A day on the water beats a day in a bus line. This Puerto Vallarta cruise is built to hit Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, and Quimixto without you having to arrange separate trips, with snacks, an open bar, and water time baked into the schedule. You get the catamaran ride, plus chances for snorkeling and more active options like kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding.

I like the fact that breakfast and lunch are part of the price, not an afterthought. You also get an onboard open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, beer, and soft drinks, which makes the long day feel like a real outing instead of a transit day.

One drawback to weigh: the snorkeling portion and water visibility can vary a lot, and the boat day can feel crowded and schedule-heavy when delays happen. If your main goal is clear reef snorkeling for a long time, go in with realistic expectations.

Key things to know before you go

• All-day “combo” itinerary: Los Arcos, Las Ánimas, and Quimixto in about 8 hours, all from one meeting point.
• Open bar on the boat: Drinks are included while you’re cruising, with multiple spirits plus beer and juice/water.
• Snorkeling time isn’t guaranteed: The reef stop may be short depending on conditions and timing, and visibility isn’t always great.
• More water activities, but plan for limits: Kayaks are included, and paddle boarding depends on prior reservation and availability.
• Waterfall area involves a restaurant setup: You may face extra spending or rules at the waterfall stop, even if the tour itself is sold as all-inclusive.
• Language mix is real: English is offered, but Spanish is common onboard, so go ready to follow along even if translation is limited.

What This Catamaran Cruise Includes (and what it doesn’t)

This is sold as all-inclusive while on the water and during the included meal stops, with the core experience starting at 9:15am at Puerto Mágico Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the northern hotel zone. You’re back at the meeting point at the end, so you don’t have to think about getting stranded on a beach.

From the included list, you can expect these basics: maritime transport by catamaran, a continental breakfast, snorkeling equipment, lifevests, and onboard insurance. You’ll also have kayaks available, plus stand-up paddle boarding with prior reservation. There’s music and crew-led fun onboard, and the tour provides bilingual guides (though in practice, you may still hear a lot more Spanish than English during parts of the day).

What’s not included is just as important for planning. There’s a dock tax for Los Arcos National Marine Park (MX$32 per person). Banana boat rides (and other add-ons like that) are not included, and ground transportation is not included either.

If you’re trying to budget, this means your $75.93 covers a big chunk of the day—but you should still carry some cash for the dock tax and for the optional “stuff” that shows up at beach areas.

Meeting Point, Start Time, and the Reality of an 8-Hour Day

The tour starts at 9:15am. The meeting point is at Puerto Mágico (Zona Hotelera Nte.). The operator says it’s about 8 hours in total, and the tour ends back where it begins.

This matters because day tours like this live or die on timing. Even when everything is planned, you’ll feel the day stretched by check-in, boarding, moving between boats, and time spent at stops. Several reviews highlight waiting around (especially when it’s humid), so I’d treat this like a full day outdoors.

My practical advice: bring water (even if drinks are included on the boat), wear a hat, and pack a small layer you can tolerate getting wet. If you’re prone to motion sickness, plan for that too. A couple people noted they got sea sick, and that’s a smart warning to take seriously.

Los Arcos Snorkel Stop: Great When Visibility Cooperates

Los Arcos is the headline name, and it’s the part most people think of when they book. The tour provides snorkeling equipment and lifevests, and you’re on the water in a catamaran with a crew and guides managing the group.

Here’s the tricky part: the underwater experience depends heavily on water clarity and timing. Some people report murky water where you can’t see much beyond short distances. Others describe the area like an aquarium when conditions are better. Both can be true in different weather windows.

Also, plan for the snorkeling window to be shorter than what your brain expects when you hear “snorkel cruise.” Even if the tour is advertised as a full day, the actual reef time can be limited by group logistics, ocean conditions, and how the crew handles departures.

What to do with that info:

• Don’t book this expecting hour-after-hour reef snorkeling.
• Go to Los Arcos for the chance to see what’s there when visibility is good.
• Bring your expectations down a notch if you’re traveling in a season or time of day when the water turns green or cloudy.

If snorkeling is your #1 priority, you’ll still likely enjoy the day for the scenery and the overall vibe. Just don’t anchor your whole trip around seeing tons of fish up close for a long stretch.

Las Ánimas Beach Time: Where the Adventure Gets Switchy

After Los Arcos, you’ll head toward Las Ánimas, where the day shifts from “active water” to beach time. Las Ánimas is where people talk about relaxing, taking in the view, and deciding what activities they want.

This is also where the tour can feel like two different experiences, depending on what you choose to do. Some people focus on water activities, while others are okay hanging out on the sand or under umbrellas.

A few practical cautions:

• Paddle boarding and kayaking are tied to availability and scheduling, and there can be limits if conditions aren’t ideal or if groups overlap.
• The beach setup can feel like a tourist zone with vendors and extra spending opportunities. Even if your tour ticket includes the main meals and drinks on the boat, the beach environment may encourage add-ons.

I like Las Ánimas as a mid-day change of pace. It breaks up the motion of the ocean ride. But if you’re hoping for lots of quiet downtime, you should know this stop can get crowded.

If you’re sensitive to rough logistics, aim for a calm mindset: you’ll likely spend time waiting for groups to assemble and for activities to start. Pack snacks or plan to rely on the included lunch rather than assuming you’ll be able to buy something easily.

Quimixto Waterfall Hike and Swim: The Climb People Remember

Quimixto is where the tour often turns from “nice day on the water” into “this is why I came.” The hike and the swim around the waterfall area are the part many people describe as worth it.

Expect a real climb. Some reviews describe it as hard going up, but also say it’s worth the effort for the scenery and the experience. If you can handle stairs and uneven paths, you’ll probably feel proud once you reach the top and get to the water.

Where it gets complicated is the waterfall access area. There’s a restaurant right at the entrance to the waterfall zone, and rules there can vary depending on the setup and staff on duty. Some people report needing to buy drinks or food to use the waterfall pool area. Others report that access wasn’t charged in the way they feared.

So I wouldn’t treat this like a guaranteed “free-for-all.” Bring some cash and be ready to buy a drink if the staff asks. That keeps you from turning an exciting part of the day into an argument.

Also, remember: if you skip the waterfall hike, you may lose the most memorable moment of the itinerary. That doesn’t mean it’s wrong to skip—it just means you’re choosing the beach-only version of this day trip.

Food and Open Bar: Included, but Not Always “Wow”

The included food setup is simple: hot-cakes and coffee, eggs, fruit, juice, plus a lunch that’s included at the restaurant stop. You’ll also have soda/pop with the meal plan on the included side.

On the open bar side, the tour lists an onboard national open bar with tequila, rum, vodka, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water. That’s a real perk because it makes the boat portion feel like a party day.

The balanced truth is this: included food is designed to keep the day moving, not to win a cooking award. A number of people said the lunch was just okay or even disappointing, while a smaller number said the meals were better than they expected.

So here’s my advice: eat breakfast, then approach lunch like a solid fuel stop. If you’re picky, bring a small snack for later, or plan to eat elsewhere if the included meal doesn’t hit your taste.

If you’re drinking, slow down. The mix of sun, salt air, and time on a crowded catamaran can hit harder than you expect. A few reviews mention people getting very inebriated, which affects the overall comfort level onboard.

Crowds, Comfort, and the “Packed Boat” Factor

This cruise can feel full. The operator lists a maximum of 40 travelers, but the vibe on the water can still be tight because boarding, seating, and moving through stops all add up. People described lawn chair seating and difficulty moving, especially if the boat is busy.

That matters because discomfort turns “fun” into “annoying” fast. If you’re tall or you don’t love being shoulder-to-shoulder, bring a small cushion, wear supportive shoes, and keep your patience dialed in.

