I booked a sunset paddle boarding tour with Paddle Zone in Mismaloya, and since no one else signed up, I ended up with a private tour. My guide, Diego, made everything feel easy and relaxed and brought water and snacks to enjoy during breaks on the water. We spent around 2-3 hours on the water, so it's great for those who are at least somewhat physically fit. The guides are pretty flexible about taking breaks as needed. The tour included snorkeling in bioluminescent water (which was very fun) and they took great photos of me paddling, (included in the package). After several hours on the water, they offered freshly-made pizza and other food for a cost, which was the perfect meal after a long time on the water. The whole staff was friendly and made me feel welcome especially since I was a solo traveler. It was a great value, would highly recommend this tour to everyone! read more

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We had such an amazing morning at Paddle Zone with our guide, German. We kayaked to Los Arcos and paddled through the arches and looped around each island. We also did some snorkeling at the marine sanctuary and saw a trigger fish, puffer fish, and other tropical fish. And we saw many bird species nesting on the rocks, including blue-footed boobies, and baby pelicans. Frigate birds were soaring overhead. They provided water and snacks while out on the water. German also gave us some history and context of the islands at Los Arcos (stories of love and lightening included), and explained some of the biology of the animals. It was moderately physical kayaking out to Los Arcos, but you can go slow and take rests as needed. And when we got back they surprised us with an amazing spread of fresh fruit and homemade cookies. Oh and they documented our outing with photos during the adventure. Definitely recommend this place! read more

Paddle Zone - Los Arcos from our Kayak. Beautiful spot. - Paddleboarding Near Me

My partner and I spent the afternoon in Mismaloya before following the clear directions to Paddle Zone. We had a great time paddling out in our double kayak with a group of about 10 and 2 guides to Los Arcos at sunset. We paddled through a few caves, saw a blue footed boobie, and waited for darkness to set in. Once it was dark, we had the opportunity to snorkel in the water to see the bioluminescence up close. The experience was my favorite of the weeklong trip we had in Puerto Vallarta. We were surprised with hot chocolate and fruit upon the return. We had photos sent to us that were included in the price of the trip. It was extremely nice to have the shuttle to take us back to PV at no extra expense. I would highly recommend the bioluminescent paddle experience! read more

Diego was a great guide and it was a great tour. The highlight was paddling with a mother and calf humpback whale on our way back from Los Arcos. Awesome! read more

Wonderful, wonderful experience. I would be more proactive in communicating with the staff because we had a couple mishaps. If you want to schedule a paddle boarding lesson, be more specific where because we didn't realize we scheduled one in Mismaloya until it was the scheduled time so we ended up booking on a kayak. We also forgot to tell them we wanted the free shuttle from Malecon so we are lucky they asked us if we wanted it and they let us know the pick up time (if the tour is at 6pm, our pick up time was 4:50pm). The staff was great, they were very communicative about the water conditions the day we went and helped rebook a family who decided to wait. We weren't able to kayak through the caves or paddle board due to rougher conditions, but honestly, the paddling itself was unaffected. It was great cause we had a group of 9! We had an insane amount of bioluminescence when we went and we snorkeled in the pitch black ocean so you could see the bioluminescence even better. Our guides were so friendly and helpful throughout the entire experience on the water. They made sure to take great photos of everyone (individual and group), getting moments with the sun out and the sunset. They airdropped them to us for free! They also did ask us if we wanted to order pizza while we were heading back so it'd be ready when we arrived, we said yes but honestly I'd forgo it. We came back to a bonfire, snacks, & hot chocolate then they shuttled us back to Malecon at 10pm. I highly recommend the bioluminescence tour, it is so so so worth it! read more

Paddle Zone - Sunset - Paddleboarding Near Me

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Had the coolest time! I would do this tour over and over and over again. I think SUPing gives you the best vantage point, but kayaking makes it feel more secure when the swells are larger (if you're not an advanced SUP'er. Unfortunately, it was jellyfish season so we didn't get much snorkel time -- however, this meant more turtle sightings at the surface so no complaints. When we were in the water Felipe was diligently using his torch to spot the jellies and give us notice where they were so we could stay clear. The algae was so bright. Felt like we were paddling through the stars. Absolute magic. read more

