Full Day Tour Isla Marietas with Meals and Open Bar

The big draw is the Marietas Islands, where clear Pacific water, colorful fish, dolphins, and seasonal humpback whales create a memorable day offshore. The most dramatic moment may be swimming through a rocky passage toward the famous beach, but this is not a simple walk-off-the-boat excursion.

I like the mix of activities, especially the included snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddleboards. I also like that breakfast, lunch, and a catamaran ride are covered in the $115 price, so you are not paying separately for every basic part of the day.

The tradeoff is time. The boat ride can take close to two hours each way, while the actual beach visit and snorkeling may be brief. You should also budget for conservation and park fees, and you need to be a capable swimmer for the most exciting water activities.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat ride can take up most of the day: Plan on roughly six to seven hours, with some departures lasting longer than expected.
• Playa del Amor is not included: Access to the hidden beach requires an extra fee, has limited daily availability, and involves a demanding swim.
• The group may reach 80 people: Expect a shared excursion rather than a quiet island outing.
• Food is included, but keep expectations modest: Breakfast and lunch are served onboard, with reports of chilaquiles and eggs in the morning and sandwiches, salads, or chicken dishes later.
• Alcohol may be served only after water activities: Soft drinks, water, juices, and coffee are available, but the alcoholic open bar is not necessarily operating during the outward trip.
• Whales and dolphins are seasonal bonuses: Humpback whales are most likely from December through March, while marine life sightings are never guaranteed.

What the day at the Marietas Islands is really like

This is a full-day ocean outing, not a quick island transfer. You meet at the Terminal Maritima API in Puerto Vallarta at 8:15 a.m., find the Beach Boy Agency office on the second floor, and then board a catamaran for the trip toward Nayarit.

The main attraction is the protected Marietas Islands, a group of rocky islands known for seabirds, caves, fish, dolphins, and seasonal whales. The scenery is excellent from the boat, especially when the islands come into view as dark volcanic rock rising from the Pacific.

You should think of the islands as a marine park first and a beach destination second. Most of the day centers on the water, not on strolling around shore. That distinction matters because the photographs of Playa del Amor can make this look like a conventional beach trip.

The long catamaran ride from Puerto Vallarta

The catamaran is part of the experience, but it also takes patience. The advertised duration is about six hours, yet several accounts describe close to two hours of travel each way, sometimes with a late return. A day scheduled from morning into mid-afternoon may stretch toward early evening.

I would avoid booking this excursion on a day when you need to catch a flight, return to a cruise ship on a tight schedule, or make another fixed appointment. One account describes a return after 6 p.m., while another mentions a 6:45 p.m. arrival. The stated duration is approximate, so give yourself a wide time cushion.

The boat can carry up to 80 people. That capacity helps keep the price below many private charter options, but it also means more people moving through meals, equipment, swimming areas, and boat transfers. If you prefer quiet deck time and personal attention, this may feel crowded.

The crew has received credit for being friendly, energetic, and good at keeping the mood lively. At the same time, communication has not always been consistent, particularly when explaining extra activities, meal times, and what is included. Listen carefully during the safety briefing and ask direct questions before you leave the pier.

Breakfast, lunch, and the open bar

Breakfast and lunch are included, which gives the $115 price some practical value. Breakfast has been described as chilaquiles and eggs, while lunch may include a sandwich, pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, or a vegetarian option. A later salad cup has also been served on some departures.

I would treat these meals as convenient boat food, not as a reason to skip breakfast before leaving your hotel. Portions and quality can vary, and there have been complaints about food running short or tasting plain. Eating something beforehand is sensible, especially if you are prone to seasickness or plan to spend much of the day in the water.

The phrase open bar needs careful reading. The operator explains that alcohol is offered after the aquatic activities, partly for safety. During the earlier part of the trip, you should expect soft drinks, water, juices, and coffee rather than free-flowing alcoholic drinks. Alcohol selection may be limited, and the open bar has been described as mainly available on the return journey.

