Two snorkel stops, big fish payoff. I like the two snorkel sessions and the calm, guided way you get kitted up and into the water. I also like the small-group cap of 10, which makes this feel more personal than most PV tours. One catch to plan for: lunch is only included if you select the meal option when booking.

This is a 5.5-hour outing built around a simple idea: get you out past the easy shoreline and give you enough time to actually see sea life. Guides like Elian and captains like Brian make a difference here, because they’re focused on safety and on helping you enjoy the water, not rushing you through it.

Key Highlights Worth Booking For

• Two snorkel stops (up to ~30 minutes each): time to breathe, relax, and actually look around.
• Helpful setup in the water: if you’re new to snorkeling, you’ll get real hands-on help.
• Boat ride with shade and coastal spotting: you get views without roasting in the sun.
• Hidden-beach style stops: a quieter beach break on the way back for coconuts and drinks.
• Small group vibe: max 10 people, so you’re not lost in a crowd.
• Boat captain who snorkels: that matters for spotting what’s happening underwater.

Boca de Tomatlán Start: Bus Ride Views and a Low-Key Waiting Spot

You meet at C. Constitución 363 in the Zona Romántica area. From there, the tour starts with a bus ride to Boca de Tomatlán. This part sounds simple, but it sets the tone. The road winds through lush tropical scenery as you work your way down toward the coast, and you get a quick sense of why Puerto Vallarta feels so alive away from the beachfront strip.

Once you reach Boca, you walk a few meters from the stop to the beach area. There’s a short pause while the boat gets ready. This is not a stressful wait. You’ll relax at a restaurant table with a view of the harbor. You don’t have to buy anything while you wait, but it’s a nice moment to settle in and watch local life go by.

This start matters because the day moves in two gears: travel and water. If you arrive calm, you’ll enjoy both.

Boat Time Toward Yelapa: Easy Coastal Riding and “Hidden Beach” Sight Lines

After the boat is ready, you head south along the coastline toward Yelapa for about 20 to 30 minutes. This is where the coast turns into a view you can’t get from the road. The guide points out various hidden beaches along the way, so the ride turns into part sightseeing, part orientation.

One small detail that feels big: the boat has a cover. That means you can find shade instead of frying. And the pace is steady. You’re not doing a sprint; you’re cruising, spotting shoreline, and preparing for snorkeling.

If you’re the type who likes to plan ahead, this is the moment to think about comfort. Bring sun protection for later (you’ll be outside), and if you wear prescription glasses or contacts, make sure you’re comfortable with how you’ll handle them in the water.

Snorkel Stop 1 at Majahuitas Beach: Your First Underwater Look

The first snorkeling stop is Majahuitas Beach. You’ll get snorkeling equipment, including a snorkel tube and fins, plus a life jacket. The “up to ~30 minutes” time window is real value. It gives you enough minutes to adjust, find your rhythm, and start noticing fish behavior instead of only getting your face wet and then leaving.

What I like about this kind of first stop is that it breaks the tension. Many people are nervous their first time snorkeling, and having a guide who pays attention to safety helps a lot. In real trips on this route, guides like Elian are patient about setup, and they’re focused on making sure you can get in and out safely.

What you might see here can vary, but the pattern is clear: you’re not just looking at one or two fish. People have seen king angelfish and other species close enough to feel like the ocean is watching you back. If you’ve snorkeled before, you’ll still probably enjoy the fact that this tour doesn’t feel like it’s trying to rush you to a checkbox.

If you’re new, don’t try to swim like you’re escaping the boat. Slow kicks work. Look slightly downward and around the path you’re swimming, not straight at the surface.

Snorkel Stop 2 at Playa Colomitos: Second Round, More Variety

Your second snorkeling spot is Playa Colomitos. You’ll get another up to ~30 minutes. This second session is where the tour often turns from good to memorable, because you’re no longer fighting your own gear and nerves. You can focus on fish shapes, shadows, and movement.

In some trips, snorkeling results were described as exceeding expectations, with fish swimming very close and other creatures showing up in interesting ways—like an eel and even a sea cucumber. People have also reported seeing things like starfish and a baby conch during the snorkel time.

There’s also a seasonal extra some visitors talk about: hearing whale songs underwater. This isn’t something you can count on, and nothing here guarantees whales. But if you happen to be there when the ocean is active, it can add a surreal layer to the experience.

This is the moment to take a breath and enjoy the quiet. Even with fish nearby, the underwater soundscape can feel oddly calm.

The Short Hidden Beach Break: Coconuts, Drinks, and a Reset

On the way back, you stop at one of the favorite hidden beaches for about 30 minutes. This stop is a reset button. You’re out of the water, you can walk a bit, and you get a chance to cool down.

