Islas Marietas & BBQ lunch at Majahuitas

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water wildlife watching and easygoing beach time. You may see dolphins in Banderas Bay, humpback whales in season, manta rays, and the blue-footed boobies that make the Marietas Islands famous. Then you can trade the boat for a snorkel, kayak, or paddleboard before lunch at Majahuitas.

I like the attentive crew, especially guides such as Poncho and Dani, and I like that the tour includes equipment, drinks, and a full BBQ lunch. The main drawback is the ratio of boat time to activity time: you may spend most of the seven-hour outing aboard, with snorkeling and paddleboarding periods that feel short.

Key points to know before you book

• Wildlife comes first: Dolphins are possible year-round, while humpback whales are a seasonal bonus.
• Three water activities are included: You can choose snorkeling, kayaking, or stand-up paddleboarding, but you may not have time for long sessions in all three.
• Majahuitas is the food highlight: The BBQ lunch comes with drinks and is served in a scenic beach setting.
• This is a social boat trip: The maximum group size is 100 people, with music, onboard service, and a playful crew performance.
• Plan for wet feet: There are no docks at the stops. You enter the water from the boat and climb back up metal ladders.
• Bring cash and a towel: The port fee is MX$40 per person, the conservation fee is MX$20 per person, and towels are not provided.

A long morning on Banderas Bay

Your day begins at 7:00 am at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself and allow time to find the departure area.

Before boarding, plan to pay the MX$40 port fee in cash and the MX$20 conservation fee at check-in. These are small costs, but they matter when you are comparing the advertised $99 price with the actual amount you will spend. Carry Mexican pesos rather than relying on a card at the dock.

Once underway, the boat heads into Banderas Bay. This is not a quick transfer to the islands. The sailing is a major part of the experience, and the crew uses that time for wildlife watching, drinks, music, and commentary.

Look across the water for Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, and spinner dolphins. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the bay is a good setting for watching marine life in open water rather than at a marine park. If you visit during whale season, usually the most promising period for humpback sightings, keep your camera ready. Several outings have included close views of whales breaching, slapping their fins, or swimming near the boat.

You may also see giant manta rays and seabirds. The blue-footed booby and red-billed tropicbird are among the notable species associated with the islands. The bird sightings can be brief, so binoculars are useful if you have a compact pair, though the boat’s movement makes steady viewing difficult.

The crew provides drinks from an open onboard bar. Alcohol is not served until after the snorkeling portion, a sensible rule that keeps the first water activities safer. Nonalcoholic drinks are also available, so you do not need to drink to enjoy the included service.

One practical warning: the ride can be choppy. You spend most of the day on the boat, and the trip may not suit you if you are prone to seasickness. Take your usual precautions before departure, and choose a seat with shade if the boat offers a choice.

What you actually see at the Marietas Islands

The Marietas Islands are a group of rugged, protected islands at the northern end of Banderas Bay. Their appeal comes from the steep rock formations, sea caves, nesting birds, and fish-filled water around the islands.

This tour takes you around the marine habitat and provides time for water activities. It does not visit the famous Hidden Beach. That distinction is important because many people associate the Marietas Islands with the concealed beach, but this particular outing is built around wildlife viewing and active water time instead.

Your eco-guides explain the area and help organize the snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP. The equipment is included, and safety staff are present while you are in the water. You do not need to bring your own mask, kayak, or paddleboard.

The snorkeling can be enjoyable, especially when conditions are clear and the water is calm. You may see fish around the rock formations, but do not expect the clarity found at top snorkeling destinations in Hawaii or the Caribbean. Rainy weather can make the water murky, and the visibility may be disappointing during the wet season.

Water temperature also changes the experience. Some outings have found the water cold, particularly outside the hottest part of the year. If wetsuits are available on your departure, use one if you feel chilled easily. Otherwise, remember that the time needed to get comfortable in the water reduces an already limited activity window.

Snorkeling, kayaking, or SUP: choose carefully

The tour includes three ways to get off the boat:

• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Stand-up paddleboarding

That sounds like a full menu of activities, but you should think of it as a choice of priorities rather than a promise of extended time in each one.

Snorkeling is the simplest option if you want to see fish and spend time in the water. Kayaking gives you a better view of the cliffs and rock formations from the surface. SUP is a good choice if you enjoy balancing on the water and want a quiet way to move along the coast.

The catch is timing. Several parts of the outing are compressed by boat movements, safety instructions, boarding, and the need to serve a large group. You may have roughly 30 minutes of snorkeling on some departures, and the window for kayaking or paddleboarding can be shorter than you expect.

I would choose one main activity before you arrive. If fish and underwater views matter most, snorkel first. If you want to explore the cliffs from the surface, select a kayak or paddleboard and accept that you may not get much snorkeling time.

There are no docks at the island stops. You jump from the boat into the water, then climb back aboard using small metal ladders. That is manageable for people with moderate physical fitness, but it is not ideal if you have trouble with ladders, swimming, or repeated movement in and out of the sea.

Wear a swimsuit or clothes and shoes you do not mind getting wet. Bring a towel, since one is not supplied. Drones are prohibited because of federal rules protecting the flight paths of endemic birds.

Majahuitas makes the lunch worth waiting for

The final major stop is Majahuitas Beach, where the BBQ lunch is served. This is the part of the itinerary that receives the strongest praise for food and setting, and it gives the day a welcome change of pace after the long boat ride.

Expect a buffet-style meal with substantial portions and several side dishes. Details can vary, but past outings have included sandwich bread with assorted fillings, potato salad, pasta salad, and drinks. The meal is more than a token snack, which matters after swimming and paddling.

