Boat and Snorkel Tour to 5 Islands of Los Arcos

4.7 (1,357 reviews)3 h 30 minPuerto VallartaWildlife & natureSnorkelingFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 12:06 pm, 4 h 24 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 3 h 24 min to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (20 min)Safety margin (1 h)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship docks in Puerto Vallarta20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
  2. 8:20 am
    Leave the pierThis tour meets at the pier
  3. 8:28 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 3 h 30 min. Latest sensible start: 11:52 am.
  4. 11:58 am
    Tour ends8 min back to the pier
  5. 12:06 pm
    Back at the gangway4 h 24 min before all aboard
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Puerto Vallarta call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 3 h 30 min; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:28 am and be back at the gangway around 12:06 pm — 3 h 24 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 1:06 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

The meeting point is at the cruise pier or a short walk from it — the operator's own directions are written from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal (Terminal Marítima, Puerto Mágico). We allow 8 min to walk off and find them; usually no taxi and no transfer eating into your day.

Among the 400 Puerto Vallarta shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 4 h); 86% of them fit a typical call.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Puerto Vallarta call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

In a small group of maximum 12 people we discover the 5 Isles of the protected national park 'Los Arcos'. The experienced guide will explain about the animals, plants and history of the area. We will even enter in some caves!

After that we will go to the best snorkel spot in the bay and observe the fish from nearby!

Ready for an immersive and personalized adventure in a cordial atmosphere?

Max 13 per group English, Spanish

What's included

  • Bus fee
  • Life vest
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Permits for National Park
  • Boat ride

Not included

  • Air-conditioned vehicle

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Meet on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO store and the buses. NOT in the tour shop next to the bus stop! (different company!) Wait for the guide, don't go on the bus on your own. Staying south of Vallarta and want to meet directly in Mismaloya? Message me! Cruise ship: LOCAL time ≠ boat time
Meet on the sidewalk in front of the OXXO store and the buses. NOT in the tour shop next to the bus stop! (different company!) Wait for the guide, don't go on the bus on your own. Staying south of Vallarta and want to meet directly in Mismaloya? Message me! Cruise ship: LOCAL time ≠ boat time
From the cruise pier
Meets at the pier
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • min age: 5 years, max age: 70 years
  • Staying south of vallarta and want to go directly to Mismaloya? let me know!

Traveler reviews

4.7
1,357 traveler reviews
5
86%
4
7%
3
3%
2
1%
1
2%

Read all 1,357 reviews

Operated by Vallartanaturetrips. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

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