The verdict
Our pick
Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands Snorkel & Hidden Beach Tour★ 4.76 (1,031) · 4h–5h
Best price
Marietas Islands Tour: Snorkel, Kayak & Paddleboard Fun★ 4.81 (767) · 6h
Top rated
Marietas Islands: Private Safari Hidden Beach & Surf Tour★ 4.88 (81) · 4h–5h
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2 to 5 hours (5)
Marietas Islands: Snorkeling & Hidden Beach Small Group TourYou’ll meet your small group at Marina Vallarta before heading out to snorkel around Marietas Islands with a biologist guide who actually points out wildlife you’d miss alone. If you’re lucky in the draw, you’ll swim into the famous Hidden Beach for ten minutes—otherwise you’ll relax on board watching birds wheel overhead. Expect real conversation, salty air, and honest moments you’ll remember later.
Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands Hidden Beach & SnorkelYou board a small boat at Punta Mita, ride 15–20 minutes to Marietas Islands, then swim through a natural tunnel to reach Hidden Beach with a guide protecting your phone. After 30 minutes on the sand, you snorkel at Playa Nopalera with included equipment before returning to the pier. The whole tour keeps groups to eight people and includes life jacket, snorkel gear, and non-alcoholic drinks.Is it for me?Book this if you want to reach Hidden Beach without arranging your own boat or worrying about timing—the small group size and fixed schedule handle both, and the guide's phone protection means you actually enjoy the moment instead of filming it.
Marietas Islands snorkeling tour from Punta de Mita: Hidden BeachA guided snorkeling tour from Punta de Mita to the Marietas Islands, where you swim in Hidden Beach—a natural crater formed by volcanic erosion and unique in the world for sitting below the ocean surface. The boat includes a crew and park ranger; snorkeling gear, life jackets, water and soda are provided. Tours run 3.5 hours with a guide in English or Spanish, and children from age 9 are welcome.Is it for me?Book this if you're based in Punta de Mita and want a guided boat departure to Hidden Beach and the reefs—you'll snorkel from the boat rather than kayak or swim on your own.
Snorkeling Marietas Islands Private Boat Hidden BeachA private snorkeling tour departing from Punta Mita that takes you by boat to the Marietas Islands, where you swim through a natural tunnel to access Playa Escondida, spend time on the hidden beach, then snorkel at Playa Nopalera with a certified guide. The boat ride takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on sea conditions; the full experience lasts about three hours and includes snorkel equipment, a lifevest, water and a container to keep your phone dry while your guide photographs the day.Is it for me?This tour works best if you're comfortable swimming and want to reach a beach most visitors never see—the private boat and certified guide mean you're not navigating the tunnel or the snorkel sites on your own, and the three-hour timeframe keeps the day manageable without feeling rushed.
Marietas Islands Seabird Watching Tour with Private GuideA private seabird watching tour to Marietas Islands National Park near Puerto Vallarta puts you on a 30-foot boat with a professional biologist guide for five hours among nesting marine birds and rocky volcanic islets. The tour includes snorkeling gear and binoculars on request, meals and drinks, and hotel pickup can be arranged in advance. A naturalist guide identifies species and explains the islands' ecology and conservation while you watch for boobies, frigatebirds, herons, egrets, pelicans, dolphins and sea turtles.Is it for me?The guide delivers commentary in English or Spanish, so non-Spanish speakers follow the bird identification and ecology without translation delays. The private boat and naturalist guide suit anyone who wants to watch nesting seabirds up close instead of from a distance, with a professional explaining what you're seeing as it happens.
Half day and longer (5)
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour: Kayak, Snorkel, EatA 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.Is it for me?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.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour with Playa Escondida EntryThis snorkeling tour departs from Puerto Mágico near Puerto Vallarta and takes you to the Marietas Islands for a full day of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking, with guaranteed entry to Playa Escondida. The package includes all water equipment, a professional guide in English or Spanish, breakfast, a meal, and an open bar. Children are welcome from age 10, and the tour runs Tuesday through Sunday.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full day on the water with a group and don't want to arrange your own boat, guide or equipment—everything is set up and waiting when you arrive. The guaranteed Playa Escondida entry is what separates this from other island snorkeling tours in the area.
Snorkeling Marietas Islands & Majahuitas Beach Tour with BBQA full-day snorkeling and kayaking tour from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands National Park, followed by paddleboarding and a BBQ buffet on Majahuitas Beach. Bilingual guides lead water activities around the volcanic archipelago, where dolphins and whales appear in season; the return includes an open bar, breakfast on board and free time on the beach. Seven hours total, life jackets mandatory, children welcome from age 4.Is it for me?Choose the Puerto Vallarta check-in if you're staying in the city center, or the Nuevo Vallarta check-in if your hotel is north along the coast — both reach the same islands and beach, so pick the one closer to where you wake up. The seven-hour span lets you move between snorkeling, paddleboarding and rest without rushing any of them, which is what makes a full day of water activities plus a meal on sand actually feel like a day instead of a checklist.
Snorkeling at Marietas Islands from Puerto VallartaA 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.Is it for me?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.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour: Kayak & Hidden BeachThis snorkeling tour departs Puerto Vallarta for the Marietas Islands, where you snorkel at multiple reefs, paddle out on kayaks, and swim to Playa Escondida—a secluded beach accessible only by water. The tour runs 6.5 hours and includes breakfast, lunch, drinks, and all snorkeling and kayak equipment; a live guide leads in English or Spanish. You'll need to be a comfortable swimmer, as reaching the hidden beach requires a 100-meter swim in a vest.Is it for me?Book this if you're comfortable swimming in open water—you'll need to swim 100 meters to reach the hidden beach—and prefer a shared group boat with meals and activities bundled together rather than coordinating separately.
Marietas Islands Tours — what to know before booking
This guide compares 13 bookable options for Marietas Islands Tours, with up-to-date prices and real traveler reviews. Prices start at US$ 93. The average rating is 4.6 out of 5, based on 2,266 traveler reviews.
Most options last between 2 and 5 hours. 11 of the 13 options offer free cancellation. 2 private experiences are also available for closed groups. The verdict at the top highlights the travelers' favorite, the best price and the top-rated option, updated with live data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Marietas Islands Tours cost?
Prices start at US$ 93. There are 13 options to compare, and the final price depends on the date, group size and the option you choose.
Can I book with free cancellation?
Yes: 11 of the 13 options offer free cancellation, so you can book now and confirm your plans later.
How long do these experiences last?
Most options last between 2 and 5 hours. There are also shorter and longer formats to fit your itinerary.
Which one is the travelers' favorite?
Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Islands Snorkel & Hidden Beach Tour is the travelers' favorite, rated 4.8 out of 5 across 1,031 reviews.
Are private options available?
Yes, 2 private experiences are available if you prefer a closed group.
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