Marietas Islands Tour: Snorkel, Kayak & Paddleboard Fun

Snorkel, kayak and paddleboard in a protected marine reserve without packing a thing.

A full-day boat tour from Sayulita to Marietas Islands National Park on a luxury trimaran, where you snorkel, kayak, paddleboard and float at Playa La Nopalera—a beach accessible only by water. Breakfast, lunch, an open bar with premium drinks, and all water gear are included; you choose your departure point (Sayulita or Nuevo Vallarta) at checkout. Access to Hidden Beach requires an extra fee and advance reservation.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Marietas Islands tour

• Board luxury mega trimaran
• Enjoy continental breakfast and drinks
• Cruise along coastline to Marietas Islands
• Snack on fresh guacamole and chips
• Swim, kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel to Playa La Nopalera
• Explore Hidden Beach with guide
• Return to boat for fajitas lunch and open bar
• More water activities and wildlife watching
• Relax and enjoy music on floating mattress
• Dance and drink on return cruise to port
• Watch for whales and sea life on way back

The Experience

The trimaran leaves from either Sayulita or Nuevo Vallarta and heads north along the coast toward the Marietas Islands. Breakfast arrives as soon as you're aboard—fresh fruit, pastries, and the open bar starts with coffee, juices and sodas, then moves into margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine and tequila. The crew introduces the photographer, the cruise director and the day's plan. As the boat cruises Banderas Bay, watch for humpback whales (December through April), sea turtles, rays and the volcanic formations of the islands themselves. A snack of guacamole and chips comes out as the islands grow closer.

By late morning the boat anchors inside the national park boundaries. With a guide, you swim, kayak, paddleboard or snorkel to Playa La Nopalera, a beach only reachable by boat. The water is clear enough to see tropical fish, coral varieties and sea birds. Snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and floating mattresses are all on board—you pick what suits the moment. The waterslides on the trimaran are available for the afternoon, along with water tubes if you want them. Hidden Beach, the famous cave beach within the park, requires a separate permit (paid in pesos at check-in) and must be reserved in advance; ask when you book if you want to add it.

Lunch is Mexican fajitas with rice, beans and tortillas, served back on the boat. The open bar stays open all day. After eating, more time in the water, more floating, more music. On the return trip, the crew keeps watch for whales and marine life—the boat stops if something appears. You can dance, play or relax as the coast slides past. A photographer has been shooting action shots throughout the day; images are available to purchase if you didn't pre-book the photo package.

What’s included

• Breakfast with fresh fruit and pastries.
• all-day open bar with water, coffee, juices, sodas, margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila and champagne.
• lunch of Mexican fajitas with rice, beans and tortillas.
• snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and floating mattresses.
• waterslides and water tubes.
• clean bathrooms on board.
• vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options if requested at booking.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Chica Locca Tours

Is this one for you?Choose Sayulita departure if you're staying in that area; Nuevo Vallarta if you're based further south. The boat's size and the crew's rhythm mean you're never rushed between activities—snorkel as long as you want, then kayak, then float, with food and drinks always available. If you want to visit Hidden Beach, reserve the permit when you book.

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Top questions

What's included in the all-day food and drink on this Marietas Islands tour?

Breakfast with fresh fruit and pastries, lunch of Mexican fajitas with rice and beans, and an open bar all day serving water, coffee, juices, sodas, margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila and champagne. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

Can I snorkel, kayak and paddleboard all on the same day at Marietas Islands?

Yes. The tour includes snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards and floating mattresses, so you can choose what to do at Playa La Nopalera depending on what appeals to you in the moment. Water tubes and the boat's waterslides are also available.

What is Playa La Nopalera and why is it only accessible by boat?

Playa La Nopalera is a pristine beach within Marietas Islands National Park, a protected marine biosphere reserve. It's only reachable by water, which keeps it isolated and preserves the environment. You'll find tropical fish, coral, sea birds and clear water for snorkeling and swimming.

Do I need to book Hidden Beach in advance, and is there an extra cost?

Hidden Beach (the famous cave beach) requires a special permit because the national park limits how many people can enter it each day. The permit must be reserved and paid in pesos when you check in. Ask about it when you book if you're interested in visiting.

Where do I meet the boat, and are there pickup options?

You choose your meeting point at checkout: either Sayulita or Nuevo Vallarta. The tour does not include hotel pickup and drop-off, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to the departure point.

What wildlife might I see on the cruise to and from Marietas Islands?

From December through April, humpback whales are common in Banderas Bay. Year-round, you can see sea turtles, rays and tropical fish. The crew watches for marine life throughout the day and stops the boat if something appears.