This sea day has a real sense of discovery. You’re headed to Las Marietas in Banderas Bay, where protected waters and a famous secret beach turn a simple cruise into a full-on wildlife and swim day.

What I like most is the mix of marine life viewing plus hands-on water time. You get breakfast, then snorkeling in the protected marine park, plus options like kayaking and paddle boards after you’ve worked up an appetite.

One thing to keep in mind: snorkeling conditions can vary, and if you’re paying attention to extra add-ons for specific beach experiences, you’ll want to confirm what’s included so the day doesn’t get pricier than you expected.

Key Things You’ll Want To Know

• Las Marietas snorkeling in a protected marine park with life-jacket support and provided mask/snorkel
• Wildlife sightings in season including humpback whales, along with dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays
• After-snorkeling open bar plus hot lunch cooked on the boat
• More than snorkeling: kayaking, paddle boarding, and free swim time
• On-the-way-back fun with music, dancing, and karaoke
• Extra fees to plan for such as the marine park conservation fee and marina entrance fee

Marietas Islands: Why This Puerto Vallarta Trip Feels Like A Secret

Puerto Vallarta’s coast has plenty of boat tours. What makes this one different is the destination itself: Las Marietas, part of a protected area in Banderas Bay. The tour leans into that protected-water feel—less party-for-the-sake-of-party, more nature-first, then fun after.

And then there’s the promise of the wildlife show. Even when you don’t get everything, the day still has a clear rhythm: watch, snorkel, paddle, eat, relax, repeat.

I also like that the itinerary keeps you active. You’re not stuck waiting around the whole time. You’ll be moving from breakfast cruise time to snorkeling to post-snorkel water play, then back on board for food and music.

The Six-Hour Flow: Breakfast, Wildlife, Snorkeling, Then Lunch and Karaoke

Think of the day as three acts with a party scene at the end.

First, you’ll head out with continental breakfast while you travel toward one of the iconic areas of Banderas Bay. During the cruise, your guide focuses on what you might spot: humpback whales in season, plus dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and various marine birds. In other words, you’re not just staring at water—you’re scanning with a plan.

Second is the main stop at Las Marietas, where you’ll arrive for snorkeling in the protected marine park. This is the heart of the experience, with the guide pointing out where you’ll likely see more of the ecosystem.

Third, once water time is done, the vibe shifts. The open bar starts after snorkeling, you’ll have a hot lunch while cruising around the islands, and on the ride back you’ll find music, dancing, and karaoke, plus games for the group.

That structure matters because it reduces the dead time you often get on long boat days. You’ll be fed, active, and entertained without feeling like you’re constantly rushing.

What You Might See: Whales, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, and Manta Rays

This tour is built around the idea that Las Marietas is a working marine habitat. The highlight list includes humpback whales (in season), dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays.

A practical note: wildlife spotting is never 100% guaranteed. But having the boat time scheduled for observation helps. You’re out there long enough to increase your odds, and you’re doing it with an expert guide who will help you focus on the “where to look” part rather than the guessing part.

Marine birds can also be part of your day. The tour information mentions the blue-footed booby, a bird that only lives in certain places—so when it shows up, it’s memorable. Even if it doesn’t, you’ll still be surrounded by bird activity around the coastline and park area.

Las Marietas Snorkeling: Gear, Guide Tips, and Real Expectations

Snorkeling is where this tour earns its reputation. You’ll have mask & snorkel and life jackets, plus an English-speaking guide (also available in Spanish) who will help you pick out the spots to see more marine life.

The protected marine park setting matters. You’re not in random water where everything feels chaotic. The point is to swim where the ecosystem is active and where fish and underwater life have a chance to show up.

What you’ll do in plain terms:

• Swim and snorkel around colorful fish
• Use the guide’s directions to spend your time where sightings are more likely
• Keep your comfort in mind, since water visibility can vary by conditions

One caution comes from a less positive booking: one person said their snorkeling visibility wasn’t good and that they felt the overall day got expensive after extra paid add-ons. I can’t confirm that this is typical. But it’s a real reminder to set your expectations correctly. Plan for great snorkeling, but don’t treat it like a guaranteed “perfect visibility every time” situation.

If you’re a strong swimmer, you might go faster. If you’re not, the life jacket support helps you keep your energy for enjoying the water instead of worrying the whole time.

After Snorkeling: Kayak, Paddle Board, and A Very Normal Swim Break

Once you finish snorkeling, the tour opens up with optional water activities. You can kayak, use paddle boards, and you can also just swim and hang out.

This is a good part of the itinerary because it lets you choose your pace. If you’re already tired from snorkeling, the open-water play can be lighter. If you loved snorkeling and want more, you can keep it going right away.

Also, you’re not stuck waiting for the whole group. With the kayak and paddle board options, most people get a chance to try something. The day feels like a full water experience instead of a one-stop snorkel-and-then-wait scenario.

And then the best timing perk: the open bar starts after snorkeling. So you can let your brain go from “spot the fish” to “relax and sip” without feeling like you’re mixing alcohol and activity too early.

Food and Drinks: Continental Breakfast, Hot Lunch on Board, and Open Bar Timing

This is not a bare-minimum food day. You’ll get continental breakfast on the way out, then a hot cooked lunch prepared on the boat while you cruise around the islands.