On the beach, you’ll find coconuts and drinks—alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, beer, and water. Some tours also describe coconuts being served with lime and spices, and that part can be a bit of a surprise if you assume it’s included. The tour data says coconut snacks aren’t included, so treat coconut extras as a potential add-on rather than a guaranteed freebie.

If you get motion-sick easily, this beach break helps. Sitting still on land for 30 minutes gives your stomach a chance to settle before the return.

Practical tip: bring a small bag or dry pouch so your phone and camera aren’t swimming with you later. The tour includes water, but you’ll want your own method for keeping valuables safe from sand.

Back to Boca for Your Meal: The Value Depends on Your Booking Choice

After leaving the beach, the tour returns to Boca to eat. The meal part is flexible: there’s an included meal option if you check it before booking.

This is important for value. At $54.36 per person, you’re already getting a boat trip, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, bottled water, and taxes/fees. Adding lunch can be what makes the price feel like a no-stress deal. Skipping it can still be fine if you plan to eat in town afterward, but you’ll want to decide ahead of time so you’re not scrambling.

One restaurant name that comes up in this kind of outing is El Embarcadero, described as right on the water with excellent food like a cheeseburger. Again, you should treat this as the kind of meal experience you might find—not a promise for every day—but it’s a good clue that the stop isn’t just a random place to eat.

Price and Value at $54.36: What You Get, What Costs Extra

Let’s talk money in plain terms. At $54.36 per person, the big value points are:

• Boat trip (not just a ferry, but an actual coastal outing)
• Snorkeling equipment (snorkel tube and fins)
• Life jacket
• Bottled water
• Taxes and fees

What’s not included includes private transportation/bus fare and snacks like coconuts. That lines up with what people often experience: the beach break has drinks and fruit-style treats, but not everything is automatically included.

So the real “value equation” is how you handle extras. If you’re happy buying a coconut or grabbing a paid snack, you’ll keep things simple. If you prefer a strict budget, plan to skip optional beach food and eat your planned lunch.

Also note the tour runs about 5 hours 30 minutes. That length is long enough to feel like a real outing, but short enough to keep the rest of your day free for the Malecon or a good PV meal.

Safety and Comfort: Small-Group Pace, Real Help Getting In and Out

This tour caps at 10 travelers, and that shows up in the way people describe it: calm, patient guidance. A common theme in strong reviews is how much help the guide provides, especially for people who haven’t snorkeled before.

When snorkeling involves getting in and out of the boat and moving around in shallow water, group size matters. In larger groups, you can feel rushed or stuck waiting. In a max-10 setup, you’re more likely to get attention at the moments that count: adjusting gear, stepping carefully, and knowing what to do once you’re in.

The guides also focus on setup and safety, and a helpful touch is that some captains and guides take photos in the water and share them by phone afterward. That’s not a guarantee, but the fact it happens is a nice reminder: they’re paying attention to your experience, not just their schedule.

Who This Snorkeling Tour Is Best For

This Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure fits best if you want:

• Two chances to snorkel without turning the day into a long slog
• A guide that helps you succeed, especially if you’re new
• A boat-first day that mixes views and water time
• A moderate pace with time for a beach break and a meal

You might want to consider a different option if you’re looking for a full-day tour with nonstop activities, or if you don’t want any chance of extra paid items at the beach. Also, since the experience requires good weather, you’ll want to keep your PV plans flexible if forecasts shift.

Should You Book This Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure?

If you’re deciding between “snorkel once” and “snorkel and actually enjoy the day,” I’d book this. The combination of two snorkel stops, provided gear, a life jacket, and a small-group pace is a strong mix for the price. Add in the chance to see interesting sea life, plus the beach reset with coconuts and drinks, and you get a full, satisfying outing without spending the whole day in transit.

My rule of thumb: book it if you’ll take snorkeling seriously for the second visit, not just the first. If you treat both water stops as part of the experience, you’ll likely leave with the kind of PV memory that lasts longer than a beach photo.

FAQ

How long is the Hidden Beach Snorkeling Adventure?

It runs about 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.).

Where do I meet, and does it end there too?

You start at C. Constitución 363, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

You’ll be provided with snorkeling equipment, including a snorkel tube and fins, plus a life jacket.

How many snorkeling stops are there?

There are 2 snorkeling places, with up to about 30 minutes at each stop.

Is lunch included?

There is an included meal option if you select it before booking. Otherwise, the tour returns to Boca to eat, but the data notes the included meal depends on your booking choice.

What extra costs should I expect?

Snacks like coconuts are listed as not included, and bus fare/private transportation is also not included. Drinks and water are available at the beach stop.