Vallarta Nature Trips · Los Arcos, south of Puerto Vallarta
A 3.5-hour boat and snorkel trip to Los Arcos, the granite islands and arches on the south side of Banderas Bay, with Vallarta Nature Trips. It isn't a Marietas tour: it's the easy pick for kids from 8, or a second morning on the water.
Los Arcos are a cluster of rock islands and arches in Los Arcos National Marine Park, off the coast south of Puerto Vallarta. Vallarta Nature Trips meets you on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO by the white-and-green Mismaloya buses (not the tour shop next to the bus stop, which is a different company). The bus fare is included, and a boat takes you out to the islands.
It's a short, simple morning: about 3.5 hours with a guide, snorkel gear, a life vest, and food and drinks. You snorkel over rocks around the arches, and seabirds nest on the islands. Guests write most about the snorkelling and the guides.
Be clear about what it isn't. There's no Hidden Beach and no Marietas: those are on the far, north side of the bay. What Los Arcos does better is age and length. The Marietas tunnel swim usually starts at 10, while this trip takes children from 8, and it takes half a day. It isn't suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Find the guide on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO, next to the white-and-green buses. Not the tour shop by the bus stop.
Local bus, fare included, down the coast road towards the boats.
Life vests on and out to the islands.
Mask and snorkel around the rocks with the guide, then food and drinks.
Boat and bus back, about 3.5 hours after you met.
★★★★★Our son really enjoyed the events; they were absolutely amazing.
★★★★★Awesome tour and I recommend!
★★★★★the snorkeling was a blast! We didn't want to leave!
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No. Los Arcos are on the south side of Banderas Bay, near Mismaloya. The Marietas, with the Hidden Beach, are off Punta de Mita at the north end of the bay.
8. That makes it a good pick when children are too young for the Hidden Beach, where operators usually set the minimum at 10.
On the sidewalk in front of the OXXO store by the white-and-green Mismaloya buses. Don't go to the tour shop next to the bus stop: that's a different company.
A guide, the boat, snorkel gear, a life vest, food and drinks, and the bus fee.
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Three and a half hours of snorkelling and nesting birds at Los Arcos, on the south side of Banderas Bay.
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