Bioluminescence & sunset local boat tour to Los Arcos Sanctuary
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
What's Included
- Lifevest
- Bottled waterWelcome drink
- All Fees and Taxes
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Margarita GrillPino Suárez 321, Zona Romántica, Emiliano Zapata, 48380 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico
We will meet in Margaritapv (margaritagrill)” in romantic area. When you arrive just take a seat and mention that you are coming to the bioluminescence tour and wait for your guide.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.6:30 pm
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Not allowed for hours and security under 12 years
- 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
Shari_W
This was an amazing experience! Victor was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the islands and most importantly the plankton. I would definitely recommend this excursion.
Reviews
4.8
based on 353 reviews
Rob_B, Mar 2026
This is SO excellent. I strongly recommend you only do this if you go swimming with a provided snorkel mask otherwise it’s just not nearly as incredible. Victor the guide was super friendly & knowledgeable. Fernando the boat captain was also friendly & helpful. They played a lot of 80’s “dad rock” on the way out which I loved.
The boat went right inside one of the “Los Arcos” rock arches, then later we swam from the boat inside a different arch b/c when it’s darker you see more of the bioluminescent plankton!
Jennifer_K, Mar 2026
Victor was an amazing guide. This is a once in a lifetime experience. I highly recommend getting in the water for the full experience, it’s like bathing in starlight! Even putting your hand in from inside the boat is an experience not to be missed.
Peggy_L, Mar 2026
Take Dramamine. Bring the swimsuit. We originally set to take the trip on the 18th but my other half got sunsick. They were quick to reschedule us (even tho they didn’t have to and could have kept the money since I didn’t give them 24 hour notice). I’m so glad we went. The bioluminescence was unforgettable. The sunset was awesome. It was all amazing!
Keely_R, Mar 2026
My kids and I loved this experience. Such an incredible and unique opportunity to swim in the ocean at night, under the stars, and in the glow of the bioluminescence. Victor did a great job sharing knowledge and history of the area, as well as a number of birds and sea life, including the plankton. Everyone was given lifejackets and masks for the swim, and a towel to dry off afterwards. Book it, you won’t regret this incredible experience!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hello keely
Our main goal and objetive is always offer amazing,safe, unforgettable and unique experiences to our clients.
We are so gratefull and glad you did the experience with us and also that you enjoyed a lot!!
Thanks so much for your amazing review, visit and recommendations for next visitors, we really appreciate it!!
Hope see you soon for our other experiences here in Puerto Vallarta
Regards!!
Kyrsten_S, Mar 2026
Alex did an incredible job for us all! Informative, enthusiastic, helpful, and fun!
The natural elements were amazing for everyone and being able to swim in the bioluminescence was otherworldly!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for your 5 starts review
We are so happy you loved and enjoyed the experience, thats always our objetive!!
Hope see you soon here to take you for more tours and nature experiences
Regards!!
Robert_S, Mar 2026
Guides were wonderful. Met us at the designated meeting place on time, super friendly. I accidently made my reservation on the next day from my group, no problem! Victor made it work so we were all together. Victor and Angel were a great team and so incredibly knowlegable. Beautiful experience, would do it again in a snap!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for your wonderful review!!
Our guides victor and alex are the best and professional guides in PV!! We are so glad to know you had the best experience with us!!
Hope see you soon again
Regards!!
Patricia_T, Feb 2026
Awesome experience! We walked down to pier to step onto the boat. Waters were a little rough, but the captain (Jesus) and guide (Alejandro aka Alex) made sure we were okay with the speed. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and fully explained all the things. Seeing the bioluminescence from the boat was kinda cool... but once we got into the water? Wow! Amazing! I was prepared for an average experience due to some of the reviews I read, but it exceeded my expectations. Just get in the water. Yes, it was a bit cold, but it made the experience worthwhile. Got a towel and a little bottle of water on the ride back. Was dropped back off at pier.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks patricia for your amazing review!!
Always the best way to enjoy the tour is jumping in the water, so glad you did it!!
Best regards and hoping see you soon back here in PV
Michelle_G, Feb 2026
This was such a great experience. We out in February so we even saw whales! This was fun for coworkers, family or any other group! So much fun!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks for your amazing review Michelle!!
