Private Snorkeling Adventure: Los Arcos & Colomitos Beach

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is its mix of open-water scenery and personal attention. You speed along the coast by motorboat, spend about two hours snorkeling at Los Arcos, then settle at Colomitos Beach, a quieter final stop reached by boat.

I like the private format, since your group is not packed onto a large vessel. I also like having a certified naturalist or biologist guide in the water, with Michael specifically praised for patient instruction and clear explanations. The main consideration is that hotel transport is not included, and the tour requires a separate $5 port fee.

Key points to know before booking

• Private boat trip: Only your group joins the activity, which allows for more personal help and less crowding.
• Two-hour Los Arcos stop: Most of your water time takes place at Puerto Vallarta’s well-known natural park.
• Colomitos Beach finale: You get about an hour on the beach after snorkeling.
• Marine life sightings: Fish, a sea turtle, spotted rays, urchins, and coral have all been seen during this outing, though wildlife is never guaranteed.
• Gear and guidance included: Mask, snorkel, fins, life vest, water, and a certified guide are provided.
• Easy planning: The tour lasts about four hours, starts and ends at Marina Vallarta, and is offered in English.

Why Los Arcos makes a strong half-day outing

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the star of this trip. The rock formations sit along the southern Puerto Vallarta coast and form a natural park well suited to snorkeling. The boat ride itself is part of the appeal, giving you a look at the coast from the water as you leave the marina and head toward the area where road access becomes limited.

That matters because this is not simply a swim at a beach near town. You get a short coastal voyage, a protected marine setting, and a beach stop in one four-hour package. The route also gives you a sense of how much of the coast is only practical to reach by boat.

At Los Arcos, you can expect to spend roughly two hours in the water and around the natural park. The supplied equipment includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and life vest. You do not need to arrange a separate rental, which makes the morning easier and removes one common source of delay.

The marine life can be a real highlight. Sightings reported on this outing include many kinds of fish, a sea turtle, spotted rays, urchins, and coral. Those are encouraging signs for a snorkeling trip, but you should keep your expectations sensible. Animals move, visibility changes, and no guide can promise a specific sighting on a particular day.

The guide is important here. A naturalist or biologist guide can help you notice smaller creatures and understand what you are seeing rather than simply pointing you toward the water. Michael is specifically noted for being helpful, polite, and good at guiding swimmers through the activity. If you are not a confident snorkeler, that personal instruction may be worth as much as the scenery.

The Marina Vallarta start keeps things simple

You meet at the Ecotours Vallarta office in Marina Vallarta, at Proa 20, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48335. The check-in takes about 15 minutes, and the activity returns to this same meeting point at the end.

The arrangement is practical if you are already staying near Marina Vallarta or can reach it easily. It is less convenient if you assume a resort pickup is included. It is not. You need to make your own way to the marina, and the $5 port fee is also separate from the tour price.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are not using a taxi or private car. Still, allow enough time to locate the office and complete check-in. A private tour is only valuable if you arrive ready to leave on time.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. It also uses a mobile ticket, so keeping your booking available on your phone should make the check-in process straightforward.

The motorboat ride is more than a transfer

The ride from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos gives the outing a sense of movement that a beach-based snorkeling session lacks. You see Puerto Vallarta from offshore, with the coast changing as the boat heads south toward Mismaloya.

The trip also helps explain why this part of the coast is best seen from the water. Some villages and shoreline areas beyond the end of the highway are accessible only by boat, so the ride becomes a useful introduction to the region rather than dead time between activities.

The provided water and soda are small but welcome touches. Four hours in the sun, with time in salt water and on a moving boat, can leave you thirsty. Water is available for refilling, and you should still bring any personal sun protection or other items you need because hotel pickup and extra personal supplies are not part of the package.

Because the boat is private for your group, you can expect a more tailored pace than on a large shared excursion. The exact rhythm depends on conditions, the group’s comfort in the water, and the guide’s judgment. That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to compare this outing with a cheaper group boat.

Two hours at Los Arcos: the main event

The long stop at Los Arcos gives you enough time to get comfortable with the equipment, enter the water, and look around without feeling rushed. You are not limited to a quick swim followed by an immediate return to the boat.

The guide can help with mask fit, snorkel use, fins, and the life vest. That matters if you have snorkeled before but still dislike the first few minutes of getting settled. It is especially useful for children or adults who are unsure in open water, though children must be accompanied by an adult.

The private setup also reduces one common frustration: being separated from your own group by a crowd. You can stay with the people you came with and receive direct help when needed. The guide’s role is not only to lead you toward marine life but also to make the water portion manageable and enjoyable.

Do not book this expecting an aquarium with guaranteed animals. The value lies in the combination of location, time in the water, equipment, and a guide who can improve your chances of noticing marine life. Reports of a sea turtle and spotted rays are exciting, but your day could produce a different mix.

If your group contains strong and weak swimmers, say so clearly to the guide. The outing includes a life vest and a certified guide, but you should still treat the activity as a real water excursion. Children need adult supervision, and anyone who feels uncomfortable should stay close to the guide and their group.

