Tropical Fish in Banderas Bay

The natural world will open up to you when you use your Puerto Vallarta Villa Rental as a home base and set out to explore the wonders of Banderas Bay. You can see many of the area’s native inhabitants at ground level, including crocodiles, sea turtles, dolphins and sea birds. You’re going to need snorkel or scuba gear to get a good look at some of the more exotic creatures, including the bay’s colorful array of tropical fish.

So what can you expect to see when you don fins and mask and dip below the surface of the bay? It’s a long list, and a field guide to tropical fishes will give you complete information. (If your Puerto Vallarta Villa Rental doesn’t have one in its library, visit a local bookstore.) Here’s a brief overview to get you started.

• Rays, including the manta ray and spotted eagle ray, often swoop around in shallow waters looking for lunch (don’t worry, they’re not interested in you). These gentle, easily recognizable guys (think “flying wing”) are pretty shy, but if you stay relatively quiet in the water, they may swim up to take a closer look at you.
• The Moorish Idol is the only member of its family, although it has some relatives among the Surgeonfish. You’ll recognize this one by its striking yellow and black bands against a white background – oh, and by its elegant trailing crest, which gives the fish a “D” shape. This one doesn’t usually hang out in company, so you’re likely to see it alone or with one or two others.
• The Cortez Angelfish is a real beauty – bright yellow in front, black in back. Said to be monogamous, these animals begin their breeding cycle in mid-summer. The youngsters tend to be territorial loners, while older animals are more inclined to wander further afield in pairs or small groups.
• Keep an eye out for critters that are likely to be more familiar to you, including lobster and octopus.