We had an amazing time and our guide Kevin was excellent. I was a bit nervous about our 12yo going on a single kayak but he did so well and Kevin was impressed he even paddled over to pickup floating plastic out of the ocean (his grandmothers would be so proud!) Our original trip was on a Sunday night, but being the rainy season - it rained and was cancelled. The staff was very accommodating though and fit us in on the Wednesday tour which was one of the best sunsets we saw over Mismaloya during our stay. We paddled through a number of cave openings in the Los Arcos rocks and took photos at sunset. The guides were very safety conscious and kept track of everyone and how they were doing. After dark, we saw the bioluminescent waters (like a pretty blue glitter) and they took us into the cave one at a time to experience it at its fullest. Afterwards, they issued us all red lights and we padded back in the darkness - but again the guides kept good tabs on everyone and made sure the pace was appropriate. We loved the trip and would definitely do it again on our next visit to Mismaloya. Thanks Paddle Zone! read more

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Kevin and Ulises were fun, welcoming and engaging. My husband and I booked an evening paddle trip to Los Arcos. We got single kayaks for a good price and it was easy to utilize. Life jackets, snorkeling gear, water and snacks were included in the 3 hour tour. The padding pace was very easy and instructors constantly checked in on the group ( 12 people). Kevin paddle backed with two folks who got sick to make sure they made it back safely and returned to the group. Sunset, the arcos and night swimming with the bioluminescent was breathtaking! Loved the birds. read more

Paddle Zone - Single kayak - Paddleboarding Near Me

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Had a pretty good experience with PaddleZone! I was able to book online in advance for the bioluminescence tour and was excited as it was near a new moon with little light so was hopeful to see something. We had a couple set backs in trying to find our ride/coordinate transportation to their site since we confirmed we would meet them the day prior but didnt get the reconfirming message the aftenoon of, so the ride didnt show. However rhe owner of the bar we met at was very kind and helped to coordinate a taxi and reimbursement for us to get to the base and someone was able to drop us off back at the city for dinner afterwards. The base itself was nice, with snacks, friendly staff, and a place to keep our stuff. Our guide was knowledgeable and good with safety navigating the waves, some caves, and current and was able to get a few photos via gopro. Sadly the day we went we saw very few hints of bioluminescence for some reason which was a bummer, and no sunset, dolphins or whales either. I could see the potential for an epic time but wish they would have told us we likely wouldn't see anything when I asked about the weather/conditions the morning before when I was deciding whether to go or cancel within the 24 hr window. For this tour, weather / conditions really need to line up to be able to see all that we hoped to see. read more

This experience was amazing! The staff were so friendly and honest. They treated us like family. We did the family paddle with 8 of us on it and it was a great experience: we had little kids and they loved it. Once we returned back to there hub they had an amazing surprise to end the night. The value was worth it. I highly recommend. The selection where they took us on the board was spectacular, thanks so much for such an amazing time. read more

Awesome tour service. I did the bioluminescent tour and honestly you couldn't see much of it but it was still a good tour.

Kevin and Felipe were great! This was a great adventure and I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone. Be sure you request Kevin and Felipe when you book your adventure. Keep up the good work read more

