Sunset and Bioluminescence Boat Tour at Los Arcos Islands
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Enjoy a breathtaking sunset, and witness the magical glow of bioluminescent plankton at Los Arcos—a truly unforgettable experience!
Experience the magic of Los Arcos Marine Geological Sanctuary as the day transitions into night.
As the sun sets, watch the sky transform into a canvas of colors while cruising along the serene waters. After dark, witness the enchanting glow of bioluminescent plankton illuminating the sea—a breathtaking natural phenomenon. Perfect for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Puerto Vallarta
We offer two convenient meeting options for our bioluminescence tour. You may meet us at our listed meeting point at the gas station in Zona Romántica, or you are welcome to meet us directly at our Mismaloya Xtreme office on Mismaloya Beach. Your selected meeting point and exact timing will always be confirmed after booking. Tour start times vary by season to match sunset times in Puerto Vallarta. To ensure smooth pickup, relaxed boarding, and the best sunset views, the tour always begins 45 minutes to 1 hour before sunset. For clarity and consistency, we follow a fixed seasonal schedule with only three possible start times, changing four times per year. Seasonal Start Times November 1 – February 28/29: 5:30 PM March 1 – May 15: 6:00 PM May 16 – August 15: 6:30 PM August 16 – October 31: 6:00 PM This schedule allows us to enjoy the sunset before transitioning into the bioluminescent experience—without rushing, delays, or the risk of missing the sunset.
Playa Mismaloya
Mismaloya, where your journey begins with a captivating nod to the rich history of this enchanting place. As the boat departs from the picturesque cove, your guide shares the story of The Night of the Iguana, the iconic 1964 film that put Mismaloya on the map. You'll hear how the filming brought Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton to this sleepy fishing village, sparking international intrigue, romance, and fame that forever transformed Puerto Vallarta into a beloved destination.
Options
Sunset and Bioluminescence Boat Tour at Los Arcos Islands
What‘s Included
Soda/Pop
Bottled water
Snacks
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Beer ( Only to participants the are over the legal drinking age )
WiFi on board
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
178 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
One of the coolest...
Jason G,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00One of the coolest experiences. Highly recommend. Tour guide was knowledgeable and made sure everyone was safe.
Beautiful sunset views...
Jessica P,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful sunset views from a private beach. Snorkeling experience was one of a kind. Highly recommend.
Swimming in the stars!
josiemQ3590DU,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a cool tour! The bioluminescent experience was so amazing. It was like swimming in the stars. The tour guide, Gabe and the driver Marine took great care of us. Definitely recommend!
Best experience
Y8836UFmonical,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Alexis was amazing!! Beautiful views! Experience was amazing
Awesome!
Tour22066554161,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Me and my family had a great experience with our guide Alexus! He did a great job explaining and making sure everyone was safe, comfortable and happy. The trip and experience itself is such a once in a life time opportunity and it was great! So beautiful
Amazing!
Vacation13616851724,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This tour was one of our favorite experiences! I’m so glad we did it. Yes, it’s scary to jump into the ocean in the dark but it was an experience of a lifetime. The glowing, sparkling plankton is fascinating. The guides were fun, helpful, knowledgeable. Efraim is a treasure. I’ve been to Los Arcos many times and now I can say I’ve seen it all.
A MUST-SEE TOUR
karen s,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We want to deeply thank Pablo Theriseaud for giving us such a magical experience in Mismaloya, visiting Los Arcos and experiencing bioluminescence in a way we will never forget. ✨🌊 More than a guide, Pablo is a great life teacher… a being who shares his knowledge and passion with those of us who are fortunate enough to encounter him on our journey. He taught us about constellations, birds, marine life, and how to look at the ocean with new eyes. Every explanation, every detail, and every moment made this experience truly special. We also want to thank Chito, our CAPTAIN 🚤, who despite his youth demonstrates impressive skill, love for what he does, and incredible energy. Thank you, Elias, for being our driver and taking us with such responsibility, professionalism, and kindness to enjoy this wonderful day, and for bringing us back safely to the hotel. 🚐✨ Thank you for giving us a wonderful afternoon full of learning, excitement, and connection with nature. And as Chito said… the world is very small, and we will surely meet again. 🌎💫
May 2026
Paul B,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Was well worth it had a great time, and the staff super friendly and knowledgeable i would definitely book again
I’d do this again!
128alannal,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Incredible excursion! We were able to lock up our belongs safely prior to getting on the boat. The ride over to los Arcos was a bit rocky, but our guide Uli gave us lots of great information about the sights at sea. Our capitán Panchito was also super nice and navigated us safely around. Uli was a great guide and brought us into the water for an optional snorkel at night to see bioluminescence, which was such an amazing sight. We watched sunset at a beach to wait for darkness before the snorkel, which was good vibes.
The guide is very...
Anna L,May 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide is very friendly and helpful. We got boat tour for sunlight and swam to see the bioluminescence under the sea which is so beautiful.
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Operated by Mismaloya Xtreme