Islas Marietas & BBQ lunch at Majahuitas

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta boat day is the mix of wildlife watching and water sports. You may spot dolphins in Banderas Bay, humpback whales in season, giant manta rays, blue-footed boobies, and red-billed tropicbirds before choosing a kayak, snorkel gear, or paddleboard near the Marietas Islands.

I like the attentive crew, especially guides such as Dani and Poncho, and I like that the BBQ lunch at Majahuitas is more than a basic sandwich stop. The main catch is time: you spend most of the seven-hour trip aboard the boat, and snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding can feel rushed.

Key points to know before booking

• Whale season can transform the ride out: Humpback sightings, including breaching whales, are possible in season, along with dolphins and manta rays.
• The Marietas stop is active but brief: Snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP are available, but you may need to move quickly to try more than one.
• Majahuitas is the food highlight: The BBQ lunch comes with drinks and is served in a beautiful beach setting.
• This is a social boat day: Music, drinks, crew entertainment, and a maximum of 100 people create more of a lively group outing than a quiet cruise.
• Bring pesos and a towel: The MX$40 port fee and MX$20 conservation fee are paid separately in cash, and towels are not provided.
• Do not expect Hidden Beach: The tour visits the Marietas Islands but does not include the famous Hidden Beach.

What this Puerto Vallarta boat tour is really like

This is a full water day rather than a quick island transfer. You meet at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio at 7:00 am, pay the required fees, and board a stylish vessel for the trip across Banderas Bay.

The advertised price is $99 per person. Add MX$40 for the port fee and MX$20 for the conservation fee, both paid in Mexican cash. That makes the tour good value if you want lunch, drinks, equipment, wildlife watching, and entertainment wrapped into one day.

I would not book it solely for snorkeling. I would book it for the whole package: a long boat ride, possible marine-life sightings, a few water activities, a beach lunch, and a cheerful crew that keeps the mood going.

The group can reach up to 100 people. That matters. You get more activity choices and a social atmosphere, but you do not get a private island outing. If you want silence, long swims, or a slow morning on an empty beach, this is not the right fit.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta at 7:00 am

The early start helps you make the most of the day, but it also means breakfast requires some thought. The official inclusions list lunch and drinks, not breakfast. Some people have received light breakfast items such as fruit, coffee, orange juice, and pastries, while others have not counted on anything substantial.

My practical advice is simple: eat something before leaving or confirm the morning food arrangements when you book. You do not want to begin a boat ride hungry, especially if the sea is rough.

The crew opens the bar with refreshing drinks during the cruise. Alcohol service may be delayed until after the water activities, which is sensible. You need a clear head for swimming, climbing ladders, and balancing on a paddleboard.

The vessel provides shade, and several people have appreciated that the boat did not feel overcrowded. Still, the ride can be choppy. If you are prone to seasickness, bring whatever remedy you normally use and ask the operator if the conditions make this trip suitable for you.

Watching dolphins across Banderas Bay

The first stretch is spent scanning the water. Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, and spinner dolphins live in the bay, and the crew points out activity when it appears.

The dolphin sightings can be spectacular. Some outings see only a few animals, while others encounter large groups. That uncertainty is part of the appeal, but you should treat wildlife as a possibility, not a promise.

In season, humpback whales are the big prize. Sightings can include whales surfacing, slapping their fins, or breaching near the boat. One particularly memorable account described the vessel slowing down while a humpback breached repeatedly. That is the sort of moment that can make the long ride worthwhile.

You might also see Pacific manta rays and native seabirds. Blue-footed boobies and red-billed tropicbirds are among the species identified during the cruise. The bird watching is generally short, so keep your camera ready and listen when the guide calls out an animal.

This part of the trip is less about a formal lecture and more about watching the sea with an informed crew. The guides provide commentary about the mammals and birds, but the amount of island and wildlife information can vary. If natural history is your main interest, ask questions rather than waiting for a long presentation.

The Marietas Islands: rocks, birds, and water activities

The Marietas Islands are a group of rugged volcanic rock formations at the northern end of Banderas Bay. Their cliffs and sea caves provide habitat for seabirds, while the water around them can offer fish and marine life.

This tour does not take you to Hidden Beach. That is an important distinction because many people associate the Marietas Islands with that famous enclosed beach. The experience here is focused on the island setting, wildlife, and activities in the water.

There is no dock at the stops. You jump from the boat into the water and climb back aboard using small metal ladders. That makes the outing less suitable for anyone who is uncomfortable with open-water entry or ladder boarding.

You can use the included snorkel equipment, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The staff and eco-guides help with safety and equipment, which is useful if you have little experience with SUP or kayaking.

The biggest limitation is the clock. With three main areas to cover, the time for each activity may be short. Some outings allow roughly 30 minutes for snorkeling, and if you want to kayak or paddleboard too, you need to be ready when the crew gives instructions.

The water may be chilly, particularly outside the warmest months. A wetsuit can help, but availability and arrangements should be confirmed rather than assumed. Visibility also changes with weather. Rainy-season conditions can make the water murky, and even on a sunny day, the snorkeling may not compare with the clear water found in parts of Hawaii or the Caribbean.

I would choose one main activity instead of trying to do everything. If fish and underwater views matter most, snorkel first. If you prefer a more relaxed look at the cliffs, choose kayaking or SUP and enjoy being on the surface.

