Whale watching with Snorkeling and beach Colomitos

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is its mix of whale watching and sea time. In about four hours, you visit Los Arcos de Mismaloya, pause at Playa Colomitos, and spend time looking for whales with the crew from Travel Vallarta.

I like two things in particular: the $57 price is fair for a boat trip with three distinct stops, and the schedule gives you a real break at Colomitos instead of rushing ashore for a quick photo. One consideration is that whale sightings and the beach stop depend on conditions at sea, so this is not a fixed, guaranteed wildlife show.

Key points to know before booking

• Whales can come surprisingly close: Sightings have included whales about 50 yards from the boat, along with a few breaches.
• Los Arcos combines snorkeling and scenery: You get time in the water, followed by a short guided look around the rocky islands.
• Playa Colomitos gets the longest stop: Plan on roughly two hours at this small beach, with wooden bridges, photo spots, and a waterfall.
• The group is limited to 20 people: That is a useful size for a boat excursion and should make boarding and instructions easier to follow.
• The trip lasts about 4 hours and 15 minutes: It starts and ends at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, in Puerto Vallarta.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and cancellations made at least 24 hours ahead receive a full refund.

Three Puerto Vallarta experiences in one boat trip

Puerto Vallarta offers many boat outings, but this one is built around variety rather than a single long activity. You are not spending the whole morning only looking for whales or only sitting on a beach. Instead, the trip links a marine park, a small coastal beach, and open-water whale watching.

That makes the tour a practical choice if you have limited time in Puerto Vallarta. You get a taste of several parts of the bay without arranging separate transport or booking different activities.

The meeting point is Los Peines, Isla Iguana, at 48335 Puerto Vallarta. The tour returns there at the end, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride from a distant drop-off point. The total duration is about 4 hours and 15 minutes, long enough to feel like a proper outing but short enough to leave part of your day free.

The group maximum is 20 people. That is not a private charter, but it is small enough to feel more manageable than a large party boat. You should still expect a shared experience, with time divided among the boat ride, wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and the beach.

Los Arcos de Mismaloya: snorkeling beside Puerto Vallarta’s rock islands

The first listed stop is Los Arcos de Mismaloya, a national park known for its dramatic rock formations rising from the water. The planned visit lasts about an hour and includes snorkeling, followed by a short guided route around the islands.

This is the part of the trip that gives you the clearest change of pace. After leaving the meeting point, you get into the water and then look back at the rocky formations from the boat. The setting is especially useful for anyone who wants more than a standard whale-watching ride.

The water experience is described as enjoyable, and the snorkeling has been praised as a strong part of the trip. The supplied details do not specify the equipment provided, water temperature, or exact marine life you will see, so you should confirm those points with Travel Vallarta if they affect your decision.

After snorkeling, the guide takes you through the islands for a brief look at local birdlife. Blue-footed birds and boobies are mentioned as highlights. The blue-footed birds are particularly unusual in the Puerto Vallarta area, where they are associated with places such as Puerto Vallarta and Ecuador.

Keep your expectations sensible. The guided route is brief, not a full naturalist program, and wildlife is never guaranteed. Still, the combination of rock formations, snorkeling, and birds gives this stop real character.

For you, Los Arcos works best if you enjoy active sightseeing but do not want an all-day water expedition. You can get into the sea, take in the scenery, and continue on without spending several hours in one place.

Playa Colomitos gives you two hours to slow down

Playa Colomitos is the most relaxed part of the day. The stop lasts about two hours, which is far more generous than the usual short beach pause built into a boat excursion.

The beach is described as the smallest in Mexico. That claim is part of its appeal, but the practical point is simpler: Colomitos is compact, scenic, and suited to a quiet break. You can take photographs, spend time by the water, and enjoy the change from the boat.

Wooden bridges and a waterfall add variety to the stop. They also give you more to look at than a strip of sand alone. If you like taking pictures, this is likely to be the most rewarding part of the tour because the stop includes several distinct settings.

The two-hour length matters. You are less likely to feel hurried, and you have time to decide how actively you want to use the stop. You can focus on photographs and scenery, or simply sit and rest before returning to the boat.

The details do not promise a particular beach setup, food service, changing area, or included refreshments. Plan around what is confirmed: a beach visit, wooden bridges, a waterfall, and photo opportunities. If you need a specific amenity, ask before booking.

Colomitos also creates the main trade-off in the schedule. Two hours here means less time available for other stops, and the beach may not appeal as much if you want nonstop whale watching. For most people, though, the pause helps keep the outing from feeling like a race between attractions.

