Bioluminescence by kayak or SUP to Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
There are many ways to connect with nature on a vacation to Jalisco, but not many plunge you into darkness, lit only by the bioluminescent glow of the waves beneath you. On this half-day small-group tour, row or paddle out into the waters off the coast of Puerto Vallarta by kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP), listening to the sea breeze and marine birds as you bask in blue glows.
- Explore beneath the waves with included snorkeling equipment
- Snap photos of a unique natural phenomenon
- Relax after your experience with a warming cup of coffee or tea
- A small-group experience means plenty of opportunities to ask questions
What's Included
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard Equipment
- Life jacket
- Professional local guide
- SUP or Kayak instructions for beginners
- Digital photos of the experience
- Beach club facilities (restrooms and showers)
- Fruit and refreshments
- Hot chocolate
- Beach bonfire after the tour (if conditions allow)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Vibin bar & GrillMorelos 527, Centro, 48300 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
We will meet outside Vibin Bar & Grill, located at Calle Morelos 527, Downtown Puerto Vallarta. Our Paddle Zone vehicle will be waiting in front of the establishment. Please arrive 10 minutes before the indicated time to avoid delays in departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Los Arcos de Mismaloya
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility or who are unable to get on and off the equipment independently.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Even with very choppy conditions this was a fun activity. The guides Kevin and Juliso did a great job checking in amd making accommodations for guest who needed to go back early. I highly recommend getting into the water to view the bioluminescence. After we retured they had delicious cocoa, watermelon amd cookies.
Reviews
4.9
based on 399 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
My spouse and I had a fantastic sunrise-kayaking tour with Paddle Zone! They picked us up from our hotel early in the morning, around 3.30 am. Even though the bioluminescence wasn't fully cooperating, the experience of paddling out to Los Arcos in the dark was still incredible. Diego was an awesome guide; super friendly, entertaining, and always mindful of everyone’s safety. Their facility is clean and well-equipped with change rooms, toilets, and showers to rinse off afterward, and we really appreciated that they didn't pester us for tips. A top-notch, professional crew that makes for a great night out on the water regardless of the natural light show!
The kayaking experience at Los Arcos was great at sunset. The bioluminescence was amazing. The best way to see it is snorkeling. It is a 3 hour tour. Not too strenuous. The guides German and Kilo were great.. Saw lots of Frigate birds, Pelicans......
Response from Host, May 2026
Hello Jeff, thank you very much for choosing us!!
This was a very nice excursion. Diego was knowledgeable and enthusiastic. The bioluminescence was really cool! Be ready to get a work out though. We are in our 60s but luckily not sore the next day
Very memorable experience
Would definitely recommend. 10/10
Super surreal
The kayaking, the sunrise, the snorkeling, everything is rlly nice
Incredible experience, highly recommend. The staff is amazing and makes sure you are always safe and having a good time. It’s not an easy trip, it will require a couple of hours of rowing a kayak in the ocean, at night, keep that in mind if you’re riding double with a young child.
Things to know: You’ll depart at 6 and you’ll get back at 9. There offer to keep your bags safe while you are out there, someone is always with your stuff. They provide 1 towel per boat, so if you’re riding double, there’s still only one towel in a dry bag on your kayak, so bring an extra towel if you need to. While kayaking, they will provide water and granola bars if you need. They take pictures of you while you’re out there and it’s free and part of what you paid for so no need to take your phone unless you have a waterproof bag. They have a place for you to change when you get back, good idea to bring change of clothes. In the way back, you can have them radio ahead and order food, take a look at the menu before you leave. When you get back, they have a fire going for you, plus hot cocoa and fruit.
Great idea. But it’s not the most organized. And it’s really hard to see these bioluminescent plankton, keep your exepectations low. It’s an average tour, good for people with some extra time. Definitely not a must do. The guys are great and friendly though!!
I highly recommend this tour. It was really amazing to not only see the bioluminescence but also whales, birds, and an amazing sunset.
Very fun and kind hosts, we had a blast - kayaking and swimming/snorkeling in the dark with the bioluminescence is a unique experience, felt magical! Back at the shore, the setup was very sweet and the snacks provided were a welcome addition. Thank you to the whole team for a wonderful afternoon/evening!
