Fish sightings beat crowds every time. This private 4-hour outing mixes a motorboat ride along Puerto Vallarta’s coast with snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya and a beach break at Playa Colomitos. I like that the snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, life vest) is included, and I also like the naturalist/biologist guide who helps you make sense of what you’re seeing.
One thing to plan around: there’s no hotel pickup, and you’ll also want to budget a USD 5 port fee. Weather matters too, since this experience needs good conditions to run smoothly.
If you want a calmer feel on the water, this is set up for that. You’ll meet at the Marina Vallarta office area, check in, then head out with just your group, plus water and soda to keep you comfortable.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- Meeting at Marina Vallarta: check-in that keeps things simple
- The motorboat ride to Los Arcos de Mismaloya
- Snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya: where the marine life shows up
- How the guide improves your snorkeling time
- Gear and comfort: the practical stuff that matters
- Playa Colomitos: beach time that actually balances the day
- What makes this tour feel different: private size, calm timing, and a real guide
- The guide factor: Michael’s example
- Value and extra costs: what’s included, what’s not, and how to plan
- The main trade-off
- Who should book this private Los Arcos and Colomitos trip?
- Should you book Los Arcos & Colomitos private snorkeling?
- FAQ
- Where do I meet for the snorkeling tour?
- Do you include hotel pickup and drop-off?
- What snorkeling gear is provided?
- Is this a private tour, and is it offered in English?
- How long are the stops at Los Arcos and Playa Colomitos?
- What happens if weather is poor or I need to cancel?
Key points to know before you go
- Private by design: only your group goes, so you’re not packed into a large crowd
- Gear is taken care of: mask, snorkel, fins, and life vest are included
- A naturalist/biologist guide runs the show: you’ll have help spotting marine life
- Los Arcos gives you real snorkeling time: about 2 hours at the natural park
- Playa Colomitos breaks up the day: about 1 hour for sand time and a reset
- Bring your appetite for the coast views: the motorboat ride is part of the fun
Meeting at Marina Vallarta: check-in that keeps things simple
This tour starts at the ECOTOURS VALLARTA meeting location in Marina Vallarta, at Proa 20 (address listed for the tour). Plan for about 15 minutes of check-in at the office area before you head out.
Because there’s no hotel pickup, you’ll want to factor in time to get yourself to the marina. The good news: the meeting point is described as near public transportation, so you’re not stuck if you don’t have a car.
Also, this is offered in English, so you should feel comfortable staying on track with the guide from the moment you arrive.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Puerto Vallarta
The motorboat ride to Los Arcos de Mismaloya
The best part of this kind of snorkeling day is that it doesn’t start with a gear-up scramble. You’ll first enjoy the coastline by motorboat, with scenery of Puerto Vallarta along the way to Los Arcos de Mismaloya.
You’re not just traveling between stops. The ride gives you a moving viewpoint of the coast, including stretches that are less about beachfront hotels and more about the rugged edge of where the road system ends and you see the shoreline from the sea.
This matters because it sets your expectations for the water. When you arrive at the snorkeling park, you’ll already feel like you’re in the right place for marine life, not just “at a beach with equipment.”
Snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya: where the marine life shows up
Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the main reason most people book. You’ll get about 2 hours here, and the tour describes it as one of the best natural parks ideal for snorkeling.
What you should expect is a guided swim with provided snorkeling equipment and a naturalist/biologist guide. The point isn’t just to float and hope. The guide helps you understand what’s around you and where to focus, so the time in the water feels productive.
Based on past sightings from this experience, you could encounter a mix of marine life such as fish, urchins, and coral. Sea turtles and spotted rays are also possible. None of that is guaranteed, of course, but it does tell you the area has enough activity to make a serious snorkel session worthwhile.
How the guide improves your snorkeling time
Snorkeling is easy to mess up: you can drift, miss the interesting spots, or spend too much time fighting your breathing. Having a naturalist/biologist guide changes the whole rhythm.
One of the standout details from the experience is the way the guide supports your swim and can adjust where you go during the session. For example, one account notes being taken to a more secluded spot with more fish, which is exactly the kind of practical adaptation that makes snorkeling better for your eyes and your energy.
Gear and comfort: the practical stuff that matters
You’ll be issued snorkeling gear including mask, snorkel, fins, and a life vest. That’s a big deal for two reasons.
First, it removes the hassle of renting or bringing your own setup. Second, the life vest helps most people feel steady enough to focus on watching the water, not worrying about staying afloat.
