Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling: The Best Places To Go and What To Expect

While there is a wide variety of places to snorkel in Puerto Vallarta, not all of them are created equal. In our opinion, these are the 5 best Puerto Vallarta snorkeling locations.

1. Las Caletas

2. Las Islas Marietas 

3. Majahuitas

4. Los Arcos

5. Playa Paredon

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.

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. Enjoy a snorkeling adventure with our Las Caletas Beach Hideaway and Islas Marietas tours.

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 trip that meets the needs and interests of your group.

Is there Family Friendly Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta?

The calm waters in Puerto Vallarta make it a perfect destination for adventure-seeking families. Las Caletas Beach Hideaway and the Islas Marietas EcoAdventure tour are great options for both experienced and first-time snorkelers. To help you pick the best 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

Las Caletas Beach Hideaway

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 to Vallarta Adventures, making it the perfect private secluded beach.

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

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 definitely want to try snorkeling just offshore of Las Caletas Beach.

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 of time. 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.

For more experienced snorkelers looking for speed under the water, the Power Snorkel is an exciting new way to explore around with the minimum effort. Get up-close with the breathtaking marine life with these lightweight and portable underwater power scooters! Available for rent on Las Caletas.

Other experiences to look forward to on this tour include a nature walk with glimpses of monkeys and parrots, education about the culture, hands-on activities including cooking classes, mezcal tasting and clay modeling  for children. Food and drinks are unlimited during your stay at Las Caletas Beach, making it the perfect all-inclusive activity for the whole family and providing fuel for your snorkeling and other adventures.

Islas Marietas Snorkeling Tour

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 State Park was established to protect the natural wonders of this area, so you can expect beautiful, untouched views of beaches, cliffs, ocean water, and wildlife during your visit. Marieta is truly one of the most memorable landscapes in Mexico.

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

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 the rocks and ocean life that make Islas Marietas so special.

Aquatic Life to See While Snorkeling in the Marietas Islands

Ocean life to look 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 tour also includes opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, swim or sunbathe on a floating mattress, or simply enjoy the view from the catamaran.

Majahuitas

Experience one of the best Puerto Vallarta snorkeling trips in the area as you visit Yelapa & Majahuitas Tour. Traveling just south of Puerto Vallarta, you’ll see some of the area’s prettiest beaches, warmest waters, and plentiful wildlife at these secluded caves. You’ll escape the energy of the city and immediately relax when you step foot on the sands of the peaceful cove. Snorkel, paddleboard, or kayak your way around to see the tropical fish in the crystal clear waters.

Playa Paredon

Playa Paredon is one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches and is definitely a must-see for visitors. Although not a very large beach, it's an ideal snorkeling site where you can find lots of exotic fish. Featuring a large cliff, a sea cave, and beautiful views of Los Arcos, this is a great place to explore during your time in Puerto Vallarta.

 

Los Arcos

 

With beautiful coral reefs, tropical fish, and birds flying above, Los Arcos has amazing features that give you a glimpse of the flora and fauna of Banderas Bay, Mexico. This flourishing ecosystem is preserved and untouched, thanks to Los Arcos receiving a well deserved protected status. Los Arcos is an absolute must-see.

Los Arcos National Park is well known for its vast biodiversity, allowing tourists to experience pelicans, seagulls and many other sea and land animals as they coexist in their natural habitat, both on land and in the ocean.

 

Luxury Sailing And Snorkeling Tours

Our Luxury Sailing Tours give you a chance to go sailing and snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, all in the same day. Take a comfortable ride on a French-made sailboat, where you’ll pass the time with irresistible food and drinks. Lay out on our oversized cushions and enjoy the intimate setting with a few fellow sailors. You’ll get a chance to stop along the way and snorkel at some of the hottest spots in Puerto Vallarta, including a secret cove that offers stunning underwater sights.

Beach tours and boating excursions bring you to beautiful locations perfect for exploring ocean wildlife through snorkeling. Book a snorkel tour with Vallarta Adventures.

Note: In order to go to Los Arcos, they need to book a Private Sailing tour and pay a small contribution per persona to Los Arcos National Park (Conservation Fee).

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.

As mentioned above, Vallarta Adventures offers several tours to help accommodate your needs.