Anchorage· Los Arcos (Mismaloya)· Mexico
Mismaloya Cove (Los Arcos Day Stop)
20° 32.0′ N · 105° 17.7′ W · approximate
The small cove of Boca Mismaloya, the beach from 'Night of the Iguana', about 1 km south of the Los Arcos sea stacks. It is the closest landing for a Los Arcos snorkel or dive. Anchoring at Los Arcos itself is no longer allowed.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: the OSM point for Boca Mismaloya bay (20.53379, -105.29387), nudged slightly offshore. It is not a surveyed anchorage. Noonsite: anchoring is no longer permitted at Los Arcos. The Los Arcos marine park covers the waters around the stacks, so tie to nothing and anchor on nothing there. Ask the Puerto Vallarta port captain whether a short stop in Mismaloya cove is allowed under current park rules before you drop a hook. The cove is open to the west and northwest and to the afternoon thermal; it is a calm-morning stop only. Tour boats commonly lie just offshore and shuttle guests ashore by skiff. The practical way to snorkel Los Arcos is by dinghy from a boat lying here briefly, or on a day trip by bus to Mismaloya. The Marigalante pirate-ship replica sank near Los Arcos on October 10, 2025; ask locally about any wreck hazard. In January 2026 residents protested a proposed private breakwater at Mismaloya, and the city asked SEMARNAT to fast-track a protected-area decree, so rules may tighten.
Best for
Brief calm-morning stop to snorkel Los Arcos by dinghy
Season
Nov–May mornings; untenable in the afternoon thermal or W swell
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).