There are also occasional reports of bathroom issues and blocked access during rougher moments or when something happens onboard. You can’t control that. But you can control your prep: use the restroom before key transitions, and don’t wait until the last second.

Finally, remember that translations and instructions aren’t always equally clear for everyone. Some reviews mention English communication being limited, while the onboard messaging leans Spanish-heavy. If you speak a little Spanish, it helps. If not, just stay flexible and listen for the core instructions: when to board, when to gear up, and when you’re moving to the next stop.

Sea Conditions, Gear Availability, and Safety Notes

The ocean is not predictable. Visibility can shift. Seas can get choppy. And when water is rough, activity availability can change fast—especially for gear-based options.

Some people reported shortages of snorkeling gear, and others reported not being able to get a kayak when they wanted it. That’s why I recommend you treat the included activities as opportunities, not promises.

You can improve your odds by arriving early for check-in, staying calm if there’s a delay, and being proactive about your needs. If you’re missing something basic like a mask or snorkel, speak up quickly so the crew can solve it before everyone’s already in the water.

Safety-wise, you’re wearing a lifevest and you get guidance. Still, if water is crowded in the snorkeling area or the visibility is extremely low, take it slow. Don’t force fast swimming just because others are going. If you don’t feel comfortable, it’s okay to shift to just observing from the surface.

If you have motion sickness, consider bringing medication. Reviews also flagged sea sickness as a real issue.

Price and Value: Does $75.93 Make Sense?

At $75.93 per person, this is priced like a value combo day. You’re paying for a full itinerary with transport, equipment, meals, and an open bar onboard. For many people, the combination of open bar plus multiple destinations is exactly what makes it feel worth it.

But here’s the balancing view: because snorkeling time and underwater visibility can be limited, you’re not paying solely for reef time. You’re paying for the whole “day trip package,” including beach time and the Quimixto hike.

To get value out of it, you should:

• Want more than one scenery stop in a single day.
• Be okay with snorkeling that may be short or that may be more about the experience than the world-class fish viewing.
• Enjoy the social vibe of a larger group cruise, plus the included drinks on the boat.

You might not love it if you’re the type who wants a calm, quiet, English-first guided snorkeling experience for hours. In that case, you’ll probably be happier with a smaller snorkeling-focused option.

Who Should Book This Cruise (and who should skip it)

This tour is a good fit if you want a mixed adventure day: sailing, snorkeling as a highlight, plus the Quimixto waterfall element that tends to become the memory-maker.

It also suits families with older kids who can hike and swim safely and who don’t mind that the day runs like a group schedule, not a private tour.

Skip it if:

• Snorkeling clarity and long reef time are your top priority.
• You need consistent English-only guidance.
• You hate crowded seating and long waiting around between activities.
• You’re very sensitive to motion sickness or rough seas.

If you’re “food-and-fun” oriented and treat snorkeling like part of the day rather than the whole deal, this cruise can work well.

Should You Book Los Arcos, Las Ánimas and Quimixto?

I’d book it if your goal is a fun, action-filled day that mixes boat time, beach time, and a Quimixto waterfall moment, with meals and drinks handled while you’re on the water. For the price, the “combo” is a solid deal.

I would hold off if your expectations are locked to long, clear snorkeling. Your underwater view might be amazing or might be limited by murk and timing. In that case, you’ll enjoy the scenery, but you could leave a bit frustrated.

FAQ

What time does this Puerto Vallarta snorkel cruise start?

The tour starts at 9:15am.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You meet at Puerto Mágico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

How long is the tour?

It’s listed as about 8 hours.

Are breakfast, lunch, and drinks included?

Yes. You get a continental breakfast and lunch, and there is an open bar on the boat with tequila, rum, vodka, beer, soft drinks, juice, and water.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included, along with lifevests.

Are kayaks and paddle boards included?

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

What extra costs should I expect?

The dock tax for Los Arcos National Marine Park (MX$32.00 per person) is not included, and banana boat rides are also not included.

Is this tour offered in English?

It is offered in English, and it includes bilingual guides.