Majahuitas also offers a scenic place to sit and look back at the water. You may have time for another swim, a walk, kayaking, or paddleboarding, depending on the schedule and how quickly the group moves through lunch.

This is where the itinerary can feel rushed. A large group arriving at the same buffet can create lines, leaving less time for beach activities. If you want to paddleboard or kayak at Majahuitas, ask the crew about the order of lunch and activities as soon as you arrive. Do not assume you will have a long, relaxed beach afternoon.

The beach setting is lovely, but the stop is not a private Robinson Crusoe escape. The maximum capacity is 100 people, and other groups may share the area. If you want a quiet beach day or a small-group outing, this is probably the wrong format. If you like an organized social day with service, music, and plenty happening around you, Majahuitas works well.

The crew is part of the entertainment

Vallarta Adventures treats this as more than a nature excursion. The crew serves drinks, assists with equipment, gives safety directions, watches the water, and keeps the energy moving throughout the day.

Names that come up often include Poncho, Pancho, Dani, and Danny, though the exact crew depends on the boat. The staff can shift quickly from water safety to guiding, bartending, and entertainment. The return ride may include choreographed dances, lip-sync numbers, or a comic stage show.

That style will appeal to you if you enjoy a lively boat party with built-in entertainment. It may not suit you if you want quiet wildlife interpretation or a calm, small-group eco-tour. Music can become loud at times, and the show takes up part of the return journey.

The guides provide wildlife commentary, but the amount of natural-history information may vary. If you want detailed explanations about the islands, birds, or marine ecology, ask questions directly rather than waiting for a long lecture.

Is the $99 price good value?

At $99 per person, the price is fair for a seven-hour outing that includes a boat trip, drinks, lunch, snorkel equipment, kayaks, and SUP boards. The value improves if you plan to make use of the water activities and included food rather than treating it as a simple sightseeing cruise.

You should add the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 conservation fee per person. Hotel transportation is not included, and you will also want a little extra cash for tips and personal purchases.

The strongest value comes from the full-day structure. You get wildlife watching, island scenery, water activities, a substantial meal, and a beach stop without arranging separate transport or equipment rentals. The weaker value appears if your main goal is serious snorkeling. The underwater period may be too short, and visibility depends heavily on weather and season.

The same is true if you are paying mainly for beach time. Majahuitas is attractive, but the stop may feel brief once lunch lines and group logistics are counted. This is best understood as a boat-and-activities package, not a dedicated snorkeling trip or a full beach day.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Like spending most of a day on the water
• Want several activities in one outing
• Enjoy organized group tours and onboard music
• Are interested in dolphins, whales, manta rays, and seabirds
• Prefer having lunch, drinks, and equipment included
• Have moderate physical fitness and are comfortable using a metal ladder from the sea
• Are happy to choose among activities rather than spend a long time on one

Families can enjoy it, and a seven-year-old has had a good time on the trip, though water temperature and boat motion are worth considering for younger children. Teens may especially like the combination of snorkeling, paddling, wildlife, and the crew’s show.

I would be cautious if you get seasick, dislike loud music, want a private charter, or expect the Hidden Beach. You should also think twice if your priority is clear, extended snorkeling. The tour is more about the complete day than perfect underwater conditions.

Cruise ship passengers should not book this option because the schedule does not fit typical ship port timings. The experience starts early and ends back at the meeting point, but confirm the exact return instructions before departure. There has been confusion on some outings involving Nuevo Vallarta and a water taxi back to Puerto Magico, so clear directions at check-in are worth requesting.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your packing simple:

• Mexican pesos for the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 conservation fee
• A towel
• Swimsuit and clothes that can get wet
• Water-resistant sunscreen
• A small dry bag for valuables
• Motion-sickness medication if you normally need it
• Cash for tips

The formal inclusions list lunch and drinks, not breakfast. Because the departure is at 7:00 am, I would eat beforehand or carry a small snack. Some outings have provided fruit, juice, coffee, and small pastries, but you should not rely on that as a guaranteed inclusion.

Bring sun protection, but look for shade aboard the boat when possible. Several boats provide shaded areas, yet you are exposed to wind and sun for much of the day.

Weather affects both comfort and snorkeling quality. Rain can reduce visibility, while rough water can make the outward ride unpleasant. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can receive a different date or a full refund. Otherwise, cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refundable.

Should you book the Islas Marietas and Majahuitas tour?

Book this tour if you want a lively, all-day water outing with several ingredients in one package. The crew service, seasonal whale watching, dolphin sightings, solid lunch, and Majahuitas scenery can make it one of the most memorable days of a Puerto Vallarta visit.

Do not book it expecting the Hidden Beach, a quiet small boat, or hours of uninterrupted snorkeling. The most honest description is a social marine adventure with a long boat ride, short active sessions, a good beach lunch, and a fun crew performance.

For many people, that is exactly the appeal. I would choose it when I wanted variety and easy logistics. If I cared most about underwater visibility or relaxed time on shore, I would look for a more specialized trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

The tour starts at Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta, at 7:00 am. The activity is scheduled to end back at the meeting point.

How long does the excursion last?

The outing lasts approximately seven hours.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Majahuitas and refreshing drinks are included.

Are snorkeling and paddling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel equipment, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards are included.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

No. The schedule is not suitable for cruise ship passengers because of timing conflicts with the local departure and return schedule.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a MX$40 port fee per person in cash at the port and a MX$20 conservation fee per person at check-in.