Puerto Vallarta – Mismaloya
2/4/2009
While Puerto Vallarta offers both an exciting and somewhat cosmopolitan urban scene, the natural beauty of the area is not to be missed or discounted. Large tour and party boats depart from the center of town, but smaller panga type boats, as well as water taxis operate from the beach at Mismaloya. I was fortunate to hook up with a group of six others, operated by Reinhard Dressler (Raivallarta@hotmail.com), which promised of day of snorkeling and beach hopping along the southern coastline of Banderas Bay.
Heading south out of town, the road parallels the rugged coastline to a point just south of Mismaloya (Boca de Tomatlan) and then heads inland.The bus from downtown will transport you to Mismaloya, for a bargain six pesos. From the beach we loaded up some snorkeling gear and headed promptly to Los Arcos, the most recognizable of rock formations in the Puerto Vallarta region, often hailed as the best snorkeling and diving in the area due to the protection from the currents and waves afforded by the rocks. Needless to say, this is a popular destination for tourists, transported by all sizes of vessels so it was very advantageous to get there prior to the larger boats. Along the rocks are significant colonies of nesting brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii). In the water was a formidable array of both species richness and abundance. To note just a few: angel fish, parrotfish, pufferfish, sargeants, rays, and needlefish.
The beach at Mismaloya – point of departure with first destination in the background
Blue-Footed Booby
Angelfish
Los Arcos
Los Arcos
As other boats began to arrive we moved on from Los Arcos and headed south along the bayshore, spending the rest of the day stopping at many of the more secluded beaches and coves. The shoreline is a spectacular, jagged display of geology and mountains, seemingly falling into the bay. The mountainsides to give way to periodic beaches of many faces, from wide clean sand, lined with coco palms, to rocky shorelines with banana and mango trees. Trails along the shore do connect some of the beaches and low flowing stream channels provide access routes into to the jungle.
Coastline of Banderas Bay
Rocky Coastline
Low flowing stream channels serve as (rugged) trails in the dry season
Some of the beaches along the bay have small, all inclusive resorts, some have a few palapa restaurants, and others have simply spectacular views, great snorkeling, and tranquility. The southernmost stop on this day was Majahuitas, which does have a small “resort facility” (open air, solar-powered casitas) but is only accessible by water. Other stops included Las Animas, Colomitos, Quimixto, and Caletas. One of the best things about Mexico is that all beaches are public - the property beyond may be private, but if you can access the beach, it is yours to enjoy.
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
While Puerto Vallarta offers both an exciting and somewhat cosmopolitan urban scene, the natural beauty of the area is not to be missed or discounted. Large tour and party boats depart from the center of town, but smaller panga type boats, as well as water taxis operate from the beach at Mismaloya. I was fortunate to hook up with a group of six others, operated by Reinhard Dressler (Raivallarta@hotmail.com), which promised of day of snorkeling and beach hopping along the southern coastline of Banderas Bay.
Heading south out of town, the road parallels the rugged coastline to a point just south of Mismaloya (Boca de Tomatlan) and then heads inland.The bus from downtown will transport you to Mismaloya, for a bargain six pesos. From the beach we loaded up some snorkeling gear and headed promptly to Los Arcos, the most recognizable of rock formations in the Puerto Vallarta region, often hailed as the best snorkeling and diving in the area due to the protection from the currents and waves afforded by the rocks. Needless to say, this is a popular destination for tourists, transported by all sizes of vessels so it was very advantageous to get there prior to the larger boats. Along the rocks are significant colonies of nesting brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) and blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii). In the water was a formidable array of both species richness and abundance. To note just a few: angel fish, parrotfish, pufferfish, sargeants, rays, and needlefish.
The beach at Mismaloya – point of departure with first destination in the background
Blue-Footed Booby
Angelfish
Los Arcos
Los Arcos
As other boats began to arrive we moved on from Los Arcos and headed south along the bayshore, spending the rest of the day stopping at many of the more secluded beaches and coves. The shoreline is a spectacular, jagged display of geology and mountains, seemingly falling into the bay. The mountainsides to give way to periodic beaches of many faces, from wide clean sand, lined with coco palms, to rocky shorelines with banana and mango trees. Trails along the shore do connect some of the beaches and low flowing stream channels provide access routes into to the jungle.
Coastline of Banderas Bay
Rocky Coastline
Low flowing stream channels serve as (rugged) trails in the dry season
Some of the beaches along the bay have small, all inclusive resorts, some have a few palapa restaurants, and others have simply spectacular views, great snorkeling, and tranquility. The southernmost stop on this day was Majahuitas, which does have a small “resort facility” (open air, solar-powered casitas) but is only accessible by water. Other stops included Las Animas, Colomitos, Quimixto, and Caletas. One of the best things about Mexico is that all beaches are public - the property beyond may be private, but if you can access the beach, it is yours to enjoy.
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
Beach variety along Banderas Bay
Comments