Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Island, Breakfast, Lunch, Open Bar

The big draw here is Marietas Island, a protected marine park scattered across Banderas Bay. The boat ride gives you a chance to spot humpback whales in season, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and marine birds before you reach the islands.

I like the way the six-hour trip combines snorkeling and kayaking with a cooked lunch, breakfast, and drinks. I also like that the crew keeps the return ride lively with music, dancing, karaoke, and games instead of treating the boat as a simple taxi.

The main caution is the price of extras. The advertised $128 rate does not include the marine park fee or marina charge, and access to the famous Playa del Amor may not be part of this outing. Confirm exactly what is included before you pay.

Key points to know before booking

• Marietas Island is the main event: You cruise into a protected marine area known for fish, seabirds, and possible whale sightings.
• Water activities are included: Snorkel gear, life jackets, kayaks, and paddle boards are provided.
• Food comes at useful times: A continental breakfast is served on the way out, followed by a hot lunch after the water activities.
• The open bar starts after snorkeling: You can relax with a drink once the active part of the trip is finished.
• Playa del Amor may be separate: The famous beach is not clearly included, so ask about access and added charges.
• Bring a security deposit: You need a hotel room key, identification, or 200 pesos for the snorkeling equipment deposit.

Why Marietas Island is worth the boat ride

Marietas Island is one of the most recognizable sights in Banderas Bay, but the value of this trip depends on what you want from a day at sea. This is not only a sightseeing cruise and not only a snorkeling outing. It tries to combine wildlife watching, water sports, meals, drinks, and a party atmosphere in one half-day package.

You begin with a cruise away from Puerto Vallarta. Breakfast is served during the ride, giving you something to eat before the snorkeling begins. Keep your camera ready during this stretch, especially in whale season. Humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and marine birds are all listed as possible sightings, but wildlife is never guaranteed.

That uncertainty matters. You are buying time on the water and a chance to see animals in their natural setting, not a guaranteed whale show. If a whale surfaces nearby, the trip can become something special. If the bay is quiet, the islands and water activities still provide the main experience.

The scenery also gives you a different view of the Puerto Vallarta area. From the boat, the focus shifts from the city to open water, rocky islands, and the protected marine zone around Marietas. The guides explain more about the area during the cruise and lunch, which adds useful context to what you are seeing.

Breakfast on the way to the islands

The continental breakfast is a practical touch rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. It means you do not have to start a six-hour outing on an empty stomach, and it leaves more room for lunch after snorkeling.

The ride out is also a good time to settle into the pace of the day. You can watch the water, listen for instructions, and scan for birds or marine life. If you are prone to seasickness, eat lightly and bring whatever personal remedy you normally use. The provided information does not promise calm water, and conditions in Banderas Bay can change.

Bring sunglasses and a hat, but secure both carefully. The same goes for phones and cameras. A camera or video camera is allowed, and you will want one for the island views and possible wildlife, but water activities create obvious risks for electronics.

Snorkeling in the protected marine park

Once you reach Marietas Island, the guides point out areas where you may find a variety of fish. Mask and snorkel equipment, life jackets, and guidance are included. You should expect the visibility to depend on the day, water conditions, and location.

One important warning comes from the experience itself: snorkeling is not always spectacular. A verified two-star review described the water as so cloudy that very little could be seen. That is a fair reminder not to book this solely for underwater viewing. The same marine park can look very different with changing conditions.

On a good day, you may swim among colorful fish and see a busy marine ecosystem close to the islands. The possible blue-footed booby is another unusual attraction. This bird is associated with the Galapagos Islands and Marietas, but spotting one is a matter of luck, not a promise.

The equipment deposit also deserves attention. At check-in, you need a hotel room key, identification, or 200 pesos as security for the snorkeling gear. Bring an acceptable deposit item so this small requirement does not become a hassle at the start of the day.

Kayaks, paddle boards, and time in the water

After snorkeling, you can choose kayaking, paddle boarding, or simple swimming. This gives the tour a useful advantage over a cruise that keeps everyone seated. You can spend the active portion of the outing in the way that suits you.

I would choose kayaking or paddle boarding if you want a closer look at the water around the islands without committing to more snorkeling. If you are tired, swimming or relaxing is perfectly reasonable. The trip supplies the equipment, so you do not need to pack your own board or kayak.

Life jackets are provided, and you should follow the crew’s instructions around the boats and rocky island areas. The information does not give a detailed accessibility description or say how long each water activity lasts, so ask before booking if you need a specific amount of swimming time or have mobility concerns.

This part of the itinerary also helps balance the day. The boat ride and meals are passive, while snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding give you something active to do. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate having several options, though children ages three to five pay 200 pesos directly at check-in.

Lunch, drinks, and the boat ride home

After the water activities, you return to the boat for the open bar and a hot lunch prepared onboard. The order is sensible: finish the active part first, then eat and relax. You can choose your preferred drink once the bar opens after snorkeling.

The food receives some of the strongest praise attached to this experience. The breakfast, snack, and lunch are repeatedly described as tasty and well handled, with particular approval for the cooked lunch. That makes the $128 price easier to justify for anyone who values a full day of food along with the marine activities.

