Puerto Vallarta: Hidden Beaches Snorkeling & Local Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.97 (93 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/16

Duration5h 30m

GroupUp to 10

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Snorkel wild Puerto Vallarta beaches then eat fresh by the sea

You’ll ride out from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlan, then boat down wild coastline with local guides who know every hidden beach. Snorkel secret spots where fish swirl around you, lounge on untouched sand with a drink in hand, then finish with real regional food right by the waves. It’s not polished — it’s honest Vallarta.

5h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling and local beach experience

Bus to Boca de Tomatlan
Relax at local beachfront restaurant
Boat sail to Yelapa
Snorkel at first spot
Snorkel at second spot
Relax 30 minutes on hidden beach
Return to Boca for seaside meal

The Experience

We’d barely stepped off the bus in Boca de Tomatlan when the air hit me — thick with salt and that faint green smell you only get near the jungle. Our guide, Luis (he grew up right here), waved us over as a fisherman untangled his net nearby. I tried to say “buenos días” with my best accent and he grinned, probably out of pity. The boat was waiting already, bobbing just enough to make me wonder if I’d forgotten how to walk on water. You know that feeling when you realize you’re really here?

The ride south along the coast felt like slipping out of regular life for a while. Just cliffs, tangled trees, and these flashes of turquoise water between rocks. Luis pointed out Yelapa ahead — he said his uncle still lives there, and I believed him because he knew every cove by name. We stopped at two snorkeling spots I couldn’t find again on a map if I tried. The water was cooler than I expected; tiny fish darted everywhere, some so close they brushed my arm. My mask fogged up but honestly? Didn’t care.

I’m not sure what time it was when we landed on this little beach — no signposts or anything, just sand and palms and a guy selling coconuts from a cooler. We had half an hour to do nothing except dig our toes in and sip cold coconut water (or beer if you wanted). It’s weird how quiet it gets there; even the waves seemed softer somehow. Afterward we circled back to Boca for lunch at this open-air spot right on the sand — grilled fish, tortillas warm enough to burn your fingers a bit, salsa that made me cough but in a good way. Luis told us which dishes were “really Vallarta,” then laughed when I tried to pronounce them.

I still think about that view from the boat — sun bouncing off the water, pelicans gliding low like they owned the place. If you want to feel Puerto Vallarta for real (not just see it), this is probably how you do it.

What’s included

Your day covers transport from Puerto Vallarta to Boca de Tomatlan by bus, a guided boat trip along the southern coast, use of all snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel and fins), bottled water throughout, all taxes and fees handled up front, plus time relaxing on a hidden beach before finishing with an optional meal right by the sea in Boca.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by VallartaLocalExperience