Sunset and Bioluminescence Boat Tour at Los Arcos Islands
Watch the sky turn pink above the islands, then float in caves where the water glows blue-green around your hands.
A three-hour sunset and bioluminescence boat tour departing from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos National Marine Park, with a live guide in English or Spanish, snorkeling equipment, and drinks included. The boat leaves 45 minutes to an hour before sunset (timing shifts seasonally from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM), and returns after dark once the bioluminescent plankton are visible. Children from age one are welcome. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health.
Step-by-step itinerary
Sunset and bioluminescence boat tour
- Meet at Zona Romántica or Mismaloya
- Depart from Mismaloya with guide story
- View Los Arcos Islands and sunset
- Experience bioluminescence and snorkeling
What’s included
- Snorkeling equipment.
- bottled water and soda.
- snacks.
- beer for participants of legal drinking age.
- live guide in English or Spanish.
Times
- Every day 18:00
Before you book
Operated by Mismaloya Xtreme
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The boat departs from either the Zona Romántica gas station or Mismaloya Xtreme office on Mismaloya Beach, depending on which meeting point you choose at booking. Your guide shares the history of Mismaloya as the cove where the 1964 film "The Night of the Iguana" was shot, the moment that brought Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to the village and transformed Puerto Vallarta into an international destination. The boat then heads toward Los Arcos Islands, the dramatic rock formations that rise from the sea as a Marine Geological Sanctuary.
As you approach the islands, the sky fills with color: pinks, oranges, purples spreading across the water. Frigatebirds with forked tails glide overhead, and brown pelicans dive into the glowing water below. The boat slows in a perfect viewing spot so you can watch the sun dip below the horizon, whether you're sipping a beverage, taking photos, or simply sitting with the moment. The islands silhouette against the fiery sky, and this is when the real spectacle begins.
Once dark, you put on snorkeling gear and enter the water around the caves. Tiny bioluminescent microorganisms light up the ocean like scattered stars: every movement of your hand or kick of your fins sends blue-green sparks swirling around you. Inside the caves, where natural light vanishes, the glow intensifies. You float in the darkness surrounded by the shimmering water, the cool air of the cave amplifying the feeling of stepping into something otherworldly. The whole experience lasts three hours from start to finish.
Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see the sunset from the water and then experience bioluminescence by snorkeling in the caves. The timing is set to catch both moments in a single evening, and the guide handles the route so you focus on the sky and the glow.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Infant (1 to 5 years).
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What time does the sunset and bioluminescence tour leave Puerto Vallarta?
The boat departs 45 minutes to an hour before sunset, with seasonal start times that shift four times a year: 5:30 PM from November through February, 6:00 PM from March through mid-May and again from mid-August through October, and 6:30 PM from mid-May through mid-August. Your exact departure time is confirmed after you book.
Can I snorkel during this tour, and is the equipment provided?
Yes, snorkeling is included in the tour. You snorkel around Los Arcos Islands and inside the dark caves where the bioluminescent plankton glow. Snorkeling equipment is provided, and the guide leads you into the water once darkness falls and the bioluminescence becomes visible.
What is included in the price of the tour?
The tour includes snorkeling equipment, bottled water, soda, snacks, and beer for participants over the legal drinking age. A live guide in English or Spanish is also included.
Where do I meet the boat for this tour?
You can choose to meet at either the gas station in Zona Romántica or at the Mismaloya Xtreme office on Mismaloya Beach. Your selected meeting point and exact timing are confirmed after booking.
Sunset and Bioluminescence Boat Tour at Los Arcos Islands
3h · EN · ES
from US$ 65 per person
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