Tour to the Arches, Madagascar Beach, the Animas, with Snorkeling and more

This all-day catamaran outing from Puerto Vallarta strings together three stops along the coast, the Arches of Mismaloya, Playa Madagascar, and Playa las Ánimas, with snorkeling, an open bar, and meals included along the way.

The day starts at the Maritime Terminal, where you check in, pass through a security filter, and board the catamaran, a process that takes about 35 minutes. As the boat gets underway, you'll cross Puerto Vallarta's bay while having a continental breakfast on board, with guides sharing background on the area's history and traditions as you go.

The first stop is the Arches of Mismaloya, where the crew gives a brief orientation on using snorkeling gear before you get in the water for about 45 minutes to explore the rock formations and marine life. From there, the catamaran sails on to Playa Madagascar, where a second, longer snorkeling session (around 90 minutes) lets you get a closer look at tropical fish and coral in clear water.

The boat then reaches Playa las Ánimas, where you can choose how to spend roughly three hours: stay on the beach to relax and eat, or take a guided 1.5-kilometer hike through the rainforest to Quimixto Waterfall, where you can take a swim before heading back to the beach for the meal served there. Getting from the catamaran to the beach itself is done by a shorter boat transfer to the pier.

For the final two hours, the group returns aboard the catamaran for games, raffles, and dances organized by the crew, with the mountains and sea as a backdrop as the day winds down and the boat heads back toward Puerto Vallarta.

The onboard offering is built for a full day out with the whole family: kids have their own food options, children ages 0-2 travel free, and infants can ride in a pram, stroller, or on an adult's lap as needed; service animals are allowed and the tour is rated suitable for all physical fitness levels. Puerto Vallarta runs on GMT-6, and check-in is at 10:10 am for an 11:00 am departure.

Snacks such as wings, boneless bites, cheese fingers, and dips are served aboard, along with the national open bar, restrooms on the boat, snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards, plus the beach food at Playa las Ánimas. Not included are drinks and extra food ordered at restaurants, additional paid activities on the beach, and the Puerto Mágico port tax, so it's worth bringing some extra cash for any of those, along with tips and photos.