Trimaran 40
Built around a Los Arcos and Colomitos itinerary with guided snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, lunch and a national open bar.
Marine park · South shore
Los Arcos Snorkeling by Private Yacht
A cluster of granite islands off Mismaloya, protected for half a century and the best-known snorkeling stop in Banderas Bay. On a private yacht, the stop is planned around your group rather than a tour schedule.
The marine park
What Los Arcos actually is
Los Arcos is a group of rocky granite islands rising from the sea off Mismaloya, on the south shore of Banderas Bay. Waves have worn tunnels and arches through the rock, which gave the islands their name.
The islands were declared a refuge for marine flora and fauna in 1975 and became a national marine park in 1984. That protection is the reason the area still draws snorkelers: the rocks and the water around them are habitat first, and visitors are expected to treat them that way.
Below the surface, the rocks shelter reef fish and other marine life. What you see shifts with the season, the currents and the visibility on the day, which is part of the appeal; no two visits look quite the same.
Because Los Arcos is among the nearer south-shore stops from Marina Vallarta, it appears on a great many charters from the city, including shorter ones. That popularity also means other boats are often there, one more reason a flexible private schedule helps.
Private vs shared
Why snorkel Los Arcos from a private yacht
The islands are the same for everyone. What changes on a private charter is who is aboard, when you go and what the rest of the day looks like.
Your timing
No fixed tour departure. The stop is planned around your group, and the captain fine-tunes it to the conditions on the day.
Your group sets the pace
Nervous swimmers can take their time, confident swimmers can explore where the crew says it is safe, and anyone can stay on deck.
Gear on board
Snorkeling gear is listed on nearly every vessel in the fleet, and some listings state the number of sets. Bring your own mask if you prefer a familiar fit.
A deck to come back to
Between swims there is shade, a place to dry off and whatever drinks and snacks your yacht's listing includes.
A stop, not the whole day
Los Arcos pairs naturally with a waterfront cruise or with south-shore coves, depending on how long you charter.
Room for non-swimmers
Not everyone has to get wet. Some guests stay aboard to watch, read or photograph the arches while others are in the water.
Marine-park etiquette
How to snorkel a protected reef
A national marine park is a living habitat, not a backdrop. These habits protect it and keep you safe.
- Do not touch, stand on or kick coral and rocks. Much of the surface is alive, and it can cut skin.
- Never feed the fish. It changes their behavior and the balance of the reef.
- Take nothing away: no shells, rocks, coral or animals.
- Keep fins off the bottom and use a slow, gentle kick near the rocks so you stir up less sand.
- Give marine animals space and never chase them.
- Follow the crew's instructions on where to enter the water, where to swim and when to come back.
- Wear a life jacket or flotation aid if you are not a confident open-water swimmer.
A courtesy on sunscreen. Consider a mineral, reef-safe sunscreen, or a rash guard and hat so you need less of it. Applying it well before you swim helps it stay on your skin rather than in the water.
Conditions
Visibility and sea conditions vary
Los Arcos is open water, not a pool. Whether swimming is advisable is decided on the day.
Several things shape a snorkeling stop: swell rolling in from the Pacific, wind, currents around the rocks, recent rain and the amount of plankton in the water. On a calm, clear day the rocks and fish are easy to see from the surface; on another, the water may be cloudier or too lively for comfortable swimming.
Your captain and crew make that call, with safety first. If Los Arcos is not advisable, they may suggest a more sheltered spot, a shorter swim or simply enjoying the islands from the deck. No season guarantees good visibility, so treat Los Arcos as a likely highlight rather than a fixed promise.
What the crew weighs before a swim
- Swell and wind at the islands, not just at the marina
- Currents around the rocks and entry points
- Visibility from the surface
- Other boats and swimmers nearby
- The confidence and ages of the swimmers in your group
On the day
A Los Arcos stop, step by step
Every crew works a little differently, but most snorkeling stops follow a similar rhythm.
A look at the water
The captain positions the yacht where park rules and conditions allow, then checks swell, current and visibility before anyone gets in.
Briefing and gear
The crew explains where to swim and what to avoid, and helps with masks, fins and life jackets for anyone who wants one.
In the water
Swim at your own pace, stay with a buddy and keep clear of the rocks and of other boats' traffic, following the crew's signals.
Back on board
Dry off, warm up and decide with the captain what comes next: another swim, a cove farther south or the cruise home.
Pairing ideas
Los Arcos, Colomitos and the south shore
Ideas, not set routes. Each depends on charter length, the yacht, the sea and park rules on the day.
Colomitos
A tiny cove beside Boca de Tomatlán, also reachable on foot by a coastal trail. Space is limited, so yachts usually anchor offshore; where conditions suit, kayaks or paddleboards on yachts that carry them are a gentle way to explore.