February is a good month to enjoy bioluminescence and whales!! So glad you had both experiences the same ride!!
We are so glad you enjoyed and got the best experience with us!!
Shari_W, Feb 2026
This was an amazing experience! Victor was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable about the history of the islands and most importantly the plankton. I would definitely recommend this excursion.
Lisel_H, Feb 2026
Alex is incredibly knowledgeable about the habitats and behaviors of the wonderful wildlife. The entire supporting crew were very friendly and supportive! I would highly recommend this tour and will definitely go on another adventure one day with them! Thank you graciously
Deborah_D, Feb 2026
Great tour! Lots of historic information about the area and personalized suggestions from Alejandro (Alex). Beautiful sunset, amazing bioluminescent plankton, and a great playlist for cruising the coastline back in the dark. (Honestly the playlist kind of brought the group of strangers together singing and grooving.) Good family activity, getting in the water in the dark is optional (but seriously the best way to see the plankton). Enjoy!
Eric_H, Feb 2026
It was a great experience. The weather wasn’t not great, but the tour company can’t create the weather.
Hermina_K, Feb 2026
Beautiful experience, seeing how the water comes to life with magical lights! And learning about the nature around it.
Christie_M, Feb 2026
I would recommend this tour if you like animals, boats, and swimming. We arrived early to the bar and had our free beer or soda. They guides met us at the bar and it was easy to check in. We walked down to the marina in a few minutes from the bar. The guides helped us get into our boat and we were off. We saw sea turtles and whale spray in the distance while watching the sunset. When we arrived the guides who are local biologists described the arches and animals that live there. From the boat you can see some bio illumination, think stars in a dark sky on a moonless night in a city park. If you really want to experience the best view you really must swim. The water is comfortable and relaxing, you do need to wear a life vest provided by the tour, and they provide snorkeling gear. Submerge your face and move your hands and feet which activates the bio illumination and that is where the real show is. The water is completely black on a moonless night and you can see hundreds of little blue green dots all around you, like the night sky on a moonless night camping in the middle of nowhere looking at the constellations. I could feel little tickles of zings from the minute amounts of electricity produced by the electrical/chemical reactions of the bio illumination. You can be in the water for about 30 mins before the tour returns to the marina, which was more than enough time to enjoy the experience. On the way back you are offered water and towels to dry yourself. The ride back was faster than the ride out and you can see the city skyline lights the whole way back. The guides help you out of the boat and your tour is complete.
This was a bucket list activity for me and I really enjoyed the experience. Of the ten people in our boat only 3 of us swam. It was great to be in a small tour and I would recommend this specific tour agency. I specifically chose a moonless night to book the trip for best effect and there was no wind or high waves on our trip thanks to calm seas that night. I do normally get seasick and was nervous but I had no problems on this trip.
G_M, Feb 2026
Truly an unforgettable experience. Our guide was great and the bioluminescence was stunning. Highly recommend.
Veronica_T, Feb 2026
Entire trip was lovely.
If you aren't planning to swim, strongly consider preventative seasickness medication as the bobbing on the boat while the swimmers were swimming caused discomfort for my non-swimming partner even though they aren't usually prone to motion sickness.
Topher_U, Feb 2026
Our guide Alex was amazing. Very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. He kept the tour interesting while giving us lots of information. His impressions of the blue footed boobies were amazing. Thanks Alex. The bioluminescent waters were amazing. Swimming is a must! Use the masks to see an amazing underwater show
Drew_W, Feb 2026
The Water is rough , sky was cloudy so we didn’t get a amazing sunset , however the sky was still beautiful, we saw a whale and Amex our tour guide did a great job
Stephen_J, Feb 2026
The last couple of days in La Cruz & Bucerias were pretty amazing. Our guide Tony drove up to Shaded Hot Springs in the mountains, complete with a wonderful Mexican BBQ, some great travel companions and finishing up the day with a fantastic one hour hour massage on the beach. Tony shared his knowledge of the area and the history of Mexico and we learned so much! Highly recommended!
Thanks Tony! You're the perfect person to guide such a tour and we are blessed to have met you.
LouAnna_S, Jan 2026
Depending on moon is what you will see and you did warn us about that.
