Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands Snorkel & Hidden Beach Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/12

Duration4h–5h

GroupUp to 16

LanguagesEN · ES

Mobile ticketAccepted

Snorkel the Marietas Islands & slip through the tunnel to Hidden Beach

You board a fast boat at Marina Vallarta, spend an hour spotting dolphins and rays on the way out, then snorkel the Marietas Islands and swim through a tunnel into Hidden Beach, a secluded cove ringed by rock. The tour includes snorkel gear, life vest, guide, light snacks and water. You're back by early afternoon, and if weather blocks the Hidden Beach, your $30 deposit comes back.

4h–5h

Step-by-step itinerary

Marietas Islands snorkel and wildlife tour

Depart from Marina Vallarta at 9:00 AM
Spot dolphins at Ameca River mouth
Travel to Marietas Islands (about 1 hour)
Receive snorkel gear and life jackets
Guided snorkeling with safety tips

The Experience

So yeah, the boat leaves Marina Vallarta at 9am sharp, and honestly that first ten minutes is already worth it — you're cutting across the mouth of the Ameca River where dolphins show up most mornings to eat. The ride out to the Marietas Islands takes about an hour, and if you're going in winter, that's when things get weird in the best way. Manta rays, sea turtles, whales sometimes. Our guide points things out, but half the time you just see the water change color and know something big moved underneath. The boat itself is fast and stable, which matters because the ocean out there doesn't mess around.

Once you hit the islands, they hand you snorkel gear and a life vest and actually take time to show you how to use it — not just throw it at you. The Hidden Beach is the main event, and here's the thing: Eco Explorer has more permits and more boats than other operators, so they hit 99% access rates. That's not a guarantee, weather can still shut it down, but it's the closest thing to one you'll get. You swim through this narrow tunnel carved into the rock, and then you're in this pocket beach that's completely enclosed. The water inside is calm, the sand is white, and there's literally nowhere else like it. You get maybe 45 minutes in there, and it goes fast.

The snorkeling itself is solid — you're seeing fish, coral, the usual reef life, but the real draw is the novelty of the place. The boat crew stays with you the whole time, watching, helping if you need it. They bring light snacks (apple, banana, sandwich) and water, and they're serious about the plastic-free thing — you're supposed to bring your own reusable bottle, which is a nice touch if you care about that stuff. The whole day runs about four to five hours from pickup to drop-off, and you're back by early afternoon.

One thing to know: there's a $30 deposit upfront, but it's refundable if weather blocks access to the Hidden Beach. If you want to guarantee entry no matter what, they offer a private tour for up to four people — that one's 100% access unless the ocean literally closes. If you're traveling with kids, minimum age for the Hidden Beach is 10 (bring their ID), and the snorkel tour itself goes down to age 6. Just make sure you're not hungover or on anything when you show up — they don't mess with that rule.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel or marina pickup at 9:00 AM, a scenic boat ride to the Marietas Islands with snorkel gear and life vest, a qualified guide, access to Hidden Beach (subject to weather), snorkeling at the islands, light snacks (apple, banana, sandwich), drinking water, a CONANP bracelet, and official permits for Marietas Islands National Park. A $30 refundable deposit secures your spot, and you're back by early afternoon.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Eco Explorer Vallarta

Is this one for you?Book this if you want the Marietas Islands and Hidden Beach without arranging your own boat or permits — the 99% access rate and expert crew take the guesswork out of whether you'll actually get in.