Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Paddleboard & Snorkeling Tour

Summary

Paddleboard to rocky caves then snorkel with fish at Los Arcos

You’ll paddle from Mismaloya Beach out to Los Arcos with a local guide, passing seabirds and rocky caves before anchoring to snorkel among colorful tropical fish. All equipment is included along with bottled water and snacks. Expect salty skin, laughs with your group, and moments that linger long after you’re back on shore.

★★★★★★★★★★

4.94

(125 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’d always seen those little islands—Los Arcos—just sitting out there in the bay when we drove along the coast south of Puerto Vallarta. This time, instead of just staring from the road, we actually paddled out to them. Our guide, Diego, met us at this sandy patch called Mismaloya Beach (it’s got that faded movie-set vibe), handed out lifejackets and boards, and ran through a quick lesson. I’m not exactly graceful on a paddleboard, but he didn’t seem worried. The sun was already hot even though it was still early, and you could smell sunscreen and salt in the air.

The paddle out took about half an hour—long enough for my arms to start complaining a bit. I kept drifting off course because I was too busy watching pelicans dive near the rocks. Diego pointed out some blue-footed boobies nesting up on the cliffs (I’d only ever seen them in pictures before). When we finally got close to Los Arcos, the water changed color—suddenly it was this deep blue-green and you could see flashes of silver below. We anchored by one of the arches where it felt cooler somehow, maybe from the shade or just nerves about snorkeling.

I’m not a strong swimmer but once I slipped into the water with my mask on, it felt weirdly peaceful. There were yellow fish everywhere—some kind of angelfish?—and Diego said if we were lucky we might spot a turtle or even a manta ray gliding under us. Didn’t see those but honestly just floating there with all that life swirling around was enough. After about forty minutes (maybe less—I lost track), we climbed back onto our boards for water and granola bars. My hands were still salty when we paddled back in; I think I laughed most of the way because someone (not me) fell off their board twice.

It’s funny how something so simple—a paddleboard, some fish—sticks with you after you’re back on land. Sometimes now when I hear gulls squawking over breakfast in town, I remember how quiet it felt under those arches, just breathing through my snorkel and watching sunlight flicker underwater.

4h

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Paddleboard and snorkel at Los Arcos

Meet at the meeting point
Drive 20 minutes to La Joya de Mismaloya
Unload equipment at Mismaloya beach
Attend theoretical lesson outside water
Receive equipment and activity recommendations
Paddle 20-30 minutes to Los Arcos caves
Explore caves and observe birds and fish
Anchor and snorkel for 30-40 minutes
Rest with water and snack
Paddle back to the beach
Finish the activity

What’s included

Your day includes stand up paddleboard rental with lifejacket, use of snorkeling equipment for exploring Los Arcos’ marine life, bottled water to keep you hydrated under the sun, plus a granola bar for energy before heading back toward shore—all guided by a local who knows every corner of these waters.