Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – “Vallarta”

This once sleepy fishing village is now one of the hottest tourist destinations in Mexico, so take a break from the beaches and explore the several amazing spots to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta.

Originally established as a port town to support mining operations in the Sierras, Puerto Vallarta (or “PV”) is now one of the most recognizable beach resorts of Mexico. This one-time sleepy fishing port is now the second most visited destination in all of Mexico, just behind Cancun, with over five million visitors per year. Its pristine beaches and year-round sunny weather, it’s on top of many travelers’ wish lists.

But aside from the pristine beaches and the boardwalk, known as Malecon, there are great snorkeling spots at Puerto Vallarta. Some are well known attractions with lots of traffic. But there are couple hidden gems in there as well, both onshore and off-shore. Let’s go over the main spots to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta.

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Puerto Vallarta Travel Profile

Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling Profile:

• Water Visibility: Decent. Pacific Ocean does not have the clearest waters but off-shore can get quite clear.
• Current Strength: Below Average. But from Punta Mita in the northwest to Sayulita in the north, currents get very strong.
• Coral Presence: Decent coral presence off-shore, but just sandy bottoms all around the beaches.
• Marine Life: Great marine life, one of the main reasons why snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta rocks.
• Crowd: It gets very crowded at the beaches – it is one of the most visited spots in the world after all – but you may find some peace off-shore.

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Getting There:

Closest Airport:

• Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport – 1 mile away, 10 minutes
  • Key Airlines: Volaris, American, Delta, Southwest, United

Closest Major City: Guadalajara

• While the two cities are located in the same state, Jalisco, it takes about five and half hours by car one way. It is highly recommended to fly if you wish to visit Guadalajara during your trip. However, the town of Tequila, the home of the namesake alcohol, is on the way so it can be a nice detour if you are traveling via car.

Preferred Transportation to Destination: Flight

• Puerto Vallarta has a modern airport with destinations to key cities across North America and Mexico. In addition, due to the ongoing drug war in Mexico, best to not take a chance on the raods and fly straight to PV.

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Where to Go Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta

Generally, many do not consider snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta to be one of the must-do experiences in this tourism hotspot. Caribbean destinations offer much more visibility underwater than Pacific Ocean locations, as the Pacific generates higher force on its tides. But that does not mean PV has nothing to offer. Far from it. There are various locations that provide great variety of marine life and corals for snorkelers to enjoy. There are two notable areas to snorkel in Puerto Vallarta: Islas Marietas and Las Caletas.

Islas Marietas

Islas Marietas National Park is approximately twenty miles off the coast of Puerto Vallarta. These uninhabited islands are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. The only way to reach the islands is via commercial boats, and there will be several to choose from. The trip to Islas Marietas will take approximately 30 minutes from the port of Puerto Vallarta and the total cost per adult shouldn’t exceed $60.

According to National Parks of Mexico, there are over 44 species of wildlife and fauna found in the islands. The marine life here is abundant as the Mexican government is very strict on protecting the conditions of the national park. Therefore the islands are largely unspoiled and that makes it a great place to snorkel.

A trip to Islas Marietas usually involves whale and dolphin watching, snorkeling around the islands, and a visit to the Hidden Beach. All three are amazing activities that all should partake in. While dolphin watching is year-round, whale watching is seasonal and can be unbelievable to watch. A visit to the Hidden Beach makes for a great photo-op. And of course, snorkeling is an amazing way to look at all the marine life in the area up close.

As mentioned earlier, the visibility in Puerto Vallarta and overall in the Pacific Ocean is not comparable to those in the Caribbean. But on a good day, you will have clear waters and can see up to 40-60 feet. In addition, the sheer volume of marine life here makes the experience worth it. Notable Marine Life: Pufferfish, king angelfish, butterflyfish, starfish, octopus

Beaches South of Puerto Vallarta

Aside from Isla Marietas, you can try your luck snorkeling at one of the hundreds of beaches along the cost south of Puerto Vallarta. Some notable beaches are for snorkeling are Las Caletas, Boca de Tomatlan, and Mismaloya. This general area is about fifteen miles south of Puerto Vallarta and near the border to Cabo Corrientes, the municipality just south of PV. Given that most tourism occurs near downtown PV, the beaches here are relatively undisturbed.

Las Caletas may be the ideal choice for those seeking a diverse experience throughout the day. Once the home of noted director John Huston, this beach is only accessible via boat (approximately one hour ride) and primarily operated by Vallarta Adventures.

Since only Vallarta Adventures provide access, you will have to buy their package to get to Las Caletas, which include all types of adventures, such as zip lining, water slide, and paddle boating. So snorkeling will be a part of the experience rather than the only. A small warning though for diehard snorkelers – there have been times in which the crew cancelled snorkeling activities due to swarms of jellyfish covering the area.

Boca de Tomatlan and Mismaloya are two fishing villages along the highway 200 which hugs the coast south of Puerto Vallarta. Both towns have beach areas in which you can snorkel in. Waters are a bit calmer in Boca de Tomatlan as it is located deep in a narrow gulf. Paddle boats are more popular in Mismaloya, while snorkeling and other aquatic activities are more common in Boca de Tomatlan. Do not expect much from these areas, but if you are in the area with some time, it could be a fun activity to do.

Recommended Itinerary:

Take half-day to visit Islas Marietas, which is the best place to go snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta. Given that many do not venture south of the city very much, it will not be an efficient use of time to visit the villages just for snorkeling. Las Caletas is a great destination for families or those seeking a diverse adventure, so snorkeling can be added to the activity list there if you are visiting.

Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta Rating: 4/5 Snorkels