Islas Marietas – Incredible Tour Catamaran from Puerto Vallarta

The main draw here is simple: you spend a full day on the Pacific, then reach Marietas Islands National Park by boat for snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and bird-watching. I like the mix of water activities and easy deck time, plus the hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice served in the morning. The return trip adds lunch, music, games, karaoke, and an open bar.

I also like that this is a single outing for several hard-to-reach coastal sights. The trade-off is the shared-catamaran format, with up to 90 people aboard. Kayak space may feel limited, and one experience included a long stretch of Mexican music with little activity underway. If you want quiet or a small boat, this may not be your best match.

Key points to know before booking

• The day begins at 8 a.m. at Puerto Magico in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone Norte.
• Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking are included, along with the equipment you need.
• Breakfast and lunch are part of the package, with an open bar listed for the return to Puerto Vallarta.
• Playa del Amor, also called Hidden Beach, is an optional visit, not a guaranteed centerpiece of the day.
• The boat can hold up to 90 people, so expect a social shared-cruise atmosphere rather than a private expedition.
• The advertised price is $92 per person, but listed government fees add $13, bringing the stated total to $105 before any other booking costs.

Sailing from Puerto Magico at 8 a.m.

Your day starts at Puerto Magico, on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Hotelera Norte. The tour returns to this same meeting point, which keeps the day straightforward if you are staying near the main hotel zone or using local transportation.

The start time matters. This is not a late brunch cruise that slowly fills an afternoon. You need to be ready for an early morning and a long day on the water. The stated duration is about 10 hours, so plan on returning around early evening, though the exact arrival time can depend on the day’s conditions and schedule.

I like the way breakfast is handled. Instead of asking you to board with a full meal already in hand, the boat provides a simple spread of hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. It is practical food for a morning at sea and gives you a chance to eat before the active part of the day.

Wear clothes that can handle spray, sun, and movement. Bring your swimsuit, towel, and an extra change of clothes. Biodegradable sunscreen is specifically requested, and insect repellent is also suggested. Comfortable shoes are the sensible choice, especially when you are moving between the deck, water equipment, and snorkeling activities.

Reaching the Marietas Islands by catamaran

The ride to the islands is part of the experience, not just transport. You get broad Pacific views, music, and time to settle into the day before the water activities begin. The catamaran format gives you room to sit on deck, watch the coast, and choose your own pace between active stops.

This is a shared cruise for up to 90 people, so the mood is likely to be lively. The crew is there to organize the activities and keep the day moving, but you should not expect the quiet, personal attention of a private sailing trip.

The boat’s social energy becomes more important on the return journey. Music is part of the package, and the afternoon includes an open bar with alcoholic drinks listed for the way back. Games, dancing, and karaoke may also become part of the ride. That can be a highlight if you like a party atmosphere. It can feel less appealing if your ideal boat trip involves reading in silence.

Among the crew names connected with the experience are David, Charly, and Alan. The strongest praise focuses on the crew’s effort and accommodating attitude, so you can reasonably expect staff interaction to be an important part of the outing. Still, service on a large shared boat can vary with crowd size and the day’s schedule.

Snorkeling around Marietas Island

The first major reward is the water around the Marietas Islands. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and time to look below the surface near the rocky islands. The water is presented as clear, and the area is known for marine life, though visibility can change with weather and sea conditions.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer to participate in the normal spirit of the tour, since the activity is designed for a broad range of participants. The tour states that most people can take part. That said, you should be comfortable with basic water activity, follow crew instructions, and understand that snorkeling from a busy excursion boat is different from a private guided session.

Bring your own comfort plan. A towel and dry clothes matter once you are back on deck. Biodegradable sunscreen helps protect the marine area, and applying it before entering the water is a sensible move. You may also want to keep a dry layer separate from the clothes you wear during snorkeling.

The islands are a marine sanctuary protected by UNESCO, and that designation gives the setting more weight than a quick swim stop at an ordinary beach. You are visiting a place where the water and rock formations are the main attraction, so the best experience comes from treating the area carefully and keeping your attention on the natural surroundings.

Kayaks, paddleboards, and rocky coves

The tour also provides kayaks and paddleboards. These activities let you see the coast from a lower, slower position than the catamaran. You can work around rocky formations and secluded coves, with the chance to notice arches and bird life that are easy to miss from a larger boat.

The important word is chance. You are combining several activities into one day, so time for each one may be limited. A review of the experience specifically noted that the kayak area did not offer much room and that there was too little activity during part of the outing. That is useful information for setting expectations.

If kayaking is your main reason for booking, this may not satisfy you as much as a dedicated kayak tour. If you see it as one part of a larger day that also includes snorkeling, a catamaran ride, meals, and music, the short session makes more sense.

Paddleboarding has the same advantage and limitation. It gives you a different view of the coves and rock shapes, but it is not presented as a long, technical lesson. You are paying for variety rather than extended time with one activity.

