Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

The best part of this outing is the mix of wildlife and water play. You cruise the Bay of Banderas toward Marietas Islands, watching for humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, rays, and sea birds, then spend the afternoon swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and relaxing aboard a floating party boat.

I like the generous food and drink setup, especially the fresh fruit and pastries in the morning, guacamole and chips on the way out, and fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas after the island visit. I also like the crew’s warm, attentive service. Raul, Alex, and Saul are among the crew members praised by name for keeping the day friendly and well organized.

The main drawback is that this is not a quiet nature cruise. Music can be loud, the boat may carry up to 66 people, and water entry requires a life jacket. You also need to swim to some beach areas, and Hidden Beach costs extra and depends on a limited permit and conditions at sea.

Key things to know before you book

• Whale watching from December through April: The cruise follows the North Shore of the bay, where humpback whales may appear during the winter season.
• Several water activities in one stop: You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim, use floating mats and tubes, or take the boat’s waterslides.
• Hidden Beach is not automatic: Access requires a limited permit, advance planning, and an extra fee paid in pesos at check-in.
• Food is included, but breakfast is light: Expect fruit and pastries early, snacks during the cruise, and a more filling Mexican fajita lunch.
• Life jackets are required in the water: This can feel restrictive, and proper fit matters, so check your equipment before swimming.
• The $110 price covers a lot: Meals, snacks, drinks, equipment, and six hours on the water are included, but transport, gratuities, photos, and Hidden Beach access are not.

A party boat with a national park destination

This Chica Locca Tours outing is best understood as two experiences joined together. One part is a boat day with music, drinks, slides, water toys, and social energy. The other is a visit to a protected marine park with sea birds, coral, tropical fish, and unusual volcanic islands.

That combination explains the tour’s broad appeal. You can spend part of the day being active and social, then sit in the shade with a drink while the crew watches for wildlife. Families can enjoy the water toys and friendly attention from the staff, while couples and groups of friends can treat the boat as a floating day club.

The advertised capacity is a maximum of 66 people. That is not a small private cruise, and the atmosphere depends partly on the crowd aboard that day. Some departures feel spacious, while a few people may find the passenger count higher than expected. Canopies provide shade, and the boat has clean bathrooms, but music can be loud.

The cruise lasts about six hours. That is long enough to feel like a proper outing, but short enough to leave the rest of your day open in Puerto Vallarta or nearby Sayulita.

Leaving the Bay of Banderas with breakfast

The day begins promptly with a direct cruise toward Marietas Islands. Before the boat reaches the islands, the crew serves fresh seasonal fruit and pastries, along with coffee, juices, water, sodas, and alcoholic drinks.

The breakfast is useful, but do not picture a full meal. The fruit and small muffin or pastry may not satisfy you until lunch, especially if you arrive hungry. If you need a substantial breakfast, plan ahead and eat before boarding or bring food if the meeting rules allow it.

The drink service begins early and continues through the day. The included selection covers water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Soon after departure, the photographer, cruise director, and crew are introduced. A photo package can be arranged separately, and the onboard photographer may take action and candid pictures during the day. You pay extra for the photos, so protect your phone in a waterproof pouch if you plan to take your own pictures. Much of the activity involves swimming and splashing.

The cruise north along the coast

The trip to the islands takes roughly an hour or more each way, depending on conditions. That travel time matters. You are not stepping off at the islands after a quick harbor ride, but the cruise gives you time to settle into the boat, enjoy the scenery, and watch the water.

From December through April, humpback whales inhabit these waters. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the crew keeps watch and may stop when whales or other marine life appear. Dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and tropical sea birds can be seen throughout the year.

The crew’s wildlife spotting adds real value to the transfer. A whale sighting can turn a routine boat ride into the day’s defining moment, especially when the captain pauses long enough for you to watch. Still, keep your expectations sensible. Nature sets the schedule, and the islands remain the main destination.

During the cruise, the crew serves guacamole and chips. This is a welcome snack because the first breakfast is modest and the island activities can make you hungry. Potato chips are also included.

If you are leaving from Sayulita, allow extra time for transportation to and from the marina. The transfer can take about 50 minutes, and traffic may lengthen the return. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the $110 price, so check your selected meeting point carefully before booking.

Reaching Marietas Islands National Park

By late morning, the boat reaches the national park area and anchors for the activity portion of the day. Marietas Islands are protected, and access rules affect what you can do and where you can go.

The usual activity area includes Playa la Nopalera. With a guide, you may swim, kayak, paddleboard, or snorkel toward the beach and nearby waters. You can see sea birds overhead, tropical fish below, coral, caves, and clear water, though visibility changes with the weather and daily ocean conditions.

You should be comfortable getting into the sea from the boat. Several activities require a jump or step into moving water, and some beach access involves swimming to shore. Although a ladder is available on the boat, some people have found that water entry was not easy for older family members or anyone with limited mobility.

A life jacket is required while you are in the water. This rule comes from the national park authorities and applies to all operators, according to the tour provider. It is an important safety measure, but it can make snorkeling and swimming less comfortable, particularly if the jacket is loose, tight, itchy, or poorly adjusted. Try it on carefully before leaving the boat and ask the crew for a better fit.

Snorkeling conditions can be excellent or disappointing. Clear water and fish make the activity worthwhile, but murky water or a rushed rotation can reduce the payoff. The best approach is to treat snorkeling as one part of a larger day rather than the sole reason to book.

Hidden Beach requires extra planning

Hidden Beach is the most famous sight associated with Marietas Islands, but it is not included automatically. The beach has limited access, and a special permit must be reserved in advance. There is also an extra fee, paid in pesos at check-in.

If Hidden Beach is important to you, contact the operator after booking and reserve it as early as possible. Do not assume that paying for the main tour guarantees entry. Permits are limited, and access can also be affected by tide, weather, and safety conditions.

Getting there requires swimming through the water. That makes the experience memorable for strong swimmers, but it also means you need confidence in the sea and comfort wearing a life jacket. The passage is not a casual walk from the boat.

Even with a permit, the beach may not be available on a particular departure. A late start, engine trouble, high tide, or poor weather can change the plan. One family missed the beach after delays pushed the arrival too late, while another departure could not visit because of weather. The crew may offer other water activities, but no replacement fully matches a planned Hidden Beach visit.

Lunch, slides, and the floating fun factory

After the island activities, you return to the main boat for lunch. The included meal is Mexican-style fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if you request them when booking.

The food receives strong praise overall, though expectations should remain practical. This is boat excursion food, not a restaurant tasting menu. The advantage is convenience: you do not need to find lunch, carry a cooler, or leave the water to eat.

After lunch, you have about two more hours for swimming, wildlife watching, and relaxing. The boat carries snorkeling gear, paddleboards, kayaks, floating mattresses, water tubes, and waterslides. You can choose your own pace instead of joining one fixed activity from start to finish.

Families often appreciate the range. Children can enjoy the water toys and kid-friendly piña coladas, while adults can sit beneath the canopies with a drink. The crew is attentive to different ages and abilities, but children’s snorkeling equipment may not be available in small sizes. If your child needs special gear, bring your own.

The boat has enough seating for both sun and shade. That choice matters on a long day. Bring sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and a swimsuit you can move in comfortably. You should also carry a dry bag or waterproof case for phones and other valuables.

The return cruise keeps the energy going

The ride back is not simply transportation. The cruise director serves as the master of ceremonies, with music, drinks, dancing, and time to watch the coastline pass by.

You can join the party or find a quieter spot away from the main music. The social mood works well for friends and solo visitors who want to meet people. Solo passengers can also expect the crew to include them in the activities rather than leaving them on the sidelines.

The music is part of the appeal for some people and a nuisance for others. If you are sensitive to loud sound, ask about a calmer place to sit or bring ear protection. The boat does not have the feel of a silent wildlife vessel.

The crew continues looking for whales and other sea life on the way home. When nature appears, the boat may pause for a closer look. The photographers also display pictures taken during the outing for purchase.

What the $110 price really includes

At $110 per person, the tour is priced competitively for a six-hour boat outing with meals, snacks, an open bar, equipment, and a national park visit. You would pay separately for many of those items on a basic boat trip.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the equipment and enjoy the social setup. A person who snorkels, kayaks, uses the slides, eats both meals, and has several drinks gets far more from the price than someone seeking only a quiet ride to photograph the islands.

Remember the extras. Hotel transport is not included. Gratuities are optional, photo packages cost extra, and Hidden Beach requires a separate permit and fee. The meeting point must be selected before you submit your reservation.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this tour to you if you want variety. You get scenery, wildlife watching, food, drinks, swimming, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, music, and a chance to meet other people.

It is a good match for families with children who can handle a long day on the water. The crew is notably attentive to young children, though small snorkeling gear is not provided. Couples and groups of friends will appreciate the lively atmosphere, and solo visitors can fit in easily.

You should think twice if you want a quiet, low-key nature trip. The music, open bar, group format, and passenger capacity create a festive setting. You should also reconsider if jumping or climbing into the sea is painful or difficult, or if you cannot swim comfortably with a life jacket.

Drones are prohibited because of federal rules and efforts to protect the flight path of endemic birds. Bring a camera that can handle water instead.

Should you book the Marietas Islands tour?

Book it if you want a full, active boat day and understand that Marietas Islands are the backdrop for a social cruise, not the entire show. The crew service, generous drinks, varied water toys, wildlife opportunities, and included lunch make the $110 fare a solid value.

Reserve Hidden Beach early if it is your priority, but keep a backup plan for snorkeling, kayaking, or swimming in case permits, tides, weather, or timing prevent access. Pack a real breakfast if you need one, check your life jacket fit, protect your phone, and bring proper water-friendly footwear.

Skip it if you want guaranteed Hidden Beach access, a peaceful wildlife cruise, or an easy shore excursion with no jumping into the sea. For everyone else, this is an energetic and flexible way to spend six hours on the Bay of Banderas.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The boat experience lasts approximately six hours. The outward and return cruises each take about an hour or more, with time at the islands and additional activities aboard the boat.

What food and drinks are included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit and pastries. Guacamole and chips are served during the cruise, and lunch includes Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas. The premium open bar includes alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Is Hidden Beach included in the tour price?

No. Hidden Beach requires a limited permit and an extra fee paid in pesos at check-in. You should request the permit in advance because access is restricted.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Swimming is needed for some beach and water activities, including access toward Playa la Nopalera and Hidden Beach. You must wear a life jacket while in the water.

What water activities are available?

The tour provides snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, floating mattresses, water tubes, and waterslides. You can also swim or relax aboard the boat.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are traveling from Sayulita, transportation to the marina may take about 50 minutes, and traffic can affect the return.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.