Los Arcos Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta: 2 Tanks

Los Arcos holds lobsters, rays and octopuses in water clear enough to see them all.

Los Arcos scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is a 4.5-hour dive at a PADI 5-Star center in Banderas Bay, open to certified divers only. You bring a valid certification card and proof of at least one dive in the past 12 months; the center provides 2 tanks, weights, a certified divemaster, snacks and water. Non-certified divers must complete a beginner course at the center one or two days before the dive trip.

The Experience

Los Arcos National Marine Park sits in Banderas Bay and holds two of Puerto Vallarta's most popular dive sites: Devil's Canyon and El Bajo. The park draws certified divers because the water holds a multitude of fish, lobsters, octopuses, rays and other species the Mexican Pacific keeps in these protected grounds. You descend with a PADI-certified divemaster who knows the site and stays with your group throughout the dive.

The dive runs 4.5 hours total. You bring your valid certification card and proof of at least one dive in the past 12 months; the PADI 5-Star center handles the rest. Two scuba tanks, weights, snacks and water are included. The divemaster briefs you on the site before you enter the water and stays with you the whole time. A live guide speaks English or Spanish, depending on your preference.

Non-certified divers cannot join this two-tank dive; they must complete a beginner course at the center one or two days before they can participate in any diving program. You'll need to sign an acknowledgment of risk before the dive. The dive is not suitable for cruise ship passengers because of scheduling conflicts with the local timetable, and diving within 24 hours of your flight home is not recommended.

What’s included

• 2 scuba tanks.
• weights.
• a PADI-certified divemaster.
• snacks and water.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Good to know

Demanding physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Vallarta Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this dive if you're a certified diver with proof of a recent dive—the PADI 5-Star center and the two-tank setup let you spend the full 4.5 hours exploring Los Arcos instead of spending time on certification or logistics. If you're not certified yet, take the beginner course at the center one or two days before and come back to dive the park.

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Top questions

What will I see when I dive at Los Arcos?

Los Arcos National Marine Park holds fish, lobsters, octopuses, rays and other species across two main dive sites—Devil's Canyon and El Bajo. The park is a protected marine area in Banderas Bay where the water stays clear enough to spot the life around you.

Do I need to be certified to dive here?

Yes, this two-tank dive is for certified divers only. You must bring a valid certification card and proof of at least one dive within the past 12 months. If you're not certified, the PADI 5-Star center offers a beginner course that you can take one or two days before your dive trip.

What's included in the dive?

The dive includes 2 scuba tanks, weights, a PADI-certified divemaster, snacks and water. You provide your own certification card and proof of recent diving experience. The center does not include BCD, regulator, fins or mask, and port fees must be paid in cash at the port.

How long does the whole experience take?

The dive experience runs 4.5 hours total, which includes the briefing, the dive itself and the return to the center.

Can I dive if I'm arriving or leaving by plane the same day?

Diving within 24 hours of your flight home is not recommended. If you're arriving by plane, you can dive the same day, but plan your flight departure for at least a full day after your dive to allow your body to adjust.

Is this dive suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No, this dive is not suitable for cruise ship passengers because of time conflicts with the local schedule and the 4.5-hour duration.