Isla Marietas Catamaran Tour! Full Day Nature Adventure

Islas Marietas is the main event here: a protected island area reached by a long catamaran ride from Puerto Vallarta. You get about two hours at the islands, with time for snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and views from the water.

I like the full-day format, since you are not rushed through the boat trip, and I like that meals and water equipment are included. Breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, kayaks, and paddle boards make the $96 price easier to understand.

The main caution is the extra cash charge. You must budget $3 for the dock fee and $10 for the SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet, and unclear payment instructions have caused serious trouble for some people. Bring Mexican pesos and confirm the total before boarding.

Key points before you book

• Six hours of the day is spent on the boat: The trip to and from Islas Marietas takes about six hours in total, leaving roughly two hours at the islands.
• The two-level catamaran is built for a social day: Expect dancing music, open-air seating, and an open bar after the island visit.
• Meals are included: You get a light breakfast with hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice, followed by a hamburger lunch with shrimp and a salad bar.
• Snorkeling depends on conditions: Equipment is supplied, but jellyfish may make some people decide not to enter the water.
• The island tour may cost extra: The included visit is not necessarily the same as an optional closer tour around the island.
• Bring cash in pesos: The listed extra charges total $13 per person, and payment confusion at check-in can delay or cancel your outing.

Islas Marietas is a long boat day

This is not a quick harbor cruise. The catamaran ride takes about six hours round trip, so the outing is best for someone who enjoys time on the water as much as the destination itself.

You leave from Grupo Naviero de la Bahía at 8:00 in the morning. The meeting point is at MQ35+4H on H. Escuela Naval Militar in the Área Militar de Vallarta. The tour returns to that same point at the end of the day.

The trip uses a two-floor catamaran, which gives you more than one place to sit or move around. You can expect music and a social atmosphere rather than a quiet naturalist cruise. That can be fun if you want a lively day with friends or family, but it may not suit you if your ideal island visit is silent and focused on wildlife.

The boat ride itself is a major part of the value. You are not simply being transported to a short activity and sent back. The day gives you time to sit outside, watch the coast pass, eat aboard, and use the boat as part of the experience.

Still, six hours is a long stretch if the sea is rough or you become uncomfortable on boats. Wear practical clothing, keep a towel nearby, and bring any personal motion-sickness remedy you normally use. The tour information does not promise calm water, a specific route, or wildlife sightings, so you should book it for the sea day rather than for guaranteed animal encounters.

What happens at Islas Marietas

The islands are the focus of the excursion, but your scheduled time there is about two hours. That is enough for a taste of the protected island area, but not enough to explore at a slow pace.

The supplied equipment includes a mask, tube, and life jacket for snorkeling. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available, giving you several ways to spend your time. If you prefer not to snorkel, the other water activities can make the stop feel less limited.

Water conditions matter. Jellyfish were present on one outing, making snorkeling unattractive for at least one person. That does not mean jellyfish will always be there, but it is a useful warning: snorkeling is an option, not a promise of perfect swimming conditions.

You should also pay attention to the difference between visiting the islands and taking an optional tour around them. The basic excursion includes the boat trip and time at Islas Marietas, while a closer island tour may be an extra charge. Ask at check-in what is covered before you board, especially if seeing a particular rock formation or coastal feature is important to you.

The two-hour stop will likely feel short if you want to swim, snorkel, paddle, take photographs, and join an optional tour. Pick one or two priorities before you arrive. If the water is inviting, get your gear early. If conditions are poor, enjoy the views and use the time for photographs instead.

Breakfast makes the early start easier

The 8:00 a.m. departure means breakfast is useful, especially if you need to reach the meeting point early. The meal includes continental-style items, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice.

This is more than a token cup of coffee. You get several light choices, though the information does not specify coffee or other drinks beyond juice. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking or bring a backup snack, since no special meal arrangements are described.

Breakfast also helps explain why the day is designed as a complete outing. You do not need to find a restaurant before departure, and you can settle into the boat without rushing to eat.

Lunch and the open bar come later

Lunch consists of a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar. It is a practical boat meal that gives you something filling after the island activities.

The open bar is available only after the visit to Islas Marietas. That timing matters. You should not expect drinks throughout the entire outbound ride or while snorkeling. The arrangement also makes sense from a safety point of view, since the active water portion comes first.

The food and drinks add real value to the $96 price, especially because the excursion takes most of the day. You are paying for transport, a full schedule, equipment, and meals rather than only a seat on a boat.

At the same time, food quality and menu substitutions are not described. If you do not eat hamburgers or shrimp, the salad bar may be your main option, but the available information does not promise a vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free meal.

