Los Arcos is Puerto Vallarta’s best-kept secret and quite possibly one of the most exceptional places you will encounter during your scuba diving holiday along the Pacific coast. Los Arcos is a cluster of granite islands located in the southern part of Banderas Bay. This cluster of islands and warm, crystal clear waters surrounding them are classified as a natural reserve and a National Marine Park since 1984. Los Arcos boasts a series of caves, deep tunnels, arches and breathtaking reef that make it an excellent place for snorkeling and diving.

A Bit of History
Many years ago, these magnificent natural formations of Los Arcos were called “Las Peñas.” American film director John Huston shot some parts of the movie “The Night of the Iguana” with Los Arcos in the background.

Unrivaled Underwater Adventures

• Daytime Treat
Begin your daytime Los Arcos cruise with a quick jaunt to its underwater preserve. Enjoy the legions of jellyfish in addition to turtles that feed on them. While you get plenty of opportunities to snorkel here, the highlight is diving the 800-foot “Devil’s Jaw” which is an absolute dream for most of the water sports enthusiasts. Devils Jaw is an underwater cliff that drops to a whopping 1800 feet into the abyss. You can find a wide assortment of marine life including angelfish, butterflyfish, damsels, needlefish, parrot fish, and puffers to name a few. To add to the thrill of your diving experience, take a short boat ride from Los Arcos to visit the bay of Majahuitas. Here, the Sierra Madre Mountains plunge into the ocean, creating nice rocky shores where spotted rays and moray eels are regular sightings.

• Amazing Night Time Scuba
You can explore the underwater world of Los Arcos during the hours of darkness. Though the thought of dipping into the ocean at night seems mysterious, it is a thrilling and alluring experience to say the least. The massive wall that extends nearly 2,000 feet (600m) into the depths of Banderas Bay is so huge that it has earned the name “Devil’s Canyon.” Around this fascinating underwater mountain range you can witness abundant sea critters, such as lobster, octopus and other brightly colored tropical fish. If you want to see zebra moray eels, yellow tail surgeons, and nudibranches at night time, take a dive in the El Bajo del Cristo, where tons of tropical fish inhabit the volcanic reefs and pinnacles.

Los Arcos has magnificent diving sites to enjoy at any level of experience. Book a yacht adventure tour in Puerto Vallarta and get to know why Los Arcos is known as one of the most popular diving and snorkeling destinations in the world.


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