Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise from Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The best part of this day is the boat ride to the Marietas Islands, where whales, dolphins, turtles, sea birds, cliffs, and sea caves may appear before you even reach the snorkeling area. Once there, you visit Playa La Nopalera, swim near the reefs, and see La Bufadora and the stone arches from the water.

I like the mix of activities and the friendly crew. Breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, music, and drinks are included, so the $87.04 price can be fair for a full day at sea. Guides such as Jonathan and Rogelio have been praised for keeping the mood light and helping people in the water.

The main catch is time. The trip can run close to nine hours, with two or more hours each way from Puerto Vallarta. Hidden Beach is not included, and snorkeling time may be brief or murky, so this is best for people who want a social boat day, not a serious snorkeling expedition.

Key points to know before booking

• Playa La Nopalera is included: You are taken ashore for beach time, but the stop can feel short.
• Hidden Beach costs extra: Entry requires a separate reservation, has limited availability, and is not guaranteed.
• The ride is a major part of the day: From Puerto Vallarta, the crossing may take about two hours or longer each way.
• Food is included: Expect a simple breakfast and a casual lunch such as a sandwich, burger, fries, salad, ceviche, or snacks.
• The open bar may be limited by timing: Alcohol service has often been concentrated on the return ride rather than available all day.
• Snorkeling conditions vary: Water can be clear enough for fish, but it can also be murky, cold, rough, or full of jellyfish.

A long ride to the Marietas Islands

The tour begins at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio at 8:30 a.m. You meet the catamaran in Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone and return to the same place at the end of the day.

The Marietas Islands sit well offshore, so this is not a quick hop across the bay. The crossing is often around two hours each way, and some trips have taken longer. That makes the catamaran itself a central part of the experience, not just a way to reach the island.

I like that the journey gives you a chance to watch the water and the horizon. Whale sightings have been a welcome bonus on several departures, with dolphins and turtles also possible. These sightings are never guaranteed, but they can make the long ride feel worthwhile.

The trade-off is clear: you spend much of the day aboard. If you get seasick, bring whatever you normally use and choose a seat with care. The boat ride can also feel chilly on the way back, so pack a towel, dry clothes, and a light layer even on a warm morning.

Breakfast starts the day, but lunch timing matters

Breakfast is served aboard the catamaran. The listed meal includes eggs with ham, fruit, and juice, while some departures have served a simple Mexican-style breakfast such as eggs and chilaquiles.

This is useful because the boat leaves early and the first activity may not happen for several hours. Still, do not expect a resort buffet. It is a practical meal to get you started.

Lunch is also included, but the timing can vary. The advertised choices include a cold-meat baguette or a hamburger with fries and salad. Other food served on departures has included ceviche, chips, kabobs, and similar casual items.

Some passengers have found the food tasty and satisfying. Others have found the sandwich small or the burger only average. My advice is simple: eat breakfast, carry some cash for snacks, and do not plan on an early lunch. On some days, lunch has arrived after 2 p.m., and on a badly delayed trip it was served much later.

Seeing the islands from the catamaran

The Marietas Islands are a protected group of rocky islands at the mouth of Banderas Bay. Their appeal comes from the cliffs, arches, caves, craters, and unusual bird life.

The boat passes outside several notable features:

• La Bufadora, where water movement creates a blowhole effect
• The caves and stone arches along the island shore
• The second crater
• The reefs used for snorkeling
• The area around Playa La Nopalera

The crew provides explanations in English and Spanish. The guides also point out wildlife and island features from the boat. One especially interesting subject is the blue-footed booby, a famous bird of the Marietas Islands. You may see birds from the larger catamaran, but a closer ecological boat trip can cost extra.

This sightseeing portion is one of the stronger reasons to book the cruise. Even if the water is too cloudy for good snorkeling, the island cliffs and wildlife can still make the crossing worthwhile.

Playa La Nopalera is the included beach stop

The main shore visit is Playa La Nopalera. You leave the catamaran in smaller boats and go ashore in groups.

The beach is attractive, but small. Time there may be around 20 minutes, depending on sea conditions, the number of groups, and how the operator is managing other activities. That is enough for a quick swim, photographs, and a look around, but not enough for an unhurried beach afternoon.

Strong currents can make the water more demanding than it looks. Life vests are required, and that is a sensible rule. The crew has been helpful with people who are not confident swimmers, and the flotation gear allows more people to enjoy the water safely.

I would not book this excursion expecting a private beach experience. Several activities may be operating around the same island area, and shore time can feel organized and rushed. The island is the reward, but the schedule gives you only a short taste of it.

Snorkeling is the most unpredictable part

The tour includes masks, snorkels, and life vests, with a crew-led snorkeling session near the reefs. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available.

The snorkeling receives mixed reports for a simple reason: conditions change. Some departures see plenty of fish. Others encounter dark or murky water, cold temperatures, jellyfish, or a weak snorkeling site with only a few fish visible.

The designated area can also feel crowded. When several boats or groups use the same patch of water, swimmers may bump into one another. The equipment supply is another practical concern. The tour is advertised for a maximum of 40 people, but the amount of gear and water equipment can still mean that you take turns.

Plan on a short session rather than an extended reef outing. One account described roughly 20 minutes in the water, which is enough for a first look but not enough for dedicated snorkelers. If snorkeling is your main reason for visiting the islands, compare this with a smaller specialist boat.

The crew gives a snorkeling lesson and watches over participants. That is valuable for beginners and families. Still, inspect your mask and mouthpiece before entering the water, and ask for a replacement if the fit or cleanliness seems poor.

