Punta Mita occupies the closest point on mainland Mexico to the Marietas Islands — a UNESCO biosphere reserve where volcanic rock formations, sea caves, and protected waters create some of the richest snorkeling on the Pacific coast. From El Anclote pier, the islands are fifteen minutes by boat. No other departure point in Banderas Bay gets you there faster or with less transit time.
Marietas Islands
The Marietas Islands are the premier snorkeling destination in Banderas Bay — two uninhabited volcanic islands surrounded by protected waters teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, manta rays, octopus, and moray eels. The islands are a designated national park and UNESCO biosphere reserve, meaning fishing is prohibited and marine life is abundant and unafraid of snorkelers.
From Punta Mita, the boat ride takes approximately fifteen minutes — compared to sixty to ninety minutes from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. This proximity means more time in the water and less time in transit, which is particularly valuable for families with children or anyone prone to seasickness.
Snorkeling Tours
Group snorkeling tours from Punta Mita typically last three to four hours and include one to two snorkeling stops around the islands, a cruise along the rock formations to spot blue-footed boobies (they nest here year-round), and — if conditions permit — a visit to Hidden Beach, a natural beach inside a collapsed volcanic crater. Equipment, guide, and beverages are included. The snorkeling depth averages ten to twenty feet, suitable for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike.
Private Boat to Hidden Beach
For villa guests who want exclusivity, a private boat charter to the Marietas combines snorkeling with a visit to Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) — the famous beach inside a volcanic crater accessible only by swimming through a short tunnel. Private boats depart from El Anclote and can be customized to include fishing, paddleboarding, or simply anchoring in a quiet cove for lunch. Your concierge arranges the vessel, captain, and timing.
Scuba Diving
For certified divers, the Marietas offer wall dives, cave systems, and open-water encounters with larger pelagic species. Visibility on dive sites around the islands ranges from thirty to over one hundred feet depending on season. Dive tours depart from Punta Mita with equipment included.
El Anclote Reef
El Anclote is Punta Mita's main beach — a sheltered crescent of sand where fishing pangas line up each morning and beach clubs serve ceviche in the afternoon. What most visitors do not realize is that El Anclote also has a shallow reef accessible directly from the beach — no boat required.
The reef runs along the rocky point at the north end of the beach, in water three to eight feet deep. You will see sergeant majors, pufferfish, angelfish, sea urchins, starfish, and — if you are patient — small rays resting on the sandy bottom. The snorkeling is not as dramatic as the Marietas, but it is free, accessible at any time, and ideal for children, beginners, or a quick morning swim before the boats arrive. Bring your own gear or rent from vendors on the beach.
Los Arcos National Marine Park
Los Arcos is the top snorkeling destination on the southern side of Banderas Bay — granite rock formations with underwater caves, arches, and walls that create habitat for tropical fish, eels, octopus, lobster, and rays. It is located off Mismaloya, approximately 45 to 60 minutes by boat from Punta Mita, or 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's Marina.
For Punta Mita villa guests, Los Arcos makes most sense as part of a full-day boat tour from Puerto Vallarta that combines snorkeling with beach stops at Playa Las Animas, Quimixto, or Yelapa. The transit from Punta Mita is longer than from PV, so most guests visit Los Arcos when they are already spending the day on the PV side of the bay.
Visibility & Seasons
| Season | Water Temp | Visibility | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer (Jun–Sep) | 82–86°F | 60–130 ft | Best visibility, warmest water, most marine life — peak snorkeling season |
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | 80–84°F | 40–100 ft | Excellent conditions, fewer crowds, manta ray season |
| Winter (Dec–Mar) | 72–78°F | 15–60 ft | Cooler water, reduced visibility from plankton — but humpback whale encounters on the boat ride |
| Spring (Apr–May) | 76–80°F | 30–80 ft | Water warming, visibility improving, calm seas — great shoulder season |
Key insight: Banderas Bay is not the Caribbean. The water is greenish rather than turquoise, visibility varies significantly by season, and there are no coral reefs. What the Pacific coast offers instead is volume and variety of marine life — larger fish, more rays, sea turtles, and seasonal visitors like humpback whales and whale sharks that the Caribbean does not get. Snorkelers who adjust their expectations to the Pacific environment consistently rate the Marietas as one of their best underwater experiences.
Marine Life Guide
Year-round: Tropical fish (pufferfish, angelfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, damselfish), moray eels, octopus, lobster, sea urchins, starfish, and blue-footed boobies nesting on the Marietas rock formations.
Sea turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles are present year-round in the waters around the Marietas. Sightings are common, especially during calm-water months (April through November).
Manta rays: Giant Pacific manta rays visit Banderas Bay from September through November, sometimes appearing at snorkeling sites around the Marietas. Encounters are not guaranteed but are a spectacular bonus when they occur.
Humpback whales (Dec–Mar): Hundreds of humpbacks migrate to Banderas Bay each winter. While you will not snorkel with them, the boat ride to and from the Marietas during whale season frequently produces close encounters — breaches, tail slaps, and spy-hopping within viewing distance of the boat.
Dolphins: Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are resident in Banderas Bay year-round. Pods are commonly spotted on the boat ride to the Marietas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wake Up. Walk to the Water. Your Concierge Handles the Rest.
Villa Experience villas in Punta Mita are minutes from El Anclote pier, where snorkeling tours to the Marietas depart daily. Your concierge books the tour, checks conditions, and arranges everything — so your only job is to show up with sunscreen.
