Catamaran Tour to the Arches, Playa las Animas, Snorkeling and more

The sea day starts before the boat leaves. This Puerto Vallarta catamaran trip combines Los Arcos snorkeling, Playa Las Animas, beach food, water sports, and an open bar into one long outing. I like the mix of active and easygoing stops, and I like that you can choose between relaxing at the beach or walking to the Quimixto waterfall.

The price is about $92.17 per person, which is fair if you use the included food, drinks, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle equipment. The main caution is timing. Boarding can take a while, lunch service may move slowly, and the return trip has sometimes run past the advertised seven to eight hours.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos snorkeling comes early: You spend about two hours near the famous rock formations, with a short equipment lesson before entering the water.
• Playa Las Animas gives you a choice: Stay on the beach, use water equipment, eat lunch, or take the guided 1.5-kilometer walk to Quimixto waterfall.
• Food and drinks are built into the day: Breakfast and snacks come aboard, beach food is included, and an open bar operates during the boat portion.
• The boat ride back is part of the entertainment: Music, dancing, games, mountain views, and a possible sunset make the return ride more than simple transportation.
• Allow extra time and cash: Registration is at 10:10 a.m. for an 11 a.m. departure, and you need 35 Mexican pesos for the port tax, plus money for tips, photos, restaurant purchases, and beach activities.
• This is a large-group outing: The catamaran can carry up to 99 people, so expect a social party atmosphere rather than a quiet sailing trip.

Starting at Puerto Magico at 10:10 a.m.

Your day begins at Puerto Magico, the maritime terminal on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone. Registration is scheduled for 10:10 a.m., with departure at 11 a.m. That gap matters. You need to register, pass through the security filter, and board before the catamaran leaves.

Bring the extra port fee of 35 pesos per person. It is not included in the tour price, and having the cash ready keeps the check-in process simple. You should also arrive with money for tips, photos, extra food or drinks at the beach, and optional activities.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives at booking. Service animals are allowed, public transportation is nearby, and most people can participate. Children from birth through age two ride free. The maximum group size is 99 people, so the boat may feel busy, especially during boarding and when everyone returns from the beach at the same time.

Once underway, the catamaran crosses Puerto Vallarta’s broad bay. Breakfast is served as the crew explains the schedule and activities. Snacks are also included later, with wings, boneless pieces, cheese fingers, dips, and sauces. This is useful because the first real stop takes time to reach, and you will have a full day ahead.

Los Arcos: two hours near Puerto Vallarta’s famous rocks

Los Arcos de Mismaloya is the first major stop. The rock formations rise from the water near the southern end of the bay, creating one of the area’s best-known settings for swimming and snorkeling. The catamaran anchors nearby, and the crew gives a short introduction to the equipment before you enter the water.

The snorkeling experience depends heavily on sea conditions. On a calm day, you may see tropical fish, coral, and other marine life in clear water. One especially good account described peaceful snorkeling with plenty of fish, along with an unexpected sighting of giant whales from the boat. That kind of wildlife encounter is never guaranteed, but it shows why the ride down the bay can be rewarding even beyond the scheduled activities.

On rougher days, the water may be murky and the crew may limit the equipment or the swimming area. The safety decision is sensible, but it can make this stop feel shorter or less satisfying if snorkeling is your main reason for booking. You should treat it as a possible highlight, not a guaranteed reef experience.

The stop is scheduled for about two hours, which gives you time to receive instruction, get comfortable with the mask and snorkel, and spend time in the water. Still, a large group can mean many people swimming in the same area. If you want complete peace and plenty of space, this is not the right kind of boat trip.

The crew’s attitude is one of the stronger points. Staff have been described as kind and pleasant, and they work to keep the group moving. The tradeoff is that group procedures can feel slow or rigid. If the water is rough, listen carefully to the crew and do not expect to use every piece of equipment simply because it is listed among the inclusions.

Playa Las Animas: lunch, beach time, and a waterfall choice

After Los Arcos, the catamaran continues to Playa Las Animas. You do not simply walk from the catamaran onto the sand. The boat transfers you to the beach pier, so you should be ready for another boarding and unloading process.

Las Animas gives this tour its most useful choice. You can stay near the beach, swim, eat, and relax, or you can join the guided 1.5-kilometer walk through the rainforest to Quimixto waterfall. The walk ends at a waterfall where you can take a refreshing swim before returning to the beach.

That option makes the stop work for different energy levels. I like that you are not forced into a hike after a morning on the water. If the sea has been choppy or you simply want a slower afternoon, stay at Las Animas. If you want more movement and a change of scenery, Quimixto adds a modest outdoor adventure.

The beach also offers kayaking and paddle equipment as part of the tour. Extra beach activities, such as jet skiing, cost more. One person chose jet skiing while others took the waterfall route, which gives you a good sense of the choices available once you arrive.

Lunch is served on the beach, and it is included. The food has been described as acceptable rather than memorable, and service may take longer than expected. Plan around that. If you are hungry, do not assume lunch will arrive the moment you sit down. The beach stop lasts about three hours, but some of that time can disappear while food is being prepared and the group is gathered for the return.

The most important practical issue at Las Animas is getting back to the boat. The loading process has been slow at times, with one return taking about 45 minutes. That delay can eat into beach time and contribute to a late return to Puerto Vallarta. Keep your belongings together and follow the crew’s instructions when the return call comes.

