Puerto Vallarta has a way of stacking your day with good views and good water time, and this boat tour is built for exactly that. You start with breakfast on the boat, then head to Los Arcos National Park for snorkeling and reef wildlife, followed by beach time at Las Ánimas and the Quimixto waterfall stop. It’s one of those itineraries where you’re not just watching the coast go by.

Two things I really like here. First, the day includes actual activity, not long stretches of sitting: snorkeling at Los Arcos plus kayaks and paddleboards at Las Ánimas. Second, the food and drinks are part of the plan, with breakfast, a beachside lunch, and an open bar during the tour. That said, you should plan for a few logistics and comfort factors—like needing the right footwear for the waterfall area and the fact that groups can run in shifts depending on how many people show up.

Los Arcos and Quimixto in One Day: The Big Picture

This is a classic “three-location” boat outing: protected marine area, beach playground, then a scenic waterfall stop. The route runs south from Marina Vallarta to Los Arcos, then on to Playa Las Ánimas, and finally over to Quimixto. It’s designed to keep you moving, but not so fast that you never get on the water.

The tour is listed at 7 hours, with a 35-minute ride out to Los Arcos and about 40 minutes snorkeling once you’re there. That snorkeling window is the anchor of the experience. After that, you shift from reef time to beach time and photo time, with kayaking/paddleboarding and a lunch stop built into the day.

One more useful note: you may hear different “pace” experiences depending on crowd size. Some days feel smooth; others can feel slower because people board, get sorted into water groups, and transfer between boats for shore stops.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Los Arcos snorkeling (about 40 minutes) with equipment included and a guide explaining how to snorkel
• Playa Las Ánimas water fun with kayaks and paddleboards, plus time to relax
• Quimixto waterfall stop with time for photos and a hike that goes better with proper shoes
• Breakfast, lunch, and an open bar built into the day so you’re not hunting food
• On-site port fee payment at the meeting point before you board

Before You Go: Where You Meet and What Happens First

Check-in happens at the marina at Marina Vallarta. You’ll settle any outstanding balance there. You’ll also pay the port fee for guests over 8 years old. The exact figure in the details is 32 pesos, while the meeting-point instructions say 30 pesos—so bring cash in small bills just in case, and expect to pay directly at the site.

Meeting-point directions are very specific. You enter at the main entrance on the left side, pay the port fee, and then look for the Grupo Naviero team. They wear gray polo shirts with a white logo. Only the staff checks tickets, and any extra payment (if there is one) is handled directly through the company.

Practical tip: arrive early enough to handle the port-fee line and find your team. One booking had trouble because the pickup details were hard to locate, and phone support didn’t answer right away. Don’t gamble on walking up right as departure time hits.

Also, if you have a driver’s license or passport handy, bring it. The tour information doesn’t explicitly say ID is required, but one passenger said they weren’t told to bring it. Having ID avoids a last-minute scramble.

The Boat Ride Out: Breakfast and Views Over the Bay

Once you’re on board, breakfast is served before you reach Los Arcos. The included breakfast is listed as scrambled eggs with ham, hotcakes, and fruit, plus coffee, juice, or water.

Onboard energy can be a big part of why people love these trips. One recent passenger described the music playing the whole time and the crew keeping things upbeat. Even without assuming that vibe every day, it’s smart to dress for comfort and sun, since you’ll likely be on deck for the ride and announcements.

The journey to Los Arcos takes about 35 minutes. During that stretch, you’ll get wide views of Vallarta and the mountains as you head out from the marina. It’s not just transit. It’s part of the scenery, and the morning timing helps—less heat, more comfortable deck time.

Los Arcos National Park Snorkeling: The 40-Minute Reality

Los Arcos National Park is the headline stop for a reason: it’s where you actually see the reef. The tour provides snorkeling gear and explains the process before you get in.

