Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Snorkel & Beach Private Boat Tour

Los Arcos is the star here: great stone arches rising from the sea, clear water, and a chance to snorkel before the larger boats fill the area. I like the private boat, which lets you adjust the pace, and the stop at Playa Las Animas, where you choose your own beachfront restaurant rather than eat from a fixed tour menu.

The main catch is cost. At $507 per group of up to three, this makes the most sense when three people share it. You also pay for lunch and drinks, and you must reach Los Muertos Pier yourself.

Key Points

• Early access to Los Arcos: Leaving from Los Muertos Pier can get you to the marine park before larger boats crowd the water.
• Private four-hour outing: Your group has the boat, captain, and guide to itself, with room to adjust stops.
• Snorkeling with a backup plan: If one area has poor conditions, the crew may try another spot.
• Lunch at Playa Las Animas: Pick from several beach restaurants and enjoy a meal beside the water.
• Extra swimming stops: You may stop at secluded beaches south of the bay on the return trip.
• Bring your own refreshments: The boat supplies a cooler with ice, but food and drinks are your responsibility.

Los Muertos Pier to Los Arcos

You meet your bilingual guide at the top of Los Muertos Pier in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romantica. This is a central, easy-to-recognize starting point, but it is not hotel pickup. Plan your route to the pier before the tour day, especially if you are staying outside the central area.

From there, your captain takes you south along the bay toward Los Arcos National Marine Park. The boat ride is part of the fun, but the four-hour limit matters. You are not booking a full-day cruise with endless time on the water. The outing is built around one main snorkel stop, lunch at Las Animas, and perhaps an extra swim or beach stop.

I like this format for people who want a taste of Puerto Vallarta’s south shore without giving up an entire day. It gives you time to get in the water and enjoy a beach meal, while leaving part of the afternoon open for the town, a hotel pool, or an evening out.

The boat is private, with a captain and guide assigned to your group. The guide speaks English and Spanish. Specific guides named in past outings include Chema, Manuel, Tony, Jonathan, Chamas, and Lorenzo. Names and crew assignments can change, but the important point is that you have a bilingual team rather than joining a large public boat.

Snorkeling at Los Arcos National Marine Park

Los Arcos is a group of dramatic rock formations near the southern end of Banderas Bay. Their arches and narrow passages give the area its character, while the water around the rocks is used for snorkeling.

You receive time to get in and look for sea life. Water clarity can vary, and conditions are not fixed. One outing had choppy water at Los Arcos, yet the crew still arrived early and made good use of the calmer period before larger boats appeared. Another outing shifted to a different location when the first snorkeling area did not look promising.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to choose a private trip. A fixed public excursion may simply follow its schedule. Here, the guide can consider the conditions and try another place. That does not guarantee perfect visibility, but it gives you a better chance of a satisfying swim.

Timing also matters. The boat has been able to reach Los Arcos before many larger groups arrive. Once those boats show up, the water can feel much busier. If you care about a quieter swim, ask about the earliest available departure when you book or confirm the start time.

Bring swimwear, sunglasses, a sun hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. The sun can be strong on an open boat, and you will want protection that is suitable for the marine park. A towel is not listed among the required items, so you may wish to confirm that detail before setting out rather than assume one is provided.

What the Private Boat Adds

The word private changes the feel of this trip. You are not sharing the boat with a large group, and the guide can respond to your interests. If your group wants more time in the water, a quick beach stop, or a slower ride along the coast, you have more room to discuss those choices.

The tour is especially useful for a small family or a group of friends who want control over the day. It also works well for mixed-ability groups. Strong swimmers can spend time snorkeling, while others can keep the water portion shorter and focus on the beaches and boat ride.

Still, private does not mean unlimited. The outing lasts four hours, and the listed route includes Los Arcos, Las Animas, and possible secluded beaches. Every extra stop uses time. If you want a long lunch and several swims, tell the guide early so expectations are clear.

The supplied cooler comes with ice. You may bring your own snacks and beverages, which is a practical advantage since food and drinks are not included. The cooler also helps you avoid paying beach restaurant prices for every drink, though you still need to carry your supplies to the pier.

Playa Las Animas and the Beach Lunch

After snorkeling, the boat continues to Playa Las Animas on Puerto Vallarta’s south shore. The beach is reachable by foot or boat, and this tour approaches from the water. That arrival gives the stop a different feel from a standard restaurant outing in town.

Las Animas has several restaurants, so you choose where to eat rather than accept a set meal. Food and drinks cost extra, but the choice lets you match the meal to your budget and appetite. You can also ask the guide for a recommendation.