That policy is reasonable for a snorkeling excursion, but it should be clear before you pay. If your main goal is a party cruise, you may find the timing disappointing. If your priority is safe swimming and marine activities, postponing alcohol until afterward makes sense.

Snorkeling around the protected islands

Snorkeling equipment is included: fins, a vest, and a snorkel. That saves you from renting basic gear elsewhere, and the islands can reward you with colorful fish. Puffers have been spotted, along with other reef fish, and the water setting is one of the strongest parts of the outing.

The time in the water may be shorter than you expect. Some accounts describe about 20 minutes of snorkeling, with additional time available for other activities. The exact schedule can depend on sea conditions, the group, and the day’s operating plan.

You should be comfortable in open water. The Pacific can be choppy, and currents near rocks can push swimmers around. This is not the place to discover that you are uneasy without solid footing. The flotation vest helps, but it does not replace swimming ability.

Sun protection also requires planning. The operator says you cannot apply sunscreen for 30 minutes before reaching the island if you intend to take part in the water activities. The reason is protection of the national park. You may also be asked to leave hats, glasses, and water shoes behind before entering the water, since dropped items can harm the protected area.

Those rules can feel fussy, but they are important in a sensitive marine environment. Ask the crew exactly what you may carry before leaving the main boat, since carrying restrictions have not always been explained clearly.

Kayaks, paddleboards, and the transfer to shore

Kayaking and paddleboarding are included, giving you something to do between snorkeling sessions. The available area may be close to the catamaran rather than a long independent paddle. One account describes the equipment being used within roughly 100 feet of the boat.

That is enough for a short activity, but do not picture a free-ranging expedition around the islands. This is a supervised group outing with limits set by safety, park rules, and time. If you want hours of kayaking, this is not the right format.

For the beach portion, the catamaran does not simply pull up beside a broad sandy shore. You may transfer to a smaller boat, then swim from that boat toward the beach. The final swim can be difficult in choppy water, particularly for anyone carrying anxiety, wearing a life vest, or dealing with a current.

The beach visit itself may last only 20 to 30 minutes. Once ashore, there is little infrastructure and limited space for activities. The appeal is the setting, the cave, and the unusual experience of reaching a protected beach by swimming through a rocky opening.

Playa del Amor and the extra-fee question

The well-known hidden beach, often called Playa del Amor, is not part of the basic package. Access requires an additional conservation or excursion payment, and the number of people allowed each day is limited. Availability may also depend on the day of the week, with access described as available Wednesday through Sunday.

This is the single most important detail to settle before booking. If Playa del Amor is the reason you want to visit the Marietas Islands, ask the operator if access is available on your date, how much it costs, and if a place can be reserved. Do not assume that paying for the catamaran guarantees entry.

The route into the beach involves a helmet and a swim close to rock on both sides and overhead. You need good swimming skills and comfort in confined spaces. Waves and currents can make the passage harder, and sharp rock is close by.

If conditions or availability prevent entry, you may still receive a boat-based nature tour around the island. This can show you the island’s craters and the opening to the beach without letting you go ashore. The scenery can still be worthwhile, but it is a different experience from standing on the sand.

Marine life is the best bonus

The wildlife is where this trip can become special. Dolphins and colorful fish are possible, and humpback whales make the area their seasonal home from December through March. One especially memorable sighting involved a whale circling a catamaran and breaching several times.

Blue-footed boobies have also been seen around the islands. These birds are an unusual treat, though wildlife is never guaranteed. You may have a quiet crossing with only distant seabirds, or you may hit a remarkable day with whales, dolphins, and close views of the island’s rock formations.

The important point is to value the whole marine setting, not only one promised sight. If you need guaranteed whale sightings or a guaranteed hidden-beach visit, no shared tour can provide that certainty.

What the $115 price includes, and what it does not

At $115 per person, the package includes:

• Catamaran transportation to and from the Marietas Islands
• Breakfast and lunch
• Snorkel, fins, and flotation vest
• Kayaking
• Paddleboarding
• An onboard open bar, with alcohol generally served after water activities

You must also pay additional charges. The stated conservation bracelet costs 220 MXN when boarding at the pier, and the Marietas National Natural Park admission fee is listed as 33 MXN per person. That adds 253 MXN to the advertised price before tips or the separate Playa del Amor charge.

Because several accounts describe confusion around port and reserve fees, I would confirm the exact amount at booking and again at the pier. Fees can change, and the published figures have not always matched what people expected to pay.

The value depends on how much of the included program you use. If you snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, eat both meals, and enjoy the boat ride, the package can be reasonable. If you mainly want 30 minutes on the beach, the price feels much less attractive, especially after adding park, conservation, and hidden-beach fees.

Practical details for a smoother morning

The meeting point is the Terminal Maritima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Las Glorias area of Puerto Vallarta. The agency office is on the second floor, and the stated meeting time is 8:15 a.m.

Bring a swimsuit, a change of clothes, and any medication you need for a long boat ride. A towel is sensible, although it is not listed among the included items. Since hats, glasses, and water shoes may not be allowed during water activities, ask where you can safely leave them.

Keep your meal ticket safe. Losing it has caused problems for some people trying to claim lunch. Also carry pesos for the conservation and park charges, as well as optional extras and tips.

Photographic services are not provided by the tour operator. If someone offers photos at the pier or onboard, that is a separate service arranged by another seller, and the operator says it is not responsible for that transaction.

The tour is offered in English, but communication can vary during a busy group day. If an instruction is unclear, ask the crew to repeat it before you enter the water or transfer to the smaller boat.

Who should book this Marietas Islands tour?

I would choose this tour if you want an affordable shared catamaran outing and plan to use the water activities. It suits capable swimmers, families who enjoy a lively boat day, and anyone who likes combining scenery, snorkeling, wildlife watching, meals, and a little onboard entertainment.

I would be cautious if you dislike long boat rides, need a quiet experience, or want a polished luxury operation. A boat with room for 80 people, changing activity times, and sales pitches for extras can feel busy.

I would also think twice if you cannot swim confidently in rough water. The snorkeling and hidden-beach portions are not passive sightseeing. You may stay on the boat, but the main appeal of the excursion is being active in the sea.

Should you book it?

Book it if you see the Marietas Islands as a full ocean day and accept that the beach portion may be short. The strongest reasons to go are the island scenery, possible whales and dolphins, included gear, and the friendly energy of the crew.

Skip it if Playa del Amor is your only goal unless you first confirm availability and the extra fee. For a quieter schedule, guaranteed beach time, or a more refined boat, compare private or smaller-group options. At $115, this is a value-oriented excursion, not a luxury one. Your satisfaction will depend heavily on your expectations, swimming ability, and willingness to spend much of the day aboard the catamaran.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The stated duration is approximately six to seven hours. The day begins at 8:15 a.m., but the return can be later than the advertised schedule, so leave extra time before evening plans.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Terminal Maritima API, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included?

Breakfast and lunch are included. Breakfast may consist of chilaquiles and eggs, while lunch can include a sandwich with pasta salad, chicken salad, tuna salad, or a vegetarian option.

Is alcohol included in the open bar?

An onboard open bar is included, but alcoholic drinks are generally served after the water activities. Soft drinks, water, juices, and coffee are available during the earlier part of the outing.

Is the hidden beach included?

No. Playa del Amor requires an additional payment and has limited daily availability. The trip to the beach also requires a swim from a smaller boat.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Yes, strong swimming ability is important for snorkeling and especially for reaching the beach. The sea can be choppy, and currents near the rocks may be strong.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides fins, a snorkel, and a flotation vest. Kayaks and paddleboards are also included.

What additional fees must I pay?

The stated conservation bracelet costs 220 MXN, and admission to Marietas National Natural Park is listed at 33 MXN per person. Tips and the separate Playa del Amor charge are not included.