Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise from Puerto Vallarta All Inclusive

The main draw here is a full day on the water around the Marietas Islands, with Playa la Nopalera, reef snorkeling, sea caves, and a chance of seeing whales or dolphins along the way. I like the mix of boat sightseeing and water activities, and I like that breakfast, lunch, safety gear, and equipment are included.

The price looks fair at $87.04, but you need to budget for the MX$32 dock fee and MX$180 in national environmental taxes. The biggest catch is that Hidden Beach is not part of the basic outing, despite the tour’s broad island-focused wording. Snorkeling time can also feel short, especially when the boat is busy.

Quick take: what matters most

• Playa la Nopalera is included: You are taken ashore there, with a short stop for beach time.
• Hidden Beach costs extra: It requires a separate reservation, has limited space, and is not guaranteed.
• The ride is long: Expect roughly nine hours, with about two hours or more each way on some departures.
• Meals are included: Breakfast comes aboard early, and lunch may be sandwiches, burgers, fries, salad, ceviche, or similar food.
• Water gear is provided: Snorkels, life vests, kayaks, and paddle boards are available, but use is shared.
• The mood is lively: Music, dancing, karaoke, games, and a national open bar are part of the boat program.

A long day from Puerto Vallarta to the Marietas Islands

The trip begins at 8:30 a.m. at Puerto Mágico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, in Puerto Vallarta’s north hotel zone. From there, you board a catamaran for the run west toward the Marietas Islands.

This is not a quick island hop. The crossing can take around two hours, and some past departures have taken longer. That makes the boat itself a major part of the experience, not just a way to reach the destination. If you enjoy sitting at sea with music, breakfast, and views, the ride can be pleasant. If you want maximum beach and snorkeling time, the schedule may test your patience.

The catamaran is promoted for a maximum of 40 people, but past departures have sometimes been described as much more crowded. That distinction matters. A smaller group gives you a better chance to use the kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkeling equipment without waiting. A crowded boat can turn each activity into a short rotation.

The boarding area is easy to reach from the cruise ship area, according to one detailed account, but ground transportation is not included. You need to arrange your own way to Puerto Mágico and return there at the end.

Breakfast first, then the open sea

Breakfast is served aboard the catamaran. The listed meal includes eggs with ham, fruit, and juice, while some departures have served eggs and chilaquiles. It is a useful start before the long crossing, though it is a simple boat breakfast rather than a leisurely restaurant meal.

The boat program may include bilingual explanations about the islands, music, games, dancing, and karaoke. The entertainment is part of the package, but it will not suit everyone. Some passengers have enjoyed the social energy and found the crew funny and engaging. Others have found the music too loud or the commentary too long.

I would choose this cruise if you like a party-boat atmosphere. If you prefer quiet wildlife watching, bring patience and claim a comfortable spot early. Seating has been described as basic plastic chairs, and some past passengers found them uncomfortable or dirty.

The open bar includes beer, tequila, rum, brandy, whiskey, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. It is important to clarify the timing before you book. Although the tour is sold as all inclusive, several accounts describe alcohol service beginning mainly on the return trip, sometimes only during the last hour or hour and a half. Do not expect to sit on the beach with a cocktail.

Watching whales, dolphins, and island rock

The approach to the Marietas Islands is the scenic heart of the day. These protected islands rise from the Pacific as rounded rock formations, cliffs, arches, and dark openings. The route passes outside La Bufadora, the caves, the stone arches, and the second crater.

Wildlife sightings are possible but not promised. Several departures have had humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, or other marine life along the route. That can turn the long crossing into a pleasant wildlife watch, especially in whale season. Still, you should treat animals as a bonus rather than the main guarantee.

The boat does not simply rush to the beach. It may pause near the island formations so you can look at the rock and hear the guide’s explanation. Some passengers feel this is enough island sightseeing. Others expect a closer ecological tour and are disappointed when that requires an added payment.

The extra ecological tour takes place from a smaller boat and brings you closer to the island. It may be worth considering if you are especially interested in the blue-footed booby and other seabirds. It is not part of the base fare, though, so ask for the current price and availability before boarding.

Snorkeling near the Marietas reefs

Snorkeling takes place near the reefs off the Marietas Islands. Life vests and basic snorkeling equipment are supplied, and the crew gives instructions before you enter the water. You can also try a kayak or paddle board when equipment is available.

The quality of the snorkeling depends heavily on conditions. Some people have seen plenty of fish and enjoyed the guided help in the water. Others have encountered murky, dark water, jellyfish, or very little marine life. One important point is that the reef area can be small and crowded, with swimmers bumping into each other.

You may get only about 20 minutes in the water on a busy departure. That is enough for a quick look, but not enough for a relaxed snorkeling session. The time can also be divided among snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding, so you may need to choose what matters most to you.

I would not book this cruise solely for snorkeling. The water visibility is not guaranteed, and the activity may be brief. It works better as one part of a boat-and-island day.

Bring your own mask if you already own one and care about fit. The provided equipment has received mixed comments, including concerns about cleanliness and quality. The crew is expected to enforce life vest use, especially around currents, which is sensible even for confident swimmers.

What Playa la Nopalera is really like

The included beach stop is Playa la Nopalera. You transfer from the larger catamaran to a smaller boat and go ashore in groups. The beach is small, scenic, and worth seeing, but the time on land may be limited to about 20 minutes on a busy schedule.

That short stop is one of the clearest weaknesses of the outing. You spend much of the day reaching the islands, then have little time to enjoy the beach before returning to the boat. Strong current, boat traffic, or weather can also affect how long you stay in the water.

