Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta Undersea Arcos or Marietas

Puerto Vallarta’s best underwater scenery lies beyond the marina, where Los Arcos and the Marietas Islands offer very different kinds of sea life and seascape. The trip may bring dolphins, turtles, manta rays, whales, octopus, reef sharks, and clouds of smaller fish, though visibility and wildlife depend on the day.

I like the patient, hands-on crew, especially guides such as Eric, Carlos, and Nahum, and I like that beginners can receive extra help rather than being rushed. The boat carries a small group of up to 14 people, and the price includes equipment, lunch, park permits, water, and conservation fees. The main drawback is changing water clarity: Los Arcos can be murky, and the ride to Marietas can feel long if the sea is rough.

Key points to know before booking

• Los Arcos suits new and returning scuba participants: Shallow areas reach about 20 feet, while more advanced sites go much deeper.
• Marietas requires certification: You can snorkel there without scuba certification, but certified status is required for the scuba portion.
• Wildlife is part of the journey: Dolphins, whales, turtles, manta rays, octopus, reef sharks, and even a baby crocodile have been spotted along the way.
• The crew handles the gear: You receive instruction, equipment, and in-water assistance, a major plus for first-time or rusty participants.
• The Hidden Beach costs extra: The optional visit is $25, paid as a cash deposit in the morning, with a refund if weather or availability prevents entry.
• Budget for two extra charges: A beginner scuba class costs $25 per person, and government fees add $6 per person.

Choosing between Los Arcos and Marietas

This outing is best understood as a choice between two Puerto Vallarta water trips rather than a guaranteed visit to both places. Los Arcos lies south of town near Mismaloya, while the Marietas Islands sit farther out in Banderas Bay. Your route depends on the day’s plan, conditions, and the type of underwater visit arranged.

Los Arcos is the easier match for a first scuba outing. The national park has areas around 20 feet deep for practice and certification work, along with deeper walls for experienced and technical participants. The site gives you a chance to learn the basics without feeling that you have been dropped into a demanding ocean setting.

Marietas feels more like a full-day sea adventure, even though the total outing is usually about 4 to 6 hours. The island scenery, bird sanctuary, open-water ride, and chance of seeing whales or dolphins add interest before you even reach the water. Certified participants can explore below the surface, while other people on the boat may snorkel.

The two destinations can produce very different underwater conditions. One outing at Los Arcos had only limited visibility, while another reported visibility of about 30 feet and abundant fish, octopus, puffers, lobsters, and reef sharks. At Marietas, clear water is never guaranteed, but the wider trip gives you more chances to enjoy wildlife above the surface.

Leaving Marina Vallarta at 9 a.m.

The meeting point is Marina del Rey Condominium on Proa 22 in Marina Vallarta. The boat leaves at 9 a.m. and returns to the same place, which keeps the morning simple if you are staying near the marina or can reach it by public transportation.

Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point, complete the paperwork, and sort out any extra fees. The marina can be busy, but the departure location is specific. You will need to sign the usual forms and confirm your participation before boarding.

The boat holds a maximum of 14 people. Actual groups can be smaller, and one outing had four scuba participants plus eight snorkelers. That matters because the crew can give more direct help than you would usually get on a large party boat.

The ride itself is part of the attraction. Near the Ameca River, roughly 10 minutes from departure, you might see dolphins feeding. On the way toward Marietas, winter can bring turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales. Dolphins have also appeared beside the boat on the return trip, including one remarkable sighting of a large group hunting near the vessel.

None of this is guaranteed. Ocean wildlife follows its own schedule, so treat sightings as a bonus rather than part of the paid product. Still, the route gives you a fair chance to see more than the inside of a boat.

What happens before you enter the water

The crew provides scuba equipment, life vests, bottled water, and a box lunch. You do not need to bring your own tank, regulator, or other main gear. One helpful point from the trip reports is that the crew often sets up the equipment and helps lift it out of the water, which is welcome when you are dealing with awkward gear on a moving boat.

You receive an explanation of the equipment, the life jacket, and basic in-water skills. This is especially important at Los Arcos, where all experience levels are accepted. A beginner scuba class costs an additional $25 per person, so include that charge if you have never used scuba gear before.

The instruction is not just a quick safety speech. Participants who felt nervous or struggled with breathing received patient coaching from the guides. Eric was praised for calm, detailed pre-water explanations and steady support below the surface. Carlos also helped less experienced participants who had not used scuba gear for a year or more.

If you have been away from scuba for a long time, a refresher course before your vacation is a sensible choice. The crew can help you on the day, but you will enjoy the outing more if basic breathing, clearing, and equipment skills already feel familiar.

Los Arcos offers a gentle start and deeper options

Los Arcos National Park is the practical choice for beginners and for certified participants who want a shorter ride from Puerto Vallarta. The shallow sections reach about 20 feet and can be used for practice and certification work. More advanced participants can encounter a wall that drops dramatically, with a stated depth of up to 1,600 feet for technical scuba work.

That range makes Los Arcos flexible, but it does not mean every participant reaches the deepest sections. Your guide chooses the area based on experience, conditions, and safety. Ask before boarding which site and depth range are planned so your expectations match the day.

Underwater conditions can shift quickly. Some outings have produced abundant fish, several octopus, puffers, lobsters, and reef sharks. Another had murky water and little to see. This is normal for a coastal site, but it is worth knowing if underwater visibility is your main reason for booking.

The strongest part of Los Arcos is the supervision. Eric, Carlos, and other crew members have been singled out for patient help, careful preparation, and close attention to comfort. That makes this a better fit for a first scuba attempt than a bare-bones operation that expects you to manage everything alone.

