Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling: The Best 5 Snorkeling Spots in Puerto Vallarta

Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta is a fun way to explore the area. Find a snorkeling adventure in the Las Caletas Beach Hideaway and Islas Marietas tours.

 

While there is a wide variety of places to snorkel in Puerto Vallarta, in our opinion, these are the 5 best Puerto Vallarta snorkeling locations.

  1. Las Caletas
  2. Marietas Islands
  3. Majahuitas
  4. Yelapa
  5. Pizota

In this article, we will go in-depth about each of these locations and what makes them unique and why they should be on the top of your list of vacation destinations.

Man Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta

Things to Know About Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling

Can You Snorkel in Puerto Vallarta?

Yes! Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta is a fun way to explore the area. Puerto Vallarta is known for some of the most iconic and picturesque snorkeling spots, where both beginners and experienced snorkelers alike can experience the beauty that lies beneath the waters. 

Are Snorkeling Tours Offered in Puerto Vallarta?

Most people travel to Vallarta looking for beauty and adventure. You can find both by participating in a tour featuring snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta. Vallarta Adventures offers a number of tours that include opportunities to go snorkeling in the crystal clear blue water of Puerto Vallarta, so you are sure to find a snorkeling trip that meets the needs and interests of your group.

Guided Puerto Vallarta snorkeling tours are one of the best ways to experience Mexico's lavish underwater world. Guided by locals and tour operators who know the area, they will undoubtedly bring you to some of the most popular and beautiful snorkeling venues in Puerto Vallarta, share local insights, and give you the best snorkeling tips for the area.

Is there Family Friendly Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta?

The calm waters in Puerto Vallarta make it a perfect and great snorkeling destination for adventure-seeking families. Las Caletas Beach Hideaway and the Majahuitas Beach Day tour are great options for both experienced and first-time snorkelers.

To help you pick the best snorkeling tour for you, take a look at what you can expect on tour when going to some of the best places to snorkel in Mexico.

The Top 5 Best Places to Snorkel In Puerto Vallarta

1. Las Caletas

A trip to Las Caletas Beach is a unique experience. This beautiful beachside location is accessible only by boat, and the only boats allowed to dock are those connected by private boat and to Vallarta Adventures, making it the perfect private secluded beach.

Experience snorkeling adventures in Puerto Vallarta at Las Caletas Beach Hideaway

The Las Caletas Beach Hideaway includes a day-long adventure in this scenic spot, nestled away in the Sierra Madre Mountains. There are many activities to participate in during your time here, depending on your interests. These activities include everything from seeking adventure to hiking through the tropical rainforest to relaxing in one of the hammocks stretched between towering palm trees.

Visit Las Caletas beach in Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Adventures

Ocean adventures are an important part of the Las Caletas Beach Hideaway experience. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of this secluded tropical sanctuary by exploring its shores by kayak or paddleboarding. In addition to these activities, you will want to try snorkeling the coral reefs just offshore of Las Caletas Beach.

Group snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta at Las Caletas

Those who try snorkeling can expect to be shown how to use a snorkeling mask, which allows you to breathe while staying underwater in shallow water for an extended period. You can dip your head below the surface of the ocean water and gaze at the rocks, fish, and other natural surroundings to appreciate the beauty and natural diversity surrounding Las Caletas Beach.

On this tour, other experiences to look forward to include a nature walk with glimpses of macaws and other endemic birds, hands-on activities including cooking classes, mezcal tasting, and clay modeling for children.

A delicious buffet lunch is included, making it the perfect all-inclusive activity for the whole family and fueling your snorkeling and other adventures.

2. Marietas Islands

 

Experience snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta at Isla Marietas

 

The Marietas Islands are home to some of the calmest and clearest waters in Puerto Vallarta, making it an ideal location for snorkeling. The Islas Marietas Eco Discovery tour is another full-day excursion designed to introduce you to the pristine oceanside beauty of Puerto Vallarta. Marieta National Park was established to protect the natural wonders of this area, so you can expect beautiful, untouched views of cliffs, ocean water, and wildlife during your visit. Marieta is a national park and truly one of the most memorable landscapes in Mexico.

As part of this tour, you will be led by an experienced guide, but you can also expect opportunities to explore the surrounding waters on your own and at your own pace.

A couple on a snorkeling tour in Puerto Vallarta at Isla Marietas

Equipment will be available for you to use to spend as much time as you would like snorkeling on this tour.

Snorkeling will give you the chance to get into the water, providing cool relief on a sunny day, and getting you up close and personal with tropical fish, the rocks, and ocean life that make Islas Marietas so special.

Snorkeling at Marieta Islands with Vallarta Adventures

Ocean life to be on the lookout for while snorkeling in the Marietas Islands includes giant manta rays, sea turtles, and multi-colored fish. While you will receive instruction on how to snorkel, especially if you are a first-timer, you are free to explore the area at your own pace. Professional guides are nearby to give you tips, answer questions, and help you enjoy your time.

When you are done snorkeling, the Islas Marietas Eco Discovery tour also includes a stop at Majahuitas beach with opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, swim or sunbathe on a floating mattress, or enjoy the view from the catamaran.

 

3. Majahuitas

This beautiful beach, located south of Puerto Vallarta, is known for its emerald waters and golden sands, boho-chic style of decoration, abundant virgin vegetation, and a small waterfall that falls near the beach.

Aerial view of Majahuitas beach near Puerto Vallarta

There are several ways to visit and snorkel in Majahuitas: Majahuitas Beach Day -available on Sundays. During the other days of the week, you can visit it as part of the Luxury Yacht and Snorkel trip, the tour to Yelapa & Majahuitas (you will read more about this tour in the next paragraph), and the Islas Marietas Eco Discovery tour.

 

Person enjoying snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta in Majahuitas

 

4. Yelapa

Located to the south of the bay, Yelapa is a small coastal village, known as Paradise on Earth, for its spectacular combination of mountain landscapes, warm waters, a gentle river that flows into the sea, and a famous waterfall that forms during the summer months (July to October).

During the Yelapa and Majahuitas tour, you will have the opportunity to get to know this little town, walk its streets full of colorful souvenirs and murals, and snorkel in the nearby crystalline waters.


5. Pizota

This small virgin beach, home to a small group of fishermen, offers a perfect setting to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of mountains, sea, and tropical vegetation, which can only be found to the south of Bahia de Banderas.

Pizota beach

You can visit Pizota as part of the Sea Safari tour, an interesting combination excursion to Yelapa, which includes a leisurely horseback or mule ride, water sports, and a stop at Pizota, where you will also enjoy a delicious barbecue in front of the sea. It is an option for those looking for a small and unique tour.

 

The Best Puerto Vallarta Snorkel Tours

Explore the different Puerto Vallarta beach tours and boat ride excursions that will take you to beautiful spots perfect for discovering ocean wildlife through snorkeling. Adventure awaits! Book a snorkel tour with Vallarta Adventures.

Enjoy sailing and snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta

 

When Is The Best Time To Snorkel In Puerto Vallarta

Many experts, ourselves included, would suggest that the best time to snorkel in Puerto Vallarta is between July and November. This is because you end up getting to see more marine life during that time, the Great Manta Ray is a perfect example of this, but you do have to take location into account when trying to see specific marine life. Also, there is a greater number of smaller marine life during this time, further enriching your snorkeling experience.

Visit our Sea Adventures page to discover more about all of the best Snorkeling tours in Puerto Vallarta.

Luxury Yacht Snorkeling | Vallarta Adventures

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