Full-Day Experience in Banderas Bay
Recommended by 96% of travelers
Jalisco, Mexico
- 8 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience everything the South Banderas Bay has to offer during this full-day multi-activity tour. Sink your toes into beautiful, white sand beaches, take a refreshing dip in the Yelapa Waterfalls, go snorkeling in caves, hike through the jungle, and spot magnificent tropical birds. Wind down on Playa Colomitos –the “beach of love”–before one last chance to explore the underwater world in Los Arcos National Marine Park.
- Enjoy panoramic views from the top of Yelapa Waterfalls
- Spot starfish, stingrays, and hundreds of colorful tropical fish species
- Get to know fellow travelers over a chilled alcoholic beverage or two
- Tailor the tour to suit your group’s interests
What's Included
- Alcoholic BeveragesMineral water natural water sodas and beer open bar
- LunchBring extra money for your food or your own food
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Mismaloya Beach, Jalisco, Mexico
We meet at Mismaloya beach on the sand in between the river and the Barcelo Hotel.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Yelapa Waterfalls
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
2
Majahuitas Beach
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
3
Playa Quimixto
2 hours • Admission Ticket Free
4
Adventure Park Las Animas Beach
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
5
Playa Colomitos
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Los Arcos de Mismaloya
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
Jack Sparrow PV (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 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
mohrkimberly
Wonderful experience! Small group of 10, very laid back to fit what we were wanting to do. Captain Jack has lots of personality (& handsome too!♡ ) & made sure everyone was having fun. We snorkeled (tons of gorgeous fish!) We hiked, swam, got bits of history to the area, saw waterfalls and amazing views. Pedro has amazing talent & we felt safe with his skills! 9am-630pm, a full day of activity, bring your energy! 👌
Reviews
4.9
based on 312 reviews
Lisa_D, Oct 2025
If you like to explore, this one is for you. Visited several locations, snorkled and hiked. Paul is a fantastic guide!
Allison_R, Jun 2025
We had a great day out on the water with our Captain Chris, Paul and Dennis! Lots of energy and they were all friendly and enthusiastic! Great snorkeling, cliff jumping, waterfall exploring- over all an awesome day. Went with husband and 3 teenage sons.
Ryan_A, Jun 2025
This is the best tour we have ever been on in Puerta Vallarta. We have been back with friends and family a taken it 6 more times over the years. We highly recommend.
Florentina_R, Feb 2025
Xavier was a very enthusiastic guide and we had a good experience overall. However there were cuts from the itinerary and Yelapa was taken off completely. We did not expect that. There also seemed to be an issue with the payment from your company to the tour operator. Please correct that.
BrendaI, Apr 2024
Loved the snorkeling and the info provided by the tour guide. Boat was comfortable despite big waves
Russell_F, Mar 2024
We had a fantastic time on this family outing and I would recommend it to anyone. As others have said, Jack has a great personality. Our guide Paul was amazing, always entertaining us and making sure everyone was comfortable and having fun. We had a young couple, and two families with younger children, in addition to our family with older teens, and everyone seems to have a great time. They adjust to the group and can read the energy level well. Due to high waves and rough water, the snorkeling was not a good option but we still had a blast seeing the rocks and different beaches. The waterfall hike was beautiful and cliff jumping was a blast for our older boys (and myself). When I lost my watch due to some carelessness while cliff jumping, Paul grabbed a snorkel mask and found it in about 20’+ of water. Lunch on the beach was delicious, but plan for an extra 400-500 peso cash for a good lunch and beverage, as it’s remote and they have to bring everything in.
Yazmin_S, Dec 2023
We loved our excursion on Banderas Bay. We enjoyed cliff jumping, hiking and snorkeling. The waterfall was lovely and the guide was a blast. We definitely recommend the experience.
Randy_H, Dec 2023
This tour was amazing from start to finish. Our host, Captain Jack Sparrow, was so much fun and great with everyone including the kids. He gave us options and let the group have input on our preferences. We got to do many things on this tour including snorkeling, boat time, hiking to beautiful waterfalls, beach time with the freshest seafood restaurants, and even whale watching. Couldn't have asked for a better time!
Philippe_L, Aug 2023
Jack was super nice to us. We did the expedition with Paul (who is a member of jack's crew) and he was really nice to us, making sure everything was ok all the time. Would recommend!!
