diveintopoints.com · Travel Guide
Regional dive article describing Los Arcos as Puerto Vallarta's most popular dive site and noting visibility variability.
Dive Spot Guide•
Los Arcos National Park
Protected granite-arch and reef dive zone south of Puerto Vallarta.
Reached by short boat ride from Puerto Vallarta or Mismaloya, with multiple local routes, moderate current on some days, and visibility that can swing sharply with season, swell, and plankton.
About Los Arcos National Park
Los Arcos National Park is a boat-access dive area at the south end of Banderas Bay where granite islets, arches, tunnels, and rocky reef sections create several different local routes instead of one single mooring-line dive. Divers usually come for the scenery as much as the wildlife, with arches, walls, and canyon-style swim-throughs paired with Pacific fish life, turtles, rays, and the occasional larger passing animal when conditions line up.
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Research Estimate At Los Arcos National Park
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
VisibilityVisibility: 12m
AccessSimple entry
CoralSome damage
Aquatic LifeGreat variety
FacilitiesGood facilities
Crowd / PopularityQuite busy
CurrentLight current
Where Is Los Arcos National Park?
This spotNearby spotsExplore nearby spots on the map
Community sourced coordinates.
Los Arcos National Park Planning Details
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Best Season
Year-round, with the easiest comfort and clearest water commonly reported outside the rougher late-winter and spring upwelling periods.
Typical Conditions
Warm-to-cool Pacific water depending on season, usually mild current, and visibility that can range from excellent on clear days to far lower when swell or plankton builds.
Safety & Access At Los Arcos National Park
Hazards, restrictions, and access requirements.
Safety Notes
Maintain sharp buoyancy around arches, walls, and any overhead sections, and stay aware of boat traffic and changing visibility during ascent and pickup.
Access Restrictions
Los Arcos is typically visited by organized boat trips inside the protected marine-park zone rather than by independent scuba entry. Operators may adjust the exact route or skip parts of the park when swell, traffic, or visibility are poor.
Legal Notes
Los Arcos is a protected national marine park, so normal reserve behavior applies: no collecting, no contact with reef or rock life, and follow guide instructions on where diving and snorkeling groups can operate.
Local Intel For Los Arcos National Park
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Multiple underwater areas are highlighted for exploration, including El Bajo and Devil’s Canyon.
Freediving
Freedive attempts make the most sense on calm days with clear boat support because the site's arches, traffic, and variable visibility add more risk than a simple open reef line.
Snorkeling
Los Arcos is also a major snorkeling stop, but scuba gives a better look at the arches, reef walls, and fish life that sit below the busiest surface layer.
Wildlife at Los Arcos National Park
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Recent Logged Visits At Los Arcos National Park
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Dive Spot Log Averages At Los Arcos National Park
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Conditions
Avg. Visibility12m
Activity
No dive activity logged yet.
