Puerto Vallarta: El Morro Islet Kayak Tour & Caves Climb

Summary

Kayak to el morro islet explore caves climb for bay views

You’ll paddle out from Puerto Vallarta across gentle bay waters to El Morro Islet by kayak (no swimming required), scramble through echoing sea caves, and climb up for wide-open views across Banderas Bay. Friendly guides keep things light and safe—even if your Spanish is as rough as mine—and you might spot dolphins or whales if luck’s on your side.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Kayak and explore El Morro Islet

• Receive kayaking instructions on beach
• Paddle towards El Morro Islet
• Anchor kayak at platform
• Explore caves and tunnel
• Climb to upper platform viewpoint

Top questions

Do I need kayaking experience for El Morro Islet tour?

No, previous kayaking experience isn’t required for this tour.

Can I join if I can’t swim?

Yes, you don’t need to know how to swim—flotation vests are provided.

How long does it take to reach El Morro Islet by kayak?

The paddle from Puerto Vallarta beach to El Morro Islet takes about 30-40 minutes depending on conditions.

Is climbing involved on this kayak tour?

Yes, after kayaking you’ll scramble up onto the islet platform and explore caves; some moderate climbing is involved.

Are dolphins or whales seen during the tour?

Dolphins and whales are sometimes spotted in Banderas Bay from the islet but sightings aren’t guaranteed.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes all kayaking gear plus a flotation vest for safety.

Is lunch included in this activity?

No lunch is included; only kayaking equipment and safety gear are provided.

What’s included

Your day includes all rowing equipment plus a flotation vest for safety—so even if you’re not a swimmer or have never held a paddle before, you’re covered from start to finish on this El Morro Islet adventure.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous when we dragged the kayaks down to the water at Playa Los Muertos in Puerto Vallarta. The bay looked calm but there’s always that moment before you push off — will I tip over? Our guide, Javier, noticed my hesitation and just grinned. “Don’t worry, you don’t need to swim,” he said, handing me a bright orange vest that smelled faintly like sunblock and salt. He showed us how to paddle without smacking our knuckles (I still managed it a few times), and then we were off toward El Morro Islet, which looked much smaller from shore.

The water felt cooler than I expected as the first splash hit my legs. We paddled out in a loose line, with pelicans occasionally gliding overhead or diving nearby — one actually startled me enough that I almost dropped my paddle. Approaching the islet, the rocks got jagged and dark, with little patches of green where plants somehow clung on. Javier pointed out a narrow tunnel through the rock; he called it “La Ventana.” It echoed weirdly when someone laughed inside — kind of spooky but fun. We anchored the kayaks and scrambled up onto the platform, my hands gritty with sand and salt.

Climbing higher wasn’t as hard as I’d feared (though my legs disagreed later). There was this moment at the top where everything went quiet except for distant gulls and the sound of waves below. You could see most of Banderas Bay from up there — hazy blue stretching forever. Javier said sometimes dolphins or even whales pass right under us; we didn’t see any this time but honestly just standing there with the wind in my face felt good enough. On the way down, someone tried to say “El Morro” in perfect Spanish and Javier cracked up — apparently none of us nailed it.