Three stops. One long water day.

This Puerto Vallarta snorkeling cruise ties together Los Arcos, Las Ánimas beach time, and the Quimixto area, with the kind of fast pacing that lets you see a lot without booking multiple tours. You get a full day on the water in a comfortable catamaran, plus breakfast and lunch, snorkeling gear, and a boat bar that keeps things lively.

What I like most is the mix of activities in the same ticket. On board, you can work up an appetite with the breakfast and then switch gears to the water with snorkeling, included kayaks, and a paddle board that requires prior reservation. The second big win is the onboard “all-inclusive” feel: national open bar options, lifevests, music, and a crew that stays busy keeping the day fun.

The main drawback to plan for: the underwater time and visibility can vary a lot. When water is murky or when the group is large in the snorkel area, you may not get the clear, long, wildlife-filled snorkeling you hoped for.

Key highlights to know before you go

• Open bar on the boat plus breakfast and lunch so you are not constantly hunting for meals
• Los Arcos snorkeling with provided gear and lifevests, even if time in the water can be short
• Kayaks included, plus paddle boards with prior reservation
• Las Ánimas beach break with plenty of vendors and extra-pay options on site
• Quimixto waterfall hike option for those who want a real uphill outing
• English is offered, but you may hear a lot of Spanish during the day depending on the moment

Where You Start: Puerto Mágico and a 9:15 Departure

Your day kicks off at Puerto Mágico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Zona Hotelera Norte. Check-in starts with the usual pre-departure bustle, but the schedule is simple: the cruise is set to start around 9:15 am, and it returns you back to the same meeting point.

Plan to arrive a bit early with your stuff ready to go. This kind of day runs on lines and loading, and once you’re on the water you will feel how quickly time adds up. Also, bring a small day bag you can carry easily. A common theme from guest feedback is that you should stay hydrated because the humidity in Puerto Vallarta can be real even when you are wearing sunscreen and acting like you are fine.

If you are prone to motion sickness, this is a good time to prep. You are in and out of different boats during the day, and your ride rhythm is part of the experience, so make that work for you instead of against you.

Breakfast, Lunch, and the Open Bar: Good Value If You Stay On-Board

This is not just a “snack and go” trip. You get continental breakfast on the catamaran and a lunch service later in the day, with options listed like fish fillet, chicken fajitas, roast beef quesadillas, plus more buffet-style items. The exact spread can feel simple, but the value is that you do not have to plan a meal around your snorkeling time.

Then there is the open bar. On the boat, you can get rum, tequila, vodka, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water. Several guests describe the return trip as turning into a party atmosphere, which makes sense: add a moving boat, music, and free-flowing drinks and you get a louder vibe than you would at a quiet reef tour.

One more thing that matters for budget: the all-inclusive part is mostly on the boat and through the meals included in the plan. Once you are dropped on land, some places and activities become pay-as-you-go. If you show up with a spending plan and some cash, you stay relaxed.

Los Arcos Snorkeling: The Main Event (and Why Timing Matters)

Los Arcos is the headline for a reason. This is where most people want to be: calm-ish water in a protected marine zone, good places to look for fish and coral, and a short window where you can really feel like your day is about snorkeling.

Here’s the reality check: multiple guests report short snorkeling windows, sometimes closer to 15–30 minutes, and others note murky water that makes it hard to see much beyond the obvious. That does not mean it is never good. It means you should set expectations correctly: this is a multi-stop cruise, so snorkeling is the key activity, but it is not always long.

Another practical detail is how busy the snorkel area can feel. When lots of passengers are in the water at the same time, visibility and space shrink fast. If you are comfortable swimming in crowds, you’ll likely be fine. If you hate getting elbowed, bring that self-knowledge with you and move slowly when you enter.

You get snorkeling equipment included, and lifevests are provided. In at least one guest report, there was also a mention of a gear deposit and the need for an ID/key or cash deposit. So I recommend you bring your ID and a backup plan just in case they ask for something at the gear desk.

Kayaks and Paddle Boards: Included Fun With Reservation and Limitations

This cruise leans active. You get kayaks included, and you can also use a paddle board with prior reservation. That’s a nice setup because it gives you more than one way to enjoy the water if visibility is not great.

The catch is that conditions and scheduling can affect what you actually get to use. Some feedback points to moments where paddle boarding kayaks feel limited when you arrive at the beach area, sometimes due to water roughness or timing. That is not unique to this tour—ocean conditions drive everything—but it matters for your expectations.

If paddle boarding is your priority, do two things:

1) Reserve early when the option is available.

2) Have a Plan B so the day still feels worth it even if you only get a short session.

Also, if you are new to either kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding, keep your first strokes simple. The water can be busy, and the goal here is fun, not hero moves. Lifevests help, and the included gear removes friction if you are not bringing your own.

Las Ánimas Beach Time: Pretty Views, Tourist Timing, and Cash Needs

After the water portion, you land at Las Ánimas, which is where the day can feel like a classic beach stop: time to relax, optional activities, and plenty of vendors floating around with offers.

A few guests call out a big theme: there can be waiting around before or during the lunch window, and lunch may be tied to a specific restaurant moment. The beach itself can be nice, but this is not a quiet, private cove where you just stretch out and forget time.

Food and drinks on land can also require extra spending. You may be encouraged to buy drinks or snacks on site, and you may need cash depending on what the beach businesses accept. If you want to sit somewhere, relax, and not constantly calculate prices, bring some money for the beach portion.

