Banderas Bay is where the water, coastline, and marine life come into full view. The bay is large enough that a day here can include quiet beaches, boat-only villages, and very different underwater settings.
That is one reason so many travelers come to the bay to sail, snorkel, dive, and watch for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and reef fish. We know Banderas Bay rewards anyone willing to get beyond the resort. Here are nine ways to see more of it.
1. Set Sail on a Luxury Yacht
We love how easy it is to settle into a day on the water with the Luxury Yacht & Snorkeling tour. For five hours, you cruise the bay aboard a Leopard catamaran in a small-group setting, with a premium open bar and fresh appetizers served by the crew.
The route takes you to Majahuitas Beach, where clear water reveals tropical fish, Moorish idols, spotted eagle rays, and sometimes sea turtles. Back on deck, you can kayak, paddleboard, or simply stretch out with a drink while the Sierra Madre coastline passes by.
This balanced day welcomes ocean lovers aged 10 and older and combines time to relax with time in the water.
2. Visit Yelapa Village and Enjoy a Beachfront BBQ
We recommend the Yelapa & Majahuitas Beach BBQ tour for travelers who want to see a coastal village at a slower pace. This 7-hour trip takes you to Yelapa, a fishing village accessible only by boat.
Yelapa local history adds more context to the visit. As you arrive, you see golden beaches and jungle-covered hills that make this stretch of coast stand out.
During the rainy season, the Yelapa waterfall is especially dramatic.
At any time of year, you can walk the cobblestone streets, look at colorful murals, try the village's coconut pie, or stop at a beachfront restaurant for a local bite and a cold beer. Later, the day continues with a BBQ lunch on Majahuitas Beach, where ribs, grilled chicken, and ceviche pair with snorkeling, paddleboarding, and wide coastal views.
3. Watch Humpback Whales on a Photo Safari
From December through March, humpback whales visit Banderas Bay during their annual migration. The season brings some of the bay's most memorable days on the water.
The Whale Watching Photo Safari puts you close to the action in an inflatable speed boat designed for whale watching. Over three hours, you may see whales breaching, tail slapping, and surfacing nearby.
Each boat has hydrophone equipment, so you can listen to whale songs beneath the surface. Our Marine Mammal experts lead every trip and share insights about whale biology facts and conservation efforts. We guarantee whale sightings from December 20 through March 1. If no whales are spotted, you receive a complimentary second tour.
4. Soar Above the Coastline with Parasailing
If you want a higher view of the bay, a parasailing tour gives it to you fast. This one-hour tandem activity lifts you up to 165 feet above the water and opens up a sweeping look at the shoreline.
From the air, you can see Puerto Vallarta's curve along the bay, the Sierra Madre dropping toward the sea, and the Pacific stretching outward. Below, you might spot dolphins, manta rays, or whales in winter.
No previous experience is needed. The crew provides safety briefings, and takeoffs and landings happen directly from the boat platform. Children as young as 9 years old are welcome.
5. Charter a Private Yacht for the Day
For a more personalized day on the water, we recommend a private yacht charter. This option gives your group control over the pace and route.
You can choose from five vessels, from Beneteau monohull sailboats to a 62-foot Azimut sport luxury yacht. Private charters let you plan the day around your group, whether that means snorkeling, sunbathing, or visiting boat-access-only spots like Majahuitas, Quimixto, and Yelapa.
These charters work especially well for couples, families, or groups of friends marking a special occasion. The bilingual crew focuses on your group, with lunch, open bar, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards included.
6. Go Find the Hidden Beach
If a beach hidden inside a volcanic crater sounds like your kind of detour, the Hidden Beach at Marietas Islands is worth knowing about. Also called Playa del Amor or Lover's Beach, this rare spot just off the coast of Puerto Vallarta is reachable only by swimming through a narrow cave tunnel in the rock. It's the kind of place that tends to anchor a whole trip.
7. Explore the Underwater World at El Morro or Chimo
Certified divers have two strong options for seeing more of Banderas Bay below the surface.