Majahuitas Beach and the BBQ lunch

Majahuitas is the most relaxed part of the day. After the boat activities, you head to the beach for lunch, drinks, and time near the shore.

The BBQ meal has received particularly strong praise. Expect a generous buffet-style spread with sandwich bread and fillings, potato salad, pasta salad, and other lunch items. The exact menu can change, but this is more substantial than the light meal many people expect on a boat excursion.

The setting adds real value. You eat near a beautiful beach rather than returning immediately to the city, and the pause gives you a chance to dry off and settle into the afternoon.

There is a tradeoff. The lunch line can be long when many people arrive at once. If you want beach time or a chance to use the water equipment at Majahuitas, ask about the order of activities. Some people have found that they ate first and then had little time left before returning to the boat.

The beach stop may feel short, especially if you want to swim, kayak, paddleboard, and eat. This is one reason the tour feels like a sampler. You get several kinds of fun, but you do not get a long, unhurried session at any one place.

The crew, music, and show on the return trip

Service is one of the tour’s strongest features. The crew shifts between safety support, wildlife guidance, drink service, and entertainment. Dani and Poncho are names that have been singled out for warm, energetic work, though your guide may be someone else.

The atmosphere is lively. Music plays, drinks keep moving, and the crew may perform a choreographed lip-sync or dance show after lunch. Several full-length songs can turn the return trip into a floating cabaret.

Some people love this finish. Others find the music too loud at times. If you want a peaceful boat ride, this may wear on you. If you like a bit of silliness and group participation, it is a welcome change from simply sitting on deck for the ride home.

I also appreciate the crew’s drink timing. Keeping alcohol off the menu until after snorkeling and similar activities shows good judgment. You can enjoy the bar later without mixing strong drinks with swimming and ladder boarding.

Price, group size, and what you actually receive

At $99 per person, the tour is priced as a full package rather than a basic snorkel trip. Your fee includes the boat ride, snorkel and kayak equipment, stand-up paddleboarding, BBQ lunch at Majahuitas, and refreshing drinks.

The possible wildlife sightings add value, but they cannot be guaranteed. The food and crew service are more dependable reasons to consider the price. So is the convenience of combining Marietas, water sports, and Majahuitas in one outing.

The extra charges are modest but easy to miss. Bring MX$40 for the port fee and MX$20 for the conservation fee per person. Carry Mexican cash, not just a credit card.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You make your own way to Puerto Magico, and the activity is scheduled to finish back at the meeting point. Because one account described confusion involving Nuevo Vallarta and a water taxi, listen carefully to the final transportation instructions before leaving the boat.

This tour is not a good choice for cruise ship passengers. The local schedule does not fit typical cruise port timing, and the early start plus seven-hour duration leaves little room for delay.

What to pack for a smoother day

You need less than you might think, since the boat supplies food, drinks, and activity equipment. Still, a few items will make the day easier:

• Mexican cash for the MX$40 port fee and MX$20 conservation fee
• A towel, since one is not provided
• Swimwear and clothes that can get wet
• Shoes that are comfortable around the boat and beach
• Sun protection
• Seasickness medication if you need it
• Cash for tips, if you plan to tip the crew

Leave drones at home. Federal rules prohibit them to protect the flight paths of endemic birds.

Do not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, or vaping devices. Federal maritime ports enforce a strict no-drug policy, and security can deny access without offering a refund or date change.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend this day to families with active children, couples who want a busy outing, and anyone who likes being on the water for hours. A seven-year-old has enjoyed it, though cold water and ladder boarding still require attention from parents.

It also suits people who want variety. You can watch for whales, snorkel, paddle, eat at the beach, sip drinks, and watch a show without arranging separate excursions.

I would be cautious if you have serious seasickness, dislike group entertainment, or want excellent underwater visibility. The trip spends most of its time on the boat, and water conditions can affect the snorkeling.

Fitness matters too. You should be comfortable entering open water, climbing small metal ladders, and handling a moderate physical day. The guides help, but this is not a passive sightseeing cruise.

Should you book the Islas Marietas and Majahuitas tour?

Book it if you want a social, all-day boat adventure with good food and several kinds of activity. The crew service, possible whale and dolphin sightings, and Majahuitas lunch make the $99 price reasonable once you add the included equipment and drinks.

Skip it if your top priority is Hidden Beach, a long snorkeling session, or a quiet private excursion. For the best chance at a memorable day, go in a season with favorable sea conditions, bring a towel and cash, eat before departure unless breakfast is confirmed, and pick one main water activity rather than racing through all three.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 7:00 am start. Poor weather can lead to a new date or a full refund, but last-minute cancellations and changes are not accepted.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta at 7:00 am. It is scheduled to finish back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately seven hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes the boat excursion, BBQ lunch at Majahuitas, refreshing drinks, snorkel equipment, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a MX$40 port fee per person and a MX$20 conservation fee per person. These fees are paid in Mexican cash.

Does the tour visit Hidden Beach?

No. The experience visits the Marietas Islands but does not include Hidden Beach.

Can I see whales and dolphins?

You may see Pacific bottlenose, spotted, or spinner dolphins, as well as humpback whales in season. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed.

Is breakfast included?

Breakfast is not listed among the official inclusions. Some departures may provide light breakfast items, but you should eat beforehand or confirm this before departure.

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 schedule.