Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands or Los Arcos
Two tanks, a guide who knows the sites, and the choice between beginner-friendly reefs or island walls.
Scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta departs daily at 9am from Marina Vallarta with 2 tanks, full equipment, guide and boat included. Choose between Los Arcos National Marine Park (depths from 20 feet for practice dives to 1,600 feet for tech divers, open to all levels) or Marietas Islands (certified divers only, with an optional visit to Hidden Beach for an extra fee). The trip runs 4 to 6 hours and covers park permits, a box lunch and a conservancy donation.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Scuba diving trip in Puerto Vallarta
- Check in at 8:30 am
- Depart from Marina Vallarta at 9 am
- Enjoy views and spot dolphins near Ameca River
- Arrive at islands after about one hour
- Receive snorkel gear and safety briefing
- Optional visit to Hidden Beach with extra cost
- Dive at Marietas Islands or Los Arcos National Park
- Marietas Islands Entry included 2h
- Los Arcos National Marine Park Entry included 1h 30m
What’s included
- Two scuba tanks and a full set of gear.
- guide in English or Spanish.
- boat ride from Marina Vallarta.
- entry permits and CONANP federal fees.
- conservancy donation to Bahia Unida.
- life vest.
- bottled water.
- box lunch.
- Every day 09:00
Information
Scuba diving from Puerto Vallarta with 2 tanks, full gear and guide included: depart at 9am and choose between Marietas Islands (certified divers) or Los.
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The experience
The boat leaves Marina Vallarta at 9am and reaches the dive sites within an hour: long enough to spot dolphins, turtles, manta rays or whales on the way out, depending on the season. You get 2 tanks per dive, a full set of gear, and a guide who briefs you on the site before you enter the water. Los Arcos offers shallow practice dives at 20 feet and a wall that drops to 1,600 feet for experienced divers. Marietas Islands is restricted to certified divers and includes the option to visit Hidden Beach, one of the world's top-ten beaches, for an additional $25 cash deposit at check-in (refunded if weather or availability prevents entry).
The schedule splits by day: Monday, Wednesday and Friday run Los Arcos and Majahuitas, where beginners are welcome and can get certified if needed. Tuesday through Sunday, Marietas Islands trips require a certification card. The operator adjusts both sites based on visibility, currents and waves, so the day adapts to conditions rather than a fixed plan. Guides speak English and Spanish, and the boat itself is built for comfort and safety: fast enough to maximize bottom time without the long haul.
Everything is included: park permits, CONANP federal fees, a conservancy donation to Bahia Unida, life vest, bottled water and a box lunch. You show up at 8:30am for check-in, bring your certification card if you have one, and the crew handles the rest. A moderate level of fitness is expected, and the minimum age is 10 years. Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot participate.
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
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.
Can I dive at Marietas Islands if I'm not certified?
Marietas Islands trips are for certified divers only and require you to show a certification card. If you're new to diving, choose the Los Arcos option on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, where beginners are welcome and can take a Discover Scuba class to get certified during the trip.
What's the difference between Los Arcos and Marietas Islands?
Los Arcos National Marine Park has depths from 20 feet for practice dives to 1,600 feet for advanced divers, and it's open to all levels. Marietas Islands is for certified divers only and includes an optional visit to Hidden Beach, a top-ten world beach, for an extra $25: the operator refunds the deposit if weather or availability prevents entry.
How long does the dive trip take?
The full trip runs 4 to 6 hours from check-in at 8:30am to return. The boat departs at 9am and reaches the dive sites within an hour, giving you time for 2 dives and the return journey.
What's included in the price?
The price covers 2 tanks, full scuba gear, life vest, guide, boat ride, park permits, a CONANP federal fee, a conservancy donation, bottled water and a box lunch. Hidden Beach entry at Marietas Islands costs an extra $25 and is optional.
Do I need to bring my own diving certification?
If you're diving at Marietas Islands, you must show a certification card. At Los Arcos, you can dive as a beginner or take a Discover Scuba class during the trip to get certified: no prior card needed.
What wildlife might I see on the way to the dive sites?
The 10-minute boat ride to the islands passes the Ameca River, where dolphins often feed in the morning. During winter, the open water frequently brings dolphins, turtles, manta rays and whales into view on the way out.
Operated by Eco Explorer Vallarta. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 2 days ago
Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands or Los Arcos
4h–6h · EN · ES
from US$ 106.25 per person
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