That matters for value, because boat tours often give you something small and forgettable. Here, the day is structured around meals that actually keep your energy up for water time.

The open bar after snorkeling is a nice reward. It also changes the mood on deck. People tend to loosen up. The crew’s goal seems to be to keep the day friendly and light once the wet work is done.

I’ll add one more practical detail: if you’re sensitive to sun, you’ll want to eat and drink with a plan. You’ll likely spend time in direct light, and you’ll be active on the water.

The Ride Back: Music, Dancing, Karaoke, and Crew-Led Fun

On the way back, you’ll get music and the chance to dance. Karaoke is part of the plan, along with games for the group.

This is one of the more fun sides of the tour. It’s not just “transport back to shore.” It feels like a moving party after the main nature portion is complete.

One positive booking highlighted the crew’s attention to passengers and the general good vibe from the moment you board. That matches the tour’s structure: the day starts with sightseeing and food, then shifts into a celebration while you head home.

If you prefer quiet travel, this part might not be your favorite hour. But if you like a lively boat day, it’s a strong selling point.

Price and Extra Fees: The Real Number You Should Budget

The listed price is $128 per person for a roughly 6-hour experience. That includes a lot: guides in English (and Spanish), breakfast, lunch, open bar after snorkeling, life jackets, mask & snorkel, plus kayaking and paddle boards.

Still, you need to budget for two extra costs:

• Marine park conservation fee: listed at 220 MXN (and another line shows 180 MXN), roughly in the $8–$9 USD range
• Marina entrance fee: listed at 33 MXN and also noted as 32 MXN, around $1.50–$2 USD

So the value is strong if you want the full day package: food + gear + guided snorkeling + water activities + a drink reward. But it’s weaker if you only care about one element and end up paying extra for other add-ons.

And based on a less positive booking, it’s worth double-checking any beach-specific stops or experiences you care about. If you’re hoping for a particular beach moment like Playa de Amor, confirm what’s included before you go. That booking said they had to pay extra on top of the base tour price.

What To Bring: The Stuff That Saves Your Day

This tour asks for standard beach-day items, but don’t skip them. The water portion is active and the sun can be intense.

Bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunglasses and a hat
• Sunscreen
• Camera or video camera if you want to capture wildlife and the coastline

Also consider:

• Extra cash for tips and photos
• 200 Pesos per person security deposit for snorkeling equipment (or you may use a hotel room key / ID instead, depending on instructions)

Small prep tips that pay off: check your sunscreen is reef-safe if that matters to you, and don’t forget to secure small valuables in a dry bag if your boat provides guidance.

Who This Tour Fits Best

I’d put this in the sweet spot for people who want a mix of nature and fun.

It’s a good match if you:

• Want snorkeling + guided wildlife spotting in one outing
• Like the idea of kayaking and paddle boards after snorkeling
• Prefer a tour with included meals and drinks rather than a snack-only day
• Enjoy a lively atmosphere with music and karaoke on the return

It might be less ideal if you:

• Are extremely sensitive to cost creep from add-ons
• Want a quiet, nature-only experience with no party energy on the ride back
• Have very high expectations for underwater visibility every single time

Should You Book Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Island With Breakfast, Lunch, and Open Bar?

If you want a day that hits the big icons of the area—protected waters, colorful fish, possible whale season sightings, and enough water time to feel like you really used your day—I think it’s a strong buy.

At $128 with meals, guided snorkeling gear, and extra activities, the overall value is solid, especially because the day includes both open bar after snorkeling and a full on-deck return with music and karaoke.

My booking advice comes down to two checks:

1. Confirm the extra fees and keep them in your budget so there are no surprises.
2. If you have a specific beach moment in mind (like Playa de Amor), verify whether it’s included or paid separately.

Do those two things, and you’ll be set for a very memorable Marietas day—part sea life, part swim fun, part boat-party finale.

FAQ

What is included in the Puerto Vallarta Marietas Island tour?

The tour includes friendly English-speaking tour guides, a continental breakfast, snorkeling gear (mask & snorkel) and life jackets, lunch prepared on the boat, kayaking, paddle boards, and an open bar after snorkeling. Music and karaoke for dancing are also included.

Is snorkel equipment provided?

Yes. You’ll be provided mask & snorkel, plus life jackets for the snorkeling portion. The info also mentions a security deposit of 200 Pesos for snorkeling equipment, or you may use a hotel room key or ID depending on what’s required at check-in.

What extra fees should I expect to pay?

You should plan for a marine park conservation fee (listed at 220 MXN per person, with another amount shown as 180 MXN in the fine print) and a marina entrance fee (listed at 33 MXN per person, and also noted as 32 MXN). Expect roughly $8–$9 USD and $1.50–$2 USD ranges respectively.

Can I see humpback whales on this tour?

The tour notes humpback whales can be seen in season. That means sightings depend on the time of year and conditions.

What can I do besides snorkeling?

After snorkeling, you can enjoy kayaking and paddle boarding, and you can also swim more if you want to stay in the water longer.

How long is the tour, and what languages are offered?

The tour lasts 6 hours. The guide is live and offered in English and Spanish.