Experiencing bioluminescence has always been on my bucket list. So when my wife and I decided to take a trip out here for our 1st anniversary and saw the photos advertised for this adventure, we had to sign up. I was happy to know photos were included as I definitely wanted to capture the special moment for both of us However, it wasn't until we were halfway in the ocean rowing that Mau informed us there would be no photos (apparently both the camera and his phone had broken just that day?). It would have been helpful to know that before; I would have brought my phone out. Seeing bioluminescence was nice, though a bit underwhelming. My wife and I felt a little misled by the photos and by the description the guides were giving us to pump us up. When it comes time to snorkel, make sure you are extra careful... Especially if your kayak flips over. Make sure you prioritize saving the snorkle equipment that was in you kayak instead of trying not to swallow lots of water. The guides may not ask if you're ok, but they'll definitely charge you 1200 pesos ($70) for the equipment. While it happens they may say not to worry about it and that they'll look for it tomorrow, but afterwards they'll definitely say that they are not able to search for anything. They said either I had to pay or he would have to and that it would be on my conscience. Gee, adding some shame into it, thanks for that. What should have been a high point in our trip ended up being a disappointing and frustrating experience. Unfortunately, they've lost a customer (and any fellow Airmen I happen to share this experience with). UPDATE: Changing my review from 1 to 3 stars because they were responsive my original review (above). The owner did reach out to refund the experience cost (though not the additional $70). That's good, but the bioluminescence part of experience was still not as anticipated. The experience could be improved in the future with a more clear setting of expectations (for example, the website and guides could say that some days you may not see as much and that some months are not ideal for this type of trip). Know that if you're doing this experience for the kayaking alone, then you'll probably like it since you do see nice areas and a beautiful sunset. But grain of salt on the bioluminescence and make sure you ask on the photo situation BEFORE heading out. read more

Corrina was wonderful at communicating and picking us up closer to where we were staying. They advised and rescheduled us to a time that provided a better experience due to impending weather. Kevin was our paddle guide, and providing caring and informative instruction. He assisted one of group that was sea sick so that Alejandro could take them back safely to the shore. We saw a sea turtle and blue footed boobies. He snorkeled with me since my partner didn't want to get in the water. It was an amazing experience and the staff went above and beyond to customize it based on individual needs of our group. We look forward to coming back for other adventures. read more

Paddle Zone - Bioluminescence sunrise kayak. - Paddleboarding Near Me

The snorkel tour was a great experience! Going thru the arches inside the rocks at Los Carcos was so cool. Huge shoutout to Kevin for being an awesome tour guide as well as Alberto for being responsive to all my questions. All the staff were friendly and helpful. P.S. if you are prone to seasick or motion sick, make sure you are well prepare. read more

Kevin and the rest of the Paddle Zone crew are fantastic! My wife and I had a great kayak and snorkel experience at Los Arcos through Paddle Zone. The equipment was well maintained, they had great knowledge of the area and their hospitality was top notch. We were treated like family which further enhanced our experience. Thanks to a recommendation to check out Maria Cuquitas we had an incredible lunch with the best fish tacos I've ever tasted. Take a tour with Paddle Zone and you won't be disappointed. read more

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This bioluminescent kayaking trip was absolutely amazing! All of the guides were sweet and kind. I got dunked in the first five seconds (never turn your back on the ocean) and Luis found me something dry to wear. So I had a great time instead of shivering for hours. The little touches like the photos and the cocoa made this all feel like a friendly experience. Don't hesitate to book! read more

This was me and my best friends first time kayaking! It was very hard for both of us, but Felipe was sooo patient with us. Even after my friend accidentally dropped him off his paddle board lol even then he was so kind! The sunset was the most beautiful I've ever seen! We finally got the hang of it and went through the arcos and saw the beautiful bioluminescence in the middle of the ocean. At the end we went back and had some hot chocolate and plátanos fritos. Felipe even called us a taxi and walked us to the street to make sure we got into the taxi safely. The whole staff was amazing! Definitely highly recommend this! 20/10 would definitely go back! read more

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We did the evening bio luminescence kayak tour in Nov 2024. Everything about it was great. They had very clear communication with us beforehand confirming tour, answering questions. The shop area onsite was really fun. All the staff was friendly. The tour was perfect - just the right balance between tour guide talk and letting us enjoy nature. We had a beautiful sunset on the way out, toured through the arches in the twilight and did some birdwatching. We floated a bit waiting for dark to see the bioluminescence- and it was really fun. Like little sparklers. Going through the arches in the pitch black with the bioluminescence in the water was really amazing. After a long paddle back, were rewarded with hot cocoas and s'mores. There was even an option to order a hot pizza, to be ready when you got back. Do it, the pizza was great. I would 100% book tour with Paddle Zone again. Everything but it was really good. The staff, the set up, the equipment, the tour - it was all top notch and well done. read more

