Snorkeling in Banderas Bay: Los Arcos Marine Park
Swim into a cave, then a natural aquarium ringed with marine life.
A full-day snorkeling tour in Banderas Bay takes you to Los Arcos National Marine Park and four other stops (islands, caves, waterfalls and beaches) with a live guide in English or Spanish, an open bar of water and drinks, and the choice to hike, swim, jump or just float. The tour personalizes itself to what you want to do that day, and children from age 1 are welcome.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore South Banderas Bay highlights
- Tour town beach and waterfall
- Enjoy diving show participation
- Snorkel near mountain cave
- Swim in natural aquarium
- Hike jungle to waterfall
- Swim, jump, and climb waterfall
- Relax at family-friendly beach
- Visit the smallest beach, Love Beach
- Snorkel at Los Arcos Marine Park
What’s included
- Snorkeling gear and guide in English or Spanish.
- entry to Los Arcos National Marine Park and five other stops (waterfalls, islands, caves, beaches).
- mineral water, sodas and beer throughout the day.
- swimming and hiking at multiple sites.
- the option to dive deeper at the second snorkel run or to rent a horse at the jungle waterfall for an additional cost.
Times
- Every day 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Jack Sparrow PV
Prices and times updated 8 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
Los Arcos National Marine Park sits at the heart of this eight-hour experience, but it is one of six stops. The day starts on the south side of Banderas Bay, where you walk through a beach town and climb to a waterfall's natural pool at the top. The operator includes a diving demonstration you can join if you want. From there the boat moves to the snorkeling site, where you gear up and swim toward a cave carved into the mountainside. Once inside, you swim out again and continue to a natural aquarium where starfish, pufferfish, stingrays and hundreds of small colorful fish move through the shallows.
The third stop is a waterfall in the jungle reached by hiking through trees and different bird species. At the base you can swim, jump and climb the rocks. There is also an option to rent a horse for the same route at an extra cost. A family beach with a water park, trampoline and inflatable mountain comes next: a place built for children, with a safe swimming area and a seafood restaurant. Then you reach a smaller, quieter beach known locally as the beach of love. The final stop is back at Los Arcos, where a second snorkel run takes you around five islands and three caves, with the chance to dive deeper and explore the seabed if you choose to swim down.
The boat carries mineral water, natural water, sodas and beer throughout the day: an open bar included in the price. The guide speaks English and Spanish and shapes the stops to what you want: more time in the water, more time hiking, more time at a particular beach. This is not a fixed itinerary you follow. It is a route the guide adjusts to the group.
Is this one for you?The eight-hour day includes both water time and jungle hiking, with swimming, snorkeling and climbing at different stops. Book this if you want a mix of activities rather than a single focus, and if you can move in and out of the boat and water multiple times. The guide adjusts the pace and stops to what your group wants to do, so the itinerary is not fixed.
Compare the 6 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the snorkeling like at Los Arcos National Marine Park?
Los Arcos holds a natural aquarium where you swim among starfish, pufferfish, stingrays and hundreds of colorful fish in shallow water, and a second snorkel run takes you around five islands and three caves where you can dive deeper if you want to explore the seabed.
Do I have to hike on this tour, or can I skip it?
The tour includes a jungle hike to a waterfall where you swim and jump, but the guide personalizes the day to what you want. You can spend more time in the water at other stops or less time on the trails, and a horse rental is available at the waterfall site for an extra cost if you prefer not to walk.
What is included in the price?
Mineral water, natural water, sodas and beer are included throughout the eight hours; the guide speaks English or Spanish and is with you the whole day; entry to Los Arcos National Marine Park and the other five stops is covered.
What should I bring or pay extra for?
Bring sunscreen, a towel and a swimsuit. The open bar covers drinks, but if you want to eat at the seafood restaurant on the family beach or rent a horse at the waterfall, bring extra money for those.
Snorkeling in Banderas Bay: Los Arcos Marine Park
8h · EN · ES
from US$ 99 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.