Puerto Vallarta Vacation and Information Center

A grouping of granite isles near the southern coast of Bahia de Banderas (Banderas Bay), Los Arcos is a federally protected marine preserve which offers snorkelers, scuba divers, and kayakers an excellent location to explore both above and below the surface of the water. The towering rock islands extend far above and below the water’s surface. The sheer cliffs descend far below the crystalline water’s surface, providing ample shelter for a wide array of marine species. Scuba diving enthusiasts will not only appreciate the wide variety of colorful fish, slithering eels, gliding rays, and marvelous sea turtles, but also some unique rock formations, shaped by volcanic activity long ago. Dramatic drop-offs and a deep undersea ravine named Devil's Canyon give divers some challenging underwater terrain. Depths at this location are also great for snorkelers, since they can witness some excellent sights at depths of ten feet. Experienced scuba divers can descend to the crystal clear depths of one hundred feet.

Los Arcos has the reputation for being an exemplary spot for night diving. Many nocturnal species cannot be seen while the Puerto Vallarta sun is still shining, and some species that can be spotted during the daytime behave differently after sundown. If you try scuba diving after dark, the marine environment below the surface of Banderas Bay becomes even more mysterious. Creatures that you are more likely to spot after nightfall at Los Arcos include octopi, morays, and lobsters. The crustaceans can be viewed scuttling along the corals, rather than remaining hidden below stones and inside crevices. Olive Ridley Turtles can often be seen near the sandy floor after dark. Perhaps the most intriguing species you will witness at Los Arcos after nightfall are the bio-luminescent invertebrates that light this wonderful underwater world with a ghostly luminosity.