A Pacific day trip with real variety. This Islas Marietas catamaran tour from Puerto Vallarta mixes water time, onboard food, and serious marine scenery in a UNESCO-protected area. It’s built for a full day at sea, not a quick stop.

I like that you get breakfast and lunch onboard, plus snorkel and water toys included. I also like the team vibe, with upbeat return-time entertainment that can include music and even karaoke.

One thing to consider: it’s a shared cruise with a max of 90 people, so the experience will feel social and busy at peak activity times, and onboard music can run for stretches.

Key Things to Know Before You Go

• Full-day catamaran format: plan for roughly 10 hours, starting at 8:00 am and ending back at the meeting point.
• Food included twice: continental breakfast with hot cakes plus lunch keeps you fueled for the water activities.
• Snorkel + paddleboard + kayak gear: equipment is part of the package, so you don’t have to chase rentals.
• Open bar on the return only: alcoholic drinks are served as you head back toward Puerto Vallarta.
• Optional Hidden Beach visit: you may be able to add Playa del Amor depending on the plan for the day.

Why Islas Marietas on a Shared Catamaran Feels Like the Right Fit

If your idea of a great day in Puerto Vallarta includes getting out on the water and doing more than just sitting still, this tour hits the mark. The catamaran format matters here because it keeps things moving: you’re not stuck in one spot, and you have multiple ways to experience the coast.

The big draw is Marietas Islands National Park, a UNESCO-protected marine sanctuary just off the coast. Even if you care less about paperwork and more about views, the protected status is a reason the water and wildlife tend to feel special. This tour also points you toward coastal locations accessible by water only—so you’re seeing places you’d never reach on foot.

I also like the way the day balances active time with downtime. You’ll get water activities (snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking) plus time to relax on deck. That mix helps when not everyone in your group wants the same intensity.

The Food and Drinks: Good Value for a Long Day at Sea

This is one of those tours where the included meals are a real perk, not a token snack. You start with a continental breakfast and hot cakes onboard. That sounds simple, but on a morning you’re leaving at 8:00 am, it can be the difference between feeling great and feeling cranky by the first swim stop.

Then you get lunch onboard as well. After a morning of snorkeling and paddling, having lunch already arranged keeps your day from turning into a rushed scramble for food in town. It also makes the pacing feel more relaxed.

On drinks: the tour includes an open bar on the way back to Puerto Vallarta, with alcoholic drinks served only during the return leg. That’s a smart setup for safety and comfort—enough celebration to feel like a vacation, but not alcohol as the main fuel for the water activities.

Marietas National Park Time: Snorkel, Kayak, and Paddleboard

Here’s the core of what you’re paying for: time in the water around the Marietas area. The tour is built around snorkeling in clear water, plus paddleboarding and kayaking near rock formations and secluded coves. That variety is the main advantage over tours that only offer one thing, like a single swim with no follow-up.

Snorkeling is the headline activity, and the gear is included, so you can show up and just go. I like that because it removes a common travel hassle: arriving and then discovering you have to bargain for equipment at the dock.

Paddleboarding and kayaking add a different perspective. Kayak time is great when you want to move slowly and get closer to the rock shapes without the full effort of swimming. Paddleboarding can be more of a workout, especially if conditions aren’t flat, so bring the right mindset: you’re out there to enjoy it, not to win a race.

One detail I really appreciate from the way this experience is described is the pairing of bird-watching and snorkeling. It gives you a chance to look up between water moments. If you’re the type who loves spotting wildlife but also wants the fun stuff, this style of schedule works.

Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor): The Optional Stop You’ll Feel Luck-Based About

The tour includes an optional visit to the famous Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor). The fact it’s optional is important for your expectations. Some days it may fit smoothly into the plan, and some days it may not.

Even without turning this into a trivia contest, Hidden Beach is the kind of destination people remember because it feels different from the usual beach day. If you’re excited about it, I’d go in ready for the possibility that it’s either a highlight moment or something you watch from the outside plan rather than a guaranteed checkbox.

My practical advice: pack and behave like you might do it, even if it turns out optional. Bring a swimsuit you’re comfortable wearing, and keep extra clothes accessible. That way, you’re not stuck changing plans at the last minute.

The Return Trip Energy: Music, Games, and Crew Names to Remember

The return to Puerto Vallarta isn’t just transportation—it’s part of the fun. The tour includes onboard music to dance plus entertainment on the way back. Depending on the day, that can mean games and even karaoke.

