PUERTO VALLARTA SNORKEL FIELD GUIDE
Paddling the Cathedral of Sea and Stone: A Snorkel Eco-Adventure to Los Arcos
A 3-hour eco-excursion from Puerto Vallarta to Los Arcos National Marine Park that pairs calm paddling with snorkeling among rocky islets and cave grottos — this guide distills what to expect and who can go.
Paddling the Cathedral of Sea and Stone: A Snorkel Eco-Adventure to Los Arcos.
Embark on an intimate paddle-and-snorkel outing into Los Arcos National Marine Park, a treasured marine reserve in the Bay of Banderas. Over three hours you traverse crystal-clear water, skirt monumental rocky islets and cave grottos, and watch for the native flora and fauna that make this small archipelago a local highlight.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Los Arcos' Monumental Islets
The itinerary brings you directly among the park's sculpted rock arches and islets, where paddling close to basalt formations frames the marine reserve's dramatic shoreline.
Crystal-Clear Paddling and Cave Grottos
Expect calm, clear water underfoot as you glide and enter sheltered grottos—conditions that make both paddling and surface snorkeling rewarding in this protected bay.
A Small Marine Reserve with Big Life
Los Arcos is a treasured marine reserve where paddlers and snorkelers can observe local flora and fauna in their protected habitat, offering an accessible wildlife encounter.
What the day feels like
What the Trip Feels Like
The three-hour outing is compact and focused: you launch into clear bay water, paddle toward the Los Arcos cluster, thread between rocky spires, step out to snorkel above reef and kelp, and return with a sense of having threaded through a small, protected marine world.
THE ROUTE
Los Arcos' Monumental Islets
The itinerary brings you directly among the park's sculpted rock arches and islets, where paddling close to basalt formations frames the marine reserve's dramatic shoreline.
THE WATER
Crystal-Clear Paddling and Cave Grottos
Expect calm, clear water underfoot as you glide and enter sheltered grottos—conditions that make both paddling and surface snorkeling rewarding in this protected bay.
THE WILDLIFE
A Small Marine Reserve with Big Life
Los Arcos is a treasured marine reserve where paddlers and snorkelers can observe local flora and fauna in their protected habitat, offering an accessible wildlife encounter.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The eco-adventure is a 3-hour outing.
Rates include Single Kayak (1300 MX / $76 USD), Double Kayak (2600 MX / $152 USD for two), and Stand Up Paddleboard (1300 MX / $76 USD); children 5–13 attending on a guardian's equipment cost 650 MX each.
This eco-excursion visits Los Arcos National Marine Park in the Bay of Banderas and is offered by the local operator Paddle Zone.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 3 hours.
What ages are allowed to participate?
Children 5 and older may join; ages 5–13 must be accompanied on a guardian's equipment (guardian must be 18 or older); participants 15 and older may use their own equipment.
What are the equipment options and costs?
Options and base rates are: Single Kayak — 1300 MX (or $76 USD); Double Kayak (for two people) — 2600 MX (or $152 USD); Stand Up Paddleboard — 1300 MX (or $76 USD).
Do children have a separate fee?
Yes — children aged 5–13 who join on a guardian's equipment are charged 650 MX each.
What makes this an eco-adventure?
The outing visits Los Arcos National Marine Park, a protected marine reserve where the route emphasizes low-impact paddling and snorkeling among native flora and fauna.