Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas

Underwater snapshot

Puerto Vallarta sits on the south edge of Bahia de Banderas, a broad, boat-friendly bay on Mexico's Pacific coast shared by Jalisco and Nayarit. The diving is built around rocky reefs, arches, tunnels, and volcanic formations rather than hard coral walls. Most sites are day trips, so you can base in town and still reach marine parks and offshore pinnacles.

Key dive and snorkel zones

Los Arcos de Mismaloya (south Puerto Vallarta)

• Classic rock islets with swim-throughs, caverns, and fishy ledges.
• Beginner-friendly routes start around 6 m to 12 m, while deeper walls and canyons can exceed 30 m.
• Also popular for snorkeling when the bay is calm.

Islas Marietas (north bay, near Punta Mita)

• Volcanic islands with passages, tunnels, and reef fish schools.
• Access is regulated as a national park. Plan for entrance fees, life jacket rules, and strict no-touch wildlife etiquette.

Offshore pinnacles (El Morro and Anegados)

• Exposed rock banks and pinnacles on the bay's outer edge.
• Better suited to experienced divers because currents and surge can build fast, especially when wind and swell are up.

Sheltered south-shore coves (Las Caletas, Majahuitas, Colomitos)

• Calm coves that work well for training, long bottom times, and relaxed snorkeling.
• Great option when the open bay is choppy.

Conditions you should plan for

• Water temperature is seasonal. Expect roughly 18°C to 30°C across the year depending on depth and upwelling.
• Visibility is variable and can change day to day. Typical ranges are about 7 m to 20 m, with late-summer days sometimes reaching up to 40 m.
• Summer and early fall can bring warm water and improved visibility, but also afternoon storms and eastern Pacific hurricane risk.
• Winter tends to be drier with cooler water, and it overlaps with humpback whale season in the bay.

Marine life highlights

• Humpback whales migrate into Bahia de Banderas in winter. Even when you are not diving with whales, you may hear them during dives and see them from the boat.
• Sea turtles are common year-round, with nesting and hatchling-release programs peaking in late summer and fall.
• Rays, octopus, morays, and macro life (including nudibranchs) are frequent on the rocky reefs.

Marine park rules and responsible water time

• Islas Marietas is managed as a protected area. Expect rules such as mandatory life jackets in certain zones, no single-use plastics, no removing natural items, and no touching or feeding wildlife.
• Los Arcos is both a marine habitat and a seabird refuge. Do not land on the islets, keep noise low near nesting birds, and maintain excellent buoyancy around the rock to avoid fin damage and broken habitat.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and apply it well before you enter the water. Better yet, wear a rashguard.

Where to stay for easy logistics

• Marina Vallarta: quickest access to many dive and snorkel departures.
• Zona Romantica: best for walkability, food, and nightlife, with a short taxi ride to marinas.
• Nuevo Vallarta or Punta Mita: convenient if your plan emphasizes Marietas and the north bay.

Sample planning frameworks

3-day diver-plus-beach trip

• Day 1: Los Arcos 2-tank morning, sunset Malecon stroll.
• Day 2: Marietas day boat, seafood night in Centro.
• Day 3: Majahuitas or Las Caletas easy dive or snorkel, then a south-shore beach afternoon.

6-day mixed group trip

• Split your water days between Los Arcos (easy) and El Morro or Anegados (advanced day).
• Add a whale watching cruise in winter or a turtle release in late summer and fall.
• Keep one flexible day for topside: Botanical Gardens, a Sierra Madre zipline, or a surf-town day trip.