Private Marietas Snorkeling Tour – Hidden Beach Access Guaranteed

4.8 (86 reviews)4 hPuerto VallartaWildlife & natureSnorkelingFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 1:00 pm, 3 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 2 h 30 min to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (20 min)Safety margin (1 h)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship docks in Puerto Vallarta20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
  2. 8:20 am
    Leave the pierAbout 20 min to the start point
  3. 8:40 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 4 h. Latest sensible start: 11:10 am.
  4. 12:40 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 1:00 pm
    Back at the gangway3 h 30 min before all aboard
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Puerto Vallarta call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 4 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 1:00 pm — 2 h 30 min to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 2:00 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 20 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in Puerto Vallarta. Check the meeting point on the booking page.

Among the 400 Puerto Vallarta shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 4 h); 86% of them fit a typical call.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Puerto Vallarta call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

Access to Hidden Beach is limited to 116 visitors per day, making it one of the most exclusive and sought-after experiences in the region. As a certified tour operator with more official permits than most providers, Eco Explorer offers more available spots daily, giving you a higher chance of accessing the beach. In fact, 99% of our guests successfully visit Hidden Beach, with rare exceptions due to weather or natural conditions.

Our fast, comfortable, and safety-certified boats ensure a smooth ride, and our experienced guides support you every step of the way—from boarding the boat to the snorkeling experience, to the safe entry into Hidden Beach. Their knowledge and attention to detail provide an informative and memorable adventure.

Please note that Hidden Beach access is available Tue-Sun only. It cannot be added during booking but can be requested at check-in. Access is guaranteed for those who choose this option, except in cases of unfavorable weather or natural sea conditions.

Private tour English, Spanish

What's included

  • Permits for national park
  • Soda/Pop
  • Conservancy donation fee to Bahia Unida
  • Use of Snorkelling equipment
  • Boat ride to Marietas Islands
  • Snacks: apples, bananas, and a sandwich.
  • CONANP (Federal Government) fee

Not included

  • Lunch
  • Port Fee (Cash only)
  • Hidden Beach activity is optional and payment is cash only.

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Marina Vallarta, Proa street 22A. We are located next to the fishing center and near restaurant Mariscos 8 Tostadas.
Marina Vallarta, Proa street 22A. We are located next to the fishing center and near restaurant Mariscos 8 Tostadas.
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Please consider that all our guests must show an ID, f you do not present it at the time of check in you will not be allowed to board the boat.
  • Minimum age to go to hidden beach is 10 years with an adult on the same group.
  • Not recommended for travelers under any drug or alcohol influence
  • Max age recommended for hidden beach activity is 65 years
  • Minimum age recommended for this tour is 10 years old
  • We do not allow pregnant women on our tours.
  • If you are traveling by cruise please be sure to ask for the arrival time in central time.

Traveler reviews

4.8
86 traveler reviews
5
93%
4
1%
3
1%
2
1%
1
3%

Read all 86 reviews

Operated by Eco Explorer Vallarta. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

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