Catamaran Islas Marietas – Snorkel & Open Bar

The main draw here is a full day on the Pacific, with the Marietas Islands as your backdrop. You sail from Puerto Vallarta, spend time near rocky coves and arches, then return with food, music, games, and an open bar.

I like the practical all-in-one setup: breakfast, lunch, and water equipment are included, so you do not need to arrange separate meals or rent a kayak at the islands. I also like the mix of active and easygoing time. You can snorkel or paddle, then stretch out on deck with views of Banderas Bay.

The main caution is that the experience may not match the polished catamaran description in every detail. One detailed account reported a much larger group, mostly Spanish-language hosting, only about 30 minutes for snorkeling, and a trip that lasted closer to nine hours than six. The current details list a maximum of 90 people, so this is better suited to a lively boat outing than a small, quiet cruise.

Key points to know before you book

• The Marietas Islands are the day’s main stop: Expect snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and views of rock formations near Islas Marietas National Park.
• Food is included: The morning spread includes fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, and hot cakes, followed by lunch onboard.
• The open bar is mainly for the return: Alcoholic drinks are listed as available on the way back, not throughout the entire outward journey.
• English is offered, but language balance may vary: One account found that most announcements and music were in Spanish.
• The group can be large: The stated maximum is 90 people, while one past account described more than 100.
• Bring your own comfort kit: Pack a swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, comfortable shoes, biodegradable sunscreen, and insect repellent.

Sailing out from Puerto Magico at 8:00 am

Your morning begins at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone Norte. The listed start time is 8:00 am, and the tour returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day.

The early start matters. Islas Marietas is offshore, so this is not a quick harbor cruise with a short stop. You are committing most of the day to the outing. The advertised duration is about 10 hours, although a past account described a trip of roughly nine hours and also noted that the experience had been presented elsewhere as six hours. Allow plenty of room in your schedule after the return.

Once onboard, breakfast gives you a useful start before the more active part of the trip. The menu includes fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, and hot cakes. It is a simple continental-style meal rather than a restaurant breakfast, but it covers the basics and saves you from having to eat before reaching the meeting point.

As the boat leaves Puerto Vallarta, the scenery shifts from the city and hotel zone to the broad sweep of Banderas Bay. You can expect music during the ride, and the boat may use games, dancing, or karaoke on the way back. This is part of the character of the trip: it is designed as a social day at sea, not as a quiet naturalist expedition.

What the boat atmosphere means for your day

The experience is described as a catamaran cruise, but you should keep your expectations flexible. A past account said the vessel did not feel like the advertised catamaran and that the group was much larger than expected. The current information gives a maximum of 90 people, which is still a substantial crowd on any boat.

That size can work well if you enjoy a cheerful, party-like atmosphere. There is likely to be more energy, more music, and more company than on a small charter. If you are traveling with friends or family and want an easy day where meals and equipment are handled for you, the format can be convenient.

It is less ideal if you want long, quiet stretches in nature or detailed personal attention from a guide. You may need to pay close attention to instructions, especially when the group is moving between swimming, kayaking, and boarding areas.

English is listed as an available language. Still, one past account reported that about 90 percent of the spoken material was in Spanish, with most music also in Spanish. That does not mean you will receive no English guidance, but it is sensible to confirm how bilingual the current departure will be if clear English instruction is important to you.

Reaching Islas Marietas National Park

The islands are the center of the outing, and the journey gives you time to settle into the boat before the water activities begin. Islas Marietas National Park is known for its offshore rock formations, sea caves, arches, and protected marine setting.

The tour description places you near secluded coves and rocky arches. Those formations are the reason to choose this trip over a standard bay cruise. You get a change of scenery from Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront and a chance to see the coast from the water rather than from a beach or road.

The wildlife element is also part of the appeal. You may see local marine or bird life while sailing and around the islands, although no particular species or guaranteed sighting is provided. Treat wildlife as a welcome possibility, not the central promise of the day.

The schedule at the islands is important. The overall trip is long, but that does not mean you spend most of the day snorkeling. One detailed account described only about 30 minutes in the water. Time can also be taken up by sailing, meals, safety instructions, boarding, and the different activities.

If snorkeling is your top priority, ask how much current water time is planned before you pay. That single question may tell you more about the trip’s fit than the full-day label.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding

The tour provides snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak equipment. On paper, that gives you three ways to enjoy the water instead of forcing everyone into the same activity.

Snorkeling is the most direct way to see the marine setting around the islands. The water is described as clear, and you can look around rocky coastal areas while staying close to the boat or designated activity zone. Conditions can change, so visibility and comfort may not be the same every day.

There is one practical issue to settle in advance. A past account said snorkels were not handed out because of Covid precautions, despite snorkeling being part of the advertised plan. The supplied information does not say whether that policy is still in effect. If you do not want to risk losing your main activity, ask before departure whether shared snorkel gear is currently distributed and what sanitation rules apply.

Kayaking and paddleboarding offer a different view of the islands. From a kayak, you can move near rock formations and coves at water level. Paddleboarding gives you a higher viewpoint, though balance and sea conditions may make it more demanding. Neither activity is described as a private excursion, so you should expect to use the equipment within the boat’s schedule and instructions.

