Whale watching with Snorkeling and beach Colomitos

The strongest part of this Puerto Vallarta outing is the mix: whale watching, snorkeling around the rock arches of Los Arcos, and a long stop at Colomitos Beach. You are not spending the entire trip on open water hoping for a whale. The day has a useful rhythm, with wildlife, sea time, and a quiet beach built into roughly four hours and 15 minutes.

I like two things right away. First, the price is modest for a boat trip that includes three main experiences. Second, the beach stop lasts about two hours, giving you time to slow down instead of treating Colomitos as a quick photo stop. The main thing to consider is that whales are wild animals, so sightings and close views cannot be guaranteed, even though the boat may follow them for a while.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Whales may come surprisingly close: Sightings have included whales about 50 yards away, along with a few breaches.
• Los Arcos is more than a photo stop: You get snorkeling time and a short guided trip through the islands.
• Colomitos gets the most time: The smallest beach in Mexico, as described for this tour, is scheduled for about two hours.
• The group is capped at 20 people: That is a useful limit for a boat-based outing.
• The price is $57 per person: For a four-hour-plus excursion with three distinct activities, this is a reasonable value.
• The tour returns to its starting point: Meet at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, in Puerto Vallarta, and finish back there.

Why This Boat Trip Works So Well

Puerto Vallarta offers plenty of water excursions, but many force you to choose between wildlife and beach time. This one combines both, then adds Los Arcos, one of the area’s best-known places for snorkeling and close views of unusual rock formations.

I especially like the way the stops balance each other. Whale watching is exciting but unpredictable. Snorkeling gives you something active to do. Colomitos then gives you a longer pause, with time for pictures and a more relaxed look at the coast.

The tour lasts about four hours and 15 minutes, so it fits neatly into a half-day plan. You could schedule it during a morning or afternoon and still leave part of the day open. Since the exact whale activity depends on nature and weather, that flexibility is useful.

The boat carries a maximum of 20 people. That is not an entirely private experience, but it is a manageable group size for a shared tour. You should have a better chance of hearing the guide and finding a good viewing spot than you would on a much larger boat.

Watching Whales Along the Puerto Vallarta Coast

The whale-watching portion lasts about one hour. The crew follows the whales for a while, looking for useful viewing opportunities rather than simply crossing open water and turning back.

This is the part of the tour that requires the right mindset. You may see whales surface, travel, or breach, but you cannot order up a performance. The most encouraging detail is that sightings have included whales roughly 50 yards away, with a couple of breaches seen during one outing. That is close enough to make the experience memorable, but it also reinforces the need for patience and realistic expectations.

You will want to keep your attention on the water. Whale watching can produce a sudden moment, then several quiet minutes. The crew’s local experience matters here, and the captain was praised for knowing where to go. That is a practical advantage, since a good boat position can make the difference between a quick glimpse and a clear view.

The whale stop is not presented as a scientific lecture or a long natural-history program. If you want an expert-led marine biology lesson, this may feel fairly simple. If you want a chance to see whales without committing to a full-day cruise, the one-hour format makes sense.

Snorkeling Around Los Arcos de Mismaloya

The first scheduled stop is Los Arcos de Mismaloya, a national park known for its large rock formations and water activities. You get about one hour here, including snorkeling and a brief guided trip through the islands.

This portion gives the tour a different feel from the whale watch. Instead of scanning the horizon, you are focused on the water around the arches. The snorkeling is described as enjoyable, and one outing found the water particularly nice for this activity.

The guided pass through the islands is also worthwhile. It lets you see the formations from the boat and look for the blue-footed birds and boobies associated with the area. The description points out that these birds are unusual for Puerto Vallarta and are also found in Ecuador. That is a distinctive detail, especially if you enjoy pairing a standard coastal stop with a little wildlife watching.

The one-hour schedule is enough for a taste, not a full snorkeling session. You should think of Los Arcos as one part of a varied trip rather than the sole reason to book. If snorkeling is your top priority, a dedicated snorkeling outing may give you more time in the water.

Still, the combination works well. You get a chance to swim and look beneath the surface, then return to the boat for the short tour through the islands. It is a compact way to see one of Puerto Vallarta’s familiar coastal sights without spending the entire day on a single activity.

Two Hours at Small Colomitos Beach

Colomitos Beach receives the longest stop, about two hours. That is a smart choice for this tour because the beach is meant to be enjoyed at a slower pace.

The beach is described as the smallest in Mexico, with wooden bridges, a waterfall, and spots suited to photographs. Those features make Colomitos more than a place to step ashore, take one picture, and leave. You can use the time to look around, take photos, and relax by the water.

I like this stop because it gives the day breathing room. Whale watching asks you to stay alert. Snorkeling asks you to get active. Colomitos lets you reset. The schedule does not force every minute into a formal activity, which makes the outing feel less rushed.

