Los Arcos, Animas and Quimixto Snorkel Cruise in Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The biggest surprise here is that this is as much a party boat and beach day as it is a snorkeling trip. You cruise south from Puerto Vallarta, stop near Los Arcos, then spend several hours around Las Ánimas and Quimixto, with breakfast, lunch, music, dancing, karaoke, and drinks built into the day.

I like the easy one-day mix of coastal scenery and water activities, and I like that the price includes food, basic snorkeling gear, and an open bar on the boat. The main caution is simple: snorkeling time may be brief, visibility can be poor, and kayaks or paddle boards may not be available when you expect them.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main snorkeling stop, but time in the water may be only 15 to 40 minutes.
• The boat ride is a major part of the experience, with music, dancing, karaoke, drinks, and views of the bay.
• Las Ánimas offers a pleasant beach setting, but you may wait there for several hours and pay for drinks or activities on shore.
• Quimixto’s waterfall hike is optional, and access, transport, or drinks near the waterfall may involve extra costs.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, but food quality and portion size can vary.
• Bring cash and water, and confirm the meeting details, activity reservations, and extra fees before departure.

What this Puerto Vallarta cruise is really like

At about $75.93 per person, this excursion is priced as a full-day package rather than a specialist snorkeling charter. You are paying for transport by catamaran, two meals, an onboard national open bar, entertainment, bilingual crew support, and the chance to visit several coastal stops without arranging separate boats or taxis.

That can be good value if you want a social day with many moving parts. I would not book it expecting quiet sailing, expert marine interpretation, or hours of clear-water snorkeling. The strongest parts are the scenery, the crew’s energy, and the all-in-one format. The weakest parts are organization, activity availability, and the long pause at the beach.

The advertised maximum is 40 people, but the experience can feel crowded, especially during boarding, transfers to shore, and the snorkeling stop. Some departures have also been described as much larger, so I would confirm the expected group size directly before paying if personal space matters to you.

Starting at Puerto Mágico at 9:15 a.m.

The meeting point is Puerto Mágico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the north hotel zone. The listed start time is 9:15 a.m., and the excursion returns to the same point.

Plan extra time to find the boarding area and check in. The boat may not leave exactly at the scheduled time, and delays matter on this outing because every later stop depends on the morning departure. Several accounts describe a late return, in one case around two and a half hours after the expected finish.

The boat is a catamaran, with life vests and onboard insurance included. You can expect music during the ride, and the return trip often shifts into a party atmosphere. That is fun for people who want dancing and an open bar. It is less appealing if you prefer a calm, conversational cruise.

Instructions are given in English and Spanish, but the amount of English can vary. If you do not understand a safety instruction or activity schedule, ask a crew member directly before the boat moves on. Do not assume that every announcement will be repeated fully in English.

Breakfast, drinks, and the onboard mood

Breakfast is described as a hot meal with pancakes, eggs, fruit, coffee, and juice. It gives you a useful start, especially since the day includes waiting and transfers. Still, I would bring a small bottle of water or refillable bottle. The bay is humid, and a long day in the sun combined with alcohol can leave you dehydrated quickly.

The national open bar includes rum, tequila, vodka, brandy, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water. Drinks are included on the boat, not necessarily during the hours you spend on shore. Bring Mexican pesos for beachside drinks, snacks, chairs, or optional activities. Remote beach businesses may not accept cards.

This is not the best setting for careful cocktail service. The appeal is quantity, music, and the social mood. If you plan to drink, pace yourself. Boat motion, heat, and alcohol are a poor combination for anyone prone to seasickness.

Los Arcos: impressive rocks, uncertain snorkeling

Los Arcos is the most distinctive stop. These rock formations rise from the water south of Puerto Vallarta, creating arches, caves, and a memorable coastal view. Even when underwater visibility is poor, the formations are worth seeing from the boat.

The snorkeling itself is the part that needs the most realistic expectations. Depending on season and water conditions, the water may be murky or green from algae and sediment. Several outings have offered only about 15 to 30 minutes in the water, while the planned time may be closer to 40 minutes.