We took the morning tour as evenings were booked out .
Very good experience except the guys took too way long to explain and we missed out on more time in the dark to see the plankton lights . There were a lot of waiting around for them to take pictures of everyone
I strongly suggesting snorkeling in the water before sunrise as you can see your whole body light up while moving around - very cool
Overall I’d recommend this tour
It was such a fun experience! Everyone, from pick up to drop off was amazing!
Swimming in the bioluminescent water was an experience to remember.
Even with very choppy conditions this was a fun activity. The guides Kevin and Juliso did a great job checking in amd making accommodations for guest who needed to go back early. I highly recommend getting into the water to view the bioluminescence. After we retured they had delicious cocoa, watermelon amd cookies.
We did the bioluminescent tour at dawn. It was absolutely beautiful to see the glowing water and the sunrise. I loved every minute of it and highly recommend it. The only thing I would want people to be prepared for who are taking this tour is that it’s pretty strenuous. You’re rowing for about two hours in ocean water. This is not a leisurely paddle in a lagoon. I loved it, but some of the people in my party found it physically exhausting.
Beautiful national park, thrilling going through the caves and seeing all the birds and bats. Bioluminescence was a less than usual because it had just rained but it was still visible and very cool. Tour guides were great and funny and took a lot of good photos they dont charge extra for. I was surprised how chill and non tourist-trappy the trip was. Mismaloya is lovely and id even recommend ubering to the site early and meeting them there if youd want some time to explore and swim before the tour. Transportation was efficient. Loved the bar and food available for purchase after, super cheap. They do a short lecture on kayaking first but if its your first ever time in a tandem id recommend watching a YouTube video on controlling the boat with two people if you want to keep up well with the group. They provided lockers and a nice clean restroom.
Absolutely amazing experience for adults and kids alike. Kayaking Los Arcos during the sunset was breathtaking. Our guides were fantastic - knowledgeable, friendly and so fun! The optional pizza when you return is delicious as well. 10/10 would recommend.
This was an excellent excursion. The kayaking was not difficult even for those of us that had never kayaked before. The sunset was absolutely beautiful. The bioluminescent was better than any another that I have seen before. Would highly recommend this excursion!
Overall great experience. Everyone was engaging and happy to share their culture, the beauty of area.
The trip was cancelled because of very expected rain.
They didn't cancel it during the day or before we started. They first picked us up, drove for 30 minutes and only then checked the weather when we got to the beach.
I also texted them 4 hours before about the weather and they just replied "we'll see".
Very unprofessional.
Response from Host, Jun 2025
We truly appreciate your feedback and are very sorry to hear about your disappointment regarding the cancellation of your tour.
Our intention is always to offer the safest and most enjoyable experience possible, and unfortunately, the weather in our area can be quite unpredictable, especially during the rainy season. We understand that the last-minute cancellation was frustrating, particularly after making the drive to the beach.
You're absolutely right—we could have handled the communication more clearly and decisively earlier in the day. Your message brought this to our attention, and we are already working to improve how we monitor the forecast and communicate updates in advance to avoid similar situations in the future.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and would love the opportunity to make it up to you if you're still in the area or ever return.
What a fun adventure! Yes the paddling was a little work but it’s easy. Ulysses and Kevin were so knowledgeable about the wildlife, the bioluminescence and the whole area. And they are funny! We got to kayak through the arches and hear the bats, we saw an eagle ray and 2 turtles surfaced near us and watched us for a bit. So cool seeing the blue footed boobies up close too! At the end we got cookies and hot cocoa. The only thing to be aware of is your tour may not look like the photo. Depending on the time of year you go the water is not electric blue like that. We could see some flecks of blue from the kayak, but the fun part was getting in with a snorkel and watching your body light up the water. A must do!
Great kayaking tour of the arches national park and bioluminescence! It is a long tour, about 5 hours from pickup to drop off. It’s fairly physical with a lot of paddling required. You can swim in the bioluminescence which is amazing. Take a change of clothes for after and enjoy a pizza. Friendly and knowledgeable guides. All equipment is provided (and is in good shape). Highly recommend!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for the awesome review! 🚣♂️🌌
We’re glad you enjoyed the full experience — from paddling through the Arches to swimming in the glowing waters! It’s true, it’s a bit of a workout, but we love seeing our guests embrace the adventure 💪✨
Thanks for the helpful tips too — a change of clothes and post-tour pizza definitely make everything better 🍕👕 We’re happy to hear our gear and guides made you feel confident and comfortable throughout the tour.
