Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos, Ánimas, and Quimixto Boat Tour

Los Arcos is the star of this boat day. You cruise across Banderas Bay to a group of rocky islands where clear water, warm temperatures, and schools of fish make the 40-minute snorkeling stop the most memorable part of the route. The ride also gives you wide views of Puerto Vallarta and its mountain-backed coast.

I like the way breakfast is served on board, so you are not starting a long outing hungry. I also like the mix of water time and land time: you can snorkel, paddle at Las Ánimas, then walk to a waterfall at Quimixto. The main caution is time management. Some departures have large groups, slow transfers, and long stretches spent getting on and off the boat.

• Los Arcos snorkeling: Spend about 40 minutes near one of Puerto Vallarta’s best-known marine sites.
• Breakfast at sea: Expect scrambled eggs with ham, hotcakes, fruit, coffee, juice, or water.
• Las Ánimas beach stop: Use the kayaks and paddleboards, relax by the water, or visit a local restaurant.
• Quimixto waterfall: The walk can take about 45 minutes each way, and good walking shoes matter.
• Food and drinks: Beachside lunch comes with four choices that vary by day, plus an open bar on the boat.
• Party-boat atmosphere: Music, dancing, and generous drinks are part of the mood, not an afterthought.

From Marina Vallarta to the Open Bay

Your morning begins at the tour office in Marina Vallarta. At the main entrance, look to the left for the port-fee payment point, then find the Grupo Naviero staff in gray polo shirts with a white logo. The provider is listed as Vallarta Mágicoo, so check the names on your confirmation before you arrive.

The meeting details deserve care. One customer missed the boat after finding the pickup information confusing and receiving no answer by phone. I would arrive early, bring your booking details, and confirm the exact office and departure time before tour day. Bring identification too, since one departure required it even though the main information does not clearly list it.

A port fee is extra. The tour details give both 30 and 32 pesos per person, for people over age eight, so confirm the current amount when you check in. Any outstanding balance is also settled before boarding. The advertised tour price is $81 per person, but your real cost includes this small port charge and any optional photo purchases.

Once on board, breakfast is served as the boat leaves Marina Vallarta. The stated menu includes scrambled eggs with ham, hotcakes, fruit, coffee, juice, or water. One menu served on a departure included chilaquiles, fresh fruit, granola, and yogurt instead, so you should expect a simple breakfast rather than one fixed plate.

The crossing south takes about 35 minutes. This is useful sightseeing time, not dead time: you see Puerto Vallarta from the water and watch the mountains frame the bay. Still, the boat has been described as slow, and a full seven-hour schedule can include several hours of cruising, waiting, or moving people between vessels.

Forty Minutes Among the Rocks at Los Arcos

Los Arcos National Park is the strongest reason to book this trip. The rock formations rise from the sea south of Puerto Vallarta, and the protected waters support plenty of fish. The crew explains how to use the snorkeling equipment before you enter the water.

The scheduled snorkeling time is about 40 minutes. That is enough for a good look when the group enters the water promptly, but it is not a long snorkeling session. On a crowded departure, people had to go in shifts, leaving some with less time than expected. If snorkeling is your main goal, ask at check-in how many people are booked and how the water entry will work.

The water was warm in January on one departure, and conditions will naturally change with weather and visibility. You receive the needed snorkeling equipment, but bring your own biodegradable sunscreen and towel. Beachwear is the practical choice from the start since you will move between boat, sea, beach, and waterfall path.

Los Arcos is not simply a photo stop. The value is being in the water near a major natural site rather than looking at it from the deck. At the same time, this is a group excursion, not a private marine tour. You should expect instructions, shared equipment, and a set schedule.

Las Ánimas, Kayaks, and the Transfer Ashore

After Los Arcos, the boat heads to Playa Las Ánimas. This is the least predictable section of the day because the stop depends on boat size, water depth, and the transfer setup. On one departure, the main boat could not reach the dock, so everyone had to use a smaller boat to reach the beach. The transfer took a long time.

If the landing works smoothly, Las Ánimas gives you a change of pace. You can sit on the beach, use a kayak, try a paddleboard, or visit a local restaurant. The equipment is included in the tour description, but one departure did not have kayaks available. I would treat kayaking and paddleboarding as possible activities, not guaranteed private-use time.

The beach stop can also be long. One departure left the group ashore for hours without clear instructions about the return time. Ask the crew exactly when and where to meet before you wander off. This small step can save you from spending the whole stop watching the clock.

Las Ánimas works best for you if you enjoy unstructured beach time. It is not a tightly managed activity circuit. You may have freedom to relax, eat, or paddle, but you may also have waiting time if many people need to move through the same dock or smaller boat.

Quimixto Waterfall and the Shoes You Need

The final major stop is Playa Quimixto, where you can walk inland to a waterfall. This is the most active part of the day and the place where footwear matters most. One person estimated the walk at about 45 minutes each way, making it a substantial outing rather than a quick stroll from the beach.

Bring running shoes or sturdy walking shoes. Sandals and flip-flops may be fine on the boat, but they are a poor choice for a long path to and from the waterfall. The shoe requirement is not made clear enough in the booking information, and people without suitable footwear have missed the walk.

