef life. The guides have been praised for giving clear instructions and staying attentive to the group.

The water entry deserves a practical warning. Getting on and off the boat at the beach stop can be tricky, especially for young children, older adults, or anyone with limited agility. The guides can assist, but you should be comfortable accepting help and moving carefully. A life jacket is provided, and the guide’s hands-on approach is a strong part of the safety value, but this is still a small boat and a natural beach setting, not a pool with steps.

The 30-minute beach break

After the snorkeling sessions, the boat stops at one of the favorite small beaches for about 30 minutes. This is a short rest rather than a long beach day.

You can buy a coconut, beer, water, or an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink. Fresh fruit and juices may also be available. A coconut can be prepared with lime, spices, and sauce, and the meat may be cut out after you drink the water. That is the kind of simple local treat that makes the stop memorable.

The catch is that these refreshments are extra. Snacks and coconuts are not included, and it is worth asking the price before ordering. One family felt the added beach costs mattered after paying for lunch and leaving tips, so you should carry some money and budget for this stop separately.

The beach is also where you may notice the limits of the time plan. Thirty minutes passes quickly if you want a drink, take photos, swim, and get back to the boat. Think of it as a pleasant break between activities, not a chance to settle in for the afternoon.

Lunch beside the water in Boca

After leaving the beach, you return to Boca de Tomatlán for the meal portion, if you chose that option when booking. The meal is not automatically included in every fare, so check the exact selection before paying.

The restaurant, El Embarcadero, sits by the water and has been praised for its setting and food. The available meal experience may include choices such as a cheeseburger, though the exact menu should be confirmed at booking. The restaurant stop helps turn the trip into a fuller outing rather than a simple two-hour boat transfer.

I would strongly consider adding lunch if your schedule and budget allow. You are already back at the restaurant where the boat began, and eating there avoids the need to find a separate meal after returning to town. Still, compare the total price carefully. The base cost is $54.36 per person, while lunch, bus fare, drinks, snacks, and tips can raise the final amount.

After lunch, you take the bus back to the original meeting point in the Romantic Zone. The full activity lasts about five and a half hours, so allow most of a morning or afternoon for it.

Why the small group matters

The maximum group size is 10, but the actual number can be smaller. One couple ended up with a private outing, while another small group had plenty of individual help.

A small group changes the feel of the day. Elian can check that your mask fits, help you with fins, keep an eye on less confident swimmers, and take photos for you in the water when time allows. He has also shared photos with participants afterward by AirDrop, though you should not treat that as a guaranteed service.

The personal attention is particularly useful for families and mixed-ability groups. A four-year-old joined one outing, and the guides were described as patient and safety-conscious with children and older family members. There is no stated minimum age in the supplied details, so ask before booking if you are bringing a young child.

For strong swimmers, the benefit is less about instruction and more about ease. You can spend your time watching fish rather than organizing equipment or worrying about less experienced companions.

Price, inclusions, and the real cost

At $54.36 per person, the listed price is reasonable for a five-and-a-half-hour outing that includes a boat ride, two snorkeling sessions, equipment, fins, a snorkel tube, life jacket, bottled water, and taxes and fees.

The price does not include private transportation, bus fare, snacks, or coconuts. Lunch depends on the option you choose. Beach drinks and food are also extra. Tips for the guide, boat captain, and restaurant staff are not listed as included, so allow room for those as well.

The value is strongest if you want a guided, small-group outing and plan to use the snorkeling equipment. If you already have your own boat arrangements or only want a short swim, you may find the five-and-a-half-hour schedule longer than needed. If you want transportation, scenery, instruction, two water stops, and lunch in one package, the price makes more sense.

The activity is also booked an average of 11 days ahead, which suggests you should not leave it until the last moment if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed.

Who should book this coastal outing

I would choose this experience if you want:

• A small group instead of a large party boat
• Help with snorkeling equipment and water entry
• Two separate snorkeling stops
• A scenic ride along the coast south of Puerto Vallarta
• A relaxed beach stop with local drinks and coconuts
• The option to add lunch by the water
• A chance of seeing whales in season, without treating that as a guarantee

It is a good match for beginners, couples, families with older children, and older adults who appreciate patient assistance. The boat and beach entry can be awkward, so it is less suitable if you need level paths, fixed railings, or easy step-free access.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and begins and ends at the same meeting point. Most people can participate, but the operator requires good weather and a minimum number of bookings. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure?

Book it if you want a personal day on Puerto Vallarta’s south coast, with a guide who pays attention to beginners and a boat captain who knows the water. The combination of Majahuitas, Playa Colomitos, two snorkeling sessions, a short beach stop, and lunch by the harbor gives you a fuller outing than the price might first suggest.

Before booking, check three things: if lunch is included in your selected option, how you will cover bus fare and beach purchases, and whether everyone in your group is comfortable boarding a small boat. If those details work for you, this is a well-priced, friendly way to see the coast without joining a large excursion.

FAQ

Where does the Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure begin?

It begins at C. Constitución 363 in the Romantic Zone, Emiliano Zapata, Puerto Vallarta.

Where does the activity end?

The activity returns to the original meeting point in Puerto Vallarta.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately five hours and 30 minutes.

Is transportation included?

The boat trip is included, but private transportation and the bus fare are not included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides snorkeling equipment, a snorkel tube, fins, and a life jacket.

How many snorkeling stops are included?

There are two snorkeling locations, with up to about 30 minutes at each one.

Which beaches are included in the route?

The named stops are Majahuitas Beach, Playa Colomitos, and Boca de Tomatlán. The boat also points out other coastal beaches along the way.

Is lunch included?

Lunch depends on the meal option selected when booking. You should check that option before paying.

Are drinks and coconuts included?

No. Coconuts, snacks, and drinks at the beach are not included. Bottled water is included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may lead to a different date or a full refund.