Colomitos Beach gives the day a change of pace

After Los Arcos, the final stop is Playa Colomitos, where you spend about an hour on the beach. This change is welcome. Two hours of snorkeling can be tiring, and a beach break gives you time to dry off, rest, and enjoy the coast without concentrating on fish or equipment.

Colomitos is also a useful counterpoint to Los Arcos. The first stop is about marine life and rock formations. The second is about slowing down on shore. The beach stop makes the tour feel like a small coastal excursion rather than a single-purpose snorkeling lesson.

One practical point: the description does not promise beach chairs, food, or a full beach-service setup. Plan on this being a simple beach visit. Water is supplied, but meals and other extras are not listed as included.

The stop lasts about an hour, so keep track of time and follow the guide’s instructions about returning to the boat. Since the activity ends back at Marina Vallarta, you will have transportation to the original meeting point after Colomitos.

What the private format is really worth

The tour price is not provided here, so I cannot make a fair claim about its exact cost. The better question is what you are paying for compared with a shared boat.

The private format gives your group the whole activity rather than placing you among a large crowd. That can mean more room, easier communication, and more direct help in the water. One particularly useful benefit is the chance to ask the guide to spend more time helping a nervous swimmer or pointing out creatures your group might otherwise miss.

You are also paying for a certified guide, snorkeling equipment, travel insurance, water, and soda. Those inclusions reduce the need to arrange several pieces separately. The $5 port fee is not included, and hotel transportation is not included, so add those practical costs when comparing options.

For a couple, family, or small group that values privacy, the price may make sense even if it is higher than a shared trip. For a solo participant or a group focused only on the lowest possible fare, a larger boat may be cheaper. The important distinction is not simply boat size. It is how much personal attention and control you want during the water portion.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta snorkeling tour

I would consider this a good match for:

• Families with children who can stay with an accompanying adult
• Couples wanting a private coastal outing
• Friends who prefer not to snorkel in a crowded group
• First-time snorkelers who want direct instruction
• Stronger swimmers who want a longer stop at Los Arcos
• People who want both a marine park and a beach stop in one half-day

It may be less suitable if you want hotel pickup, a full-day cruise, a meal included, or a guaranteed animal encounter. It is also weather-dependent, so keep some flexibility in your Puerto Vallarta schedule.

The private format does not remove every challenge. You still need to reach Marina Vallarta, pay the port fee, manage your own sun protection, and be comfortable with a boat and open-water activity. Most participants can take part, but children must have an adult with them.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The full outing lasts about four hours, including the short check-in and the boat ride. The planned stops are about two hours at Los Arcos and one hour at Colomitos Beach, with the remaining time used for check-in and travel.

Weather matters. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

That policy makes it smart to book earlier in your vacation rather than on your final morning. If weather interrupts the plan, you have a better chance of using the alternate date.

How this compares with a crowded shared boat

A shared excursion can be perfectly fine if you mainly want transport to the water and a lower price. But larger groups often mean fixed timing and less direct attention. You may spend more time waiting for other people to finish getting ready or return to the boat.

This private outing is built around a more personal experience. Michael, when assigned as your guide, can offer individual help and lead your group toward a quieter area with more fish. That detail is especially useful: the guide may adjust the water portion rather than simply following a rigid group route.

The boat ride also feels more worthwhile when you are not packed in with strangers. You can focus on the coast, talk with your own group, and ask questions as they come up. The tradeoff is the price, which is not stated in the supplied details, plus the need to arrange your own way to Marina Vallarta.

What to bring and how to prepare

The core water equipment is provided, including mask, snorkel, fins, and life vest. Water is available for refilling, and soda is provided as well.

You should still prepare for a sunny coastal outing. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, and anything else you personally need for several hours around the water. Food is not listed as included, so plan accordingly rather than expecting lunch at Los Arcos or Colomitos.

Wear something practical for check-in and the boat ride. Keep your phone protected from water if you want to use the mobile ticket or take pictures. Since the tour returns to the same marina, you do not need to plan a separate return transfer from the coast.

Most important, arrive at the correct office and allow time for the 15-minute check-in. The tour begins at Ecotours Vallarta in Marina Vallarta, not at your hotel.

Should you book the Los Arcos and Colomitos tour?

Book it if you want a private four-hour coastal outing with substantial snorkeling time, a guide who can help you in the water, and a relaxed beach stop afterward. The combination of Los Arcos, possible sightings of fish and larger marine life, and Colomitos makes good use of a half-day in Puerto Vallarta.

I would especially choose it for a family or small group that values personal attention over the lowest price. Michael’s patient guidance is a useful sign for anyone who wants more than equipment handed over at the dock.

Skip it if hotel pickup is essential, if you dislike open-water activities, or if your main goal is a bargain shared cruise. Remember the separate $5 port fee, the lack of hotel transportation, and the weather requirement before you book.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling tour last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours. The plan includes about two hours at Los Arcos and one hour at Playa Colomitos, plus check-in and boat travel.

Where does the tour begin and end?

You meet at the Ecotours Vallarta office at Proa 20 in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 48335. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Marina Vallarta.

What snorkeling equipment is provided?

The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life vest. Water for refilling and soda are also provided.

Is this a private activity?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity, rather than joining a larger shared group.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult. Most people can take part in the activity.

What happens if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.