Still, expectations should remain reasonable. The supplied information does not give a lunch menu, drink list, or special dietary details. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, ask the operator before departure rather than assuming the boat kitchen can make substitutions.

The open bar is another feature that needs a practical reading. It adds a social, festive feel, but it is scheduled after snorkeling. That is a good safety arrangement, and you should plan to keep your drinking modest until all swimming and equipment activities are finished.

Music, karaoke, and a lively return

The return trip changes tone. The dance floor opens, music plays, and karaoke and games keep the boat active until Puerto Vallarta. One Mexican reviewer described the crew’s good energy from the moment passengers boarded, along with attentive help throughout the day.

This makes the tour a better fit for someone who wants a social boat outing rather than quiet nature viewing. You can dance, sing, join the games, or simply sit with a drink and watch the bay. The staff’s friendly approach is one of the most praised parts of the experience, along with the food and organization.

If you want a peaceful, small-group nature trip with little noise, this may not be your ideal choice. The music and karaoke are part of the product, not an occasional extra. The party element can be fun after the snorkeling, but it may feel excessive if your goal is a calm afternoon on the water.

The Playa del Amor question

Many people associate Marietas Island with Playa del Amor, often called the Hidden Beach. This trip highlights a secret beach, but the practical details are not fully clear. The listed inclusions cover snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boards, meals, drinks, and equipment, but they do not specifically list entry to Playa del Amor.

One verified French review said access to Playa del Amor required an additional payment, along with another charge for a small boat ride around the island. The exact amount reported was high, and the reviewer felt the total cost became poor value after taxes and extras.

You should treat that as a serious booking question. Ask the operator these specific points before reserving:

• Is Playa del Amor included in this exact departure?
• Is a separate small boat required to reach or view it?
• What is the current added price?
• Does the marine park fee cover that access, or is it separate?

If the beach is your main reason for visiting Marietas, do not rely on a general promise of a secret beach. Confirm the route and fees in writing. If you are happy with snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife watching, and the boat party, the outing can still work well without that beach stop.

What the $128 price really covers

At $128 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the islands. The fare includes English or Spanish tour guides, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, kayaking, paddle boards, and an open bar after snorkeling. Music, karaoke, dancing, and games are also built into the day.

Those inclusions give the trip solid value for someone who would otherwise pay separately for a boat ride, meals, equipment, and drinks. The food and staff receive especially strong praise, and the outing is organized around a full six hours rather than a short island transfer.

You must add the marine park conservation fee and marina entrance fee. The information gives slightly different figures: one section lists 220 pesos for the marine park and 33 pesos for the marina, while the preparation notes list 180 pesos and 32 pesos. Budget roughly 212 to 253 pesos per person based on those figures, then confirm the current amount at check-in.

Tips, photos, and other personal spending are not included. Children ages three to five pay 200 pesos directly at check-in. The ability to reserve now and pay later, plus free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead, gives you useful flexibility if your plans are still shifting.

Who will enjoy this six-hour outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want several kinds of activity in one booking. It suits people who like a mix of nature, swimming, food, drinks, music, and group entertainment. It is also a sensible choice for a group with different tastes, since one person can snorkel while another uses a paddle board or simply enjoys the boat.

It may suit families, but check the water activity details and the extra payment for children ages three to five. The tour includes safety equipment, yet the provided details do not explain child-specific flotation gear, supervision, or accessibility.

You will probably enjoy it less if your priority is a quiet wildlife cruise or guaranteed clear snorkeling. You may also want another option if Playa del Amor is essential and the added access fee pushes the total beyond your budget.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, camera, and extra cash. Pack your hotel key or identification for the snorkeling equipment deposit. The marina fee and conservation charge are separate, so keep pesos handy.

Should you book Puerto Vallarta Net’s Marietas Island tour?

Book it if you want a busy, all-in-one day on the water with food, equipment, guides, wildlife possibilities, and a party-style return. The strongest reasons are the attentive crew, well-liked meals, range of water activities, and the chance to see Marietas Island from several angles.

Think twice if you are paying mainly for clear snorkeling or Playa del Amor. Water visibility can disappoint, and beach access may require an extra payment. Ask about both points before you commit.

For the right person, this is a fun and well-packed introduction to Marietas Island. Just price the required fees, confirm the beach arrangements, and accept that wildlife and underwater visibility depend on nature.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Island tour?

The activity lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What languages are available?

The live guides speak English and Spanish.

Are breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. A continental breakfast is served during the cruise to the islands, and a hot lunch is prepared on the boat after the water activities.

When does the open bar begin?

The open bar opens after snorkeling and the other water activities. Drinks are not listed as available during the active water portion.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour includes a mask, snorkel, and life jacket. You need to provide a hotel room key, identification, or 200 pesos as a security deposit for the snorkeling equipment.

Are marine park and marina fees included?

No. The marine park conservation fee and marina entrance fee are extra. The listed figures vary, with the marine park fee shown as 180 or 220 pesos and the marina fee as 32 or 33 pesos, so confirm the current amounts before departure.

Is Playa del Amor included?

The supplied inclusions do not clearly list Playa del Amor. One verified booking experience reported an additional charge for access to the beach and a separate small boat ride, so confirm the current arrangement with the operator before booking.