Yachts and boat tours in the Banderas Bay region

Two states, one bay

The bay is shared by Jalisco and Nayarit. Its northern shore is a string of towns: Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and, near the end of the point, Punta de Mita. In the south lie Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán. Public water taxis, the open boats locals call pangas, run from the pier at Boca de Tomatlán and from the Los Muertos pier in Puerto Vallarta to the beaches and villages farther along the southern shore.

Where to anchor

Cruising guides give three places to anchor in the bay: off La Cruz, off Yelapa and in the wide bay at Punta de Mita. Yelapa's is deep and open to the sea.

Islands, dives and grounds offshore

The Marietas Islands, at the mouth of the bay, are a national park. Each visitor pays a daily fee, the park takes a set number of people a day, and boats that bring guests need an authorisation, so a visit is planned around its rules.

Los Arcos, five rock islets about 12 km south of Puerto Vallarta, is a protected marine park. Farther out, the rock of El Morro and the pinnacles of Chimo are dives for people with experience.

Anglers head past the point. The water around El Morro and the Marietas lies some 18 to 22 miles out; Corbeteña, a lone rock, about 35; and El Banco, a set of peaks under the surface, about 50.

Wildlife

Blue-footed and brown boobies breed on the Marietas and can be watched from a boat. Wild bottlenose dolphins are found in the bay, and some days out go looking for them. Whale sharks are reported now and then, but sightings in the bay are occasional and unpredictable.