The famous Hidden Beach, also called Playa del Amor, is described as an optional visit. It is not guaranteed as part of every outing, and the provided details do not explain the access conditions, swimming requirements, or exact time allowed there. Ask about the day’s conditions and whether the beach visit is operating when you arrive.

Meals onboard and the open-bar timing

The food helps explain the $92 base price. You receive breakfast and lunch without needing to bring a full day of provisions. For a boat excursion lasting most of the day, that is a real convenience.

Breakfast is modest but useful. Fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, and hot cakes give you both light and filling choices. Lunch is included, though no menu is supplied. One past account described the food as only so-so, so I would not book this for a special culinary experience.

The open bar is another part of the value, but read the timing carefully. Alcoholic drinks are listed as available on the way back, rather than during the full sailing. That makes sense from a safety point of view, since you may be swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding earlier in the day.

A past account also found the drinks weak. Drink strength can vary with the pour and the current service, but you should think of the bar as a social extra rather than the reason to book. Stay cautious with alcohol on a boat, especially after swimming in the sun.

Music is included, and the return may feature dancing, games, or karaoke. The musical mix may lean heavily toward Spanish-language songs. That can be fun if you want a festive Mexican setting, but less appealing if you are hoping for a calm ride back.

The real value of the $92 price

At $92 per person, the package combines transport by boat, island access, breakfast, lunch, water equipment, onboard entertainment, and insurance on the boat. You also receive the convenience of returning to the original meeting point rather than arranging your own transportation from the coast.

There are extra government charges. The supplied details list $3 per person in government fees and a $10 SEMARNAT bracelet fee per person. That adds $13, bringing the known total to about $105 per person before any other possible costs.

That price can be reasonable if you plan to use several parts of the package. A person who wants a full-day boat outing, meals, snorkeling, paddling, and drinks may find it simpler than paying for each piece separately.

The value drops if you mainly want a long snorkeling session. A short water period, a large group, or unavailable snorkel gear would leave you paying for features you could not fully use. Likewise, if you dislike loud music or large social boats, the included entertainment may feel more like a compromise than a benefit.

I would compare the total price, including both government charges, with smaller boat tours before booking. The key comparison is not only the number of hours. Ask how many minutes are spent in the water, what type of vessel is used, how many people are expected, and whether the English guide gives full instructions.

Who will enjoy this Puerto Vallarta outing

This tour fits you best if you want a ready-made day with plenty of variety. Families with older children, groups of friends, and couples who enjoy a sociable boat ride may like the combination of scenery, food, water sports, and music.

It is also useful for someone who does not want to plan the details. The boat handles the route, meals, equipment, and return to Puerto Vallarta. You can show up with your swimsuit and spend the day moving from one activity to the next.

You may want a different style of excursion if you value a small group, quiet wildlife viewing, strong English commentary, or maximum time snorkeling. The listed capacity of 90 people is not a minor detail. It shapes the pace, the boarding process, and how much individual attention you can expect.

Pregnant passengers should note the strict boarding restriction. The company reserves the right to refuse boarding to anyone who is pregnant, regardless of stage, because of the risks connected with maritime activity and vessel movement.

Most people can participate, and the tour is near public transportation. Still, you should be comfortable with a full day around a boat, water activities, and boarding procedures. The provided details do not give specific accessibility information, so ask directly if you need assistance.

What to pack for the Marietas Islands

Keep your day bag simple and practical:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Extra clothes for the return trip
• Comfortable clothing and shoes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent

A dry change of clothes is especially useful after snorkeling or paddling. Sunscreen should be biodegradable because you will be in a protected marine area. Reapply carefully, but follow any instructions from the crew about when to use it around the water.

The tour includes insurance onboard, but that does not replace sensible preparation. Bring only what you need, protect electronics from spray, and listen closely during safety instructions.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience is offered in English. Because the activity is often booked far ahead, planning early may matter during busy Puerto Vallarta periods.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

I would also confirm four points before finalizing your plans: the expected group size, the vessel type, the amount of English used onboard, and whether snorkel equipment will be issued. Those details address the biggest practical uncertainties in the experience.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a social, full-day Pacific outing with meals, water equipment, island scenery, and a return-trip bar. The package is convenient, and the chance to kayak or paddleboard near the Marietas rock formations adds more variety than a basic sightseeing cruise.

Think twice if snorkeling is your main goal or if you strongly prefer a small boat. The reported crowd size, limited snorkeling time, Spanish-heavy atmosphere, and uncertainty about equipment may matter more to you than the included breakfast and lunch.

At the base price of $92, plus $13 in stated government and SEMARNAT charges, this is a fair package for an active day with food and entertainment. It is not the best choice for a quiet nature trip or a carefully guided English-language excursion. Ask the key questions first, then book if the lively boat atmosphere sounds like part of the fun rather than a nuisance.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The advertised duration is approximately 10 hours. One past account described a trip of about nine hours, so allow most of the day.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak equipment are listed as included. However, a past account said snorkels were not distributed because of Covid precautions, so confirm the current policy before departure.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast includes fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, and hot cakes. Lunch is also included onboard.

When are alcoholic drinks available?

The open bar lists alcoholic drinks as available on the return journey.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. The provided information lists a $3 government fee and a $10 SEMARNAT bracelet fee per person.