Kara_T, Jun 2023
Our tour was originally scheduled with our tour guide Jack Sparrow PV, but when there wasn’t enough people for him to take us, he arranged for us to join another group with Steven as captain. He took us to Las Animas, where we enjoyed the beach, and a good brunch; he then took us to Quimixto where we hiked to a wonderful waterfall and had refreshing drinks (need cash), then we picked Pablo at Mismayola and he took us snorkeling in Los Arcos! What an amazing experience! Captain Jack also invited us to enjoy a tour later in the week to Los Arcos at night for the bioluminescent tour! Highly recommend all the wonderful tours from these Captains!
Scott_A, Jun 2023
Completely customized the trip. Snorkeling was the highlight of the tour. Guides were great people. Highly recommend.
Baptiste_M, Apr 2023
We had a really great experience. Even if the water was cold we enjoyed so much swimming among the fishes and discovering the beaches. A great day
Response from Host, May 2023
Greetings and thank you for taking the time to send us your review. We’re delighted you enjoyed your experience with Jack Sparrow PV. Book us again if you come back to PV. Thank you!!!!
Victoria_H, Jan 2021
Great crew, really lovely guys who couldn’t do enough for you. But the guys were too nice in accommodating two local families (party of 9) who were over 90mins late for the 9am tour start! This meant that the tour and its schedule was compromised for me and my friend (party of 2).
Whilst we got to see the Los Arcos islands in the beginning, it was very much killing time in the boat waiting for the others and then being taken to lunch at 10:50am! on the nearby beach of Las Animas to wait for the late comers arrival on another boat around 11:15. The rest of the day was fine (can’t blame the crew for no snorkeling due to the weather/red sea). But the day did feel steered by the other party who wanted to do everything they had missed in the morning and didn’t give a damn about anyone else and the day over running. Indeed at 6:15pm we had to request to be let off the boat as we didn’t want to repeat activities...
I think we were just unlucky and if you get on this tour with people who don’t pitch up late and aren’t so selfish you’ll have a blast.
Wynn_H, Jan 2021
We had an amazing day of "adventure" with Jack Sparrow PV. Our guide was Paul (Pah-oohl) and our captain was Jonathan. Both were delightful. Paul talks very fluent English, so it was great to communicate to him. When we got to Mismaloya Beach, Paul met us and took care of us the entire day. We had our family of 8, (three generations, along with 4 grandkids). We were lucky and had the boat all to ourselves. Paul said "I am yours for the day". Tell me what you want to see, where you want to go, and what you want to do. Loved Los Arcos, the islands with arches, loved walking through the "real" Mexican village of Quimixto, loved the hike up to the waterfall, about a half hour hike. These little villages are only accessible via boat. This is the real Mexico, not many tourists, (yes, it is not the US of A), Took the boat to another small town of Yelapa, again quaint, real Mexico. Had great sea food at one of the beach restaurants. Ended the day on the ocean, watching whales all the way back to Mismaloya Beach. If you like off the beaten trail adventures, like the ocean, like Mexican food, this is the place you want to go.
Sharon_P, Dec 2020
We were late getting to our pick up point but the boat came back for us and we were able to enjoy a great day with our tour guide, Charlie. there was only one other couple on the boat with our family of 3 and we had an amazing time visiting the waterfalls, beaches and snorkeling! Our tour guide was fantastic and he took us to some beautiful places around Banderas Bay!
Tom_E, Nov 2020
We had a great time with Daniel and Chino... highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in some local adventure.
Catherine_C, Nov 2020
The perfect experience in puerto Vallarta. Chino and Daniel were so nice. We never felt pressure to do anything or spend extra money. We were able to snorkel for as long as we wanted and relaxed while eating lunch of the beach. Thank you so much!!
Sharon_P, Nov 2020
Our tour guide, Carlos, was fantastic. He walked us up to the beautiful waterfalls. He was very very animated and funny! Our snorkeling was amazing. We really had a great trip!
Nathan_V, Oct 2020
Jack sparrow and chino are the best guides you could ask for. Really small and intimate group that makes things way more tailored to you.
Parker_J, Sep 2020
This was incredible. Ulises was the best guide! He showed us things and did activities with us that normally tour guides don’t do. He dove some 40ft under to show us sea creatures, caves, coves. All the things! Must do and huge recommend!
Louis_H, Mar 2020
Awesome...great value. Capt jacksparrow was great, showed us where to look when snorkeling even caught a blowfish and let us pet it.
JENNIFER_H, Mar 2020
Amazing tour!!!! Can't say enough great things - our hosts/guides showed us a fantastic day! From snorkeling to hiking & exploring areas we never knew existed... The day was something we'll never forget.
