Full Day Tour Isla Marietas with Meals and Open Bar

Marietas feels like a secret world. This full-day catamaran outing from Puerto Vallarta brings you to Islas Marietas in Nayarit with snorkeling equipment included, plus breakfast, lunch, and an open bar on the boat. In season, you’re also in the right place for dolphins and humpback whales.

The big consideration is effort level. If you want the famous hidden beach experience, you may need strong swimming, and you should plan for extra conservation and park fees when you board.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Hidden beach access takes real effort: reaching Playa del Amor can involve swimming and even cave moments, and it’s not for weak swimmers.
• Open bar timing can vary: the bar is provided, but multiple schedules place it later, often after the aquatic activities.
• You’re paying for a full day on the water: the boat ride can feel long, and time on the beach is often brief.
• Extra fees are part of the day: you’ll pay for conservation and the national park admission at the pier.
• Water activities are close to the boat: kayak and paddleboard time may be limited to the area they control.
• English is offered, but rules are strict: you may face limitations on items you can bring into the water.

Why Marietas Belongs on Your Puerto Vallarta List

Islas Marietas is one of those places that feels like it shouldn’t exist. It’s known for dense marine life and colorful fish, and in winter months it becomes a magnet for humpback whales. If you’re visiting Puerto Vallarta between December and March, you’re timing it for peak whale potential.

This tour is built around the marine side of the experience. You’re not just getting photos from a viewpoint. You’re going out on the water and using the gear you brought for the day’s main reason: swimming and snorkeling where the animals are.

The other thing I like is that the day isn’t only about one moment. You’ll have time for snorkeling, plus kayak and paddleboard options. If you’re the type who gets bored waiting around, this format usually works better than the shorter “see it, then leave” excursions.

Price and Value: What $115 Really Covers

At $115 per person, you’re paying for a structured, shared-group day: catamaran transportation, snorkeling gear (fins, vest, snorkel), breakfast and lunch, plus an open bar. That’s a lot included for one price, especially if you don’t want to rent gear or piece together multiple activities.

But the value equation changes once you add what isn’t included. You’ll pay:

• Sermarnat conservation bracelet: 220 MXN, paid when boarding at the pier
• Marietas National Natural Park admission: 33 MXN per person

On top of that, some people reported additional fees like a port fee and a reserve fee. Not everyone sees the same add-ons, but the safe move is to assume your total cost may be higher than the sticker price once you reach the dock.

So here’s my practical take: if you want a low-effort day where meals and basic gear are handled, the price can feel fair. If what you want most is maximum time on the hidden beach (or you’re hoping it’s basically “all beach, no work”), you might feel squeezed. This is a sea-focused outing.

Meeting Point at 8:15 and Why You Should Get There Early

The tour starts at 8:15 am at Terminal Maritima (API Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias) in Puerto Vallarta. The meeting point note also says the agency is on the 2nd floor—Beach Boy Agency—and that you’ll use a mobile ticket.

Here’s what matters for your day: shared tours run on a tight rhythm. When the schedule is delayed, you lose the one thing you can’t get back—time on the water and time at the island.

If you’re coming from a cruise or you have multiple bookings on the same day, give yourself breathing room. A late arrival can push the departure, and that can ripple into your whole day.

The Catamaran Day: Timing, Sea Conditions, and Group Size

This is a full day outing, listed at about 6 to 7 hours. Expect to spend most of the day on the water, moving between the catamaran and smaller transfer boats for the island area.

The tour also caps at 80 travelers, which keeps it from feeling like a city bus. Still, it’s not a private experience. On days when the water is choppy or when people are cautious, you can feel the group energy more than you’d like.

One pattern that shows up: transfers and the approach to shore can take time, and the “real beach time” can end up shorter than you pictured. If your personal dream is long, relaxed beach lounging, temper expectations. The day is about activity in the water first.

Snorkeling and Water Activities: Gear Included, Rules Matter

You get snorkeling equipment: fins, vest, and snorkel. That’s a big plus because it removes one rental headache from your vacation day. The snorkeling portion is typically one of the main blocks of the itinerary.

Two important notes:

1. You need comfort in open water. Even when snorkeling is the goal, you may also be swimming from a smaller boat.
2. There are rules about what you can bring into the water. Some people reported restrictions on items like hats and glasses, plus limits on water shoes. There are also mentions of sunblock rules close to arrival—basically, follow staff instructions even if you think it seems fussy.

Kayak and paddleboard are included, but from the feedback you can expect them to be controlled and close to the boat area rather than a free-roam paddle around the coastline. If you imagined “paddle for hours,” it’s probably not that kind of day.

Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor): Worth It, But Don’t Underestimate the Swim

The hidden beach is the headline people talk about—and for good reason. The experience can feel surreal: snorkeling with caves and dramatic rock formations, with the “hidden” entrance concept making you work for the payoff.

