Is a Marietas Islands Tour Worth It?
Short answer: yes — but go for the snorkelling and the scenery, not for a Hidden Beach you might not get to see.
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The Marietas Islands are the most photographed day trip from Puerto Vallarta, almost entirely because of one image: the "Hidden Beach", a sandy cove open to the sky at the bottom of a collapsed crater. That photo sells thousands of tours a year — and sets up thousands of people for disappointment. Here's what's actually true.
What the Marietas are
A small uninhabited archipelago about an hour by boat off the coast, in the state of Nayarit at the north end of Banderas Bay. They're a protected national park and a former navy bombing range, now a haven for marine life and seabirds — including blue-footed boobies. The waters around them are among the best snorkelling near Puerto Vallarta.
The Hidden Beach reality check
Playa del Amor — the Hidden Beach — is real and spectacular. The cove sits inside a collapsed volcanic crater, enclosed by rock, and there is no walkway: you reach it on a guided swim or kayak through a low tunnel, and at higher tides the headroom in that tunnel shrinks to very little.
Because the site was badly damaged by visitor pressure, access is strictly capped by the park authorities to protect the ecosystem: a limited number of visitors per day, in timed slots, and only with permitted operators. Your slot depends on the tide and conditions on the day, and the beach closes at short notice for conservation or bad conditions.
Book the Marietas for the boat ride, the snorkelling and the wildlife. If you also get onto the Hidden Beach, treat it as a lucky bonus — not the thing you paid for.
What it costs
Expect from around US$60 per person for a group trip, rising to $150–200+ for small-group or premium tours with better boats, food and more time in the water.
| Tier | Typically | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget group | Large boat, big group, basic snorkel gear, open bar and music, short water time | Sociable, cheapest way to see the islands |
| Mid small-group | Smaller boat, guide, decent gear, longer snorkelling, light lunch | Most people — the best balance |
| Premium / private | Small fast boat, marine guide, quality gear, full meal, best chance at Hidden Beach slots | Photographers, families, anyone prioritising the water |
What's included, and what isn't
| Usually included | Often extra |
|---|---|
| Boat transport and crew | National park fee (sometimes cash on the day) |
| Snorkel mask, fins and life jacket | Wetsuit or rash guard hire |
| Guide and safety briefing | Photos and video packages |
| Water and soft drinks | Alcohol beyond the included drinks |
| Snack or light lunch on most tours | Hotel transfer on some operators |
| Kayak or paddleboard on some boats | Crew tips (customary, 10–15%) |
The park fee is the one that catches people out — it is a genuine conservation charge, not an upsell.
How to get there
You cannot reach the Marietas independently, and there is no public boat. Every visit is by organised tour, departing from one of three points:
| Departure | Crossing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marina Vallarta | ~60–75 min | Most catamarans and larger operators; closest to the airport |
| Los Muertos pier, Old Town | ~75–90 min | Convenient if you're staying in Old Town; longer crossing |
| Punta de Mita | ~20–30 min | Much closer, but you must get to Punta de Mita first (about an hour by road) |
Most tours include hotel transfer or ask you to meet at the dock — check which when booking, and confirm the pickup time, which is often earlier than you'd expect.
How long a tour takes
Plan on losing most of the day. A typical trip runs 6 to 8 hours door to door: transfer and boarding, an hour or so each way at sea, and two to four hours around the islands snorkelling, cruising the cliffs and — if conditions and permits allow — visiting the Hidden Beach. Shorter trips from Punta de Mita can be done in 4 to 5 hours, but you'll spend an extra two hours on the road getting there and back.
Because the day is long, don't schedule anything demanding for the evening, and leave a clear margin before a flight — boats come back late far more often than early.
Best time to go
Water clarity is best in the dry season, roughly November to April, when rain isn't stirring up sediment — that matters a lot for snorkelling. Seas are also generally calmer in the morning, so an early departure usually means a smoother crossing and better light. From December to March many operators run a combined trip with whale watching, which is the single best-value day on the water if your dates line up.
What to bring
- Reef-safe sunscreen — conventional sunscreen is restricted at protected sites, and some operators will ask you to rinse it off.
- Motion-sickness tablets taken before boarding if you're prone.
- A dry bag and a towel — you will get wet getting in and out.
- Your own mask if you're particular; rental quality is the most common complaint, usually a leaking mask on budget trips.
- Cash for the park fee if it isn't included, and for tipping the crew.
Who should skip it
Be honest with yourself about two things. If you are a nervous swimmer, the Hidden Beach swim and open-water snorkelling won't be relaxing — a sunset cruise or the calmer coves of the south shore will suit you better. And if you get seriously seasick, an hour each way in open water is a long time; consider Los Arcos instead, which is twenty minutes offshore.
Choosing an operator — this is where it matters
Every operator sells "the Marietas", but because access is limited, the operator you pick genuinely changes the trip. Look for:
- A named permit — only authorised operators can attempt Hidden Beach access at all. Ask directly; the good ones answer immediately.
- Smaller groups — a panga or small boat gets you more water time than a 100-person catamaran booze cruise. Check the listing states a group size, not just "small group".
- Honest wording — operators who say Hidden Beach is "subject to conditions and park authorisation" are being straight with you; those who guarantee it are either not permitted or not being straight.
- What's included — snorkel gear, guide, food and drinks vary a lot between the cheap and premium tiers.
This is how the options actually differ — decide which column matters most to you, then filter on that rather than on price.
| Tour type | Group | Time in the water | Hidden Beach | Typical price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large catamaran | 60–120 | Short, one stop | Rarely — most lack the permit | Lowest | Sociable day out, open bar, seasickness-prone |
| Mid small-group | 15–30 | Good, usually two stops | Sometimes, conditions permitting | Mid | Most people — the best balance |
| Premium small boat | 6–14 | Longest, guide-led | Best chance — permitted operators | Highest | Snorkellers, photographers, families wanting attention |
| Whale combo (Dec–Mar) | Varies | Split with whale time | Usually no | Mid–high | Seeing two things in one day |
| Private charter | Your group | As long as you want | Subject to permits | Highest | Groups, special occasions |
If two tours look identical and one is half the price, the difference is almost always group size and time in the water. Neither is wrong — but know which you're buying.
Marietas Islands tours
Compare authorised operators, group sizes and what's included for your dates.
See Marietas tours →Frequently asked
Is the Marietas Islands tour worth it?
For most visitors, yes — it's one of the best boat trips from Puerto Vallarta for snorkelling, wildlife and scenery. Just don't book it solely for the Hidden Beach, which isn't guaranteed.
Can you always visit the Hidden Beach?
No. Daily visitor numbers are capped by the national park, it needs the right tide and permits, and it can close at short notice.
How much does it cost?
From about US$60 per person for group tours, up to $150–200+ for premium small-group trips.
When can you see whales on the trip?
Humpback season in Banderas Bay runs roughly December to March; see best time to visit.
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