Isla Marietas Catamaran Tour! Full Day Nature Adventure

The main draw is the chance to reach Islas Marietas, a protected island group offshore from Puerto Vallarta, aboard a two-level catamaran. The outing gives you about two hours near the islands, but roughly six hours of the day is spent getting there and back.

I like the generous package: breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, kayaks, and paddleboards are included. I also like the relaxed boat setup, with music and an open bar after the island visit, which gives the long return ride a festive feel.

The weak point is the timing and fee confusion. Two hours at the islands is not much after a six-hour round trip, and you should be ready to pay the $3 dock fee and $10 conservation bracelet fee in cash. Confirm the accepted currency before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours on the boat: Most of the eight-hour day is transportation, not time on the islands.
• Two hours near Islas Marietas: The island visit is the centerpiece, but it is relatively short.
• Food is included: You receive a light breakfast, hot cakes, lunch, shrimp, and a salad bar.
• Water gear is supplied: Snorkel equipment, life jackets, kayaks, and paddleboards are available.
• Two extra charges apply: Budget $3 for the dock fee and $10 for the SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet.
• Maximum group size is 70: This is a sizable shared boat outing, not a small private cruise.

Reaching Islas Marietas from Puerto Vallarta

This is a full-day marine outing, not a quick island transfer. You meet at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía near H. Escuela Naval Militar in the Área Militar de Vallarta at 8:00 a.m., then board the catamaran for the trip to Islas Marietas.

The boat ride takes about six hours in total, including the return. That matters when you compare this outing with shorter Puerto Vallarta activities. You are choosing a day built around time on the water, music, food, and a brief island stop.

I would arrive early. The departure process can involve check-in, fee collection, and lining up to board, so a last-minute arrival leaves little room for confusion. Keep your booking details handy and ask exactly where to pay the required charges before you move toward the boat.

The maximum capacity is 70 people. That is not enormous for a catamaran, but it is still a shared group experience. Expect a social setting rather than quiet personal service. If you prefer a calm boat with plenty of space, this may feel busy. If you enjoy music and meeting people, the format will likely suit you better.

Breakfast sets up a long day afloat

The included morning food is more than a token drink. The package lists continental breakfast, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice.

That is useful because you leave at 8:00 a.m. and spend hours at sea. I like having food covered from the start, especially for a day when you may be swimming and moving around on deck. You still may want to bring water or a small personal snack if you have dietary needs, but the supplied breakfast gives you a proper start.

The menu is not presented as a special regional meal. Think of it as practical fuel for an active day. The same is true of lunch, which includes a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar.

The meal plan adds real value to the $96 price. You are not paying only for transportation and a few minutes near the islands. Food for both ends of the day is part of the package, along with the water equipment and boat facilities.

Two hours around the islands

Islas Marietas is the reason to book this trip. The islands offer a change from Puerto Vallarta’s shorefront, with open water, rocky island scenery, and the chance to see the marine environment from the boat and water.

The scheduled time at the island is about two hours. Use that window carefully. You may have time to snorkel, paddle, kayak, and take in the views, but you should not expect a leisurely island afternoon.

One important detail is that an island tour may be optional and may cost extra. The base package clearly includes the boat ride to the islands, but the optional tour around the island is not part of the included list. Ask at check-in what the optional tour covers and what it costs before paying for it.

That distinction matters. A boat trip to the island is not always the same thing as a guided close look at the island itself. If seeing particular formations or shoreline features is your main goal, confirm the exact plan in advance.

Snorkeling depends on the water

Snorkel gear includes a mask, tube, and life jacket. Kayaks and paddleboards are also provided, so you have several ways to spend the island portion of the day.

Still, do not book this as a guaranteed snorkeling spectacle. Conditions can affect the experience. Jellyfish were present during one outing, and that made snorkeling unattractive. You might find the water ideal, or you might decide that staying aboard or using another activity is the wiser choice.

This is where the included gear helps. You can make a quick decision without renting equipment separately. Bring a swimsuit, towel, and dry clothes, as requested, and use biodegradable sunscreen. Insect repellent is also advised.

The two-hour window can pass quickly once you change, collect gear, enter the water, and return to the boat. I would choose one main goal, such as snorkeling or paddleboarding, instead of assuming you can do everything at length.

The catamaran is part of the experience

The two-level catamaran gives the day a social, open-air character. Music and dancing are part of the setup, so the boat ride is intended to feel like a party cruise as much as a nature outing.