When visibility is good, the setting can feel like an aquarium, with fish and rays close to the rocks. When conditions are poor, you may see very little, sometimes not even your own hands clearly. This is a natural condition the operator cannot control, but it changes the value of the excursion if snorkeling is your main reason for booking.

Crowding is another concern. Many people may enter the water at once, and swimmers can end up close together near the rocks or a cave passage. If you are not a confident ocean swimmer, stay near the crew and avoid pushing into a narrow area simply to follow the group.

Snorkeling equipment is included, but availability has not always matched demand. Ask when and where you collect your mask, snorkel, and fins. Check the fit before entering the water. If you need children’s equipment, confirm that in advance rather than assuming it will be waiting onboard.

Las Ánimas: pretty beach, long pause

After Los Arcos, the boat heads toward Las Ánimas. The beach is attractive, and the views from the water are a strong part of the day. This is where the cruise changes character. Instead of moving from one included activity to another, you may spend several hours ashore waiting for lunch, choosing optional activities, or sitting near the restaurant.

You can expect beach vendors, restaurant staff, and additional offers for things such as banana boats or other water activities. The banana boat is listed at MX$500 per person. Beach drinks and some other services are extra, so the phrase all inclusive needs careful reading: the boat’s drinks and the listed meals are included, but not every purchase made at Las Ánimas.

Chairs and umbrellas may also be limited or tied to a purchase. If you want a quiet beach afternoon without spending more, bring patience and keep your expectations modest. You may be directed to wait at or near the restaurant before lunch is served.

The best way to enjoy this stop is to treat it as unstructured beach time. Swim if conditions allow, take in the scenery, and keep track of the meeting time. Do not assume that an advertised kayak or paddle board will be ready without a reservation.

Kayaks and paddle boards require planning

Kayaks and a paddle board are listed as included, but access is described as requiring prior reservation. That detail is easy to miss and important to your plans.

Reserve as soon as the crew asks who wants to participate. Ask how long you will have, where you may use the equipment, and if weather or waves have changed the plan. On some departures, there have been no usable paddle boards, very few kayaks, or equipment that was unavailable because the water was considered too rough.

If you are booking mainly for kayaking, I would choose a tour built around that activity instead. Here, snorkeling, paddling, beach time, and entertainment compete for a limited schedule. The boat may offer the equipment, but that does not guarantee a long or private session.

Quimixto and the waterfall option

Quimixto is associated with a waterfall reached from the beach. The hike can be worthwhile for active visitors, but it is not an effortless stroll. One account describes the uphill walk as hard but rewarding. Other options may include a short ride or horseback transport, with extra payment for some services.

The waterfall area is connected with a restaurant, and access to seating, drinks, or places to leave belongings may depend on buying something. The waterfall itself is not necessarily an included guided attraction in the same way as the boat ride and meals. Ask the crew exactly what is included before leaving the beach.

You may also decide to remain at Las Ánimas or the beach area instead of hiking. That choice gives you a slower afternoon, but it can also mean a long wait while the boat’s schedule accommodates the group. If only a few people choose the waterfall, everyone may still remain in the area for the planned stop.

Wear shoes suitable for uneven, wet ground if you plan to walk to the waterfall. Keep valuables secure and carry only what you need. Since the information supplied does not specify trail length or exact transport pricing, confirm those details on the day.

Lunch is included, but do not expect a feast

Lunch is listed as a strong à la carte dish at a restaurant, with chicken, fish, or beef choices. The broader food description includes fish fillet, chicken fajitas, roast beef quesadillas, hamburgers, rice, beans, green salad, and tortillas.

In practice, the meal may be a simple plate rather than a generous buffet. Portions and quality have been described as uneven, with some meals considered fine and others viewed as cold, small, or disappointing. Children’s meals may be basic hamburgers and fries.

Keep your meal ticket and listen for the serving instructions. Lunch may be served late in the beach portion, sometimes close to the departure time. If you have dietary needs, the available information does not promise special meals, so ask before booking.

The included food still adds value compared with paying for lunch separately, particularly at a remote beach. Just do not make the excursion a food-focused choice.