The two-hour return: music, games, and a party mood

After Las Animas and Quimixto, the catamaran heads back to Puerto Magico. The return is planned as about two hours of entertainment rather than a quick ride. The crew organizes games, dances, music, and other group activities while the boat passes the mountains and open sea.

This part will decide how you feel about the tour. If you enjoy a social boat party, it extends the fun and gives you time to use the open bar. If you prefer a quiet ride after a long day, the music and group activities may feel like extra time on the water.

The return route can be slow. One assessment described the boat as moving at a very relaxed pace, and the full trip ran about an hour past schedule. The planned duration is seven to eight hours, but you should leave your evening flexible. Do not book a tight dinner reservation, airport transfer, or show immediately after the expected return.

The open bar is a useful inclusion, but it is not always available at every moment. One person was asked to wait before receiving a drink after returning to the boat from the beach. That may be a temporary service issue, but it is worth keeping expectations realistic. The boat also has a restroom, which matters during a full-day outing.

If the timing works in your favor, the final stretch offers mountain views and a sunset over the bay. Those views are one of the better reasons to avoid judging the return only as transportation. You are still on the water, and the changing light can make the slow ride feel worthwhile.

What the $92.17 price really covers

At $92.17 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Los Arcos or Las Animas. You are paying for a full-day package rather than a simple boat transfer. The price includes the catamaran, breakfast, onboard snacks, an open bar, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle equipment, beach food, the Las Animas visit, and the Quimixto option.

The value is strongest if you plan to use several of those inclusions. A person who snorkels, eats both meals, has a few drinks, uses the water equipment, and joins the waterfall walk is getting a fairly full day for the money. The value is weaker if you mainly want a short scenic cruise or only plan to sit quietly on the beach.

You should budget beyond the advertised price. The 35-peso port tax is required, and extra money is useful for tips, photos, restaurant purchases, and optional beach activities. The tour does not include extra food or drinks at the beach, and paid activities are separate.

The group size also affects the value. With up to 99 people, you get a lively setting and a broad program, but you lose the personal feel of a small boat. The crew has to manage many people getting on and off, collecting equipment, eating lunch, and returning to the catamaran. That helps explain why certain parts of the day can feel rushed while others take longer than planned.

What to pack for a smoother day

Keep your packing simple and practical. You will want swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, comfortable clothing for the beach, and shoes suitable for the Quimixto walk if you plan to take it. Bring cash for the port fee, tips, photos, extra food and drinks, and paid beach activities.

A small waterproof bag can help protect your phone and cash during boat transfers. Keep essential items together because the Las Animas stop involves moving between the catamaran and the beach pier.

Think carefully about your schedule after the tour. The official timing is about seven to eight hours, but delays have occurred during beach boarding and the return trip. The experience is easier to enjoy when you have no urgent appointment afterward.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta catamaran trip?

I would recommend it to someone who wants one organized sea day with several activities included. Families with older children, couples who enjoy a social atmosphere, and friends looking for music and drinks will find plenty to do. Children ages zero to two are free, and most people can participate.

It also suits people who like having choices. You can snorkel at Los Arcos, relax at Las Animas, join the Quimixto walk, use a paddleboard or kayak, or pay for an extra beach activity. That flexibility is more useful than a tightly programmed day where everyone must do the same thing.

I would be more cautious if you want quiet sailing, a small group, precise timing, or excellent snorkeling conditions. The boat may be crowded, the water may be rough or unclear, and the schedule can stretch. The beach lunch is practical, but you should not book this expecting a special dining experience.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, all-in-one day on the water and like the idea of combining Los Arcos, Las Animas, Quimixto, food, drinks, and group entertainment for one price. Its best features are the variety, friendly crew, included activities, and chance to see the bay from the water.

Skip it if your priority is uncrowded snorkeling, a quiet boat, polished facilities, or a firm return time. For the best chance of enjoying it, keep your evening open, bring cash, arrive for the 10:10 a.m. registration, and treat the snorkeling and sunset as bonuses rather than promises.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Inside that window, the payment is not refundable and changes are not accepted.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran tour begin?

The tour begins at Puerto Magico, located on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone.

What time should I arrive?

Registration is scheduled for 10:10 a.m., and the catamaran departs at 11 a.m.

How long does the tour last?

The planned duration is approximately seven to eight hours. Delays can occur, so keep extra time available after the scheduled return.

What is the port tax?

The port tax is 35 Mexican pesos per person, and it is not included in the tour price.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. Snorkeling at Los Arcos de Mismaloya is included, along with a short introduction to using the equipment.

Are kayaking and paddle equipment included?

Yes. Kayaking and paddle equipment are included in the tour.

Is food included?

Breakfast and onboard snacks are included, along with food served at Playa Las Animas. Extra food and drinks purchased at the beach restaurant are not included.

Is there an open bar?

Yes. An open bar is included on the boat. Extra restaurant drinks at the beach are not included.

Can I visit Quimixto waterfall?

Yes. You can choose a guided 1.5-kilometer walk through the rainforest to Quimixto waterfall, where swimming is possible.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children from zero through age two are free, and most people can participate. The tour provider also allows service animals.