This is one of the moments where your experience can feel like a party, especially if you’re traveling with friends or you just want to end the day smiling. From the kind of feedback tied to this tour, the crew plays a big role in keeping the mood going, with standout mentions of guides/crew members like David, Charly, and Alan.

I don’t think you need to be the life of the party to enjoy it. But if you’re someone who prefers quiet travel time, know that the onboard vibe is part of the product.

One consideration from feedback: onboard music can lean heavily toward Spanish-language music, and some people felt the playlist ran long compared to how much active time they wanted. If you’re music-sensitive, bring something that helps you manage it—like earplugs or a way to listen to your own audio between activities.

Price Breakdown: What $92 Gets You, Plus Government Fees

At $92.00 per person, this tour is priced like a full-day activity package. The value is strongest when you count what’s included: breakfast, lunch, snorkel/paddleboard/kayak equipment, and onboard insurance.

Then there are government fees that are not included. The tour data lists $10.00 per person (with SEMARNAT noted as a bracelet fee) plus another $3.00 per person. So budget about $13 extra per person on top of the ticket price.

What makes the money feel more reasonable is that you’re getting both logistics and gear rolled into one price. You’re not just buying a ride—you’re paying for a structured day with organized water activities and meals that support the long duration.

If you hate surprises, make a quick mental checklist: ticket price plus the listed government fees. Once you do that, you’ll feel more confident about whether the total matches your day-trip budget.

Timing and Group Size: Why This Feels Busy (and How to Work With It)

Start is 8:00 am at the meeting point on Puerto Mágico Blvd, Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte, 48333 Puerto Vallarta. The tour ends back at that same meeting point, so you’re not planning a second pickup.

The experience runs about 10 hours, and the max group size is 90 travelers. That tells you what to expect: this is a shared cruise, so you’ll likely see lines or crowded moments around equipment, brief transitions between activities, and popular swim times.

Here’s the good news: even with a larger group, this type of day trip works because the schedule is still built around water time. What you want to watch is how your energy matches the schedule. If you like structured activities with a crowd, you’ll be comfortable. If you want a quiet, private feel, you might find the group energy a little much.

What to Bring (So the Day Flows, Not Fights You)

This tour style makes packing matter. The recommended basics are clear: swimsuit, towels, and extra clothes. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes suited for boarding and changing between deck and water time.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and bring insect repellent. Even if you’re mostly on the water, you’ll still spend time outside, and sun happens fast when you’re out on a bright day.

Also think about gear comfort. Since snorkel, paddleboard, and kayak equipment are included, you don’t need to rent anything. But you do need to be ready physically—especially for paddleboarding. It can be surprisingly engaging if you’re not used to it.

And if you’re sensitive to noise, plan for onboard music and activity energy, especially on the return.

Safety Notes You Should Actually Pay Attention To

This tour includes insurance on board, which is a nice baseline for a maritime activity. It also lists a pregnancy boarding restriction: the company can refuse boarding for any passenger who is pregnant due to maritime safety and navigation risks.

If that applies to you, plan accordingly so you don’t get surprised at check-in.

The tour also says most travelers can participate, but it’s still a day of water activities on a boat. If you have mobility issues or you know you need a calmer pace, decide early whether snorkel and paddling will be comfortable for you.

Should You Book This Islas Marietas Catamaran Tour?

You should book if you want a one-ticket full day from Puerto Vallarta that combines marine scenery with hands-on activities: snorkel plus paddleboard and kayak, plus breakfast and lunch taken care of. The $92 price feels most justified when you value included meals and gear, and when you’re okay with a shared-crew atmosphere.

You might pass if you’re chasing a quiet, low-activity vibe or if you strongly prefer minimal group energy and music volume. Also consider whether you’re comfortable with a long 10-hour day when you’re focused on active water time.

Bottom line: for a well-structured, food-included catamaran day to Marietas, this is a practical choice—especially if your travel style is get out there, do a few things well, then celebrate on the way back.

FAQ

What time does this Islas Marietas catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am.

How long is the tour?

It runs for approximately 10 hours.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes continental breakfast with hot cakes, lunch, snorkel/paddleboard/kayak equipment, onboard music, insurance on board, and an open bar with alcoholic drinks on the way back to Puerto Vallarta.

Is the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) visit guaranteed?

It’s listed as an optional visit, so it may depend on the day’s plan.

Where does the tour meet, and where does it end?

You start at Puerto Mágico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Are government fees included in the $92 price?

No. Government fees are listed separately: $10.00 per person and $3.00 per person.