Do keep your expectations measured. The supplied details do not promise beach chairs, meals, changing facilities, or a long guided walk. The appeal here is the setting, the wooden bridges, the waterfall, and the chance to spend time in a small coastal spot. You should confirm any personal needs before booking if those facilities matter to you.

The photo opportunities are a real draw. The beach, bridges, waterfall, and surrounding coast offer several simple subjects, so bring a phone or camera if you enjoy taking pictures. The tour accepts mobile tickets, which is convenient for booking, though you should still keep your phone protected from water during the snorkeling and boat portions.

Is $57 a Fair Price?

At $57 per person, this tour offers solid value if you want several activities in one half-day. You are paying for access to a boat outing that includes whale watching, snorkeling at Los Arcos, a guided view of the islands, and about two hours at Colomitos Beach.

The price is especially reasonable for people who might otherwise book separate outings. A dedicated whale watch and a separate beach or snorkeling trip would take more time and could cost more once transportation and scheduling are added. This tour keeps the plan simple and returns you to the same meeting point.

The tradeoff is depth. You get about one hour for whale watching and one hour at Los Arcos, so neither activity receives a full half-day treatment. The value comes from variety, not from spending several hours on one specialized pursuit.

I would rate the price as strongest for couples, friends, and families who want a broad sample of Puerto Vallarta’s southern coast. It is less compelling for a serious snorkeler who wants extended time in the water or for someone whose only goal is a long whale-watching session.

Group Size, Meeting Point, and Timing

The activity begins at Los Peines, Isla Iguana, 48335 Puerto Vallarta, and ends back at that same meeting point. Since the tour does not include a separate pickup point in the information provided, plan your route to Los Peines carefully and allow time to get there.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That makes the trip social but not enormous. You should still expect shared space on the boat, particularly during the whale-watching portion when everyone may want a clear view.

The total duration is approximately four hours and 15 minutes. The listed stops add up to about four hours, so allow a little extra time for moving between locations and getting on and off the boat.

The tour is offered in English and uses mobile tickets. Confirmation is normally provided at booking, although bookings made within 12 hours of departure are confirmed as soon as possible and remain subject to availability.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The meeting point is near public transportation, which may help if you are arranging your own way there. The information does not specify meal service, equipment details, hotel pickup, or accessibility conditions on the boat, so ask the provider directly if any of those points affect your decision.

Weather and Cancellation Rules Matter

This activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. That policy is useful for a water-based tour, where conditions can affect both safety and enjoyment.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that same period are not accepted. Cutoff times use the local time in Puerto Vallarta.

I would avoid booking this as the final activity before an important flight or cruise departure. Weather can affect plans, and the tour takes several hours. Give yourself some space in your schedule, especially if you are planning other timed activities afterward.

Who Will Enjoy This Experience Most?

I would choose this tour if you want a compact coastal sampler rather than a single-purpose excursion. It suits people who like switching between activities and do not want to spend an entire day at sea.

It is also a good fit if Colomitos appeals to you. The two-hour beach stop is long enough to make the setting part of the experience, not just a name on a schedule. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate that the day includes both active and quiet portions.

You should think twice if you need guaranteed whale sightings, a private boat, extensive snorkeling time, or detailed wildlife instruction. The group limit of 20 helps, but this is still a shared trip. The whales set their own schedule, and the snorkeling segment is only about an hour.

The tour also works well for someone trying to keep costs under control. At $57, you get a full half-day of organized coastal activities without paying for a long luxury cruise. Just remember that the lower price reflects the broad format: several short experiences rather than one highly specialized program.

Should You Book It?

Book this outing if you want the best mix of whales, snorkeling, and beach time for a moderate price. The strongest reasons are the three-part format, the two hours at Colomitos, the manageable maximum of 20 people, and the possibility of close whale sightings and breaches.

Skip it if your plans require a guaranteed wildlife encounter or if you want one activity explored in great depth. For everyone else, this is a sensible Puerto Vallarta half-day, with enough variety to keep the water-loving part of your group happy and enough beach time to keep the rest from feeling over-scheduled.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $57 per person.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours and 15 minutes.

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 meeting point.

What places are included?

The tour includes Los Arcos de Mismaloya, Playa Colomitos, and whale watching with Viento Negro Tours.

How long is the stop at Los Arcos de Mismaloya?

The Los Arcos stop lasts about one hour and includes snorkeling plus a brief guided tour through the islands.

How long do you spend at Playa Colomitos?

The scheduled stop at Playa Colomitos lasts about two hours.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 participants.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and the amount paid will not be refunded. If poor weather causes the tour to be canceled, you will be offered another date or a full refund.