Catamaran Tour to the Arches, Playa las Animas, Snorkeling and more

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta boat trip is the mix of Los Arcos snorkeling and a long stop at Playa Las Animas. You get mountain-and-sea views, beach time, a possible rainforest walk to Quimixto waterfall, and a party-style ride home. I like the included breakfast and beach lunch, and I like having kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling built into the price.

The main caution is timing. The boat can hold up to 99 people, and loading back aboard at Las Animas has taken a long time. Water conditions may also limit snorkeling, and the full outing can run beyond its advertised seven to eight hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos is the main natural highlight: Snorkel near the famous rock formations, with an equipment briefing before you enter the water.
• Las Animas gives you a choice: Relax on the beach, use water equipment, or take the guided 1.5-kilometer walk to Quimixto waterfall.
• Food and drinks are included: Expect breakfast, onboard snacks, an open bar, and a beach meal, though extra restaurant orders cost more.
• The return trip is part of the show: Music, games, dancing, mountain views, and a possible sunset fill about two hours at sea.
• Allow extra time: Registration begins at 10:10 a.m. for an 11 a.m. departure, and the return may run late.
• Bring cash: You will need it for the MX$35 port tax, tips, photos, beach activities, and extra food or drinks.

A full day on Banderas Bay

This is not a quick sightseeing cruise. It is a full-day catamaran outing built around three things: time on the water, a snorkeling stop at Los Arcos, and several hours at Playa Las Animas.

The price is $92.17 per person. That is a fair value if you plan to use the included food, drinks, and water activities. A separate boat ride, beach meal, open bar, and paid water sports could easily add up, but the value drops if rough water cancels snorkeling or if you prefer a quiet, small-group cruise.

You will meet at Puerto Magico, the maritime terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Registration starts at 10:10 a.m., while departure is scheduled for 11 a.m. Build in time for check-in and the security filter. The tour ends back at the same terminal.

The catamaran can carry as many as 99 people. That helps explain the lively atmosphere, but it also means this is not a private or intimate sailing trip. You should expect a social boat with music, organized activities, and plenty of people moving around during boarding and beach transfers.

Leaving Puerto Magico with breakfast on board

Once aboard, you begin with views across Puerto Vallarta’s broad bay. The crew serves breakfast and explains the day’s plan as the catamaran heads south toward Los Arcos.

Breakfast is useful here, not just a small extra. The first major activity is not immediate, and you have a long day ahead. Snacks later include wings, boneless pieces, cheese fingers, dips, and sauce. Food is served in a casual group setting, so you should not expect a polished restaurant meal.

The catamaran has a restroom, which matters on a seven- to eight-hour outing. It also has an open bar, although the timing of drink service can vary. One account described being asked to wait for a drink after returning aboard, despite the open-bar policy. I would treat the bar as a welcome convenience rather than a promise of constant service at every moment.

The crew’s tone is part of the experience. Music, games, and dancing are planned for the ride home, so the boat works best for you if you enjoy a friendly party atmosphere. If you want a calm cruise with long stretches of quiet, this may feel overproduced.

Snorkeling beneath Los Arcos de Mismaloya

Los Arcos is the tour’s strongest setting. These large rock formations rise from the sea near Mismaloya and give the snorkeling stop a memorable backdrop. The boat spends about two hours in this area, including preparation, instruction, and time in the water.

Before you enter, the crew gives a short lesson on the snorkeling equipment. That is helpful if you are new to the activity or have not used a mask and fins in a while. You can then look for tropical fish, coral, and other marine life near the rock formations.

Water conditions are the big variable. At times, the water can be calm enough for a peaceful swim with plenty of fish. At other times, it may be murky or rough, with many people gathered in the same area. Equipment access may also be limited when conditions are not good, even if the activity remains on the schedule.

That means you should book Los Arcos for the setting and the chance to snorkel, not for guaranteed clear water. Bring realistic expectations. This is a group stop in a popular marine area, not a private reef excursion with unlimited time and space.

Some outings in the area can also offer whale sightings at the right time of year, but whale watching is not listed as a guaranteed part of this tour. Treat any sighting as luck, not as a promised feature.

Playa Las Animas: beach time, lunch, and choices

The second major stop is Playa Las Animas. You do not simply walk from the catamaran onto the sand. The transfer is made by boat from the catamaran to the Las Animas beach pier, so expect an extra step when going ashore and returning later.

You have about three hours at this stop. That is enough time to choose your pace. You can stay near the beach, swim, eat, or use included equipment such as kayaking and paddleboarding. Extra beach activities cost more, so ask about prices before committing and keep cash handy.

The beach meal is included, which makes the stop easier on your budget. Still, the meal is a casual beach lunch, not a reason to book the tour by itself. Food service can take time, especially with a large group, so do not plan a tightly timed activity immediately after eating.

If you want more exercise and scenery, choose the Quimixto option. The guided route covers about 1.5 kilometers through rainforest to a waterfall. Once there, you can take a refreshing swim before returning to the beach.

The Quimixto walk gives the day more variety than simply staying aboard or sitting on the sand. It also uses much of your beach-stop time. You will need to decide early if you want the waterfall, because the three-hour stop includes the boat transfer, the walk in both directions, time at the waterfall, lunch, and any beach activity.