We appreciate the recommendation and hope to paddle with you again someday! 🌊😊
The tour guides were amazing and fun. They gave us all the info we needed and made sure everyone was safe. Very impressed with them. It was a great experience!
Response from Host, May 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! 💙
We’re so happy to hear you had a great experience and felt safe and well taken care of — that’s always our priority 🙌😊 Our team truly loves what they do, and it means the world to know it shows!
Hope to see you again on your next adventure in Puerto Vallarta! 🌊☀️
The Paddle Zone staff quickly became our good friends and were so attentive to us as a group and each individual. It was the highlight of our trip and we hope to be back!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your beautiful words! It truly makes us happy to hear that you felt so welcomed and cared for — building connections like these is what we love most about what we do. Knowing that our time together was a highlight of your trip means the world to us.
We’ll be looking forward to the day we can paddle out together again. Until then, sending you warm greetings from all of us at Paddle Zone!
Wonderful experience. Beautiful sunset, can't miss the views. Kayaking is a bit physical but nothing anybody can't handle. The caves were awesome. The guides were extremely helpful and skilled. Bioluminescence was super cool but expected more. Still a great experience and would do again. Also pizza served afterwards was great
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed the sunset, the caves, and the kayaking experience with us. We totally agree that the views are something you can’t miss!
We’re glad you had fun, and we appreciate your understanding about the bioluminescence — it’s always a special experience, though sometimes it surprises us all! We’re also happy to hear you enjoyed the pizza afterward.
We’d love to have you back for another adventure anytime!
Warm regards,
The Paddle Zone Team
This experience was very memorable. From catching the bus at our meeting point, to the ride through the mountain, to arriving at Paddle Zone, everything was seamless. The staff of Paddle Zone is WONDERFUL!!! Very knowledgeable and I must say that their confidence inspired some in our group who were struggling. We did the sunset tour which was amazing to witness out on the water. Our 14 year old son soaked up every moment and swam in the Ocean. Seeing the bioluminescence first hand was such a phenomenon. I will say that if you aren’t experienced with kayaking, please know that this trip will require you to have some knowledge and plenty of strength. You will paddle out for a good distance. It’s the Ocean, not a lake, pond, or creek. The waves hit differently. We did this trip with 4 adults and 2 14 year old boys. Most definitely a unique experience though. Afterwards, the staff had such a nice celebration with us all. It was very rewarding. I only wish we had longer to stay.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you very much for choosing us, it was a pleasure to meet you!! Gracias
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TOUR!!! The tour guides are funny, knowledgeable, and kind. They give the whole tour in English, starting with a kayak lesson and interesting facts about the marine sanctuary. The kayaking experience is incredible. The waves are calm and the views of Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary (the arches) are beautiful. You get very close to the five islands of Los Arcos and even get to kayak in between multiple arches! We watched the sunset and once it was dark, the bioluminescence starts. There is even a spot where they let you jump out of the kayaks into the ocean and swim in the bioluminescence! The bioluminescence is easy to see and very magical. They teach you about it as well. When you get back to their home base, they have (inexpensive) pizza and free fruit/drinks/shower/bathrooms. Everyone was so nice and the experience was absolutely worth it. You get so much out of this one tour, highly recommend!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your enthusiastic review! 🌟 We’re beyond thrilled to hear that you had such an incredible experience with us. It’s wonderful to know that you enjoyed the kayaking, the breathtaking views of Los Arcos 🌅, and the magical bioluminescence ✨. We’re also so happy to hear that our team made the experience even more enjoyable with their knowledge and friendliness 😊.
Your recommendation means the world to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure! 🚣♂️💙
This is a magical experience! Bring your sense of adventure. The shuttle was easy (arrive early). You can leave a bag, so definitely bring a change of dry clothes! There are plenty of breaks built in & they bring a snack & water for you! There's food available to purchase after & they specialize in pizza. The guides are wonderful!
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you found the experience magical and that you enjoyed the adventure. We appreciate your great tips for future guests—being prepared always makes the journey even better!