If you’re thinking, I came for snorkeling fish—this is where you have to decide how to enjoy the rest. I like to treat Las Ánimas as your recovery stop: hydrate, eat your included meal calmly, and only buy extras if it matches your mood.

Quimixto Waterfall Hike: Worth It for Some, Optional for Others

This is the part of the day that shows up in the most enthusiastic stories. The Quimixto waterfall hike gets described as hard but rewarding, with uphill walking and a sense of payoff once you reach the destination area.

If you like active travel, you’ll probably enjoy it. Guests describe it as a true workout, not a gentle stroll. It can also be an emotional contrast to the boat and the water: a chance to get off the catamaran, get your steps in, and see something that feels a little more “real” than just another beach.

But there are also practical things to know. Access to waterfall-related areas may involve purchases at the on-site restaurant area. In at least a couple accounts, guests said they were expected to pay for drink/entry style access if they wanted certain options around the pool or to settle in near the waterfall zone.

Here’s how I’d approach it: decide before you go whether the waterfall is a must-do. If it is, bring a bit of cash and wear shoes you are okay getting wet or muddy. If it is not, you can still enjoy the beach portion instead of forcing the hike.

Crew Energy, Music, and the Party-Boating Effect

One reason this tour gets mixed but often fun reviews is the energy on board. The crew runs a busy ship: guides, bilingual support, and plenty of music. Some guests even mention karaoke and a dance-forward atmosphere on the return.

That can be a plus if you like a lively group day. It can be annoying if you want quiet and ocean peace. Also, do not assume equal English at every single moment. The day is set up for bilingual guidance, but in practice some information on board may lean heavily Spanish during certain phases.

I’d treat the guides as helpers for the critical stuff: when you’re getting off, what gear you need, and how to manage the water activities safely. For anything detailed, if you are unsure, ask early rather than waiting until you are already in the chaos of boarding or snorkeling prep.

Price and Logistics: Does $75.93 Really Deliver?

At about $75.93 per person for roughly 8 hours, this cruise can be a strong value if you want one-ticket convenience. You are paying for boat transportation in a catamaran, meals (breakfast and lunch), snorkeling equipment, lifevests, kayaking, and an open bar on board.

That sounds like a lot because it is. For a lot of visitors, the money question is really this: will I get enough “day value” out of the included parts? If your snorkeling time lines up with good visibility, and if you enjoy the beach and hike options, it can feel like a steal.

The “watch outs” for value:

• Dock tax is not included (listed as MX$32.00 per person).
• Some extra activities are not included (banana boat is listed with a separate cost).
• Beach spending is often your responsibility, especially for drinks and certain access at the on-site restaurant area.

So my rule is simple: buy this if you want a busy full-day mix and you accept that snorkeling time might be shorter than a dedicated snorkel-only tour. Skip it if underwater visibility and long guided snorkel sessions are your top priority.

What to Pack for a Smooth Catamaran Day

You’ll be happier with the right basics. Here’s what I’d bring based on how days like this tend to go and what guests specifically recommend:

• Water and a small backup bottle. Humidity hits, and you’ll forget to drink while you’re busy.
• Sea sickness support if you get motion sick. One review is blunt about how many people get sick on these rides.
• Cash for Las Ánimas and any waterfall access or optional add-ons.
• ID and/or anything the company might ask for as a gear deposit backup.
• Snorkel-friendly swim gear like rash guard or swim shirt if you burn easily.
• A small backpack or day bag you can keep with you, especially during loading and gear handling.

Also, consider a quick-dry towel and a way to keep your electronics dry. You’re moving between boats and beaches, so water splashes are part of the day.

Who Should Book This Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, Quimixto Cruise?

This tour fits best if you want:

• An all-in-one day with snorkeling + water activities + beach time
• A lively atmosphere with an open bar on the catamaran
• Options to stay active (kayaks, paddle board) and choose your effort level (waterfall hike vs beach time)

It is probably not your best match if you:

• Want long, guided snorkeling with clear visibility as the main goal
• Hate crowds in the water and in boarding areas
• Don’t want to handle extra spending on land for drinks or access

One more practical note: this cruise is described as having a maximum of 40 travelers, which sounds manageable. Still, even with a smaller group, snorkeling sites can feel packed because everyone enters the same water area at roughly the same time.

Should You Book It?

If you want a fast, fun Puerto Vallarta day that combines marine life time, beach downtime, and a chance at a Quimixto waterfall, I’d say go for it—especially at this price point. The best moments on this style of tour tend to be the crew energy, the onboard food and drinks, and the feeling that you did multiple highlights in one day.

But if your vacation hinges on seeing tons of fish for a long stretch in crystal-clear water, treat this as a mixed-outcome snorkeling day. You may get great conditions, or you may get murky water and short windows.

My call: book it if you want variety and you’re okay with imperfect snorkeling conditions. Book something else if snorkeling clarity is non-negotiable for you.

FAQ

How long is the cruise?

The tour is listed at about 8 hours.

What time does it start, and where do I meet?

Start time is 9:15 am. You meet at Puerto Mágico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, and lifevests are provided.

Are kayaks and paddle boards included?

Kayaks are included. A paddle board is included with prior reservation.

Is the open bar included?

Yes. The national open bar is on the boat and includes options like tequila, rum, vodka, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water.

What extra costs are not included?

Dock tax is not included (MX$32.00 per person). Banana boat is also listed as not included (MX$500.00 per person).

What is the cancellation refund policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling within 24 hours does not receive a refund.