Kayaks and paddle boards add variety

The inclusion of kayaks and paddle boards gives you something to do when snorkeling is not appealing. These are shared resources, so you should expect limited turns rather than unlimited use.

I like this setup for mixed groups. A confident swimmer can snorkel, someone else can try a paddle board, and a child or non-swimmer can stay aboard or use a life vest near the boat. The activities help break up the long day.

Do not expect a private rental session. There may be only a few kayaks and boards available, and the crew has to rotate them among the people aboard. If you want one particular activity, listen carefully when the crew explains the order and timing.

Hidden Beach is the important extra-cost warning

The biggest source of confusion is Playa del Amor, also called Hidden Beach. It is not part of the standard visit to Playa La Nopalera.

Access requires an extra payment, often around MX$1,000 according to the information provided in past departures. A separate ecological tour may cost about MX$200. Hidden Beach also has limited capacity and requires its own reservation, so paying does not necessarily guarantee entry if spaces are gone or conditions change.

You may be taken in a small boat and asked to enter the water before reaching the beach. That can be uncomfortable in rough water, and jellyfish have been present on some days. The timing also matters because missing the return boat can create a serious problem.

Read the inclusions closely and ask at the dock, before boarding, exactly what your payment covers. If Hidden Beach is your top goal, book a tour that confirms it in writing rather than treating it as a possible add-on.

Music, karaoke, and the social side

This is a lively catamaran trip, not a quiet nature cruise. Music, dancing, games, and karaoke are part of the program, especially during the return journey.

That atmosphere suits you if you like meeting people and taking part in group entertainment. The bilingual guides keep busy with announcements and activities, and names such as Jonathan and Rogelio have been associated with friendly, helpful service.

The same setup can work against the tour. Music has been described as loud, repetitive, or too focused on songs the crew prefers. If you want calm time to read, listen to the sea, or watch birds, you may find the sound level tiring.

The best approach is to treat the boat as a floating party with sightseeing, rather than a peaceful sailing trip.

What the $87.04 price really covers

At $87.04 per person, the fare includes round-trip maritime transport, breakfast, lunch, soft drinks, water, listed alcoholic drinks, snorkeling equipment, life vests, kayaks, paddle boards, Playa La Nopalera, island viewing, bilingual guides, music, and onboard insurance.

That is a fair bundle if you want transportation and a full day of meals and activities in one purchase. You do not need to arrange separate boat transport, food, or basic water equipment.

The phrase all inclusive needs careful reading. The dock tax is MX$32 per person, and CONANP and SEMARNAT charges add MX$180 per person. Those are extra. Hidden Beach and the ecological tour are also extra, and photographs may be offered for an additional charge.

Alcohol service may not be available from the start. Several departures have opened the bar mainly on the return ride, sometimes during the final hour or hour and a half. You should not assume you can drink tequila or beer throughout the morning.

The boat quality is another value factor. Some accounts describe an older catamaran with hard or uncomfortable plastic chairs. If comfort matters more than entertainment, a smaller or newer vessel may be worth the higher price.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social day on the water with many elements included. It works well for families with mixed swimming ability, first-time snorkelers, cruise ship passengers, and people who enjoy music and group games.

It can also suit you if whale watching is a pleasant bonus rather than the main purpose. The crossing has produced whale, dolphin, and turtle sightings, but wildlife is never promised.

I would hesitate if you have only a few days in Puerto Vallarta or dislike long boat rides. The tour can take nine hours and sometimes more. I would also choose another operator if your priority is clear water, extended snorkeling, a quiet boat, or guaranteed Hidden Beach access.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded, and poor weather may lead to a new date or a full refund. Pregnant women beyond four months cannot join, while most other participants can take part.

Should you book the Marietas Islands cruise?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced, full-day catamaran outing with breakfast, lunch, basic water sports, island views, and a friendly bilingual crew. The scenery and chance of seeing whales can be excellent, and Playa La Nopalera gives you a real shore stop.

Skip it if you are buying it mainly for Hidden Beach or serious snorkeling. The extra charges, limited reservations, short water sessions, variable visibility, and long return ride can leave you feeling that the day was padded with time aboard.

Before paying, confirm the current boat capacity, all dock and conservation fees, the exact lunch, bar hours, and whether Hidden Beach is available at all. That five-minute check may be the difference between a fun day at sea and a costly lesson in fine print.

FAQ

Where does the Marietas Islands cruise leave from?

The meeting point is Puerto Magico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. The tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The listed duration is approximately nine hours. The boat ride can take about two hours or longer each way, and some departures have lasted closer to 11 or 12 hours because of delays or sea conditions.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is served aboard the catamaran and includes eggs with ham, fruit, and juice. Some departures have served chilaquiles with eggs.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served on the boat. Listed choices include a cold-meat baguette or a hamburger with fries and salad, while some departures have also included ceviche, chips, or kabobs.

Is alcohol included?

The tour includes a national open bar with drinks such as beer, tequila, rum, brandy, whiskey, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. Alcohol service may be limited mainly to the return trip.

Is Hidden Beach included?

No. The standard tour visits Playa La Nopalera. Hidden Beach requires an extra payment and reservation, has limited capacity, and is not guaranteed.

Are snorkeling equipment and life vests provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life vests are included. Kayaks and paddle boards are also listed as included, although they are shared among the group.

What fees are not included in the price?

The dock tax is MX$32 per person. CONANP and SEMARNAT fees are listed as MX$180 per person. Hidden Beach, the ecological tour, and other optional services may require additional payment.