Marietas Islands: Hidden Beach Entry & Snorkel Tour

Summary

Swim to Playa del Amor, snorkel clear waters, feel the wild Marietas up close

You’ll swim through open water into Marietas Islands’ famous hidden beach (Playa del Amor), snorkel among tropical fish with all equipment provided, and relax on quiet Nopalera Beach—all with a local guide leading your small group. Expect laughter, salt in your hair, and that strange thrill of seeing somewhere most people never do.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the swim to the hidden beach at Marietas Islands to feel so weirdly thrilling—like you’re sneaking into nature’s secret room. Our guide, Miguel, handed out bright orange life vests and made a joke about how we’d all look like traffic cones bobbing in the Pacific. The boat ride was quick but loud, gulls wheeling overhead and that salty tang in the air. When we got close, he pointed to a gap in the rock and said, “That’s Playa del Amor. You have thirty minutes—swim fast!” I hesitated for a second (the current looked stronger than I thought), but everyone else just went for it. The water was colder than I expected and my feet brushed something soft—seaweed? Fish? No idea, but it made me laugh out loud underwater.

Inside, sunlight poured through the crater above us and everything echoed. You could hear people’s voices bouncing off the rocks while sand stuck to my elbows and knees from crawling up onto the shore. It felt kind of surreal. We only had half an hour before swimming back out—honestly, I wish it was longer, but I get why they limit it (Miguel explained it’s to protect the place). Afterward, we cruised over to another part of Marietas for snorkeling. There were schools of tiny yellow fish flashing by and someone spotted a pufferfish—I missed it because my mask kept fogging up (classic). Still fun though.

The last stop was Nopalera Beach. Not as dramatic as Playa del Amor but quieter—just our small group and some pelicans hanging around on black rocks. You have to swim maybe ten meters from the boat (my arms were tired by then), but standing on that little beach with wet hair and sand everywhere felt pretty great. On the way back, Miguel pointed out stone arches shaped like turtles or faces—I couldn’t really see it at first but once he said it, yeah… kind of obvious. Anyway, if you’re looking for a day trip from Puerto Vallarta that’s not just lying on a towel somewhere, this hidden beach tour is something I still think about when I hear seagulls now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Visit Marietas Islands and beaches

• Board boat with roof
• Receive lifevest and bracelets
• Visit first island
• Swim 80 meters to hidden beach
• Enter hidden beach for 30 minutes
• Visit second island
• Snorkel for 30 minutes
• Swim 10 meters to Nopalera beach
• Stay at Nopalera beach for 20 minutes
• Bird watching and see stone figures
• Visit Puente de Piedra crater
• Return to departure point

Top questions

How long do you get inside Hidden Beach?

You have 30 minutes total inside Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach).

Do you need to swim to reach Hidden Beach?

Yes, you must swim about 80 meters from the boat to enter Hidden Beach.

Is snorkeling included in this Marietas Islands tour?

Yes, snorkeling equipment is included and you’ll snorkel for about 30 minutes near the second island.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are usually 4–6 people; sometimes up to 8 can go together.

Is entrance to Hidden Beach guaranteed?

Yes, unless weather prevents entry—in that case your payment is refunded.

What should I bring for this day trip?

You should be ready to swim; bring swimwear and maybe your own mask if preferred.

Are there any health restrictions?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or cardiovascular issues.

Does this tour include pickup from my hotel?

No hotel pickup is mentioned; check meeting instructions after booking.

What’s included

Your day includes a covered boat ride with a trained captain and local guide, life jackets for swimming into Playa del Amor (hidden beach), mandatory bracelets for Marietas access, bottled water and soft drinks from a cooler onboard, use of snorkeling gear during your session among tropical fish near the second island, plus time relaxing on Nopalera Beach before heading back—all wrapped up in about three hours on the water.