Puerto Vallarta: Los Arcos Sunset & Bioluminescence Boat Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/10

Duration3h

GroupUp to 99

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sunset cruise at Los Arcos then swim in glowing waters

You’ll start your evening on a boat from Puerto Vallarta or Mismaloya Beach, catching stories from your local guide as you cruise toward Los Arcos for sunset views with drinks in hand. After dark, slip into glowing waters alive with bioluminescent plankton—swim or just watch them dance around your hands before heading back under the night sky.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise and bioluminescence tour

Meet at Zona Romántica or Mismaloya
Depart from Mismaloya Beach
Hear The Night of the Iguana story
Cruise around Los Arcos Islands
Watch sunset over the islands
Experience bioluminescent plankton glow
Snorkel inside dark caves

The Experience

We met up just before sunset—our group was a mix of locals and travelers, everyone shuffling around with that quiet excitement you get before something unusual. Our guide, Miguel, had this easy way of telling stories; he pointed out Mismaloya’s old film history as we pushed off from the beach. I’d never heard about Elizabeth Taylor coming here for “The Night of the Iguana.” The sea air was warm but not sticky, and I could smell sunscreen and that faint salty tang you only get near real ocean rocks.

The boat ride to Los Arcos wasn’t long—maybe twenty minutes?—but it felt like its own little journey. The islands looked almost unreal in the low light: jagged arches cutting into the sky, birds everywhere (frigatebirds mostly), and pelicans doing these wild dives right next to us. Someone handed me a cold beer (they check IDs), and I remember thinking how strange it is to be sipping a drink while watching birds hunt their dinner. The sun started melting into the water, painting everything in these weirdly intense colors—purples and oranges that didn’t look real on my phone screen. Nobody talked much for a minute or two.

After dark, Miguel cut the engine near the caves and told us to dip our hands in. At first I thought he was joking—then there it was: tiny sparks lighting up around my fingers. It’s hard to explain what bioluminescence really feels like until you see it yourself. Some people snorkeled into the caves (I hesitated but went for it), where every kick made blue-green swirls in the black water. It was cold inside but not uncomfortable—just enough to make you shiver awake. I accidentally splashed myself in the face and laughed out loud; nobody minded because everyone else was giggling too, half-whispering so we wouldn’t break whatever spell this was.

Back on board heading home, I wrapped myself in a towel and tried to memorize how the lights moved under my hands. The boat rocked gently and someone passed around snacks—chips maybe? I still think about that glow sometimes when I close my eyes at night. Not sure if I’ll ever see anything quite like it again.

What’s included

Your evening includes pickup options at two locations in Puerto Vallarta or Mismaloya Beach, all snacks and drinks onboard (including bottled water, soda, and beer for adults), plus use of snorkeling equipment so you can dive right into those glowing waters after sunset before returning by boat under starlit skies.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Mismaloya Xtreme