The snorkeling time is listed at 40 minutes. That’s a solid amount of time, but here’s the practical truth: with larger groups, snorkeling can happen in shifts. In that case, you may feel like you didn’t get as long in the water as the time estimate suggests. If you’re the type who wants maximum water time, arrive rested and don’t waste your moment-on-water adjusting gear.

What to expect underwater: the tour aims you at the kind of marine life Los Arcos is known for. One passenger said snorkeling was incredible with lots of fish, and that the water felt warm (they went in January). Warm water matters because it makes you more willing to actually stay with the currents and look around.

Tips that help:

• Wear biodegradable sunscreen before boarding and again before your water time.
• Keep your snorkel mask from fogging by following the guide’s instructions the first time. Don’t “fix it” halfway in.
• If you’re unsure about snorkeling, take the guide’s cue. The equipment is included; the technique is what you want the crew to teach.

Playa Las Ánimas: Beach Break Plus Kayaks and Paddleboards

After Los Arcos, the tour heads to Playa Las Ánimas. This is where the day opens up. You’ll have time to relax on the beach, and you can also use kayaks and paddleboards, which are included.

There’s also a local restaurant visit at Playa Las Ánimas. This isn’t just a quick stop for snacks; it’s built into the schedule, so you can refuel without making a separate plan.

One small logistics detail to be aware of: some shoreline areas can involve extra boat-to-boat transfers, especially if conditions make it hard for a larger boat to dock at the beach. On some days, people can end up waiting while everyone gets safely off and back on. If your energy runs on a tight schedule, think of this stop as “time to enjoy,” not “time to rush.”

Still, this is the stop that makes the tour feel like a real vacation day. Kayaking and paddleboarding break up the snorkeling-heavy morning and give you a chance to float, look at the coastline, and cool down without entering the water again for long periods.

Quimixto Waterfall: Shoes Matter and the Hike Takes Time

Quimixto is where the tour turns from water fun into scenery and photos. You’ll visit the Quimixto waterfall and have time to relax and take pictures.

Here’s the most important practical consideration from real-world experience: running shoes are basically required. The hike to the waterfall is described as about 45 minutes each way. If you show up in flip-flops or sandals, you may end up sitting out or cutting the hike short.

The tour details don’t spell out shoe requirements, but you should plan for uneven ground. If you don’t want to hike, there are alternatives mentioned: you can pay around 600 or 800 pesos per person for an ATV or a donkey ride up and down, depending on what’s available and what you choose.

Timing tip: wear your best “walk shoes” and treat the waterfall stop as a mini hike day, not just a photo stop. Even if you’re only taking pictures, you’ll likely want stable footing getting around.

If you’re traveling with kids or anyone who struggles on foot, this portion is worth thinking through before you book. The waterfall is the dramatic payoff, but it’s the most physically demanding segment of the day.

Food, Lunch, and the Open Bar: What the Day Feels Like

Food is not an afterthought on this tour. Breakfast is included on board, and then you get a beachside lunch at Quimixto. Lunch is listed as having four different options that vary by day, and there’s also an open bar aboard the boat.

Depending on the day, the open bar can be a big part of the social vibe. One passenger reported an unlimited bar with beer, margaritas, and palomas, and said people ended the tour dancing on both the upper and lower decks. That sounds like the kind of atmosphere that makes this tour feel less like a checklist and more like a shared day on the water.

Still, keep expectations grounded. One booking complained that the food portions didn’t feel like enough. That doesn’t mean your lunch won’t be good, but if you have a big appetite, don’t assume you’ll leave full in a “buffet” way. You’re getting included meals, but it’s still a tour lunch—not a restaurant feast.

Practical approach: eat the breakfast fully, enjoy lunch, and use the beach stops to snack lightly if you want more. Bring extra patience if you’re on a day where boarding and transferring slows things down.

Group Size and Pace: When the Day Can Feel Fast or Slow

This is the one area where you need to manage expectations. The tour is designed for a full day with multiple active segments, so the pace matters.

