Puerto Vallarta: Jet Ski Safari & Snorkel at Los Arcos

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Duration2h

GroupUp to 2

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Jet ski adventure Puerto Vallarta bay views, Old Town & Los Arcos snorkeling

You’ll race across Puerto Vallarta’s bay by jet ski with a local guide, see Old Town from a new angle, pause for snorkeling near Los Arcos (weather permitting), and zip back to Marina Vallarta at full speed. Expect laughter, salty air, fish sightings—and a little adrenaline rush that lingers long after you’re back on land.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jet Ski tour and snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta

Depart from Marina Vallarta
Receive Jet Ski and snorkel instructions
Ride Jet Ski with scenic bay views
Pass by Old Town and Malecon
Circle Los Arcos National Marine Park
Snorkel at designated spot
Return to marina at full speed

The Experience

We were already a bit sunburned by the time we met our guide at Marina Vallarta — he was grinning, holding out life vests, and I could hear banda music drifting from somewhere behind the docks. The jet skis looked faster than I expected. I fumbled with the strap on my vest while our guide explained the safety signals in both English and Spanish (he switched between them so easily — I wish my Spanish was half as good). My hands were shaking a little, but mostly from excitement. The engine started with a growl and suddenly we were skimming across the bay, salty wind in my face and pelicans swooping low over the water.

I didn’t realize how different Puerto Vallarta looks from out on the ocean — Old Town’s colors are brighter somehow, and you can actually see people walking along the Malecon even from way out here. Our guide would slow down now and then to point out things: “That’s where they do the Voladores show,” he said once, waving vaguely toward shore. Somewhere near Los Arcos, we cut the engines (it’s not allowed inside the park itself — something about protecting snorkelers and divers) and just floated for a minute. The water had that sharp mineral smell, almost metallic. We slipped on snorkel masks and dropped in; it was colder than I thought it’d be, but after a few seconds I stopped caring because there were fish everywhere — bright blue ones darting around rocks, some weirdly shaped brown ones I couldn’t name.

After maybe fifteen minutes (I lost track), we hauled ourselves back up onto the jet skis — which is harder than it looks when your legs are jelly. Our guide handed me bottled water and laughed when I tried to say “gracias” with my snorkel still hanging off one ear. The ride back to Marina Vallarta was even faster; I guess everyone felt braver after surviving their first hour. There’s this moment when you’re flying across open water with sunlight bouncing off everything — it feels like you’re part of some noisy flock of seabirds. Not sure why that stuck with me.

What’s included

Your day includes use of your own single or double jet ski (with life vest), bottled water to keep you going under the sun, all needed snorkel equipment for exploring near Los Arcos if weather cooperates, plus guidance from a local expert who covers safety instructions in both English and Spanish before heading out from Marina Vallarta—and then brings you right back when your arms are tired but your smile probably isn’t gone yet.

Good to know

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

Operated by Eco Explorer Vallarta