Great kayak tour of the PV bay. Super easy to book and get to in Mismaloya Beach. Mau was so nice and happy to take us out. We were the only ones for a 9am tour. We went to the 3 islands and paddled through two of their caves. Delicious snacks at the end! Thank you Mau and team!! read more

Amazing experience to be able to kayak along the coast and through the caves of Los Arcos. The tour was three hours including a snorkel excursion. The water was pretty clear this time of year, so the fish spotting was amazing. This company takes safety seriously and are true stewards of the environment. Our knowledgeable guide Luis, along with Mau and Roshel were so warm and accommodating. That--along with their breathtaking location--made it difficult for us to leave. This is a don't-miss experience. I would highly recommend Paddle Zone to anyone with the a desire to get out on the water and be one with the natural world. read more

Paddle Zone - Los Arcos - Paddleboarding Near Me

Can't tell you what a great time the sunset kayak/paddle board trip is! The staff is knowledgeable and SO friendly - kudos to Alberto, Gabriel and ALL the staff. They really go the extra mile to show you a great time and really make you feel taken care of. The views are spectacular and being on the ocean at sunset around all the birds on Los Arcos is nothing short of magical. We had a fun group to kayak with, and they had fruit and hot chocolate waiting when we got back. The water was warm and a bit choppy - but this made going through the caves more exciting. Two thumbs up for this trip and a special shout out to all the staff at Paddle Zone! read more

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Great kayak tour of Los Arcos. I have to say that the bioluminescent isn't all that great if you have been to Vieques bay to see it there, but it was fun for first timers. Kevin was our guide. He was so patient for 1st timers and really made the trip fun. Kayaking in the ocean was a bit of a challenge (I am 72) but do-able. It was really fun being in the ocean and enjoyed the company. So nice ... you should do it!! read more

We went on the sunset kayak to Los Arcos and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Both Kevin and Felipe were knowledgeable, professional and, best of all - fun! Photos and written the description don't do this experience justice. Also, getting to snorkel in the dark and experience the bioluminescent plankton was a bucket list experience. Lastly, I'd like to offer an extra thank you to Kevin for getting this chubby 57 y/o lady back into the kayak after snorkeling. We're beyond thrilled that we booked this excursion with Paddle Zone. We'd give them 6 stars if we could. read more

We decided we would kayak the national park Los Arcos. Two of us thought we might be a little too old and out of shape (60's). Wow were we totally wrong. We had a blast and we didn't wake up sore. A total of 10 people went out most on kayaks one on a paddle board and we had two excellent guides Felipe and Mauricio. They gave us a lot of history while taking us around the park. We even saw bioluminescence on our sunset tour. It was an excellent 3 hour trip. We came back to a nice fire pit, hot chocolate and snacks. I be back in December and going on another kayaking tour. Totally recommend!!!!! read more

Thanks to Steve Yalo's YouTube channel for including Paddle Zone company in his tour videos. My husband and I decided to add the sunrise kayak tour to Los Arcos the first day we arrived to PV. We went with the sunrise tour which I was bit anxious about kayaking in the dark. Thankfully, Pablo, our tour guide was informative and calm which made me feel confident going out in open water. I enjoyed going through a couple of the caves and watch the sun rise in a peaceful environment read more

We had a wonderful time on the sunset bioluminescence paddle. We were in a group of 18 people in tandems and single kayaks and we paddled at a gentle pace out to Los Arcos. We went through the arches both before and after sunset. The bioluminescence was great. Our tour guides were well versed in knowledge of the area, and in reading the water conditions. They really worked hard! Our gear was good for the purpose. The guides offered hot chocolate and sweets upon our return and then guided us back across the beach to the street making sure we had transportation lined up. Mismaloya beach is at the end and to the left of a narrow road and it takes some maneuvering to find it in the dark. Bring a flashlight! It was a must do event! read more