Two things can change the feel of the day:

1. Snorkeling shifts if the group is large. In that scenario, your snorkeling time in the water can feel shorter than the 40-minute plan.
2. Shore transfer delays if conditions make it hard to dock right at the beach. People may take smaller boats to shore and back, which adds waiting time.

If you’re the type who hates waiting, you might feel the pinch. If you’re flexible and your goal is to have fun on the water and see Quimixto, the day can still feel satisfying—even with the slower moments.

Price and Value: Is $81 a Smart Deal?

At $81 per person, you’re paying for a full-day bundle: breakfast, snorkeling with equipment, kayak and paddleboard use, a restaurant stop, waterfall time, lunch, and an open bar.

Then there’s the port fee you pay on-site (listed as 32 pesos in one place and 30 pesos in the meeting instructions). Add that to your mental budget and you’re set.

Where the value comes from:

• You’re not buying separate snorkel gear or arranging water activities.
• You don’t have to plan meals between stops.
• The open bar reduces spending pressure once you’re on the boat.

Where the value can wobble:

• If your personal priority is maximum snorkeling minutes, group shifts can reduce how much time you actually get in the water.
• If you end up waiting during boat transfers, you might wish there was more active time on schedule.

Overall, it’s still strong value for people who want an all-in-one coast day with multiple stops.

Who Should Book This Tour—and Who Might Prefer Something Else

This tour fits best if you want:

• A mix of reef snorkeling and beach activities in one day
• Included meals and a bar on the boat
• A scenic payoff with Quimixto waterfall

You might think twice if:

• You hate hiking or don’t have proper shoes for uneven ground
• You’re very time-sensitive and don’t want any waiting or transfer delays
• You’re highly focused on getting maximum minutes underwater (shifts can happen)

If you’re going with a group, it’s smart to agree on the waterfall plan before you arrive—some people will hike, some will use alternatives, and everyone should be on the same page.

Also, keep an eye on guide and crew attention. One passenger thanked Edgar, known as Papi Chulo, which suggests the crew can seriously raise the vibe and keep things moving. If you feel like you’re missing info, ask early. The tour guide is live and bilingual (Spanish and English), so you should be able to get clarity.

Should You Book the Puerto Vallarta Los Arcos, Ánimas, and Quimixto Tour?

I’d book this if your idea of a great day is a simple plan with included food, real snorkeling at Los Arcos, time to play at Las Ánimas, and a scenic break at Quimixto waterfall. The bundle for $81 is hard to ignore, and when the day clicks, it feels like you got more than your money’s worth.

But book with a little strategy:

• Pack running shoes for Quimixto.
• Bring biodegradable sunscreen and a towel.
• Arrive early so you can find the Grupo Naviero team and pay the port fee without stress.
• Go in ready for the possibility of shifts and transfers if the group is large.

If that sounds like your kind of day—active, scenic, and social—this tour is a strong pick for Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long is the boat tour?

The tour is listed at 7 hours total. The exact start times depend on availability.

What snorkeling and water activities are included?

You get snorkeling at Los Arcos National Park with provided equipment, plus kayaks and paddleboards at Playa Las Ánimas.

Is the port fee included in the $81 price?

No. There is a port fee that you pay on-site, listed as 32 pesos per person in one part of the details, and 30 pesos in the meeting-point instructions. It’s paid at the main entrance before you find the tour team.

What meals and drinks are included?

You’ll have breakfast aboard the boat and a beachside lunch (with four options, which vary by day). There is also an open bar aboard the boat. Pictures are not included.

Where do I meet for the tour?

The meeting point is at the main entrance on the left side at the marina area. You pay the port fee there, then look for the Grupo Naviero team in gray polo shirts with a white logo.

What should I bring to the tour?

Bring a towel, biodegradable sunscreen, and beachwear.

What’s not allowed on the tour?

Drones and explosive substances are not allowed.

What languages is the guide?

The live tour guide speaks Spanish and English.