Fun but I did get seasick and couldn’t go in for the swim. I did take medicine. But the guide Victor was awesome and our captain did a great job! A fun trip full of learning and seeing the bioluminescence!
Jera_D, Jan 2026
I was a bit nervous about this excursion because noone else had heard of it, but i am so glad we did this. The meeting spot was great and our guide, Alex, was right there to great us. We get on the boat and although waters were a bit rough, the entire experience was amazing! Alex was a wealth of information on the area, waters, and the marine/wildlife. I would totally do this tour again and again! The bioluminescent plankton wasn't quite what I expected, but was utterly incredible!!
Allie_P, Jan 2026
The bioluminescence tour was great!
Couple important things: the meeting location (margarita bar) was super cute and touristy. Not sketchy like I was originally worried about.
We didnt eat or drink and there was no pressure to.
Our guide, viktor, was 10/10. Kind, knowledgeable, honest, etc.
when we got in the water at the caves, he would bop around to everyone to make sure they were okay. But he also gave space for us to enjoy. I felt totally safe with him and learned a lot on this tour.
Gregory_B, Jan 2026
Let me start by saying that our tour guide Alex was exceptional! He was very knowledgeable about so many historical facts about Puerto Vallarta and he had a great sense of humor! The weather was exceptional! If you’re in town, take this tour and make sure Alex is your guide! Hats off to the captain!
Kale_Z, Jan 2026
Go during new moon or close to it as more light is less conducive to a positive experience. There are waves so expect it to be less than smooth. It is amazing under the right conditions. Too experience.
Michelle_S, Jan 2026
Highly recommend! Getting to swim with the “fireflies” was an amazing experience. While you don’t have to get in the water, you will only see about 1% of the bioluminescent plankton if you don’t. Alex was a great guide, and everything was well-organized from the meet up to the return to the pier.
Ellyn_J, Jan 2026
That was awesome! Alex was a fantastic guide! Our boat ride was interesting, with ops for sunset photos, info on local marine life and what creates the bioluminescence. Getting I the water and experiencing the bioluminescence is an experience like no other!
Dwayne_S, Jan 2026
Wear your bathing suit to the tour, going in the water is the best part to fully get the experience, towels were supplied
Annelies_R, Jan 2026
Alex and the Lily crew were fantastic! Alex taught us so much about the national park, arches, endangered birds, and the plankton that create the bioluminescent effect! It's a very well-run operation full of fun!!
MaryAnne_L, Jan 2026
This was a great tour! Alex was fabulous and very flexible! We saw whales along the ride and he gave us choices between following them or continuing on. The experience is something truly unique. We learned a lot about the birds and Alex does some great bird calls! The tour is small as is the boat. We didnt have problems, but I'd caution anyone who may get seasick to take the warning about dramamine seriously!
Laura_W, Jan 2026
Victor was a great tour guide. It is also whale season in PV. Our boat captain and tour guide saw a whale off in the distance and we went a little off track to watch him. It was amazing to watch the sunset while also watching a whale breaching several times. After spending 15 mins following the whale we continued on to Los Arcos for the bioluminescence. The entire tour was an unforgettable moment and I would highly recommend it. ❤️❤️🐋
From $67.94
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Bioluminescence & sunset local boat tour to Los Arcos Sanctuary
353
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$67.94
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
- Zona Romantica Tours & Tickets
- Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe) Tours & Tickets
- Los Arcos National Marine Park Tours & Tickets
- Marina Vallarta Tours & Tickets
- Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas) Tours & Tickets
- Nuevo Vallarta Tours & Tickets
- Vallarta Botanical Gardens (Jardín Botánico de Vallarta) Tours & Tickets
- Boca de Tomatlán Tours & Tickets
- Puerto Vallarta Historic Center (Centro Histórico) Tours & Tickets
- Sierra Madre Mountains Tours & Tickets
- Marietas Islands (Islas Marietas) Tours & Tickets
- Gringo Gulch Tours & Tickets
- Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port Tours & Tickets
- Summer’s Ranch (Rancho Verano Distileria de Tequila) Tours & Tickets
- El Malecon Tours & Tickets
- Los Muertos Beach (Playa Los Muertos) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico