THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend a day from Yelapa exploring two of the Bay of Banderas’ standout dive sites: a deep wall at Los Arcos and the life-rich pinnacles near Majahuitas. This two-tank trip pairs dramatic underwater geology with accessible marine life viewing for certified divers.
Spend a day from Yelapa exploring two of the Bay of Banderas’ standout dive sites: a deep wall at Los Arcos and the life-rich pinnacles near Majahuitas. This two-tank trip pairs dramatic underwater geology with accessible marine life viewing for certified divers.
A motorboat slips away from Yelapa’s palm-lined shore and the bay opens like a bright page. Salt air pushes at your face as guides sort tanks and fit masks; the boat hum recedes and the ocean begins to work on your attention. Your first descent eases along a steep wall — currents nudging, rock faces dropping away — before you pause over pinnacles alive with colorful sponges and darting fish.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Sebastian Briones · Yelapa, Jalisco
A motorboat slips away from Yelapa’s palm-lined shore and the bay opens like a bright page. Salt air pushes at your face as guides sort tanks and fit masks; the boat hum recedes and the ocean begins to work on your attention. Your first descent eases along a steep wall — currents nudging, rock faces dropping away — before you pause over pinnacles alive with colorful sponges and darting fish.
The Bay of Banderas has long been a corridor for Pacific currents that shape dramatic underwater walls and volcanic outcrops. Los Arcos de Mismaloya formed from ancient lava flows and coralline growth; their arches and canyons channel nutrient-rich water that draws fish, rays and occasional sea turtles. Yelapa itself is a small fishing village with a history of boat traffic and artisanal nets, and its sheltered cove has long been a gateway for divers exploring the bay’s biodiversity.
Expect two tank dives with a 20–40 minute surface interval: the first on a deep wall or canyon, the second around pinnacles and shallower rock gardens where life concentrates. Visibility varies with season and swell but often runs 10–30 meters in the dry season.
Practical notes: bring your certification card, a current medical clearance if needed, and check weight/boot size details when booking. Hydrate before boarding, secure belongings in a dry bag, and plan to be back on land by late afternoon. The day combines boat travel, moderate physical effort and extended time in salt water — the payoff is close-up access to some of the bay’s most dramatic underwater structures.
moderate.
5 hours.
Moderate level of fitness; you should be comfortable swimming and moving gear on a small boat.
Yes — evidence of dive certification is required for certified divers; check with the operator about guided or intro options if you are not certified.
Minimum ages vary by operator; children and junior divers are accepted with appropriate certification—confirm during booking.
Trips may be canceled for bad weather or insufficient travelers; the operator’s policy usually allows a full refund if canceled 24+ hours before departure.
Many boats depart from Puerto Vallarta or nearby coves; public transport and boat transfers to Yelapa are available—verify the pickup location and time when you book.
Los Arcos and nearby rock formations are volcanic in origin and have been used for decades by local fishermen; Yelapa developed as a fishing hamlet reached primarily by water.
The bay’s reefs are sensitive to anchors and sunscreen chemicals—use mooring buoys where available and reef-safe products, and avoid touching coral.
Sebastian Briones operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A motorboat slips away from Yelapa’s palm-lined shore and the bay opens like a bright page. Salt air pushes at your face as guides sort tanks and fit masks; the boat hum recedes and the ocean begins to work on your attention. Your first descent eases along a steep wall — currents nudging, rock faces dropping away — before you pause over pinnacles alive with colorful sponges and darting fish.
A motorboat slips away from Yelapa’s palm-lined shore and the bay opens like a bright page. Salt air pushes at your face as guides sort tanks and fit masks; the boat hum recedes and the ocean begins to work on your attention. Your first descent eases along a steep wall — currents nudging, rock faces dropping away — before you pause over pinnacles alive with colorful sponges and darting fish.
The Bay of Banderas has long been a corridor for Pacific currents that shape dramatic underwater walls and volcanic outcrops. Los Arcos de Mismaloya formed from ancient lava flows and coralline growth; their arches and canyons channel nutrient-rich water that draws fish, rays and occasional sea turtles. Yelapa itself is a small fishing village with a history of boat traffic and artisanal nets, and its sheltered cove has long been a gateway for divers exploring the bay’s biodiversity.
Expect two tank dives with a 20–40 minute surface interval: the first on a deep wall or canyon, the second around pinnacles and shallower rock gardens where life concentrates. Visibility varies with season and swell but often runs 10–30 meters in the dry season.
Practical notes: bring your certification card, a current medical clearance if needed, and check weight/boot size details when booking. Hydrate before boarding, secure belongings in a dry bag, and plan to be back on land by late afternoon. The day combines boat travel, moderate physical effort and extended time in salt water — the payoff is close-up access to some of the bay’s most dramatic underwater structures.