Las Ánimas and Majahuitas
On longer charters, Los Arcos can be the first stop before a beach club or restaurant farther along the shore. Landing depends on the yacht and the sea; your crew will explain how you get ashore, if landing is possible.
Back along the Malecón
On a shorter charter, a swim at Los Arcos followed by a slow cruise past the old town makes a complete, unhurried outing.
One listing is built around the first pairing: the Trimaran 40's itinerary covers guided snorkeling at Los Arcos, then kayaks and paddleboards at Colomitos, with lunch and a national open bar listed. Confirm its current schedule when you inquire.
Yachts for a Los Arcos day
Six vessels to start with
A starting point from the Puerto Vallarta fleet, from a simple boat for a small group to a trimaran with a Los Arcos itinerary. Many other yachts can include Los Arcos as a stop, depending on conditions and charter length.
Hipocampo 30
A straightforward, private option for up to eight guests who want a simple day on the bay with snorkeling stops.
Sunseeker 46
British sport-yacht styling with ten sets of snorkeling gear, fishing rods, a paddleboard and a floating mat.
Azimut 46 Fly
A spacious flybridge gives panoramic views of the coastline, making this a favorite for sightseeing and snorkeling days.
Lagoon 43
A stable catamaran for up to 25 guests, well suited to birthdays, anniversaries and relaxed cove-hopping.
Sea Ray 42
A shaded bridge deck with wrap-around seating, a forward sun deck and two staterooms make this a relaxed choice for families and friends.
Packing
What to bring for a snorkeling stop
- Swimwear worn under your clothes
- A towel, as most yachts do not list towels
- Reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
- A rash guard or light long-sleeved swim shirt
- Your own mask, if you prefer a proven fit
- Any medication you need, including for motion sickness
- A waterproof phone pouch or camera
- A light layer for the ride back, especially in winter
Tell us in advance about children, non-swimmers or anyone who would like extra help in the water, so the crew can plan the stop around them.
Private charter request
Plan your Los Arcos snorkel.
Share your date, group size and how confident your swimmers are. We match yachts departing Puerto Vallarta and confirm gear, inclusions and route ideas in writing.
Questions & answers
Los Arcos snorkeling questions
Straight answers to the questions guests ask most. Anything not covered here is confirmed in writing when you inquire.
Where is Los Arcos?
Los Arcos is a group of granite islands just off Mismaloya on the south shore of Banderas Bay, south of downtown Puerto Vallarta. It is among the nearer south-shore stops for charters leaving Marina Vallarta.
Is Los Arcos a protected area?
Yes. Los Arcos was declared a refuge for marine flora and fauna in 1975 and a national marine park in 1984. Visitors are expected to follow marine-park etiquette: no touching or standing on coral and rocks, no feeding fish and nothing taken away.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer to snorkel at Los Arcos?
No, but you should be comfortable in open water. Life jackets are listed on nearly every vessel, the crew briefs you before you get in, and anyone who prefers can stay on board.
What can you see while snorkeling at Los Arcos?
Reef fish around the rocks are the usual highlight, along with the arches and tunnels the sea has carved through the islands. Marine life and visibility vary from day to day, so particular sightings are never guaranteed.
Is snorkeling gear included on the yacht?
Snorkeling gear is listed on nearly every vessel in the fleet, and some listings state how many sets are aboard. If you prefer a mask you know fits, bring your own.
What happens if the sea is too rough at Los Arcos?
The captain may move the stop to a more sheltered spot, shorten the swim or skip swimming altogether. Safety decisions rest with the captain, and conditions on the day decide whether swimming is advisable.
Can children snorkel at Los Arcos?
Often, yes, with an adult beside them, a life jacket and calm conditions. Tell us their ages and swimming ability when you inquire so the crew can plan, and ask whether child-size gear is available on your yacht.
Is a shorter charter long enough for Los Arcos?
Often, yes. Because Los Arcos is one of the nearer south-shore stops from Puerto Vallarta, it fits many shorter charters as the main focus. Adding Colomitos or a beach club usually calls for more time.
Can we combine Los Arcos with Colomitos?
On some charters, depending on the hours booked, the yacht and the sea. The Trimaran 40's listed itinerary pairs guided snorkeling at Los Arcos with kayaks and paddleboards at Colomitos; on other yachts, the pairing is a route idea confirmed on the day.
Should we use reef-safe sunscreen at Los Arcos?
We suggest it as a courtesy to the marine park. A mineral sunscreen applied well before swimming, plus a rash guard and hat, reduces how much washes into the water.
Can we scuba dive at Los Arcos on a yacht charter?
The charters on this site are built around snorkeling rather than scuba. If you are a certified diver hoping to dive, ask when you inquire; any dive would need to be arranged separately with a qualified dive operator and confirmed in writing.
Is Los Arcos crowded?
It can be busy, because it is the best-known snorkeling stop in the bay and tour boats visit too. A private charter gives you more flexibility to plan around busier moments, although the captain always balances timing with conditions.