Marieta Islands and Hidden Beach from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port

Snorkeling45-90 minutes by boat each way5-7.5 hoursToo far for a typical call

A protected national park of uninhabited islands about 8 km off Punta de Mita. The Hidden Beach, a sandy crater open to the sky, is reached by swimming through a short tunnel at low tide. Landing is limited to permit-holding operators and about 116 visitors a day.

Getting there from the ship

From
Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal
Travel time
45-90 minutes by boat each way
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Puerto Vallarta taxi fares.
Cost
Hidden Beach tour from about US$118 (sale price; US$169 list); Marietas BBQ tour from about US$83 (Vallarta Adventures listing). Permits and park fees are handled by the operator.
Time to allow
5-7.5 hours

Will you be back for all aboard?

Not on a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call: with travel both ways and an hour's margin you would have about 4 h 10 min at Marieta Islands, not enough for a visit (allow 5-7.5 hours). Save it for a long call, or book a cruise line excursion, where the ship waits if the tour runs late.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    9:50 am · At Marieta Islands
    45-90 minutes by boat each way from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal.
  3. 3
    2:00 pm · Leave Marieta Islands by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Puerto Vallarta; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hidden Beach access depends on tide and permits, and the minimum age is 10. A 5-hour tour takes most of a typical call, so book one that leaves from Marina Vallarta near the port and guarantees your return. Many tours only snorkel around the islands without landing, so confirm what you are buying.

Puerto Vallarta cruise port: Marieta Islands FAQ

How far is Marieta Islands from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port?

From Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal it is 45-90 minutes by boat each way.

How much does it cost to visit Marieta Islands?

Hidden Beach tour from about US$118 (sale price; US$169 list); Marietas BBQ tour from about US$83 (Vallarta Adventures listing). Permits and park fees are handled by the operator.

How much time do you need at Marieta Islands?

Allow 5-7.5 hours. Not on a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call: with travel both ways and an hour's margin you would have about 4 h 10 min at Marieta Islands, not enough for a visit (allow 5-7.5 hours). Save it for a long call, or book a cruise line excursion, where the ship waits if the tour runs late.

Can you visit Marieta Islands on your own from a cruise ship?

It is easier with a tour or a pre-booked driver, because transport there and back is not simple to arrange on the day. The park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Hidden Beach access depends on tide and permits, and the minimum age is 10. A 5-hour tour takes most of a typical call, so book one that leaves from Marina Vallarta near the port and guarantees your return. Many tours only snorkel around the islands without landing, so confirm what you are buying.

Snorkeling tours in Puerto Vallarta

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Marieta Islands

All 12 places
  • Sayulita · Town & walking · 45-60 minutes by taxi from the pier · 23 km from Marieta Islands
  • Yelapa · Town & walking · 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then 45-60 by water taxi from the pier · 27 km from Marieta Islands
  • Las Ánimas Beach · Beach · 15-25 minutes by taxi to Los Muertos pier, then about 25 by water taxi from the pier · 32 km from Marieta Islands
  • Marina Vallarta boardwalk · Town & walking · a few minutes by taxi from the pier · 33 km from Marieta Islands