The description refers to Las Animas and Quimixto as part of this stop, not as three separate ports. That distinction matters. If you book expecting several independent beach landings, the day may feel less varied than you imagined.

The slow return and the two-hour party at sea

After Las Animas and Quimixto, the catamaran returns toward Puerto Magico. The scheduled ride takes about two hours and is deliberately filled with entertainment rather than treated as a simple transfer.

The crew organizes games and dances, with music on board and views of the mountains and open sea. If the timing is right, you may also have sunset light across the bay. This is the part of the tour that most clearly aims at a party-boat mood.

The pace can be frustrating. Reboarding after the beach stop has taken around 45 minutes, and the ride back has felt slow on some outings. One trip returned about an hour later than planned. For that reason, avoid scheduling a dinner reservation, airport transfer, or evening show immediately after the advertised end time.

That extra time is not necessarily wasted if you enjoy the music and social energy. If you are tired after the beach and waterfall walk, though, two more hours of organized entertainment may feel long. Your enjoyment here depends heavily on how much you like dancing, games, and a lively crew.

What is included, and where costs can grow

The main inclusions are generous:

• Open bar on the catamaran
• Breakfast
• Onboard snacks such as wings, boneless pieces, cheese fingers, dips, and sauce
• Beach food at Playa Las Animas
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• Restroom on board

You still need to budget for the MX$35 port tax per person. You may also pay for extra restaurant food and drinks, beach activities, photos, and tips.

The included water sports improve the price. You are not forced to spend more once you reach Las Animas just to have something to do. On the other hand, availability and conditions can affect how much use you get from snorkeling or the other equipment.

At $92.17, I see this as a good fit for someone who wants a full day with food, drinks, scenery, and entertainment in one booking. It is less attractive if you mainly want a short, quiet nature cruise or a serious snorkeling session.

Group size, comfort, and practical concerns

A maximum of 99 people makes this a large-group experience. That affects nearly every part of the day: boarding, food service, beach transfers, equipment use, and getting back on the boat.

The crew is described as kind and pleasant, which helps when the schedule gets crowded. Still, friendly staff cannot remove every delay. You should expect some waiting, especially when the whole group leaves Las Animas at once.

There have also been concerns about boat upkeep, including floor areas, loose railing bolts, broken life-jacket clips, and restroom condition. These are important practical points. If you notice a safety issue, tell the crew at once rather than ignoring it.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but the supplied details do not specify how the snorkeling, waterfall walk, or beach transfer work for different mobility needs. If you have a mobility concern, ask the operator before paying, especially about the small boat transfer to the pier and the rainforest route.

Children ages zero to two go free. The tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book.

How to prepare for the day

Wear swimwear beneath comfortable clothes, since the day moves between boat, water, beach, and possibly the waterfall. Bring sun protection and a way to keep cash dry.

Your cash should cover the MX$35 port tax, tips, photos, and optional beach activities. You may also want money for extra restaurant consumption, since those purchases are not included.

Keep your schedule open after the tour. The advertised duration is seven to eight hours, but the return can run late because of reboarding delays and the long ride back. The local time zone is Puerto Vallarta, GMT-6, which is worth checking if you are coordinating a flight, bus, or evening booking.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, you receive no refund, and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would choose this tour if you want a busy, all-day outing with several activities in one package. It suits you if you enjoy social boat rides, do not mind a large group, and like having the choice of snorkeling, beach time, water sports, and a short waterfall walk.

Families with older children may appreciate the variety, while parents of babies should note that the day is long and includes several transfers. Young children ages zero to two ride free, but the details do not explain special arrangements for them.

I would think twice if your priority is clear, uncrowded snorkeling. Water can be rough or murky, and the snorkeling area may be shared with many swimmers. I would also skip it if you need a firm return time or prefer a small boat with quiet service.

Should you book it?

Book this Puerto Vallarta catamaran tour if you want value through variety: breakfast, snacks, an open bar, beach food, snorkeling, paddle sports, a possible waterfall walk, and music on the ride home. Los Arcos and the views across Banderas Bay give the day real appeal.

Skip it if slow boarding, a large group, uncertain water conditions, or a late return would spoil your day. The fairest way to see it is as a lively Mexican beach-and-boat day, not as a precise, quiet snorkeling expedition. Keep your schedule loose, bring cash, and decide in advance whether Las Animas or Quimixto is your priority.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Puerto Magico, on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Hotelera Norte.

What time should I arrive?

Registration begins at 10:10 a.m., and the catamaran is scheduled to depart at 11 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is approximately seven to eight hours, although the return can run later than scheduled.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya is included, along with a short equipment introduction.

Is food included?

Yes. Breakfast, onboard snacks, and food at Playa Las Animas are included. Extra restaurant food and drinks are not included.

Is an open bar included?

Yes, an open bar on the boat is included. Extra drinks and restaurant consumption are charged separately.

Do I have to visit Quimixto waterfall?

No. At Playa Las Animas, you can relax, eat, swim, or use water equipment instead. The Quimixto option includes a guided 1.5-kilometer walk to the waterfall.

Is there an extra port charge?

Yes. The port tax is MX$35 per person. You should also bring cash for tips, photos, extra beach activities, and additional food or drinks.