Marietas Islands Hidden Beach Snorkelling Tour Puerto Vallarta
- Duration6.5 hours
- Daily
- Group
- Fair, honest prices
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- Confirm, then pay
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Overview
This small-group boat expedition leaves from Nuevo Vallarta and crosses open water to the Marietas Islands National Park, site of the famous hidden beach. Your expedition leader guides you around the islands, you snorkel in clear water with the equipment provided, and you visit the hidden beach when tides and park permits allow. A continental breakfast and light lunch are served on board. Groups are limited to 12 guests, which keeps the day relaxed. It suits confident swimmers and nature lovers who want a full day on the water.
Highlights
- Boat expedition to the Marietas Islands National Park from Nuevo Vallarta
- Visit to the hidden beach when tides and park permits allow
- Snorkelling with mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket provided
- Continental breakfast and a light lunch served on board
- Small group limited to 12 guests with an expedition leader
- Seabirds, clear water and the chance to see dolphins and, in season, humpback whales
Full Description
The Marietas Islands National Park
The Marietas Islands are a small group of uninhabited rocky islands at the mouth of Banderas Bay, off the coast of Nayarit. They are protected as a national park, which keeps visitor numbers limited and the water clean. Seabirds including blue-footed boobies use the cliffs, and the surrounding sea is rich in fish, rays and, in winter, humpback whales.
A Marietas Islands tour from Nuevo Vallarta crosses open water, so the trip begins with a scenic boat ride and your expedition leader explaining the history of the park, its rules and how to behave around wildlife. Expect a full-day outing of about six and a half hours with plenty of time in the water.
The hidden beach (Playa Escondida)
The hidden beach is a small sandy cove inside a collapsed volcanic crater, open to the sky and only reachable through a tunnel or a short swim. Photos of its turquoise water and ring of rock walls have made it one of the best-known beaches in Mexico, and many travellers search for the Marietas Islands hidden beach tour before they plan a Puerto Vallarta trip.
Access is controlled to protect the site: visits depend on the tides, the sea conditions and the permits issued by the park, and visitors spend only a short time on the sand. A government access bracelet, paid separately per guest, is required. Is the hidden beach worth visiting? If you want a unique natural spot and photographs, yes, as long as you accept that entry is never certain.
Snorkelling around the islands
Snorkelling is the main activity of the day. Around the rocky shores of the Marietas Islands the water is clear, and you can swim above reefs with schools of colourful fish, parrotfish and sometimes rays or sea turtles. Mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket are included, and the expedition leader stays close to the group.
The best conditions are usually in the dry season from November to May, with calm mornings. In summer, the sea can be warmer but afternoon storms and swell sometimes affect the plan. Confident swimmers will enjoy the day most, since the water is open sea rather than a sheltered lagoon.
Breakfast, lunch and planning your day
The tour starts early at a meeting point in Nuevo Vallarta. A continental breakfast and a light lunch are served on board, so you do not need to organise meals, though you may want to bring a snack and water for the day. Transport to the departure point is not included.
Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, a towel, a dry change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone. Because tides and park permits decide what is possible, the leader may change the order of stops on the day to give you the best experience.
Itinerary
- Meeting and boardingMeet the crew in Nuevo Vallarta, receive your equipment and board the boat.
- Breakfast and boat rideEnjoy a continental breakfast as the boat crosses towards the Marietas Islands.
- Snorkelling stopSwim around the islands with mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket, guided by your expedition leader.
- Hidden beach visitVisit the hidden beach when tides and park permits allow, for a short time on the sand.
- Light lunch on boardRelax with a light lunch and enjoy the sea and wildlife.
- Return to Nuevo VallartaCruise back and finish the tour after about six and a half hours in total.
What's included
- Boat transport to the Marietas Islands and hidden beach
- Expedition leader
- Small group limited to 12 guests
- Snorkelling equipment (mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket)
- Continental breakfast
- Light lunch
Not included
- Transport to the departure point
- Government hidden beach access bracelet fee, paid separately per guest
- Photos
- Tips
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children
- Food lovers
Think twice if
- You need hotel pickup — you meet at the meeting point
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
Not suitable for
- Travellers who cannot swim or who are uncomfortable in open water
- Pregnant women
- People with serious mobility or back problems, as boarding and the hidden beach tunnel require some agility
- Very young children
Meeting point
The meeting point is in Nuevo Vallarta and the exact location is confirmed after booking. The tour starts in the morning, at around a quarter to nine, and we recommend arriving 15 minutes early. Transport to the departure point is not included, so plan to arrive by taxi or private transfer.
Important information
- A government access bracelet for the hidden beach is paid separately per guest
- Access to the hidden beach depends on tides, sea conditions and park permits and cannot be guaranteed
- Wear swimwear under light clothes and bring a towel, hat and reef-safe sunscreen
- Bring a dry change of clothes and a waterproof bag for your phone
- Photos are not included, so bring your own camera or phone
- A continental breakfast and a light lunch are served on board; bring extra water or a snack if you wish
- Follow the expedition leader's instructions and do not touch or feed wildlife
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Marietas Islands tour cost?
The price depends on the date and the group size. The booking panel on this page shows the current price per person. The government hidden beach bracelet is paid separately per guest.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The tour starts at a meeting point in Nuevo Vallarta confirmed after booking, and transport to that point is not included.
How long is the Marietas Islands tour?
About six and a half hours in total, including the boat ride, snorkelling, the hidden beach visit when allowed, breakfast and lunch.
Is entry to the hidden beach guaranteed?
No. Access depends on the tides, sea conditions and the permits issued by the national park. Your leader will tell you what is possible on the day.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Confident young swimmers who can wear a life jacket and spend a long day on a boat can join. Please check the age details in the booking panel.
What should I wear and bring?
Swimwear, a towel, a hat, reef-safe sunscreen, a dry change of clothes and a waterproof pouch for your phone. Fins, mask, snorkel and a life jacket are provided.
Are meals included?
Yes. A continental breakfast and a light lunch are included on board. Please tell us about any dietary requirements when you book.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
Often yes, depending on availability. Pick your date in the booking panel; if it is not shown, that departure is full.
What is the best time to visit the Marietas Islands?
The dry season from November to May usually brings calm mornings and clear water. Humpback whales may also be seen from December to March.
Is the Marietas Islands hidden beach tour worth it?
Yes, for the snorkelling, the wildlife and the scenery, with the hidden beach as a bonus if conditions allow.
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