Marietas brings scenery, birds, and open-water wildlife

The Marietas trip begins with about an hour on the water before reaching the islands, depending on conditions. During winter, the route can be especially rewarding because whales, turtles, manta rays, and dolphins may appear along the way.

Once you arrive, the crew provides snorkel gear and explains how to use the equipment and life jackets. This portion is useful even if you plan to spend most of your time below the surface, since conditions can change and the boat may include both scuba participants and snorkelers.

The islands are also known for their bird sanctuary and dramatic rock formations. The optional Hidden Beach visit adds another layer, but it is not included in the tour price. The cost is $25, paid as a cash deposit during check-in. If weather or availability prevents the visit, the deposit is returned.

That refund promise is useful because access to the Hidden Beach is not fully within the operator’s control. You should still regard it as an optional extra, not the reason to book the whole outing. The boat trip and time around the islands remain worthwhile even if conditions cancel the beach visit.

Remember the certification rule. You must be a certified scuba participant to use scuba equipment at Marietas. If you are a first-timer, Los Arcos is the more suitable choice for the actual underwater portion, while Marietas can work well for snorkeling and scenery.

Wildlife can make the boat ride as memorable as the scuba

The most unusual feature of this outing is the amount of wildlife you might see before and after the underwater session. Dolphins may appear close to the boat near the river or on the return ride. In winter, humpback whales can pass through Banderas Bay, and one outing even included the haunting sound of whales underwater.

Turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, octopus, lobsters, puffers, and smaller fish have all been reported during these trips. A baby crocodile was also seen swimming in the marina, an odd reminder that the adventure begins before the boat reaches open water.

Bring a phone or camera in a waterproof case if you want your own record. The equipment and lunch are supplied, but underwater photos and videos are not guaranteed. One participant specifically wished the company offered more visual documentation, so do not book this expecting a built-in photo package.

Wildlife sightings can be the highlight of the day, but they are never a substitute for safe planning. The guides may stop the boat when dolphins or whales appear, but the captain still needs to consider sea conditions and the schedule.

What the $125 price really covers

At $125 per person, the basic price is reasonable for a half-day boat outing with scuba equipment and park access. The package includes the boat ride, life vest, scuba gear, bottled water, box lunch, national park permits, the federal CONANP fee, and a conservation donation to Bahia Unida.

That list reduces the number of surprise costs. You are not paying separately for the boat, main gear, and protected-area access after arriving. You still need to add the $25 beginner class if applicable and the $6 government fee per person.

The lunch is functional rather than a major meal. It includes a ham and cheese sandwich and fruit. If you tend to get hungry after time in the water, bring extra food, provided it is easy to carry and allowed by the crew. You should also bring cash for fees and gratuities, although card payment may be possible with a 5 percent credit card charge.

The value is strongest for beginners and rusty certified participants who want equipment setup and personal support. Experienced scuba participants who already own gear and prefer a highly specialized underwater itinerary may find the package less compelling, especially if visibility is poor.

Who should book this Puerto Vallarta outing

I would point first-time scuba participants toward Los Arcos, especially if you feel anxious about breathing underwater or handling the equipment. The shallow practice areas, patient instruction, and small maximum group can make the first attempt less intimidating.

It also suits certified participants returning after a long break. The guides can help you get comfortable again, and the crew takes care of much of the equipment work. A pair of divers who had been away for more than 10 years found a refresher course and in-water guidance useful before returning to the activity.

Marietas is better for certified participants who want a broader day on the bay, with island scenery, birds, snorkeling, and a chance of wildlife encounters along the route. It also works for mixed groups, since some people can snorkel while certified participants use scuba equipment.

The outing is not suitable for anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs. It is also not recommended for people with heart disease or back, spine, or knee problems. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, and the recommended minimum age is 10.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

Plan on roughly 4 to 6 hours from departure to return. One Marietas outing left at 9 a.m. and arrived back around 2 p.m. That makes this easy to fit into a wider Puerto Vallarta schedule, but you should avoid booking a tight afternoon commitment.

The sea controls the day more than the clock does. Poor weather can cancel the trip, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund. The company also needs a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9 a.m. start time. Cancellations and changes inside that 24-hour window are not refundable or accepted. The cutoff uses local Puerto Vallarta time.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want patient instruction, included equipment, and a small-group boat trip rather than a rushed shore-side lesson. Los Arcos is the safer pick for beginners, while certified participants can choose Marietas for island scenery and a longer wildlife-focused ride.

You should pause if perfect visibility or a guaranteed whale, dolphin, or shark sighting is essential. Conditions change, and even a well-run trip can produce murky water. For most people, though, the $125 base price is fair, the extra fees are clear, and the crew support makes this a sensible way to try Puerto Vallarta’s underwater sites.

FAQ

Where does the scuba outing meet?

The meeting point is Marina del Rey Condominium, Proa 22, in Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The outing returns to the same meeting point.

What time does the boat leave?

The scheduled departure time is 9 a.m. The total outing lasts about 4 to 6 hours.

Do I need scuba certification?

You must be certified to use scuba equipment at the Marietas Islands. Los Arcos accepts all scuba experience levels, and a beginner scuba class is available for an additional $25 per person.

Is equipment included?

Yes. The package includes scuba equipment, a life vest, the boat ride, bottled water, and a box lunch. Snorkel gear is also provided when the Marietas itinerary includes snorkeling.

How much does the Hidden Beach visit cost?

The optional Hidden Beach visit costs $25. You pay the deposit in cash during morning check-in, and it is refunded if weather or availability prevents entry.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not refunded. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.