Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are home to incredible beauty that delights visitors and residents alike. One of the most interesting natural landmarks in the area to visit is just south of Old Town Vallarta called Los Arcos.
Los Arcos are stunning rock formations that contain multiple tunnels where small boats can pass through, or you can snorkel or scuba dive in the area as well.
Are you a Puerto Vallarta resident or hope to live in the area one day? If so, keep reading below to learn more about. Visit one of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular attractions, the Los Arcos rock formation, which is found off shore in the sparkling Banderas Bay waters just a few minutes away from the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa.
Los Arcos of Mismaloya Location and Marine Life
Situated right off the southern coast of Puerto Vallarta in Banderas Bay, Los Arcos can easily be reached. You can do it by driving south from downtown on Carretera 200. Also, you can take a short 10 minute boat ride from Mismaloya beach or take a water taxi from the downtown pier.
Los Arcos rock formations contain multiple tunnels where you can swim or snorkel through. Even smaller boats can pass through the tunnels. A large amount of marine species inhabit the area including various seabird species that breed there. Penguins, various species of parrots, pelicans and other sea and land birds are some examples. Los Arcos is also home to beautiful reefs that divers and snorkelers will appreciate.
History of Los Arcos of Mismaloya
Los Arcos of Mismaloya was actually declared a zone of Refuge for the Protection of Marine Life back in 1975 by the Secretary of Industry and Commerce. These small yet beautiful granite islands protrude up from the sea surface, and are even visible from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Since 1984 the area has been protected as a National Marine Park. Did you know that several thousand years ago, Los Arcos de Mismaloya did not exist as it does today? In fact, they were part of the lush Sierra Madre mountains that line the Banderas Bay’s southern coast today.
However, the rock-solid granite mountain was worn down over time by the strong waves that constantly crash against it. As a result, the earth slowly eroded until o the land that connected to the shore sunk in the sea which left the four impressive rock island formations that are visible today.
Deepest Area in Banderas Bay
Many people believe that the area around Los Arcos of Mismaloya are the deepest in the entire bay with depths ranging from 9 to 480 meters deep (30 and 1,600 feet).
One interesting feature of Los Arcos of Mismaloya is that there is a vertical underwater wall. That wall runs downwards for 250 meters located on the west side of the rocks. There you find several drops that are ideal for professional divers, including diving spots known as El Cañón and La Quijada del Diablo.
Diving in this area is only for professional divers, but novice snorkelers or paddleboarders can enjoy skimming the beautiful blue-green-colored sea surface. Each rock formation or “arch” contains a naturally created interior tunnel that is approximately 25 meters high. These tunnels allow visitors a wonderful chance to observe the powerful force of the waves as it crashes against the rock formations. Some people even believe that the area around Los Arcos de Mismaloya may even reach depths of more than 1,000 meters deep.
Whether you decide to get in the water or prefer to view Los Arcos of Mismaloya from the comfort of a boat, it is definitely worth a visit when you find yourself in Puerto Vallarta. Are you a Garza Blanca private residence homeowner or hope to be one day? If so, make sure you take the time to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.