Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta Undersea Arcos or Marietas

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta scuba trip may happen before you reach the reef. On the ride from Marina Vallarta, you might spot dolphins near the Ameca River, and winter outings can bring turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales. Underwater, Los Arcos offers shallow areas for beginners and deeper walls for skilled certified divers.

I like the patient instruction, especially for first-timers and people returning after years away. I also like the small maximum group of 14, the ready-to-use equipment, and the fact that guides such as Eric, Carlos, and Nahum stay close to help. The main catch is visibility: Los Arcos can turn murky, and the optional Hidden Beach visit costs another $25.

Key points to know

• Los Arcos suits many skill levels: Shallow areas reach about 20 feet, while advanced sites drop much farther.
• Marietas requires certification: It is the better choice for certified divers seeking a more remote island setting.
• Marine life begins on the boat ride: Dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and winter whales are possible sightings.
• Patient instructors help nervous beginners: Eric and Carlos receive especially strong praise for calm, careful guidance.
• The $125 price covers plenty: Boat transport, equipment, lunch, water, permits, park fees, and conservation charges are included.
• Plan for extra cash or card fees: A beginner class costs $25, and the government fee is another $6 per person.

Choosing between Los Arcos and the Marietas Islands

Puerto Vallarta gives you two very different underwater settings. Los Arcos de Mismaloya is close to town and flexible for beginners. The Marietas Islands take longer to reach, but the boat ride adds scenery and a better chance of seeing larger sea life.

The supplied outing details describe a route that includes the Marietas Islands and a southern route to Los Arcos. In practice, the exact site can depend on the day’s schedule, sea conditions, and the package being operated. I would confirm your assigned location before booking if one site matters more to you.

Los Arcos is the safer pick if you are new to scuba or want a shorter ride to the reef. Its shallow sections reach about 20 feet and are used for practice and certification work. More experienced certified divers can descend farther, with one wall described as reaching roughly 1,600 feet. That figure refers to the underwater wall and technical possibilities, not to a normal recreational descent.

The Marietas Islands feel more like a full-day sea outing, even though the total trip runs about four to six hours. You leave around 9 a.m. from Marina Vallarta, travel across Banderas Bay, and spend about two hours around the islands. The rocky islands also serve as a bird sanctuary, so you get more than an underwater activity.

What the 9 a.m. departure looks like

The meeting point is Marina del Rey Condominium at Proa 22 in Marina Vallarta. The boat returns to this same point, and the activity begins at 9 a.m. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the departure area, complete forms, and sort out any extra fees.

The first stretch takes you past the Ameca River. It is only about 10 minutes from the marina and can be a good place to watch dolphins feeding. This is one of the trip’s pleasant surprises: the wildlife search starts before the boat reaches the islands or rock formations.

Winter can bring the best sightings on the run out. Turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and whales are all possible. Several outings have included humpback whales, and one particularly memorable trip featured two pods. Another group encountered roughly 200 dolphins hunting near the boat. No sighting is guaranteed, but the route gives you a real chance to see animals without adding a separate whale-watching cruise.

The boat carries no more than 14 people, though the mix can include both scuba participants and snorkelers. One Marietas outing had four scuba participants and eight snorkelers. That small scale matters because the crew can spend more time checking equipment and helping people who feel uneasy in the water.

Getting ready with the crew

The crew supplies scuba equipment, masks, life vests, bottled water, and a short lunch. You can use the supplied mask, though one person chose to bring a personal mask. A spring suit or shorty may be provided, and an extra wetsuit was available to one participant who felt cold.

Before entering the water, the crew explains how to use the gear and life jacket. You also receive practical advice for staying calm and improving your in-water skills. That preparation is especially useful if you are making your first attempt or have not used scuba equipment in years.

Eric receives repeated praise for clear pre-water briefings and patient support. Carlos also helped nervous and less experienced participants settle into a steady breathing rhythm. Nahum handled another outing with care, while Javi assisted as a second guide. The important point is not a single staff name, but the hands-on style: the crew sets up the equipment and helps carry it, so you are not left wrestling with tanks and straps on a moving boat.

A beginner class costs an additional $25 per person. The activity allows all experience levels at Los Arcos, but that does not mean every participant arrives with certification. If you are new to scuba, budget for the class and expect the first portion to focus on comfort, breathing, and basic control.

Marietas is different. You must be a certified diver to go below the surface there. Bring proof of certification if requested, and do not book that route assuming an introductory lesson will qualify you.

Los Arcos: the practical choice for beginners

Los Arcos National Park is a group of dramatic rock formations south of Puerto Vallarta near Mismaloya. Its underwater sites offer a useful range, from shallow training areas to more demanding walls. For a first attempt, the 20-foot practice depth is the feature that matters most.

The water can be full of life. One outing recorded numerous fish, octopuses, pufferfish, lobsters, a turtle, and two reef sharks. Another group saw at least a dozen octopuses, along with lobsters and pufferfish, in visibility of about 30 feet.

Still, I would not book Los Arcos expecting perfect clarity every time. One outing found the water murky with little to see, while another had fair to good visibility. Pacific conditions change, and even a capable instructor cannot clear the water. If underwater photography is your main goal, keep your expectations flexible.

The southern route lasts about an hour and a half in the supplied schedule. A two-tank outing can include around 45 minutes underwater on each descent, with depths of 40 to 50 feet reported on one December trip. Those figures vary with certification, comfort, conditions, and the site selected that day.

Los Arcos works well for a mixed group. A certified friend can visit deeper formations while a beginner practices in shallow water, though the crew will determine the safe plan for each person. You should have a moderate fitness level and be comfortable entering and exiting a boat. Anyone with heart disease or back, spine, or knee problems should not take part.

Marietas Islands: more sea time, more scenery

The Marietas route is a stronger match for certified divers who want an island setting. The ride is longer than the trip to Los Arcos, but that extra time is part of the appeal. You may see dolphins alongside the boat, whales during winter, and sea birds around the protected islands.

At the islands, the crew hands out snorkel equipment and explains how to use it. Life jackets are also provided, and the staff gives basic water-safety guidance. Even if your main plan is scuba, this orientation helps you understand the local conditions and how the group will move around the site.

The Hidden Beach visit is optional and costs $25. You pay the deposit in cash during morning check-in. If weather or availability prevents entry, the deposit is refunded under the operator’s stated guarantee. The visit is not automatic, so do not treat it as part of the standard $125 price.

The islands can be a fine choice for people who want a broader day on the water, but certification is required for the scuba portion. If you are unqualified, ask about snorkeling or choose Los Arcos with the beginner class instead.

Wildlife begins above the water

The chance to see animals from the boat adds real value here. Whale encounters are seasonal, with winter offering the best possibility. Dolphins may appear near the Ameca River or farther across the bay, and manta rays and turtles are also possible.

The wildlife is not staged. You might get a brief glimpse, or the captain may slow down when a pod appears near the boat. One group had dolphins swimming close enough for photographs, while another heard the distinctive sounds of humpback whales underwater. Those moments can become the highlight of the day, even if visibility below the surface is only fair.

I would bring a phone or camera in a waterproof case if you want pictures. The standard outing does not include photos or videos, so you should not expect a professional image package. Keep the camera secondary, though. Handling a camera can distract you from your breathing, your guide, and the animals in front of you.

What the $125 price really covers

At $125 per person, this is not just a boat ride with a tank rental. The price includes the boat, scuba equipment, life vest, bottled water, box lunch, national park permits, the CONANP federal fee, and a conservation donation to Bahia Unida.

The included gear saves you from building a separate rental package. The staff also prepares the equipment and helps with it at the boat and water, which is valuable for first-timers and anyone returning after a long break.

Budget for two extra charges. A beginner scuba class costs $25, and the government fee is listed as $6 per person. The optional Hidden Beach visit is another $25. Bring cash for those charges and gratuities, or ask about paying by card. Card payment may carry a 5 percent fee.

Lunch is simple: fruit and a ham and cheese sandwich. It is enough for a half-day outing, but I would bring additional food if you usually eat more after physical activity. Water is included, so carry a refillable bottle only if you prefer one.

Timing, comfort, and small practical issues

The full outing lasts about four to six hours. A Marietas schedule leaving at 9 a.m. returned around 2 p.m. That leaves much of the afternoon free, but you should avoid booking another fixed activity too close to the return time. Sea conditions can affect the schedule.

The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Public transportation is nearby. Confirmation normally arrives at booking, though reservations made within one day of departure are confirmed as soon as possible and depend on space.

The minimum recommended age is 10. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot participate. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the activity is not suitable for people with heart, back, spine, or knee conditions.

Weather matters. If poor conditions cancel the outing, you can move to another date or receive a full refund. If the operator does not reach its minimum group size, you receive the same choice of another date or a refund.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the local start time. Inside that window, you receive no refund, and changes are not accepted. That policy is worth noting if your Puerto Vallarta plans are still shifting.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would choose Los Arcos if you are a beginner, anxious about your first attempt, or returning after a long break. The shallow training areas and careful instruction make it the most forgiving option.

Certified divers should consider Marietas for the island scenery and longer boat ride, or Los Arcos for the range of depths and known reef life. If you want both locations, ask the operator exactly what your booked schedule includes, since the route can vary.

This is also a good fit for a mixed party. Snorkelers can join the boat, while certified scuba participants explore below. The maximum of 14 keeps the group from feeling like a large resort operation, though the boat may still have several different activity groups aboard.

I would skip it if you need guaranteed clear water, a luxury meal, a private boat, or included photography. The trip is active, weather-dependent, and focused on time in the water rather than comfort on land.

Should you book Eco Explorer Vallarta?

Book it if you want a fairly priced, small-group Puerto Vallarta scuba outing with equipment, lunch, permits, and close instruction already arranged. The strongest reason is the crew’s calm approach, especially from Eric, Carlos, and Nahum, which can make a real difference when breathing underwater feels strange or nerves take over.

Choose Los Arcos for beginner access and shorter travel. Choose Marietas if you are certified and want an island setting, with the optional Hidden Beach visit added only if it is available and the weather cooperates.

The $125 base price is solid for what it includes, but remember the $25 beginner class, $6 government fee, possible 5 percent card charge, and extra $25 Hidden Beach deposit. If you accept changing visibility and want a genuine chance at reef life, dolphins, turtles, and winter whales, this is a sensible Puerto Vallarta choice.

FAQ

How much does the Puerto Vallarta scuba trip cost?

The listed price is $125 per person. A beginner scuba class costs an additional $25, and the government fee is $6 per person. The optional Hidden Beach visit costs another $25.

How long does the activity last?

The outing lasts approximately four to six hours. A 9 a.m. Marietas trip has returned around 2 p.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Marina del Rey Condominium, Proa 22, in Marina Vallarta. The boat returns to the same meeting point.

Do I need certification to visit the Marietas Islands by scuba?

Yes. You must be a certified diver to scuba at the Marietas Islands. Los Arcos accepts all levels, including beginners who take the additional class.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat ride, scuba equipment, life vest, bottled water, box lunch, national park permits, the CONANP federal fee, and a conservation donation to Bahia Unida.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If weather or minimum group size cancels the activity, you can receive a refund or choose another date or experience.