Llewellyn_F, Mar 2020
Fabulous day with Daniel! 10 minutes in came across a whale that just kept on spouting and breeching. Amazing! The hikes were just the right level. Snorkeling was great! Lots of colourful fish including a school of puffer fish. Daniel knew to come back to one spot in the afternoon when the water would be clearer. He was knowledgeable about the coastline and just generally helpful. An awesome day. Highly recommended.
Gretchen_B, Mar 2020
We really enjoyed our day out on the water with Daniel - except for the fact that the weather was lousy and the water choppy, so some of the guests spent much of the day nauseous (not the fault of the tour operator!) Daniel, our guide, was friendly, enthusiastic, and helpful as we snorkeled (first thing, before the water got rough), walked to waterfalls, thrilled to the sight of near-by whales, and generally explored the area south of Los Arcos (down to Yelapa). He knows the area like the back of his hand and was clearly happy to show us what he could and share his knowledge. Because of the choppy water and cloudy (relatively) cool weather, some of our activity options weren't available, but we made the best of a less-than-optimal situation and most of us had a great time anyway.
We recommend this trip as a great way to see the sights that can only be accessed by water - because the boat is small, the group is also small and we got much more personal attention than the great big boats (which were also rockin' and rollin' out there in the swells). Do be prepared to get your feet wet on the landings, but also have substantial enough footwear for the 20-minute waterfall hike. Also, bring at least three hundred pesos for lunch in Yelapa - yes, it's more expensive there, but remember that they have to boat in all of their food and supplies - no roads!
Jan_Q, Jan 2020
Our day began in Mismaloya at the beach where we had the pleasure of seeing little Cappuccino the dog! There were some scheduling conflicts with our original guide so Jack Sparrow (Ulysses) himself opted to take us out on our full day excursion and his family graciously joined us (he has a super cute little baby boy). We began with a quick cliff jump followed by snorkelling at Los Arcos. We then travelled by boat along the Jalisco coast while Jack pointed out various monuments, homes, and fishing villages. We hiked up to see a really fun waterfall next where we took a refreshing dip and stopped for a snack before hiking back to the boat to head to Yalapa for lunch, lounging on the beach and cocktails. On our way back we stopped by one more secluded area for a final snorkel. We foolishly didn't pack enough cash and Jack was so kind as to take care of us throughout the trip until we could snag some back in Mismaloya. We got lucky that this became more of a private tour but I would highly recommend it to any group!
slkohls, Dec 2019
This was a great trip hiking to waterfalls, snorkeling with beautiful fish & stingray, visiting beaches and area you can't get to other than boat. Our host Jack Sparrow was awesome, very entertaining & knowledgeable. Jack made the trip even better. I would recommend this ALL DAY trip.
mohrkimberly, Oct 2019
Wonderful experience! Small group of 10, very laid back to fit what we were wanting to do. Captain Jack has lots of personality (& handsome too!♡ ) & made sure everyone was having fun. We snorkeled (tons of gorgeous fish!) We hiked, swam, got bits of history to the area, saw waterfalls and amazing views. Pedro has amazing talent & we felt safe with his skills! 9am-630pm, a full day of activity, bring your energy! 👌
Robert_H, Aug 2019
The Best tour guide, complete privacy , you choose whAt ever you want to do and for how long on each site... Don't want to sound cliche.. But IT IS A MUST
AAA+
craig365, Aug 2019
After doing extensive research, I decided to go with a smaller company for a snorkeling and hiking adventure. It just so happened to be the best decision I made , while vacationing in Puerto Vallarta. Ulysses was our Tour Guide who treated my family and I like we were part of his. Our boat driver was the one and only Pedro. He kept the boat clean and made sure we got to our destinations in a timely manner. On the ground, we went for 2 amazing hikes that led us to waterfalls. Overall, this all day experience is one that I will never forget.
Response from Host, Aug 2019
It was a great day for us too and we are very grateful for this great comment you are an amazing family I loved the energy that accompanied us all the way and I hope to have the opportunity to serve you again next time thanks again greetings to all
Shannon_B, Jul 2019
These guys are great and really customize your tour....more time at places you like and less at those you don't. Our tour guides were warm and genuine and it really lasted all day. The mango margaritas at our lunch stop were the best we had all trip
Response from Host, Aug 2019
I love that you had such a good time it is a pleasure to serve you and enjoy with you these incredible places I appreciate your comment and the opportunity to serve you I hope to see you again soon greetings to all thank you very much
From $99.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Full-Day Experience in Banderas Bay
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