Los Arcos
Puerto Vallarta · Mexico
Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary sits just south of Puerto Vallarta where a cluster of granitic rock formations jut from the sea. The arches and swim-throughs give the site its name, and the protected status has allowed the reef to recover beautifully. Schools of surgeonfish, big eye jacks, and Pacific creolefish fill the water column. Sea turtles are reliable visitors, green and hawksbill both, and moray eels pack the crevices. A shallower site perfect for all levels.
Conditions
Depth
5 to 20 m
Open water and up
Current
Usually still
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
12 to 20 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
22 to 29°C
3mm wetsuit or shorty
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 | 22 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Yellowtail Surgeonfish
Last confirmed Jul 4, 2026 · 18 records
Very likely
Most dives
Cortez Rainbow Wrasse
Last confirmed Jun 23, 2026 · 27 records
Very likely
Most dives
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Mar 15, 2026 · 9 records
Very likely
Most dives
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Jul 9, 2025 · 6 records
Very likely
Most dives
Big Eye Trevally
Last confirmed Mar 7, 2025 · 4 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Pacific Creolefish
Last confirmed Nov 23, 2025 · 2 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Green Moray Eel
Last confirmed Mar 6, 2026 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Pencil Sea Urchin
Last confirmed Nov 2, 2025 · 3 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear