Marietas Islands Snorkeling & Hidden Beach Experience
- 4–5 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- 2 languages
- Mobile ticket
Highlights
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.
Inclusions
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
What's not
- Marietas Islands national park
- Port fee
- Optional gratuities for the guide and crew.
- Alcoholic Beverages
Itinerary
Our certified guide will meet you at the office for check in
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.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.7
- 5170
- 46
- 33
- 25
- 18
Ratings come from 192 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Amazing Experience
Amazing experience very fun and informative guide. Gorgeous views and perfectly clear water.
5Wornderful tour, wonderful guide
This was an excellent tour. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, we learned a lot and it was comfortable and easy. I would recommend this tour very strongly to anyone, especially if you really want to learn about the place. We were two adults and two older teens and everyone enjoyed the tour.
5100% recommended!
Cynthia was a fantastic guide, and the captain, Alonso, was great, too! Cynthia really answered all questions perfectly well! We were impressed that she is a biologist who clearly is a wonderful teacher, too! She taught us a lot about the birds and fish that we saw, as well as about the ocean! She was kind, attentive, excellent in every way. We enjoyed the food and drink that came with the tour (exactly what was advertised), and we felt it was an incredible experience. We got to swim to the secret beach and take pics there! We loved there was no loud music (we got to hear nature!), and no alcohol/party vibes. True ecotour. We got to snorkel, learn about and from the animals and ocean, and also to relax in the boat. 100% recommended!
5Awesome snorkeling and hidden beach adventure!
We had an amazing excursion, Francisco and Alonso we're awesome!! Super respectful and fun at at the same time. Definitely would recommend.
5Another great Eco Tours excursion!
This was our 3rd excursion with Eco Tours and we again had a great time. Highly recommend! This time we did the Marietas Islands snorkeling and hidden beach tour. Our guide, Cynthia was awesome, telling many interesting facts about the aquatic life around PV, helping time pass on the boat ride while we soaked up amazing scenery. Boat ride, driven by Rafael, went smooth on the way out but was wavy on way back causing a few to get sea sick; unlike Los Arcos or other tours, you have to go to the edge of the bay with rougher waters to/from Marietas Islands. In the way there we came across a pod of spotted /leopard dolphins who let us cruise close to them! Apparently seeing them is rare so it wasn’t a cool treat! Marietas islands snorkeling was great with many beautiful fishes. There were other tour groups in the area so we were never secluded but they were spread out so it wasn’t cramped. Hidden beach was open and beautiful. A truly unique experience my 13 and 10 y/o daughters made fine. Everyone wore mandatory life vests and helmets, ensuring the swim through the cave was safe. Very beautiful - great pics! Back in the boat Rafael drove us around the islands where we saw many birds, a hawksbill turtle, and amazing cliff views and pic-worthy scenery. Lunch was sandwiches; a mail ahead of anyone has dietary restrictions. Have 2 vegetarians which they made custom sandwiches for. Pro tip: though we started at their shop, they can pick up and drop off at the water taxi stand at the Paradise Marina and Yacht club pier so if you’re staying in that area of PV get picked up here. Huge time saver for you!
5Fun In The Sun with great guides!
We took the boat out to Islas Marietas to see the amazing blue-footed boobies and do some snorkeling. It was awesome for a couple who have never snorkeled, but if you are an experienced snorkeler this will probably feel touristy and too simple. For us, it was a good first experience. Martín and Francisco were awesome as captain and guide and very helpful pointing out a sea turtle bird species and multiple whales on our way out to the islands. We saw thousands of blue-footed boobies and had a great time overall. They fed us lunch as well but you can load up a backpack with whatever you'll need / want.
Know before you go
- Meeting 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
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 10 travellers
- Operated by
- ECOTOURS VALLARTA
- 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.
How it compares in Puerto Vallarta
- Its from-price is close to the median of the 147 day trips we list in Puerto Vallarta.
- It is shorter than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 15 of 147.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Puerto Vallarta
Cobbled streets, a seaside boardwalk and jungle-clad mountains give Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico's Banderas Bay, its easy Pacific charm.
The Malecón, a long seafront boardwalk lined with bronze sculptures, links the old town with restaurants, bars and galleries, and the parish church of Guadalupe crowns the centre with its distinctive crown-topped tower. The Romantic Zone, south of the Cuale River, has cobbled lanes, Los Muertos Beach and its pier, and a lively evening scene.
Top-ranked sights in Puerto Vallarta: Banderas Bay (Bahía de Banderas), El Malecon, Los Arcos National Marine Park.
Special offers in Puerto Vallarta
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