The beach stop is not only about lunch. It gives you time to get out of the boat, sit by the water, and take a break after snorkeling. One particularly useful detail is that some restaurants may offer shower access. That can be welcome after salt water and sunscreen, though you should confirm the arrangement with your chosen restaurant instead of counting on it everywhere.

Do not expect Las Animas to be an empty strip of sand. Its appeal comes from its boat access, beach setting, and collection of places to eat. For a quieter mood, the timing of your arrival matters. The tour’s private format may help you avoid the most crowded part of the day, but the beach itself is not described as an exclusive private beach.

Extra Beaches Along the South Shore

The return route may include secluded beaches where you can get off the boat and swim in clear water. These stops are flexible, not a guaranteed series of fixed beach visits. Their value is that they give the captain and guide room to respond to the day’s conditions and your group’s wishes.

One outing included an extra swim on the way back and was described as the finishing touch to a very good day. That kind of stop is exactly where a private tour can feel more personal than a standard schedule.

You should keep your watch on the clock, though. If you spend too long at lunch or Los Arcos, there may be less time for another swim. Tell the guide what matters most to your group at the start: snorkeling, lunch, beach time, or a mix of all three.

Price, Food, and Practical Value

The price is $507 per group of up to three people. With three people, that works out to $169 per person before lunch and drinks. With two people, the cost is $253.50 per person, and a solo booking would carry the full group price unless the booking terms offer another arrangement.

That makes this a premium choice compared with a shared boat. The value comes from privacy, a captain and guide dedicated to your group, flexible stops, and the possibility of reaching Los Arcos before larger boats. If you are comparing only the number of hours on the water, it may look expensive. If you are comparing control and personal attention, the price is easier to justify.

Lunch is not included, and neither are drinks. Use the cooler with ice and bring refreshments if you want to control costs. You will also need to pay for your own transportation to and from Los Muertos Pier because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The tour allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those policies help if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting, but you should still check the available starting times before booking. The activity lasts four hours, and departure times vary by availability.

Who Will Like This Tour Most

I would point this tour toward a small group that values privacy and wants several coastal experiences in one outing. It is a good fit for friends, couples, or a family of three who can share the price and want more say in the schedule.

It also suits people who care about snorkeling but do not want snorkeling to be the entire day. You get time at Los Arcos, a proper beach lunch, and the chance for another swim. The route offers variety without requiring a full-day commitment.

This may not be the best choice for a large group, since the stated price covers only up to three people. It may also disappoint you if you expect food to be included, guaranteed perfect visibility, or a completely deserted beach. Water conditions can change, and Las Animas has multiple restaurants rather than one private dining area.

The tour is less suitable if you need hotel transportation. Meeting at the pier is simple once you are in Zona Romantica, but it adds one more logistical step to your day.

How to Make the Four Hours Count

Arrive ready to board at Los Muertos Pier, with swimwear already on if that is comfortable for you. Pack sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and any snacks or drinks you want chilled. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested.

Before leaving the pier, tell your guide what you most want from the outing. If Los Arcos snorkeling is your priority, ask about the best timing and water conditions. If lunch and beach time matter more, say so before the boat begins making stops.

Keep cash or a payment method ready for lunch, but the tour information does not specify restaurant prices or accepted payment types. Ask your guide where to eat at Las Animas and confirm whether shower access is available at that restaurant.

The guide team has shown useful flexibility. Chema and Lorenzo, for example, shifted the snorkeling plan when conditions were not ideal at one location. That is the kind of practical judgment you want on a water outing, but no guide can control wind, waves, or visibility.

Should You Book the Los Arcos Private Tour?

Book it if you are three people who want a private boat, early access to Los Arcos, flexible snorkeling, and a beach lunch at Las Animas. The combination is efficient and gives you more control than a shared excursion.

Think twice if you are traveling alone, watching every peso, or expecting an all-inclusive price. The $507 group rate is strongest when shared by three, and you still pay for lunch, drinks, and transportation to the pier.

For the right group, this is a well-shaped half-day on the water: a famous rock formation, a real snorkeling stop, a choice of beach restaurants, and a possible swim on the way home. Bring your own refreshments, ask for the earliest practical departure, and decide in advance which part of the trip matters most to you.

FAQ

Where does the Los Arcos private boat tour meet?

Meet your bilingual guide at the top of Los Muertos Pier in Zona Romantica, Puerto Vallarta. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts four hours. Starting times depend on availability.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The experience includes a private boat with a captain and is offered for a private group.

Is lunch included at Playa Las Animas?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can choose from several restaurants at Las Animas and pay for your own meal.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, and biodegradable sunscreen. You may also bring snacks and beverages for the cooler supplied with ice.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour provides a live guide in English or Spanish.