Diving in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is a world renowned vacation spot for many reasons: great nightlife, stunning natural beauty, luxury and comfort, and the year round good weather all come up frequently as reasons for visiting, but it’s also a wonderful place to scuba dive and snorkel! Puerto Vallarta is home to gorgeous vistas deep within the waters of the Pacific, cave and rock formations, reefs, tunnels, majestic drop-offs, and shallow coves. No matter your experience level you’ll find a place to dive here, and for the raw beginner there are even lessons to get involved with.

Diving in Puerto Vallarta

The enchanting natural habitats under the waves of the Pacific are a gateway into a place of stunning biodiversity and beauty. Depending upon where and when you go diving, you may see giant rays, eels, octopi, sea turtles, and many, many types of tropical fish.

Here are our top three diving spots in Puerto Vallarta for those of all ages and experience levels:

Los Arcos Puerto Vallarta

Los Arcos national marine park is without a doubt the landmark that is most associated with Puerto Vallarta; these awe-inspiring rock formations burst from the waters not far from the coast, and are protected by the government of Mexico. This protection has been extended due to the amazing biodiversity to be found in these waters, but also because of the rare Blue-footed Boobies which can be found here.

This is an area of the world which is full of surprises and rare features. Just 60 feet from the surface there is a patch of sand which forms the Devil’s Mouth, an entrance to an 1,800 foot deep sea cavern. This area is popular with daytime boat-tours, divers, and snorkelers of all levels of experience.

Las Marietas

Islas Marietas are the two islands which make up the landlocked part of this marine reserve on the northern end of Banderas Bay, and they are truly stunning! When Jacques Cousteau discovered this place in the 1960s he was utterly in awe of its natural beauty and biodiversity. There are several underwater tunnels and caves to explore here, and you’re sure to have a great time diving there no matter what your level of experience is.

There are multiple areas to explore by diving, and they range from 30 to 110 feet deep. One feature which really should not be missed, however, is neither animal nor plant, but a vertical stone wall at the south end of one island which extends from the seabed to a full 100 feet about the water. Blue-footed Boobies can be seen above the water on the islands themselves, so make sure to explore them too on your diving excursion from Puerto Vallarta.

Majahuitas

Just south of Puerto Vallarta lies the beach of Majahuitas and a stretch of water which makes for splendid diving. These clear, warm waters are teeming with tropical fish which make the boulders on the seabed their home. You can bet on seeing many different kinds of wildlife here, including octopuses, eels, spotted eagle rays and even ginormous manta rays with wingspans of up to 20 feet! You will also undoubtedly see groups of nudibranchs around the rocks on the seabed here so take your time and look around every nook and cranny for a relaxing and unforgettable diving experience.