Our team takes pride in creating a seamless and enjoyable experience, from the shuttle service to the little details like snacks and breaks. We’re also glad you had a chance to enjoy some delicious food after the tour!
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with our guides—they love what they do, and knowing they made your experience special means the world to us.
We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Guides are all very friendly. The scenery was great. The bioluminecent waters were great aswell. The ride was a bit long it was my first time kayaking so the distance was a little too much for me but nothing I couldn't manage. Overall great experience dj was nice the vibe was there. I think the pizza could have been better but that's about it.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the scenery, the bioluminescent waters, and the friendly vibes from our team. 😊 We understand that the distance can feel a bit challenging for first-time kayakers, but we’re glad you were able to enjoy the experience overall!
We’ll definitely take your feedback about the pizza into consideration, and we truly appreciate your honest review. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to see you again soon for another adventure! 🌟🚣♂️
Warm regards,
The Paddle Zone Team
We had the best time. The bioluminescents were gorgeous and the paddle board boat was so much fun. I loved that we all got to be together.
It was also great to have somewhere to leave dry clothes to change into after. I will definitely recommend doing this.
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! 🌟 We’re so happy to hear that you had the best time and that the bioluminescence and paddleboarding were highlights of your experience! 🌊✨ It’s great to know that you enjoyed being together and had the convenience of leaving dry clothes to change into afterward.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for another amazing adventure! 🚣♀️💙
AMAZING!!
Everything was better than expected. Felipe and his crew were outstanding. The experience itself was surreal. We were so close to nature in 'unknown territory' (yes you swim at night in the middle of the ocean ), and yet feeling totally at ease, thanks to the staff at Paddle zone. Once we came back to shore we were offered some warm cocao, fruits, smores and the coolest settin and background music, (yes it's on my playlist now! Lol). Guys, thanks again for a unforgettable time. I'll see you again!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for your amazing review! 😊 We’re thrilled that you had such a surreal experience. Swimming in the ocean at night and connecting with nature like that is truly something special, and we’re so happy Felipe and the crew could make you feel at ease during the adventure. 🌊✨
The warm cocoa, fruit, and s’mores by the shore with some cool tunes — we’re so glad you enjoyed it! (And it’s awesome that we made it onto your playlist! 🎶)
We can’t wait to have you back for another unforgettable experience. Until next time! 👏💙
—Alberto and the Paddle Zone family
What an amazing adventure! The sunset was perfect - the bioluminescence were unique and super cool to see. It was beautiful from start to finish. Being out on the ocean at night was a different experience in its self. The staff were super knowledgeable, friendly and made sure you were happy and comfortable. The food was delicious and we would definitely do this again. Highly recommend!!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hello! This is Alberto from Paddle Zone. 🌊✨
Thank you so much for your beautiful words! We are thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the full experience — from the magical sunset to the glowing bioluminescence. Being out on the ocean at night truly is a special feeling, and we’re so happy you could share that magic with us.
Our team works hard to make sure everyone feels safe, comfortable, and full of good energy (and good food! 😉), so your feedback means the world. We'd absolutely love to have you join us again for another unforgettable adventure whenever you’re back in Mismaloya.
Sending you a big abrazo from your Paddle Zone family! 🏄♂️🌟
We had SO much fun kayaking in an around Los Arcos. We always felt safe but also the ability to do more if we wanted to. Our guides were super helpful and kind. Kayaking through the arches, watching the sun set on the water, seeing the amazing birds, and the fairy tale-like sparkling bioluminescent water made great memories. After we returned we got hot chocolate and other treats, warming up by a fire. Fantastic adventure all around!
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It truly fills us with joy to hear how much you enjoyed the adventure around Los Arcos. Our mission is to make you feel safe, free, and connected to the beauty of this unique place — and knowing we accomplished that means the world to us.
The sunset, the birds, the sparkling bioluminescent waters… it really is like stepping into a fairytale, isn’t it? ✨ And what better way to end the night than by warming up around the fire with some hot chocolate and treats?
We would love to welcome you back anytime to create even more unforgettable memories. Thank you for trusting us and becoming part of the Paddle Zone family! 🛶🔥
Big hugs,
Alberto
From $102.69
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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