Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas Diving Activities & Best Fits

Scuba

What It Feels Like

Base in a full-service beach city, then day-boat to Los Arcos, Islas Marietas, and offshore pinnacles like El Morro. You get caves, tunnels, rocky reefs, and even a local artificial reef wreck, with winter whale season and summer warm-water visibility making the calendar surprisingly dynamic.

Signature Sites

Start Here

Islas Marietas
Volcanic islands on the north side of the bay with multiple moorings, passages, and reef fish.
Majahuitas
A sheltered southshore cove with sandy patches, rock fingers, and a reputation for garden eels.

Advanced

Los Arcos de Mismaloya
A compact cluster of rock islets with caves and tunnels, plus beginnerfriendly routes around {{ 9 | distance:m }} to {{ 18 | distance:m }} and deeper walls for advanced profiles.
El Morro
An advanced, currentdependent set of rock pinnacles with caves and tunnels.
Anegados
A midbay bank between Marietas and El Morro where shallows transition into deeper water.

Planning Playbook

Operator Checklist

Start early. Mornings are usually calmer and clearer than afternoons.
Bring small MXN cash for pier fees and conservation fees that some operators collect at check-in.
If you want Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) access at Marietas, you must book far in advance with an authorized tour and follow the park's life jacket rules.
For El Morro and other outer-bay sites, ask about recent current reports and be honest about your comfort in surge and blue water.
Keep your certification card and log details handy; some operators ask for recent-dive experience for the more advanced sites.

Conditions Fallback

If you want Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) access at Marietas, you must book far in advance with an authorized tour and follow the park's life jacket rules.
For El Morro and other outer-bay sites, ask about recent current reports and be honest about your comfort in surge and blue water.

Avoid

Follow standard no-fly guidance: avoid flying for at least 12 hourss after a single no-decompression dive day, and at least 18 hourss after multiple dives.

Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas

Puerto Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas activity planning