Whale watching with real but uncertain rewards

Whale watching is listed as a one-hour portion of the trip. The crew begins searching for whales and follows them for a while when conditions allow. This is the most unpredictable part of the experience, but it can also produce the day’s strongest moment.

Sightings have included whales about 50 yards from the boat, along with a couple of breaches. That is close enough to make the encounter memorable while still respecting the animals’ space. The crew’s ability to know where to look is an important part of the value here.

You should not treat those sightings as a promise. Whales move, weather changes, and viewing conditions vary from day to day. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to cancellation, a different date, or a full refund.

The one-hour window is also worth noting. This is not an extended expedition with several hours devoted only to wildlife. The tour gives you a reasonable chance to see whales while also including snorkeling and a beach visit.

That format suits you if you want a balanced marine outing. If your single goal is to spend as long as possible searching for whales, a specialized whale-watching trip with a longer viewing period may be a better match. If you want several experiences in one booking, this schedule makes more sense.

Why the $57 price can work well

At $57 per person, the outing offers a solid amount of activity for the price. You receive a trip lasting roughly four hours and 15 minutes, with whale watching, snorkeling at Los Arcos, a guided route around the islands, and a two-hour stop at Colomitos.

The strongest value comes from the variety. Booking separate visits to the marine park, beach, and whale-watching area could take more planning and more of your day. Here, one operator handles the route and brings you back to the original meeting point.

Price alone does not remove the usual boat-trip uncertainties. Whale sightings are not guaranteed, and the available information does not list every inclusion, such as gear, food, or drinks. You should check those details before you pay if they affect the final cost of your day.

The small maximum of 20 people adds value. You may have more room to hear instructions and ask questions than you would on a much larger boat. It does not turn the excursion into a private trip, but it keeps the group from becoming unwieldy.

The tour is offered in English. That is useful if you want the guide’s information about the islands and wildlife in English, rather than relying on a multilingual group presentation.

Who will get the most from this outing

I would point this tour toward you if you want an active half-day with several different stops. It suits couples, families, and small groups who like the idea of getting on the water but do not want to commit an entire day to one activity.

It also works well for a first visit to Puerto Vallarta. You see a famous marine setting at Los Arcos, experience whale watching, and spend time at a small coastal beach. The mix gives you a broad introduction to the area’s water-based attractions.

You should be comfortable with a shared boat and a schedule that depends on sea conditions. The tour is not ideal if you need a guaranteed whale encounter, a private guide, or a carefully controlled timetable.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are arranging your own way there. The available details do not state whether transport to Los Peines is included, so treat the meeting point as the place you must reach unless Travel Vallarta tells you otherwise.

Timing, weather, and the practical details

Confirmation is normally sent at booking. If you book within 12 hours of departure, confirmation comes as soon as possible and depends on availability. That short-notice rule matters if your Puerto Vallarta plans are changing quickly.

The tour begins and ends at Los Peines, Isla Iguana. Because the activity returns to the same point, it is easier to fit into a day than an excursion with a separate ending location.

Book with weather in mind. The company can cancel for poor conditions and offer another date or a full refund. You also receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Inside the 24-hour window, your payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. I would avoid booking this too early in a packed schedule if your plans are uncertain, but I would also avoid waiting until the last minute if you want a confirmed place. The tour is booked, on average, 13 days ahead.

The tour has received a top rating from the two ratings supplied, with particular praise for the whale sightings, the guide’s ability to find whales, the snorkeling, and the beach time. That is a small sample, so I would use it as encouragement rather than proof that every departure will be identical.

Should you book this whale and beach tour?

Book it if you want good variety for $57 and prefer a half-day plan that combines wildlife, snorkeling, and a beach break. The 20-person limit, return to the same meeting point, and two-hour stop at Colomitos make the schedule practical.

Think twice if your priority is a long, dedicated whale-watching session or a private boat. The whale portion lasts about an hour, and sightings depend on nature and weather.

For most visitors who want an easy introduction to Puerto Vallarta’s coast, this is a sensible choice. You get several worthwhile experiences without giving up the whole day, and the best moments can be genuinely memorable when whales surface close to the boat or Los Arcos opens into view.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 4 hours and 15 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $57 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What stops are included?

The tour includes Los Arcos de Mismaloya, Playa Colomitos, and a whale-watching session.

How long is the stop at Los Arcos?

The Los Arcos portion lasts about one hour and includes snorkeling and a brief guided tour around the islands.

How long do you spend at Playa Colomitos?

The planned stop at Playa Colomitos lasts about two hours.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the experience to be canceled.