Still, Playa la Nopalera gives you something the boat-only sightseeing does not: a chance to stand on the island and look back toward the Pacific. Bring a towel, a change of clothes, and a dry bag if you have one. The ride home can feel cool when you are wet.

Hidden Beach is not included

This is the point I would clarify before paying. Hidden Beach, also called Playa del Amor, is not included in the standard tour. It requires an extra reservation and payment, often quoted around MX$1,000. Space is limited, and paying the extra fee does not always guarantee entry if availability has closed.

The trip to Hidden Beach involves a small boat and water access. You may need to jump from the boat into the sea to reach the beach, and conditions can make that uncomfortable or unsuitable for some people. The time there is also limited.

If Hidden Beach is your main reason for booking, this may not be the right product. Ask three questions before departure: Is entry available today? What is the exact extra cost? How much time will I have there? Get clear answers before handing over money.

The standard trip includes views of the island formations, Playa la Nopalera, and the areas outside the caves and craters. That is a different experience from entering Hidden Beach. The distinction should be clear in your planning.

Lunch, drinks, and the return ride

Lunch is served on the boat after the island activities. The listed choices include a cold meat baguette or a hamburger with fries and salad, while other departures have included kabobs, ceviche, chips, or similar food.

Food quality appears to vary. Some people have found the meals tasty and filling. Others describe a basic cold sandwich or an average burger and complain that lunch arrived late, sometimes after 2 p.m. or even later. If you eat early breakfast, carry a small snack if allowed, especially if you tend to get hungry.

The return ride is usually when the party atmosphere picks up. The national open bar is available, and the crew may lead dancing, games, or karaoke. This can make the crossing home pass faster, but the same music may feel loud if you are tired.

The advertised package includes insurance aboard the boat. It does not cover the extra island activities unless the operator specifically confirms that. Ask about the fees for the ecological boat and Hidden Beach before choosing add-ons.

Is the $87.04 price good value?

At $87.04 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full day that bundles transport, breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and entertainment. A separate boat ride, meals, and equipment rental could cost more, and the package removes much of that planning.

The value drops if your priorities are Hidden Beach, serious snorkeling, or long beach time. You may pay extra for the activities you expected to be included, then spend several hours on the boat. Add the MX$32 dock tax and MX$180 Conape and Semarnat fees per person, for a listed total of MX$212 in additional charges.

The tour receives mixed overall feedback, with a 3.6 rating from 74 reviews. That fits the product: the best days combine calm water, friendly staff, good food, and whale sightings. The worst days involve delays, rough crossings, poor visibility, crowded water, late lunch, and unclear add-on sales.

For a shorter ride, consider checking departures from Sayulita or Punta de Mita if available. Those locations are closer to the Marietas Islands than Puerto Vallarta, though this specific experience lists Puerto Mágico as its meeting point. Do not assume a different departure point is included without confirming it.

Who should book this cruise?

I would recommend it to you if you want a social day at sea and do not mind a long crossing. Families with mixed interests may like the choice of beach time, wildlife watching, music, food, and light water activities. Non-swimmers can use life vests, and one family reported enjoying the ecological option instead of swimming.

It also suits people who value a simple package. You do not need to rent a kayak, paddle board, or snorkel separately. The bilingual crew can help with the activities, and individual crew members named Jonathan and Rogelio have been singled out for friendly service.

I would be cautious if you are booking mainly for Hidden Beach or underwater wildlife. I would also think twice if you dislike loud music, basic seating, or a party atmosphere. Anyone prone to seasickness should note the long ride and consider a shorter departure from nearer the islands if one is available.

Pregnant women beyond four months cannot take this tour. The activity requires good weather, and the operator offers another date or a full refund if poor weather causes cancellation. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book the Marietas Islands cruise?

Book it if you see the Marietas Islands as a scenic boat day with several extras, not as a focused snorkeling trip. The best reasons are the island rock, possible whale and dolphin sightings, included meals, and the lively crew-led ride home.

Skip it if Hidden Beach is essential or if you want quiet, spacious snorkeling. Before you pay, confirm the extra fees, the day’s available add-ons, expected group size, and when the bar opens. With those details clear, the $87.04 base price can be fair. Without them, the phrase all inclusive may leave you expecting more than the boat actually provides.

FAQ

Where does the Marietas Islands cruise begin?

The tour begins at Puerto Mágico, Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, Puerto Vallarta. The listed start time is 8:30 a.m., and the boat returns to the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The scheduled duration is about nine hours. The boat ride can take around two hours or more each way, and some past departures have lasted longer because of delays or operating problems.

Is Hidden Beach included?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate reservation and extra payment. Space is limited, and entry is not guaranteed even when you are willing to pay the additional fee.

What food is included?

Breakfast is served aboard and includes eggs with ham, fruit, and juice. Lunch may be a cold meat baguette or a hamburger with fries and salad, with some departures offering food such as ceviche, kabobs, or chips.

What drinks are included?

The boat has a national open bar with beer, tequila, rum, brandy, whiskey, vodka, soft drinks, juice, and water. The timing of alcohol service can vary, and past departures have often opened the bar mainly on the return ride.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkels, life vests, kayaks, and paddle boards are included. Use of the equipment may be shared, and the amount of time available for each activity depends on conditions and group size.

What extra fees should I expect?

The listed extra charges are a MX$32 dock tax per person and MX$180 per person for Conape and Semarnat taxes. Hidden Beach and the ecological tour require separate payment.