Snorkeling at Marietas Islands from Puerto Vallarta

You kayak and snorkel the same morning, not on separate days.

A full-day snorkeling trip from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands National Aquatic Park with guide, breakfast, lunch and all aquatic equipment. You depart from Puerto Mágico maritime terminal, spend 25 to 35 minutes snorkeling with a professional guide, then choose kayaking or paddleboarding before visiting La Nopalera Beach. The tour runs Tuesday through Sunday and includes an open bar throughout the day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Marietas Islands activities

• Arrive at Puerto Mágico one hour early
• Board boat and cross to Marietas Islands
• Snorkel for 25 to 35 minutes with guides
• Choose to kayak or paddleboard
• Visit La Nopalera Beach

The experience

The boat leaves Puerto Mágico at a fixed time, so you arrive one hour early to meet the team at the maritime terminal. The crossing takes an hour and a half, which gives you time to settle in before the water work starts. Once you reach Marietas Islands National Aquatic Park, the snorkeling begins: 25 to 35 minutes with masks, snorkels and life jackets provided, a guide leading the group through the water. The park itself is a protected marine reserve, which is why the snorkeling window is timed and the group stays with the guide.

After snorkeling, you choose your next move: kayak or paddleboard, both available on the same trip. This is where the day splits by what you want to do, and the equipment for either one is already on the boat. Once you finish that activity, the group heads to La Nopalera Beach, one of several beaches inside the archipelago, where you can swim or rest before the return crossing.

Breakfast arrives before departure: yogurt and fruit with hot cakes, or chilaquiles with eggs, plus juice. Lunch and an open bar run through the whole day, so you eat and drink without stopping to pay. The guide speaks English and Spanish, and children are welcome from age 9 onward. The full day is seven hours from start to finish, which includes the two crossings and all three water activities.

What’s included

• Breakfast with juice.
• lunch and an open bar throughout the day.
• all snorkeling equipment (life jacket, mask and snorkel).
• kayak or paddleboard gear.
• a professional guide in English or Spanish.
• and the captain and crew for the full crossing.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (9 to 11 years) · Under 9: can't be booked

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on siteUS$ 65

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Landing Tours

Is this one for you?The early start and the hour-and-a-half crossing mean you're in the water by mid-morning, which is why snorkeling and kayaking both fit into one day instead of two separate trips. Arrive rested and ready to move between activities. The pace is steady but the boat handles the transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (9 to 11 years). Children under 9 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the boat ride to Marietas Islands from Puerto Vallarta?

The crossing from Puerto Mágico maritime terminal to Marietas Islands National Aquatic Park takes an hour and a half each way, so plan two boat rides into your seven-hour day.

What's the snorkeling like at Marietas Islands?

Snorkeling lasts 25 to 35 minutes in Marietas Islands National Aquatic Park, a protected marine reserve. A professional guide leads the group, and the park provides masks, snorkels and life jackets.

Can I choose between kayaking and paddleboarding, or do I have to do both?

You choose one or the other after snorkeling (kayak or paddleboard) both with equipment provided on the boat. The choice is yours depending on what appeals to you that day.

What meals and drinks are included?

Breakfast (yogurt and fruit with hot cakes or chilaquiles with eggs, plus juice) is served before departure. Lunch and an open bar are included throughout the day, so food and drinks are covered.

What's the minimum age for this snorkeling trip?

Children are welcome from age 9 onward. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, pregnancy, or poor cardiovascular health, and a moderate level of physical fitness helps.

When does the tour depart, and how early do I need to arrive?

The tour departs Tuesday through Sunday from Puerto Mágico maritime terminal. You must arrive one hour before departure so the team can welcome you and prepare for the crossing.