Sea Mi Amor Marietas

Marietas Islands are the star here: small, striking islands reached by boat from Puerto Vallarta, with clear water, rock formations, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. I like the all-in-one format, since breakfast, lunch, gear, and drinks are included. I also like the chance to spend about two hours around the islands instead of simply sailing past them.

The catch is that this is a large excursion, with up to 280 people, and the optional Love Beach visit is not part of the $99 price. Add the MX$29 port tax and MX$100 conservation fee, then confirm the beach request in advance. One booking issue and a delayed lunch caused a particularly poor experience, so timing and communication matter.

Key points to know before booking

• The boat leaves at 9:00 a.m. from the Maritime Terminal, and the tour returns to the same place after roughly eight hours.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, with eggs, pancakes, fruit, coffee, orange juice, baguette sandwiches, homemade potatoes, and tropical salad.
• Kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling equipment, and life vests are supplied, so you do not need to rent water gear separately.
• The open bar begins after water activities, which is a sensible safety rule but worth knowing before you board.
• Love Beach access is optional and controlled by the marine park, with limited entry and an extra charge.
• The advertised price is not the final cost, since port tax and the Marietas conservation fee are separate.

What the Sea Mi Amor day is really about

Sea Mi Amor is a full-day boat outing built around a simple idea: get you from Puerto Vallarta to the Marietas Islands, provide the equipment for water activities, feed you twice, and keep drinks flowing once the active part is finished.

That makes the tour easy to understand and fairly easy to budget. At $99 per person, you receive a boat ride, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, and an open bar. You still need to add MX$29 for the port tax and MX$100 for the Marietas Island conservation fee. Transportation to the terminal, tips, photos, and Love Beach admission are also separate.

I see this as a value-focused day on the water, not a small, polished yacht charter. The maximum group size of 280 people is important. A large boat can mean a lively, social ride and a lower price, but it can also mean more waiting, more noise, and less personal attention during activities.

The strongest part of the package is its variety. You can paddle, snorkel, sit in the sun, eat, and enjoy the ride without arranging each piece yourself. If you want a private guide, a quiet boat, or a carefully paced nature outing, this probably is not the right fit.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta at 9:00 a.m.

You meet at the Terminal Maritima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in the Las Glorias area. The tour starts at 9:00 a.m. and ends at the same terminal.

Since transportation to the marina is not included, build that ride into your morning plan. I would arrive early enough to find the correct check-in point, settle the added fees, and confirm any request for Love Beach. That last step is especially important. Access is controlled by the marine park, limited by environmental rules, and not automatically included.

Once aboard, the day begins with an American breakfast. The menu includes eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, and fruit. This is useful because the first part of a boat day can stretch on, and a proper meal is better than relying on snacks from a hotel or marina shop.

The open bar is not available right away. Alcoholic drinks are served only after the water activities, so plan on breakfast, coffee, and nonalcoholic drinks before snorkeling or paddling. That policy is practical, but you should not book this expecting cocktails from the moment you board.

Two hours around the Marietas Islands

The tour’s main stop is the Marietas Islands National Park, north of Puerto Vallarta. The scheduled time around the islands is about two hours, which is enough for a taste of the area but not a long, slow exploration.

The islands are small and beautiful, with rocky shorelines and water suited to several activities. You can use the supplied snorkeling gear, paddle boards, or kayaks. Life vests are included as well.

Snorkeling conditions can vary, and the equipment experience may not be perfect for everyone. One unhappy customer felt the life jacket fit poorly and was frustrated by being urged to swim faster while staff members wore fins. That is useful advice for strong swimmers: you should still expect to wear the provided life vest, and fins may not be available.

If you are not a confident swimmer, the life vest is a benefit, not a nuisance. If you are comfortable in the water, ask clear questions before entering. Find out where you should go, how long you have, and what equipment is available. A short safety briefing and calm communication can make a big difference when a large group enters the water at once.

The kayaks and paddle boards add variety for anyone who does not want to snorkel the whole time. They also give you a way to enjoy the islands without needing advanced water skills. Still, two hours passes quickly once equipment is handed out and the group is organized.

Love Beach requires extra planning

Love Beach, often called Hidden Beach, is the most famous special-access feature connected with the Marietas Islands. It is not included in the base tour, and admission is controlled by the marine park.

You must request it in advance, and access depends on availability and environmental restrictions. Do not assume that mentioning it casually at the terminal will be enough. Confirm that the request is recorded before departure, and keep any written confirmation.

One booking went badly because the request was not found at check-in. The person spent about nine hours on the boat and did not receive lunch until around 3:00 p.m. The operator later said it had reinforced its booking procedures. That response is encouraging, but the practical lesson is yours: confirm Love Beach twice.

The extra cost can also vary. One account described paying about MX$1,000 for entry. The supplied tour details do not give a fixed Love Beach price, so ask the operator for the current amount before you commit.

Love Beach can be a worthwhile upgrade if entering the beach is your main reason for visiting Marietas. If your priority is simply a boat day with snorkeling and paddling, the standard tour may be enough. The islands themselves and the water activities remain the central part of the excursion.

Meals and the open bar

Food is included twice, which helps explain the tour’s value. Breakfast comes early, with eggs, pancakes, fruit, orange juice, and coffee. Lunch is a baguette filled with cheese, ham, and salami, served with homemade potatoes and tropical salad.

I would set expectations at practical boat-tour food rather than a restaurant meal. One person found lunch disappointing, while another praised the two meals, drinks, and activities as a strong package for the price. Those views can both be true. The food is convenient and included, but it may not be the highlight of your day.

The timing matters. One poor experience involved lunch arriving as late as 3:00 p.m. That should not be treated as the normal schedule, but it shows why you should eat the included breakfast and bring patience. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not describe alternative menus, so ask before booking.