The open bar begins only after the Isla Marietas stop. Do not count on drinks during the outward trip. This timing also makes practical sense: you will want to stay alert while boarding, handling snorkel gear, and taking part in water activities.

The return ride is where the music and drinks may matter most. After an early start and active time near the islands, the long ride back could feel tiring. A lively boat atmosphere can make it more enjoyable, though anyone seeking a quiet cruise should take note.

One outing had a motor problem, but the crew handled it and still completed the tour, though the day ran longer than planned. That is worth keeping in mind for any boat excursion. Mechanical delays can happen, and an eight-hour schedule may stretch.

What the $96 price really covers

At $96 per person, the price is reasonable only if you value the whole day rather than the island time alone. Included are the catamaran ride, breakfast, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, lunch, shrimp, salad, snorkel gear, life jackets, kayaks, paddleboards, music, and an open bar after the island stop.

The price does not include two required charges:

• Dock fee: $3 per person
• SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet: $10 per person

That brings the known total to at least $109 per person. The fees are listed as cash only, but payment details have caused confusion, so confirm whether cash must be in pesos or if another currency is accepted. Do not wait until boarding to sort this out.

The optional island tour is another possible cost. Since the exact price is not provided here, ask before you agree to it.

I would compare this total with other Puerto Vallarta boat trips by checking three things: how long you spend near the islands, what food is included, and whether water gear is supplied. A cheaper ticket may not include meals or equipment. A more expensive trip may offer a smaller group or more island time.

Handling check-in and extra charges

The meeting point is Grupo Naviero de la Bahía, at MQ35+4H, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Área Militar de Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. The activity ends at the same place.

The practical trouble reported with this outing involved check-in timing, fee collection, and boarding. A group arrived before the stated check-in time, waited for the office to open, then faced additional confusion over payment and another charge at the boat. The provider’s response was that the required taxes had been clearly stated.

The lesson is simple: confirm every charge and the payment currency before departure morning. Ask the operator to state the full amount per person, including the dock fee, conservation bracelet, and any optional island tour. Keep enough Mexican pesos with you, since one account had trouble using US dollars even after being told to bring them.

Also allow extra time at the marina. The stated start is 8:00 a.m., but check-in and boarding may not feel instant. A delay in getting to the line can create serious problems if the boat is ready to leave.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a social day at sea with a broad package of inclusions. It suits people who like music, shared boat trips, casual meals, and the option to swim or use paddle equipment.

It is also a good fit if you want to visit Islas Marietas without arranging your own boat, food, and equipment. The included gear removes several small planning tasks, and the breakfast helps with the early start.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the choice of activities. One person can snorkel while another stays aboard, and kayaks or paddleboards offer alternatives when the water conditions do not suit snorkeling.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet, small-group nature trip. A 70-person maximum, dancing music, and open bar point toward a lively shared outing. I would also hesitate if you want several hours on land, because the island portion is only about two hours.

What to pack for the catamaran

Keep your packing simple, but do not forget the items that make a wet day easier.

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Extra dry clothes
• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Cash for the $13 in listed required fees

A dry change of clothes is especially useful after snorkeling or paddling. Comfortable shoes matter during boarding and movement around the boat. If you plan to use the water equipment, secure loose belongings before getting underway.

Because the trip lasts about eight hours, think about sun protection and personal comfort. The provided equipment covers the main water activities, but your own towel and extra clothing are specifically important.

Booking, cancellation, and the final call

You receive confirmation at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not provide a detailed accessibility description, so ask the operator if you have specific mobility needs.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. Since boat conditions, equipment use, and timing all matter, that policy gives you some flexibility if your plans change.

Should you book it? Book this tour if you want a lively, all-day catamaran outing with food, drinks, and several water activities, and you are comfortable spending most of the day on the boat. The crew has shown flexibility when mechanical trouble caused a delay, and the package includes more than many basic boat transfers.

Skip it if your priority is long, quiet time on Islas Marietas or a small and carefully managed nature trip. The island stop is short, the group can reach 70 people, and the extra fees require careful handling. If you do book, confirm the total cost, payment currency, optional island tour, and check-in procedure before leaving your hotel.

FAQ

How long does the Isla Marietas catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours, including about six hours of round-trip boat transportation and about two hours at the islands.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin and end?

It begins at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía near H. Escuela Naval Militar in the Área Militar de Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, tube, and life jacket. Kayaks and paddleboards are also provided.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes continental items, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. Lunch includes a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. The listed extra charges are a $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet per person. Both are listed as cash only. An optional island tour may also cost extra.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.