THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Dive into the underwater wonders of National Park Los Arcos just minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Vallarta Surf n' Dive School offers guided trips with all equipment and transport included, bringing you face-to-face with sea turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant tropical fish.
Dive into the underwater wonders of National Park Los Arcos just minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Vallarta Surf n' Dive School offers guided trips with all equipment and transport included, bringing you face-to-face with sea turtles, eagle rays, and vibrant tropical fish.
Book with Vallarta Surf n' Dive School
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Vallarta Surf n' Dive School · Bucerías, Nayarit
Just a short 25-minute boat ride from the vibrant shores of Puerto Vallarta lies National Park Los Arcos, an aquatic playground where dramatic rock formations rise from the sea and marine life flourishes in crystal-clear waters. Vallarta Surf n' Dive School offers a standout diving and snorkeling experience here, welcoming adventurers aged 10 and above. Whether you're slipping beneath the surface for the first time or logging your hundredth dive, Los Arcos delivers a spectrum of underwater encounters that captivate and thrill.
Los Arcos—literally “The Arches”—gets its name from the striking volcanic rock formations that punctuate the bay. These natural arches and cliffs create sheltered swim-throughs and vibrant coral outcrops brimming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and the occasional elusive sea horse. Eagle rays glide gracefully above sandy sea floors, adding to the richness of the marine tableau.
Vallarta Surf n' Dive School provides all gear, including two tanks for extended dives, ensuring comfort and safety from start to finish. Soft drinks and round-trip transportation from Puerto Vallarta are included, allowing you to focus fully on the marine spectacle. This trip is more than a dive; it’s a deep immersion into one of Mexico’s most captivating marine environments.
Los Arcos National Park’s proximity to Puerto Vallarta makes it a crucial highlight of the region’s offering—bolstering its reputation as a world-class destination for underwater adventure. The school’s well-guided tours balance accessibility with authentic marine exploration, making it a must-do for travelers seeking active engagement with the natural world while appreciating responsible environmental stewardship. If your itinerary revolves around outdoor pursuits and marine encounters, this dive trip stands as an essential experience within the vibrant Bay of Banderas ecosystem.
easy.
5–6 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels, including beginners; ability to swim comfortably is required.
No certification is required for snorkeling. Certified divers will use tanks and equipment provided for the two-tank dive.
You’re likely to encounter sea turtles, eagle rays, tropical fish varieties, and occasionally sea horses.
Yes, all trips include round-trip transport from Puerto Vallarta to the dive site.
Bring a bathing suit, towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a change of clothes, and some extra money for tips or souvenirs.
The minimum age to participate is 10 years old.
Soft drinks are included, but meals are not provided. Plan accordingly.
National Park Los Arcos was established to protect its unique volcanic formations and rich marine biodiversity, reflecting the area's ecological importance.
Vallarta Surf n' Dive School actively promotes reef-safe practices and eco-friendly diving to minimize human impact on this protected marine environment.
Vallarta Surf n' Dive School is a Bucerías, Nayarit-based operator that offers scuba diving, snorkeling, surf lessons, and certification courses. The school runs guided trips to nearby marine sites including Islas Marietas (home to Playa del Amor and the Hidden Beach) and the National Park Los Arcos near Puerto Vallarta. Trips to Islas Marietas typically run 5–6 hours and include snorkeling or diving through tunnels and caves; Los Arcos excursions are about 25 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. Certification courses include Open Water and Advanced Open Water courses with pool training followed by open-water dives; several programs list ages 10 and up. The Discover Scuba Diving experience combines a pool lesson with guided dives at the Arches where guests may encounter eagle rays, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Referral and multi-day programs provide classroom or pool sessions before boat dives; some experiences specify that all equipment and transportation are included. Snorkel trips to the Hidden Beach include provided gear, snacks, and drinks. The business serves certified divers and beginners, offering guided dives at sites known for sea turtles, manta rays, eagle rays, tropical fish, and occasional seahorses. Operators emphasize safety training and guided exploration in protected marine parks. Reservations and trip details are available through The Adventure Collective listing and direct booking channels. Vallarta Surf n' Dive School presents a regional focus on Banderas Bay marine exploration, accessible from Puerto Vallarta and Bucerías for day trips and certification programs. Scheduling accommodates beginners, certified divers, families, and advanced students with varied itineraries.
Book with Vallarta Surf n' Dive School