After the water activities, the open bar becomes part of the social side of the trip. Alcoholic drinks are included, but only after snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. This gives the day a clear rhythm: eat, sail, play in the water, then relax with a drink on the return.

How the group size changes the experience

The tour can carry as many as 280 people. That number tells you a lot about the atmosphere.

You may find an energetic boat, easy opportunities to meet people, and staff trying to keep a large group moving. One especially positive experience praised the friendly service, good price, meals, drinks, and activities, with a strong sense of connection to the crew.

At the same time, a large group can make the day feel less personal. Equipment distribution may take time. Snorkeling can feel crowded. If someone needs help with a life vest or wants a slower pace, staff may be balancing many requests at once.

This is also where the mixed value becomes clear. The price works because the tour serves many people. You save money compared with a private outing, but you give up quiet, flexibility, and perhaps a little patience.

If you enjoy a social cruise and do not mind some bustle, the group size may be part of the fun. If you want long stretches of peaceful swimming or personal instruction, look for a smaller boat.

The real cost of a $99 tour

The starting price is $99 per person. Add MX$29 for the port tax and MX$100 for the Marietas conservation fee. Transportation to and from the terminal is not included, nor are tips or the optional photo session.

For the base price, the package is fairly broad:

• Boat trip to and from Marietas Islands
• American breakfast
• Lunch
• Snorkeling gear
• Life vest
• Kayaks
• Paddle boards
• Open bar after water activities

That is a reasonable bundle for a full day, especially if you plan to use several of the activities. The value drops if you mainly want to see the islands from the boat and do not drink. In that case, you are paying for inclusions you may barely use.

The optional photo session is another choice rather than a hidden requirement. If you want a souvenir, ask about the cost before agreeing. You can also decide that the natural setting is enough and skip it.

For children between three and five, the tour itself is free, but meals cost MX$100 per child. The information provided does not explain pricing for other age groups, so families should confirm those details before booking.

What the positive experience looks like

At its best, Sea Mi Amor gives you a full day with little need to organize anything once you arrive. You eat breakfast, reach the islands, choose from snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boards, have lunch, and enjoy drinks after the active portion.

The strongest praise centers on service, price, food inclusion, and variety. A positive account described the staff as extremely nice and the experience as personal, despite the tour’s large capacity. That is the ideal version of this outing: a friendly crew, clear instructions, smooth equipment handoff, and enough free time to enjoy the water.

Whale sightings were also described as a highlight on one November 28 outing. Whale watching is not listed as a guaranteed activity, so treat it as a possible bonus rather than a reason to book this particular tour.

The boat day also works well for mixed groups. One person can snorkel, another can use a kayak, and someone else can remain aboard and enjoy the cruise. The equipment is already supplied, which removes much of the usual rental hassle.

The problems you should take seriously

The main risks are not the destination. They are communication, timing, and crowd management.

First, make sure Love Beach is clearly confirmed. It is optional, limited, and extra. If it is the central purpose of your day, an unrecorded request can ruin the experience.

Second, expect possible delays. A nine-hour day was reported, even though the usual duration is about eight hours. Lunch arriving at 3:00 p.m. is a serious inconvenience, especially for families or anyone managing medication, dietary needs, or low energy.

Third, be ready for a firm water-activity routine. One person disliked being told to swim faster and objected to the life jacket and lack of fins. The lesson is not that every outing will go this way, but that you should communicate your comfort level clearly and listen to safety directions.

Finally, do not confuse an economical package with a luxury cruise. The food is basic, the boat may be full, and the schedule may not offer much flexibility. The $99 price is attractive because the experience is shared and streamlined.

Who should book Sea Mi Amor

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a social, active, full-day boat trip and appreciate having meals and equipment included. It suits couples, families with older children, and groups of friends who want several ways to enjoy the water without paying for separate rentals.

It is also a good match if you want to keep costs predictable. The extra fees are easy to identify, and the package includes more than a simple sightseeing cruise.

I would be cautious if you have a strict schedule, need quiet surroundings, or care most about Love Beach. In those cases, confirm every detail before paying, especially the beach request, extra admission, lunch timing, and equipment arrangements.

Booking and cancellation details

You receive confirmation when booking, and most people can participate. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. Since cut-off times use Puerto Vallarta local time, check the clock carefully if your plans change.

Should you book Sea Mi Amor Marietas?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced day with Marietas scenery, several water activities, two meals, and drinks in one package. The positive experience comes from variety and friendly crew service, not from luxury or solitude.

Skip it if you want a small boat, guaranteed Love Beach access, or a carefully timed private outing. If you do book, confirm the optional beach visit in writing, budget the MX$129 in listed port and conservation fees, arrive early at the Maritime Terminal, and keep your expectations focused on a lively group excursion. For the right kind of day, Sea Mi Amor can be good value. It simply needs clear communication and a little patience.

FAQ

Where does the Sea Mi Amor Marietas tour start?

The tour starts at Terminal Maritima API on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and ends back at the Maritime Terminal.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, and fruit. Lunch includes a baguette with cheese, ham, and salami, along with homemade potatoes and tropical salad.

Is alcohol included?

Yes. An open bar is included, but alcoholic drinks are served only after the water activities.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and a life vest are included. Kayaks and paddle boards are also provided.

Is Love Beach included in the tour price?

No. Love Beach access is optional, controlled by the marine park, and available only by request. It requires an additional charge and should be arranged in advance.

What fees are not included in the $99 price?

The MX$29 port tax and MX$100 Marietas Island conservation fee are not included. Transportation, tips, the photo session, and Love Beach admission are also separate.