At the waterfall, you have time for a break and photos before returning to the beach. The attraction is the contrast with the morning: after open water and a busy boat deck, you get a land-based walk and a quieter natural setting. The tour information does not promise swimming conditions or describe the trail surface, so plan for a walk and a photo stop rather than a guaranteed swim.

Some people have paid 600 or 800 pesos per person for an ATV or donkey ride up and down. That option was reported on one departure, but it is not included in the $81 tour price. If you want to avoid the walk, ask locally about availability, price, and what the ride covers before agreeing.

Lunch, Open Bar, and the Boat’s Social Side

Lunch is served by the beach, with four choices that vary by day. The meal is included, but portions may not satisfy a very hungry person, especially after snorkeling and walking. Breakfast helps, and you can plan to bring any extra snack that is permitted, though the supplied information does not specify outside-food rules.

The open bar is on board. Beer, margaritas, and Palomas were available on one departure, along with other drinks. This is a real part of the package value, especially if you would otherwise buy several drinks during a full day by the water.

The mood is lively. Music plays for much of the ride, and the boat can turn into a dancing party by the end of the day. Crew member Edgar, called Papi Chulo by one group, was singled out for his energy, while the wider crew earned praise for working hard and keeping the mood friendly.

That atmosphere will suit you if you want a social boat day with music and drinks. It may not suit you if you want quiet observation, a small group, or long stretches of peaceful snorkeling. The boat can feel crowded, and one departure carried more people than some groups expected.

Is $81 a Good Value?

At $81 per person, the package includes a lot: breakfast, boat transportation, Los Arcos snorkeling, the Las Ánimas stop, kayaks and paddleboards when available, Quimixto, the waterfall visit, lunch, and an open bar. Add the low port fee, and the price remains competitive for a seven-hour outing with meals and drinks.

The value depends on what you actually use. If you snorkel, enjoy the beach, walk to the waterfall, eat lunch, and have several drinks, the package can be strong. If you spend much of the day waiting for transfers, cannot use the water equipment, or skip the waterfall because of footwear, the value drops.

The tour is also less expensive in experience terms if you enjoy a party boat. You are not paying only to reach three coastal stops. You are paying for food, music, a crew-led day, and an open bar. If you do not drink and dislike loud music, a smaller boat or a more focused snorkeling trip may serve you better, though no alternative price is given here.

Who Will Enjoy This Day Most

I would recommend this outing to adults, couples, and families with older children who want several activities in one booking. It suits people who like a full day with a set route, shared meals, swimming, beach time, and a social atmosphere.

It is especially good for you if:

• You want to see Los Arcos without arranging separate transport.
• You like having breakfast, lunch, and drinks included.
• You are comfortable with a large group and changing activity times.
• You can walk for roughly 90 minutes round trip to Quimixto waterfall.
• You enjoy music and dancing as part of a boat excursion.

I would be cautious if you need a quiet, carefully timed day. The schedule can lose time at beach transfers, snorkeling may happen in shifts, and the boat may feel crowded. It is also not a good fit if anyone in your group has difficulty with boat transfers or a long uneven walk, since the available information does not promise special assistance.

Bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, beachwear, and proper shoes for Quimixto. Leave drones and explosive substances at home. Keep your phone and camera protected from spray, and do not count on the tour photographs, since pictures are not included.

Should You Book the Los Arcos and Quimixto Tour?

Book it if you want a busy, social day at a reasonable package price, with Los Arcos snorkeling as the main attraction and a waterfall walk added for variety. The friendly crew, filling schedule, music, and open bar can make this a memorable Puerto Vallarta outing.

Skip it if your priority is maximum snorkeling time, a small group, quiet water, or precise scheduling. Before paying, confirm the meeting office, bring identification, check the current port fee, and ask how crowded the boat is expected to be. Most important, wear running shoes so Quimixto’s waterfall is actually part of your day.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts seven hours. The boat ride from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos takes about 35 minutes, and snorkeling at Los Arcos is scheduled for about 40 minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

You check in at the main entrance area in Marina Vallarta. Pay the port fee on the left side of the entrance, then look for Grupo Naviero staff wearing gray polo shirts with a white logo.

Is the port fee included?

No. The port fee is extra. The information gives both 30 and 32 pesos per person, applying to people over age eight, so confirm the current amount at check-in.

What food is included?

Breakfast is served aboard the boat and includes scrambled eggs with ham, hotcakes, fruit, coffee, juice, or water. The exact breakfast can vary, with one menu including chilaquiles, fruit, granola, and yogurt. Beachside lunch includes four choices that vary by day.

Are drinks included?

An open bar aboard the boat is included. Drinks available on one departure included beer, margaritas, and Palomas.

Do I need special shoes for Quimixto waterfall?

Yes, running shoes or other sturdy walking shoes are strongly recommended. The walk can take about 45 minutes each way, and people without suitable footwear may not be able to make the trip.

Are kayaks and paddleboards included?

Use of kayaks and paddleboards is included in the activity information. Availability can depend on the departure, so ask the crew about access when you reach Playa Las Ánimas.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, keeping your plans flexible.