Also, water and soda are provided as part of the outing, and there’s water to refill. That hydration piece is underrated. After you’ve been in the sun and moving around in fins, you’ll be glad you’re not relying on whatever you can find at the next stop.
You can also read our reviews of more snorkeling tours in Puerto Vallarta
Playa Colomitos: beach time that actually balances the day
After Los Arcos, the itinerary shifts to Playa Colomitos for about 1 hour. This is not described as a long lounging marathon. It’s a short window to get your feet back under you and enjoy the shoreline before heading back to the meeting point.
Why this stop is valuable: it breaks up the day so you’re not immediately exhausted after snorkeling. Your body needs a reset, and this is built into the schedule.
It also helps psychologically. A lot of snorkel tours feel like one long squeeze between check-in and return. Here, you get a real change of pace: from gear and water focus to sand, shade, and regrouping.
Keep your expectations flexible. If you’re hungry, thirsty, or sore, the beach stop is where you’ll appreciate having time to handle that without rushing.
What makes this tour feel different: private size, calm timing, and a real guide
This is a private tour/activity, which means only your group participates. That’s not a minor perk. It changes how the day feels from start to finish.
On a larger group trip, you often lose time waiting for people who are slow with gear, confused about instructions, or just taking longer to get oriented. Here, the structure supports a smoother flow, so you can spend more of your time on the water itself.
The guide factor: Michael’s example
One of the most praised elements of the experience is the guide experience. In English-speaking tours, you want clear instruction and a guide who can read what people need in the water.
One guide mentioned by name is Michael, described as polite and instructional, and very helpful during the swim. That kind of hands-on guidance is exactly what helps beginners feel confident and helps more experienced snorkelers get better results from their time.
If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re seeing, this is the right format. You’re not just handed equipment and pointed at the sea.
Value and extra costs: what’s included, what’s not, and how to plan
Here’s the straightforward breakdown of what you get:
- Snorkeling gear: mask, snorkel, fins, life vest
- Certified guide: naturalist/biologist style instruction
- Water and soda for hydration
- Travel insurance
- Admission included for Los Arcos and Playa Colomitos
- A mobile ticket
What’s not included:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Port fee listed as USD 5
So the value isn’t just “you get a nice day.” It’s that you’re paying for a structured experience where the main snorkeling friction points are handled: equipment, guidance, and time in the right places.
The main trade-off
The trade-off is logistics. Without hotel pickup, you’ll need to manage your timing to reach Marina Vallarta. If you’re staying nearby, that’s easy. If you’re farther out, build in extra buffer time so you’re not sprinting to check in.
Who should book this private Los Arcos and Colomitos trip?
This is a strong fit if you want:
- Private pacing with only your group
- A guided snorkel session rather than a free-for-all
- Included gear and life vests
- A day that mixes snorkeling with some beach recovery time
It’s also described as something most people can participate in. Children must be accompanied by an adult, which makes it workable for families who are comfortable with water activities.
If you hate big-group tours, this format is built to solve that. If you’re curious about marine life and want the guide to help you spot it, this is also a good match.
Should you book Los Arcos & Colomitos private snorkeling?
If your priority is a calm, guided snorkel day with equipment handled and real time at Los Arcos, I’d say yes. The strongest reasons are the private setup, the naturalist/biologist guide support, and the mix of snorkeling plus Playa Colomitos downtime.
Skip it if you really want a door-to-door service, because hotel pickup and drop-off aren’t included. Also, if you can’t be flexible about weather-based changes, keep an eye on conditions since the experience requires good weather.
Overall, this is the kind of Puerto Vallarta activity that works well when you want nature time without the chaos.
FAQ
Where do I meet for the snorkeling tour?
You’ll meet at ECOTOURS VALLARTA in Marina Vallarta (Proa 20, Marina Vallarta, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico). The tour ends back at the same meeting point.
Do you include hotel pickup and drop-off?
No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you’ll need to get yourself to the marina meeting location.
What snorkeling gear is provided?
The tour provides snorkeling gear including a mask, snorkel, fins, and a life vest.
Is this a private tour, and is it offered in English?
Yes, it’s private, and only your group participates. It’s offered in English.
How long are the stops at Los Arcos and Playa Colomitos?
Los Arcos de Mismaloya is about 2 hours, and Playa Colomitos is about 1 hour. There’s also about 15 minutes for check-in at Marina Vallarta.
What happens if weather is poor or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If you cancel up to 24 hours in advance, you get a full refund; canceling less than 24 hours before won’t be refunded.