This was a great experience. We saw a you tube about them and were intrigued. We booked a tour and one of the owners , Pablo, was our guide. He was very friendly and funny. They were great in getting everyone set and in the water. He was entertaining and made the trip one of the best ever. We highly recommend the sunrise tour, no one else was on the water that early. Even though it was moonlight only, we felt safe the entire trip. Will definitely do it again when we come back. Pablo said to come during whale season, it's amazing. read more

This was a great experience! We highly recommend The Paddle Zone for your SUP adventure to Los Arcos. They are professional and hold in high regard the safety of their clients. Thank you for a wonderful adventure. read more

WOW! What an amazing experience! Alberto and Rob were such fantastic guides for my partner and I. We decided on a two person kayak since I'm not in the best shape and knew I wouldn't survive a three hour paddle board trip on my own. It ended up being perfect for us. We paddled out to Los Arcos, and got a short history lesson on the mysticism and culture around the arcos. Paddled through the caves, which got scarier the darker it got and the louder the bats were, but it was a good scary! The bioluminescent algae was amazing. Ironically there is more when the moon is full, but it harder to see the algae in the moonlit waters. It was easy to see in the caves though, and it was amazing! Once in a lifetime opportunity. Then we floated in the water for a bit, and it was so tranquil and serene. Alberto even did a guided meditation at the request of another patron in our group. It's so clear how much care this company puts into the experiences they give to their guests, and I also really appreciated their eco conscious approach. Overall it was an event I'll never forget. read more

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My husband and I did a lot of excursions while we were in the PV area. Every time, I kept saying, "I think this was my favorite thing," but our sunset kayak trip was on our last night, and I actually think it WAS our favorite thing. It was relaxing and and exciting engaging all at once, the whales/natural beauty/sunset/bioluminescence were incredible, and our guide (Mau) was SO nice and absolutely fantastic. The reception back at the beach with hot chocolate and a fried banana, etc. was above and beyond. Also, I want to give props to them for giving us some pictures of ourselves for free, when everyone else is charging over $10 per photo - thanks for that! Would highly, highly recommend this or the sunrise one (the guide said that the bioluminescence is even better in the sunrise session). read more

Kevin and Felipe guided an excellent kayak to Los Arcos. I think they even planned out the humpbacks that breached during our kayak. Top notch folks with attention to detail and highly recommend the sunset bioluminescence kayak to anyone looking to have some fun on the water. Obviously people that care about their home and want to share with others. read more

One of the highlights of my Puerto Vallarta trip! The staffs were very friendly and accommodating. I accidentally booked my trip on the wrong date and they were still able to take us. The view and caves were gorgeous. Would definitely recommend! read more