Safety, comfort, and seasickness

The physical demands are moderate, but the day can be tiring. You may board a large catamaran, transfer between the main boat and shore in a smaller motorboat, step into waves, snorkel in a crowded area, and walk uphill to a waterfall.

The shore transfer deserves attention. Getting from the smaller boat onto the beach can be awkward when waves are high. Hold the rail, follow the crew’s instructions, and ask for help if you are carrying children or have poor balance.

Most people can participate, but this is not the right choice for everyone. I would think twice if you have serious seasickness, dislike loud music, need frequent quiet, or want dependable access to a bathroom. One especially poor departure involved a closed bathroom, which created an unpleasant and uncomfortable situation onboard.

If you are prone to motion sickness, speak with a medical professional about prevention before the day, eat lightly, and sit where the boat’s movement affects you least. Avoid starting with too much alcohol.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour suits you if you want a social, active boat outing and like having meals, drinks, music, and several stops bundled into one price. Families with older children can enjoy the boat, beach, and waterfall choice, provided they are comfortable with a long day and changing plans.

It also works for friends who want dancing and an open bar more than serious wildlife viewing. Some outings have included whale and stingray sightings, but wildlife is never guaranteed, and the operator does not control the water clarity or animal activity.

I would steer you toward another option if your top priorities are clear snorkeling, small-group service, a quiet boat, or guaranteed paddle boarding. A specialist snorkeling trip may offer more time in the water and better guidance. A public bus and water taxi to Boca and nearby beaches may also cost less if you only want to reach the southern coast, though that would not include this boat’s meals and entertainment.

Price, timing, and cancellation

At $75.93 per person, the price is reasonable for a full day that includes transport, breakfast, lunch, onboard drinks, equipment, and entertainment. It becomes less attractive if snorkeling is cut short, beach activities require extra payment, or the boat returns well after schedule.

The experience is usually booked about 16 days ahead, so reserve early if your dates are fixed. You receive confirmation at booking, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. The outing depends on good weather, and a weather cancellation should result in another date or a full refund.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring a backpack with water, sunscreen, a hat, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. Add water shoes or sturdy sandals if you intend to walk to the waterfall.

Carry cash in Mexican pesos for drinks, beach seating, the banana boat, transport, deposits, or other optional services. One account also refers to a deposit for snorkeling equipment, possibly handled with identification, a hotel key, or MX$500, so ask about this before collecting gear.

Keep your phone and wallet in a waterproof pouch. The day involves spray, transfers, swimming, and wet beach landings. Pack only what you can manage during the move from the catamaran to shore.

Should you book the Los Arcos and Quimixto cruise?

Book it if you want an affordable all-day social cruise with beautiful coastal views, beach time, food, and drinks. The crew can be warm and entertaining, and the return trip may become the most enjoyable part for people who like music and dancing.

Do not book it as a dedicated snorkeling excursion. Water conditions can ruin the underwater viewing, and the actual snorkeling period may be short. The kayak and paddle board promise also needs confirmation, while Las Ánimas may involve a long wait and extra spending.

My advice is to book only after deciding which part matters most to you. If it is the party boat and the southern beaches, the price can work. If it is clear water, a relaxed schedule, or a carefully guided nature experience, spend your money elsewhere.

FAQ

How long is the Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, and Quimixto cruise?

The advertised duration is approximately eight hours. Some departures have returned later than planned, so allow flexibility after the scheduled end of the excursion.

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts at Puerto Mágico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s north hotel zone. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes items such as pancakes, eggs, fruit, coffee, and juice. Lunch includes a choice involving chicken, fish, or beef, with listed foods including fajitas, quesadillas, hamburgers, rice, beans, salad, and tortillas.

Are drinks included throughout the day?

The national open bar is included on the boat and includes rum, tequila, vodka, brandy, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water. Drinks purchased at the beach are not necessarily included, so bring cash.

Are snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and paddle boards included?

Snorkeling equipment is included. Kayaks and a paddle board are listed as included with prior reservation, but availability can depend on conditions and demand. Confirm your reservation with the crew.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded, and poor-weather cancellations should offer a new date or full refund.