Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour: Kayak, Snorkel, Eat

Snorkel and kayak the Marietas Islands in one morning, then eat and drink on the boat ride back

A half-day snorkeling and kayaking tour from Puerto Vallarta takes you by boat to the Marietas Islands in Banderas Bay, where you swim the reefs, paddle a kayak around the islands, and explore Playa Nopalera before returning to the boat for lunch and an open bar. The tour includes breakfast before departure, snorkeling gear, and a guide in English or Spanish. Children from age 3 are welcome, and the whole experience runs about 7 to 8 hours from check-in to return.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Banderas Bay1h 30m · entry included
2. Marietas Islands4h

Marietas Islands half-day tour

• Check in at Maritime Terminal
• Board boat and start tour
• Enjoy breakfast and Banderas Bay views
• Snorkel around Marietas Islands
• Optional boat ride with biologist
• Kayak around the islands
• Explore Playa Nopalera
• Return to boat for food and drinks
• Enjoy music and open bar sailing back

The experience

You check in at the Maritime Terminal in Puerto Vallarta at 8:10 am and board by 9:00 am. The boat ride out to the Marietas Islands takes about two hours, and breakfast (hot cakes, eggs with ham and juice) is served while you're crossing Banderas Bay. The crossing itself is part of the tour: you'll see the bay open up as you approach the islands, and the crew keeps the pace relaxed so you can settle in before the water activities begin.

Once you reach the Marietas Islands, you start with snorkeling. The reefs around the islands host colored fish and marine life. The water is clear enough to see the bottom in most spots. Snorkeling equipment is provided. After snorkeling, you can kayak around the islands (the paddle and floating mat are included), and then move on to Playa Nopalera, a rocky beach where you can explore the shoreline and swim. An optional ecotour (extra cost, paid on board) adds a boat ride around the islands with a biologist guide who explains how the islands formed and points out the birds and species that live there. This is not the hidden beach tour. That's a separate, more expensive excursion and is not part of this package.

The return journey takes about 90 minutes, and this is when the boat becomes the focus. Food comes out (roast beef, chicken, chorizo, potatoes, tortillas, salad and sauces) along with a national open bar (beer, soft drinks, water) and fish ceviche as a snack. The crew plays music and keeps the energy high. You sail back into Puerto Vallarta with views of Banderas Bay the whole way. Toilets are on board, and the boat has all the safety equipment required.

What’s included

• American breakfast with hot cakes, eggs and juice.
• snorkeling equipment and kayak with paddle and floating mat.
• lunch with roast beef, chicken, chorizo, potatoes, tortillas and salad.
• national open bar with beer, soft drinks and water.
• fish ceviche snack.
• access to Playa Nopalera beach.
• on-board toilets.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (3 to 5 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

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

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 14.01

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monkey Adventures

Is this one for you?The tour departs from Puerto Vallarta's Maritime Terminal with no car needed (check in at 8:10 am and board by 9:00 am), so it works whether you're staying in town, at a resort nearby, or without wheels. Breakfast and lunch are both on the boat, which means you're not hunting for food between activities or paying restaurant prices. The open bar and music on the return make the ride back as much a part of the day as the snorkeling itself.

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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: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (3 to 5 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What's the difference between this tour and the one that includes Hidden Beach?

This Marietas Islands tour focuses on snorkeling the reefs, kayaking around the islands, and visiting Playa Nopalera. It does not include Hidden Beach, which is a separate, more expensive excursion. The two tours operate on different routes and schedules.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment, kayak, paddle and floating mat are all included with the tour. Bring a towel and sunscreen. GoPro cameras and cell phones are allowed at your own risk, but drones are not permitted.

Is breakfast really included, or is it extra?

Breakfast is included: hot cakes, eggs with ham and juice are served on the boat during the ride out to the islands. Lunch, an open bar with beer and soft drinks, and fish ceviche are also included on the return journey.

Can my 4-year-old come on this tour?

Yes. Children from age 3 are welcome. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and infants must sit on an adult's lap during the boat ride. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Moderate physical fitness is expected.

How long is the whole tour, and what time do I need to be there?

The tour runs 7 to 8 hours from check-in to return. You arrive at the Maritime Terminal by 8:10 am, and the boat departs at 9:00 am. The boat ride out takes about two hours, snorkeling and kayaking at the islands takes several hours, and the return journey is about 90 minutes.

What if I want to learn more about the islands' ecology and wildlife?

An optional ecotour is available for an extra 200 Mexican pesos, paid on board. A biologist guide leads a boat ride around the Marietas Islands, explaining their geological formation and pointing out the birds and marine species that live there.