The El Morro Scuba Diving trip is a 6-hour outing to one of the bay's most secluded sites. Rock pinnacles rise from the ocean floor and connect through tunnels and caves where manta rays, sharks, sea turtles, and tropical fish move through the site. This is a challenging location that requires Advanced Certification or a minimum of 25 logged dives.
For a more private outing, Private Diving at Chimo takes up to four divers to the southern tip of the bay. One of its best-known features is "Las Iglesias," vertical rock formations that look like cathedral pillars when light filters through the water.
Both trips are led by our PADI 5-Star Dive Center team. We focus on responsible diving that helps protect these ecosystems for future visitors.
8. End the Day with a Sunset Sail
A sunset sailing cruise is one of our favorite ways to close a day on the bay. Over three hours, you sail aboard a French Beneteau sailboat or Leopard catamaran while the crew serves tapas, wine, and made-to-order cocktails.
As the boat moves across the water, the Sierra Madre catches the late light and the bay shifts through gold and amber tones. It is a calm choice for couples, but it also suits friends or solo travelers who want an easy, scenic evening on the water.
As daylight fades, the lights of Puerto Vallarta begin to shine along the coast and create a bright backdrop for the return to port. Travelers aged 10 and older are welcome.
9. Snorkel Among the Bay's Marine Life
A dedicated snorkeling outing is one of the clearest ways to see why Banderas Bay's wildlife is worth planning around. Beyond humpback whales, the bay is home to bottlenose dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, olive ridley sea turtles, manta rays, and sometimes whale sharks.
The bay's underwater canyon along the southern coast helps create both nearshore reef areas and deep pelagic zones within the same system. That mix is why a snorkeling stop at a protected cove can feel completely different from a day spent watching whales offshore.
For divers and snorkelers, fall water conditions can bring warm water and strong visibility, while turtle season from August through December adds another reason to time your visit with the bay's yearly rhythm. Choose a guided snorkel trip to spots like Los Arcos or Majahuitas, and you give yourself the best chance to see the bay's reef life up close.
10. Discover Mismaloya and the Bay of Flags by Sea
Banderas Bay, also known as the Bay of Flags, takes its name from the 1520s, when Spanish explorers recorded indigenous peoples carrying colorful banners along its shores. A coastal cruise that traces the southern coast brings that history to life from the water.
Mismaloya is a natural stop along the way, with its rocky cove, jungle backdrop, and ties to classic film history still visible from the deck. Continuing south, smaller villages like Yelapa and Quimixto keep a coastal rhythm that feels very different from the resort areas.
Back in Puerto Vallarta, Huichol beadwork rooted in Wixárika tradition adds another layer of regional culture worth exploring on shore. A guided coastal tour ties these threads together so a crossing of the bay feels richer, moving you through a place shaped by history, ecology, and living culture.
Ready to Get Beyond the Resort?
Banderas Bay rewards travelers who spend time beyond the pool. Whether you want to hear whale songs through hydrophones, snorkel off a quiet beach, or walk the cobblestone streets of a boat-access village, there is a better way to see this part of the coast.
We have spent three decades guiding travelers through these waters and coastal communities. Visit our tours page to find the Banderas Bay adventure that fits your group, your pace, and your idea of a day well spent.
Frequently Asked Questions about Banderas Bay
How big is Banderas Bay and where is it located?
Banderas Bay sits on Mexico's Pacific coast, shared between the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. It is one of the largest bays in the country, stretching about 42 kilometers across.
Its size is part of why a single day on the water can include calm coves, deeper offshore zones, and very different coastal scenery from north to south.
What should I bring for a day on Banderas Bay?
We recommend a swimsuit, a light change of clothes, sun-protective clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe options when getting in the water. A dry bag is helpful for phones and cameras.
Most of our tours include towels, snorkeling gear, and water, so you can travel light and focus on the experience instead of the logistics.
Is Banderas Bay safe for swimming and water activities?
Yes. Banderas Bay is generally calm and well suited for swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and similar activities, especially along the southern coves and protected beaches.
Conditions can shift with weather and season, so we always brief travelers on the day's plan and adjust the route when needed to keep the experience smooth and comfortable for every group.