The sunset paddle in bioluminescent caves organized by The Paddle Zone is one of the best experiences I've had in my life. From the time I arrived, I could tell I was in for a treat. Filipe, my guide, greeted me in their groovy beachside shop while dancing to the music gently playing over their loudspeakers. Even though I'd never used a standup paddle board in my life, he taught me everything I needed to know in the few minutes we had before the tour officially started. The lesson was included in the cost of the experience, and so was a visit from their friendly dog that came up to lick Felipe's face while he was demonstrating how to move from a crouching to a standing position on the board. With the lesson complete and the group ready to go, Felipe led us all in a series of stretches to prepare ourselves for the upcoming exercise. It was a thoughtful and responsible touch that I was thankful for the next day. We hit the water, and we paddled towards Puerto Vallarta's famous islands. As we did, Felipe recounted some of the historical stories and legends specific to the region. He also taught us about the local wildlife, including the distinctive blue-footed boobies resting on the islands' cliff sides. Arriving at the islands, Felipe guided us through the caves and narrow passages formed by the rocks. As you passed through the caves, you could hear the waves lapping against the sides and the bats chattering overhead. It was an absolutely unique experience, and it was just the beginning. The sun began to set as we continued to paddle from island to island. All the while, Felipe took photos of the group. If you wanted, he would even direct you into positions to get impressive shots. For example, he was able to capture a photo of my silhouette against the light shining through the mouth of the cave we were passing through at the time. When the last light of the day was finally gone, we started to experience the true magic of the excursion. Dots of bioluminescent algae became visible all around us, lighting up as we pushed our paddles through the water. We enjoyed this in the open bay for a time before moving on to the legendary portal between dimensions - a cave containing so much algae that it the water begins to look like a starry sky. In this cave, we were given the option to don a snorkel and swim with the algae. If you go on this experience, you must swim. When you do, you'll find yourself suspended in space, weighless, surrounded by the star-like algae. As you swim, your movements light up algae against your skin, turning your body to stars. It is a powerful experience that makes you feel at one with the world, giddy with the realization of belonging. To put it in another way: it's really freakin' fun. When we came back to shore, there was fresh chopped fruit and hot chocolate waiting for us. We were encouraged to stay a while, enjoy the snack, and sign any of the surfboards hung around the shop. I lingered for a bit, and Felipe actually helped me catch a bus back to my neighborhood in Puerto Vallarta. More than that, he recommended his favorite taco stand to me, and we decided to get tacos together in town! The Paddle Zone is a special shop, and their bioluminescent sunset paddle is a special experience. They are the only shop that goes out at night to see the algae, and I can't imagine that another shop could make the experience any better anyway. Felipe is both a wonderful guide and a wonderful person. He made me and the other participants feel welcome, safe, and joyful throughout the trip. He closed the evening by saying that he considered all of the paddlers that he's led part of the Paddle Zone family, and I really felt I was for the evening. You should become part of that family too. read more

Paddle Zone - Inside of the shop after an evening of paddling - Paddleboarding Near Me

Fantastic place! Really friendly and knowledgeable staff who work really hard to make each person's experience outstanding. Our guide, Felipe, was amazing - so kind, skilled, and entertaining. Couldn't have been better. read more

A huge thanks to Paddle Zone. Our Sunset kayak paddle to Los Arcos was fantastic. Riding the swells on the open water and through the arches was fun and exciting. Our guides Kevin and Mauricio were a lot of fun were very knowledgeable and kept everyone's safety in mind. Fruit snacks and Raicilla at the end were a pleasant surprise. We highly recommend! read more

We took the 9 am paddling/snorkeling trip to Los Arcos. Maroni was our guide and did a great job. It was nice and calm, but between the islands there were a couple of places with more surf--it was a challenge, especially for the paddleboarders, but nothing dangerous. The snorkeling was better than I expected--saw a pretty fair number of fish in water with medium visibility. We were served some good fruit back at the surf shop. The guys that operate it are very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended. read more

Felipe, our guide, was knowledgeable, entertaining, skilled and a wonderful host to this amazing area. We took the sunset tour, magnificent! Felipe regaled us with history, personal stories and song while taking us through a cave, taking photos and pointing out highlights. The water was a bit rough for this landlubber, and he took excellent care of my needs. Rest assured you are in good hands and will have a wonderful time with Paddle Zone. read more

Paddle Zone - On our way to Los Arcos - Paddleboarding Near Me

awesome experience with knowledgable and friendly staff. Felipe, Kevin and Mauricio went above and beyond. beautiful informative trip with very stable kayaks and lots of sea life. bioluminescence were amazing read more

I would give 6 stars if I could. Yo daría 6 estrellas si pudiera. Alberto and his team have made an already beautiful place even more so because of their PASSION for SUP, and their generous Aloha spirit. I am truly blessed to have worked with them renting boards and the Sunset Los Arcos paddle is not to be missed. Alberto y su equipo han hecho un lugar muy hermoso incluso más por su pasión por sup, y su generoso espíritu aloha. Estoy de verdad bendecido que he trabajado con ellos de alquiler y los arcos de los arcos no se pierdan. Hasta pronto amigos. read more