Here’s the reality check. Access can require good swimming, and the path to the beach can involve a long swim and even cave passage moments. Some people described it as very difficult in rough water, with strong currents that make it easy to get slammed toward rocks.

There’s also often an extra cost and limited daily access for Playa del Amor. One detail to keep in mind: some reports say Playa del Amor access follows specific days (like Wednesday through Sunday). That means your dream beach might depend on the day you pick.

Finally, beach time can be brief—some participants described around 20 to 30 minutes once they reached the beach area. If you only care about the hidden beach, you may find the day is longer than the payoff time.

Open Bar and Meals: Included, But Watch the Timing

This tour includes breakfast and lunch, plus an open bar. That sounds simple. In real life, timing can be the thing that decides whether you enjoy the day.

Breakfast was described as more of a simple continental-style setup by some people—think eggs and chilaquiles rather than a full feast. Lunch was described as a sandwich plus sides like pasta salad or chicken salad, though a few reports said they ran out of food.

For the open bar, the biggest mismatch with expectations is when it starts and how consistently it’s served. Multiple comments point out that alcohol may not open right away. Some people said the open bar started later (like after 1:30 pm) or only during the return portion. Water availability also came up—some said it wasn’t bottled.

My suggestion: eat before boarding if you can, and don’t count on alcohol to fix the early part of the day. It’s there, but treat it like a bonus, not a guarantee of constant party mode.

What You Can See: Dolphins, Whales, Birds, and the Fish Show

This is the part that keeps people satisfied even when the day feels long.

Marietas is about wildlife. If whales are in season, you might get humpback sightings, and some reports mention whales circling and breaching multiple times. Dolphins also come up often.

Underwater, you’re looking at colorful fish and reef life. People reported seeing puffers and other varied species while snorkeling. On land or near the edges of the experience, sightings can also happen—some people mentioned blue-footed boobies and even a crocodile after returning to port.

So what should you do? Keep your eyes up as well as down. The sea is dynamic. Sometimes the best moments are between the snorkeling sessions, when the boat is drifting and everyone’s pointing.

Fees, Tips, and the Fine Print That Can Surprise You

This is where I’d focus if you want a smooth, drama-free day.

Confirmed costs you should plan for:

• 220 MXN Sermarnat conservation bracelet, paid at the pier
• 33 MXN Marietas National Natural Park admission

Not included:

• Tips (you should budget for them)
• Any optional add-ons
• Photographic services (not offered by the tour operator; offered by third parties and extra)

Some people also reported additional fees such as port and reserve fees. Since you’re operating in shared tour logistics, the smart move is to keep some extra cash or card-ready.

And if you’re the type who gets irritated by “upsells,” know that boat tours can include them. You might hear offers for additional experiences or upgrades. Decide early what you’re willing to pay for, so you’re not making decisions while hungry and tired.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Choose Something Else)

This tour fits best if you want:

• a one-day boat trip with snorkeling gear handled
• wildlife time in the right location for dolphins and humpbacks in season
• meals and basic drinks included without planning every detail

It’s not ideal if you:

• want a long, easy beach day with no swimming
• are extremely sensitive to strict rules about what you can take into the water
• expect the hidden beach to be your guaranteed, long-duration stop

If you’re a strong swimmer and you want the full Marietas experience (including the hidden beach effort), you’re likely to enjoy the payoff. If swimming and limited beach time are dealbreakers, you might look at a different kind of excursion that matches your comfort level.

Should You Book Full Day Isla Marietas with Meals and Open Bar?

I’d say book it if you’re excited about a wildlife-and-snorkeling day and you can handle the physical part of getting to Playa del Amor. Budget for the extra conservation and park fees up front, and arrive early so the schedule works for you.

Skip or rethink it if your top priority is extended beach lounging, or if you’re not confident in open water. Even with the included gear and meals, this day is built around ocean activity. When conditions are rough, the “hidden beach” portion can be intense.

If you do book, go in with clear expectations: it’s a full day at sea, wildlife is the reward, and the hidden beach is not a casual stroll.

FAQ

How long is the Isla Marietas full day tour?

It’s listed as about 6 to 7 hours.

Where does the tour start, and when?

It starts at Terminal Maritima, Puerto Vallarta, at 8:15 am.

What’s included in the price?

Snorkeling equipment (fins, vest, snorkel), breakfast and lunch, an open bar on the boat, paddleboard and kayak, and the catamaran trip to Islas Marietas.

What extra fees should I expect at the pier?

You’ll need to pay a Sermarnat conservation bracelet (220 MXN) and a Marietas National Natural Park admission fee (33 MXN per person).

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Do they offer photo services?

No, photographic services are not offered by the tour; any photo service is extra and handled by a third party.

Is free cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.