Bird-watching is another part of the setting. The islands offer a reason to look up as well as down, and the boat lets you reach coastal areas that are not accessible by road. Bring patience. The tour promises the environment for bird-watching, but it does not specify a particular species list or guarantee close sightings.

The optional visit to Playa del Amor

Playa del Amor, commonly called Hidden Beach, is listed as an optional visit. This is an important distinction. You should not book the tour assuming that a long beach stop is guaranteed or that the entire day is built around entering the famous beach.

The optional nature may depend on the day’s operations and conditions, but the supplied details do not explain the exact rules. If this is your main goal, confirm the current arrangement before paying. If you are happy with snorkeling, paddling, coastal views, and the boat ride itself, the tour offers more dependable reasons to go.

The islands’ rocky arches and coves are still worthwhile even if the optional beach visit does not form part of your day. The boat allows access to coastal areas you cannot simply reach from Puerto Vallarta by car or on foot. That access is the real value of the excursion.

Breakfast, lunch, and drinks on the return

Food is one of the practical strengths of this outing. Breakfast includes hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. Lunch is also included, though the supplied details do not specify the full lunch menu.

That lack of menu detail is worth noting if you have allergies or strict dietary needs. The tour does not provide enough information to promise vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or other special options, so ask before booking if food matters to you beyond a standard meal.

The open bar is listed for alcoholic drinks on the way back. It is not described as an all-day open bar, so do not assume unlimited alcohol during the morning activities. The wording places the drinks on the return leg, after snorkeling and paddling are finished.

This timing makes sense. You can focus on the active part of the day first, then relax with a drink, lunch, music, and ocean views on the ride home. The strongest praise for this experience centers on the return trip, with dancing, karaoke, and piña coladas creating a festive finish.

Music is a major part of the mood. One experience praised the crew and the fun on the way back, while another found the Spanish-language music went on too long during a period with little activity. If you enjoy Mexican music and a party boat, this is likely a plus. If you prefer conversation or quiet scenery, bring realistic expectations.

What the $92 price really covers

At $92 per person, the tour is priced as a full-day package rather than a basic boat transfer. You are paying for roughly 10 hours, breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, onboard insurance, music, and an open bar on the return.

The listed government fees are separate: $10 for a SEMARNAT bracelet and another $3 government fee. That adds $13 per person, making the stated cost $105 before any other charges. Check the final checkout total carefully so the price does not surprise you.

I think the value is strongest if you plan to use several inclusions. Someone who snorkels, tries a kayak or paddleboard, eats both meals, and enjoys the return-party atmosphere gets more from the price than someone who only wants a quiet boat ride.

The shared format keeps the price below what you might pay for a private charter, but it also explains the compromises. You will share the boat, equipment, schedule, and entertainment with a large group. This is a good fit for a social day, not for a custom itinerary.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want one organized outing that combines nature, water activities, food, and a lively ride home. It suits couples, friends, and families with participants who can manage a full day outside and enjoy moving between several activities.

It is also useful if you want to reach the Marietas Islands without arranging separate boats, meals, equipment, and activities. The tour bundles those pieces into one booking, which reduces planning work.

You may want to choose another option if you need a small group, a quiet boat, a long kayak session, or a carefully tailored food plan. The maximum of 90 people is not a minor detail. It shapes the sound, waiting time, equipment access, and general feel of the day.

The tour states that most people can participate, but it also has a firm pregnancy restriction. The company reserves the right to refuse boarding to anyone who is pregnant, regardless of stage, because of the risks linked to maritime activities and vessel movement. If that applies to you, do not book this experience.

Booking, cancellation, and useful planning details

The experience is offered in English and provides a mobile ticket. Confirmation is received at booking, and the meeting point is near public transportation. You should still allow extra time to reach Puerto Magico for the 8 a.m. start.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund, and cut-off times follow local time in Puerto Vallarta.

The tour is often reserved well ahead of the date, with bookings averaging about 24 days in advance. That is a useful planning signal for a popular full-day outing, especially if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed.

Should you book the Marietas catamaran?

Book it if you want a social full-day boat trip with several activities, meals, and a party-style ride home. The combination of snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, coastal rock formations, and an optional Playa del Amor visit gives you plenty to do, while breakfast and lunch keep the day easy.

Skip it if you want a quiet small-boat trip or if kayaking is your central goal. The group can reach 90 people, activity space may feel tight, and music can dominate parts of the return.

For most people deciding between a simple island transfer and an all-in-one cruise, this package offers solid value at the listed $92, provided you budget for the additional $13 in government fees. Go for the variety, the crew-led energy, and the Pacific setting. Do not book it expecting solitude.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Puerto Magico, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Norte, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour finish?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What activities are included?

Snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking are included. The experience also includes bird-watching opportunities and access to coastal locations around the Marietas Islands.

Are meals included?

Yes. A continental breakfast with hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice is included, along with lunch.

Is an open bar included?

Yes, an open bar with alcoholic drinks is listed for the way back to Puerto Vallarta.

Are there extra government fees?

Yes. The supplied details list a $10 SEMARNAT bracelet fee and an additional $3 government fee per person.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.