Marietas Islands Snorkeling & Hidden Beach Experience

4.7 (192 reviews)4 h–5 hPuerto VallartaAdventureSightseeingFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 2:00 pm, 2 h 30 min before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 1 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–5 h; we plan for 5 h. Latest sensible start: 10:10 am.
  4. 1:40 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 2:00 pm
    Back at the gangway2 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 up to 5 h; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 2:00 pm — 1 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 3:00 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

Discover the spectacular Marietas Islands National Park, one of Mexico's most protected marine reserves and a paradise for snorkeling and wildlife.

Join our marine biologist and naturalist guides as they share insights about the islands' ecosystem, marine life, seabirds, and conservation efforts. Travel aboard a comfortable, safe, and fast boat in a small group of no more than 10 guests for a more personal experience.

Hidden Beach access is regulated by the Mexican government and depends on permits, weather, ocean conditions, swimming ability, and age restrictions. Only 116 visitors per day are allowed, so access cannot be guaranteed. If conditions allow, your guide will take you there at no additional cost.

Whether or not you visit Hidden Beach, this tour offers an unforgettable way to explore one of Puerto Vallarta's most extraordinary natural wonders.

Max 10 per group English, Spanish

What's included

  • Bottled water
  • Super panga 30 fts
  • Box lunch with a sandwich, granola bar, snack, and one fruit
  • Mask, snorkeling and fins. Helmet and life jacket is mandatory for the hidden beach
  • Tour led by a Marine Biologist/Naturalist

Not included

  • Marietas Islands national park
  • Port fee
  • Optional gratuities for the guide and crew.
  • Alcoholic Beverages

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Marina Vallarta
    Our certified guide will meet you at the office for check in
    15 min
  2. 2
    Marietas Islands
    Our Marietas Islands snorkeling trip is different from other trips! We only take small groups and our trip is really focused on snorkeling and enjoying the beauty of the islands. Discover great beaches and beautiful scenary amongst blue footed boobies and other wildlife.
    3 hAdmission not included

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Address: Proa Street Location 20 in Marina Vallarta. Located near the ramp at the end of Calle Proa, 1/2 block beyond the "8 Tostadas" Restaurant
Address: Proa Street Location 20 in Marina Vallarta. Located near the ramp at the end of Calle Proa, 1/2 block beyond the "8 Tostadas" Restaurant
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.
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • Must be followed the rules was established by the by the CONANP (National Commission of Protected Natural Areas) to visit the Islas Marietas National Park. Drones are prohibited in this tour.
  • The number of visitors that can enter can vary depending on demand, weather, and tide, among others.
  • It´s important for you to acknowledge that tour operators cannot guarantee the entrance to the Hidden Beach ahead of time. We do our best effort on every visit to get places for our tourists to enter, but it`s not always possible. If we don’t get spots for the entire group, we`ll do a bingo raffle on board in order to offer the same possibility to everybody on the trip. Visitors who don’t get a spot to enter (or that decide not to enter), have to stay on board our boat with the captain for approximately 30 minutes. Park regulations doesn´t allow to snorkel or swim in the Hidden Beach area. During this time, you can relax and enjoy the scenery and the magnificent birds that inhabit the islands.
  • Only for hidden beach, age limit 10 to 65 years old. Allowance 10 minutes visit on the beach. The use of a helmet and a vest are mandatory
  • All participants must be able to enter and leave the boat with the help of a ladder.
  • kids under 8 years old are not allowed on this tour.

Traveler reviews

4.7
192 traveler reviews
5
89%
4
3%
3
2%
2
3%
1
4%

Read all 192 reviews

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

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