The fees need careful handling

The listed price is $96 per person, but it is not the final amount. Two additional charges are listed:

• Dock fee: $3 per person
• SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet: $10 per person

That brings the known additional cost to $13 per person, or $109 in total before any optional island tour. Both charges are described as cash only.

This is the most important practical issue with the experience. At least one check-in problem involved a group being told to pay the bracelet fee, then encountering another payment issue when trying to board. The disagreement centered on whether the required charges had been clearly explained and whether US dollars could be used.

The safest approach is simple: bring enough Mexican pesos for both fees, not just US dollars. Keep the money accessible, and ask the check-in staff to confirm that every required charge has been paid before you leave the desk. If you are booking for a group, calculate the full amount in advance.

Do not assume that a fee described in dollars means US currency will be accepted. The supplied information says cash only, but it does not guarantee the accepted currency. Mexican pesos remove one avoidable problem.

You should also arrive early enough to complete payment and check-in without cutting it close. The start time is 8:00 a.m., and a delay at the desk can become serious if boarding begins while you are still sorting out fees.

The catamaran suits social groups

The two-level boat, music, and open bar point to a relaxed party-boat atmosphere. You can expect dancing music and a more outgoing mood than on a small, quiet sightseeing boat.

That setup works well for couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who enjoy a full day together. The included activities also give people different ways to use the island stop. One person can snorkel, another can paddle board, and someone else can stay aboard or take photographs.

The listed maximum is 70 people. That is not a small-group experience. A boat of this size can make the outing feel lively, but it also means more people sharing the equipment, boarding process, and island time.

You should think about your preferred pace. If you want a private guide, a quiet natural setting, or lots of time with one instructor, this is probably not the right format. If you want a social day with food, music, swimming equipment, and a set route, the size may be part of the appeal.

Equipment is included, but pack your own essentials

Snorkel equipment, a mask, tube, and life jacket are included. Kayaks and paddle boards are also supplied, so you do not need to rent those separately.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and extra clothes. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended for the boat and dock. Extra clothing matters because you may get wet from swimming, spray, or equipment use, and you still have a long ride back to Puerto Vallarta.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, as requested by the operator. You should apply sunscreen before boarding and bring it with you for reapplication, while following any local rules given by the crew.

A waterproof bag is a sensible addition for phones and small valuables, although it is not listed as provided. Keep only what you need for the day. The tour information does not describe lockers or secure storage.

What the mixed feedback means for you

The experience has a rating of 3 out of 5 from five submitted ratings, which points to an uneven experience rather than a clear winner or loser.

The strongest praise goes to the crew. When a motor problem occurred, the crew handled the situation, continued with the outing, and completed the planned activities, although the day ran longer than expected. That suggests the staff may be able to manage an ordinary mechanical delay with a calm attitude.

The serious complaint concerned communication about charges and boarding. The people involved said they waited a long time, paid one fee, then found another payment issue when attempting to board. The operator disputed that account and said the required charges had been clearly stated.

You do not need to choose sides to take useful advice from this. Clarify every fee before arriving, pay in pesos, and confirm your boarding status at the desk. That small amount of preparation can protect you from the exact problem that caused the worst experience.

Another issue concerned the optional island tour and the feeling that it should have been included. The operator says the optional island tour is the only extra beyond the listed charges. Ask specifically if the island tour you want is part of the base price or requires payment.

Is $96 a fair price?

At $96 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a full-day boat outing with meals and equipment. Breakfast, lunch, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddle boards, and an open bar after the island visit are all included.

The value drops if you mainly want a short visit to Islas Marietas. About six hours are devoted to boat transportation, with only two hours at the islands. You are paying for the entire day, including the catamaran atmosphere, not just time on land or in the water.

Add the $13 in required fees, and the known total becomes $109. If you choose an optional island tour, your final cost will be higher. Compare that total with other Puerto Vallarta boat trips based on what you actually want: a party-style catamaran, a quiet nature trip, or maximum island time.

For me, the strongest value is the all-day combination of transport, meals, and equipment. The weakest value is for anyone who dislikes long boat rides or expects the island visit to occupy most of the day.

Who should book this experience?

You should consider this tour if you want:

• A full day on the water from Puerto Vallarta
• A lively catamaran with music
• Breakfast and lunch included
• Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding options
• A social boat suitable for groups
• A single package rather than separate transport, meals, and equipment bookings

You may want a different outing if you need a quiet boat, a small group, guaranteed snorkeling conditions, or a longer stay at Islas Marietas. You should also think twice if unexpected delays are difficult for you, since a motor problem once extended the day and the boat ride already takes most of the schedule.

Should you book the Isla Marietas catamaran tour?

Book it if you see Islas Marietas as one part of a long, social boat day, not as a brief island excursion. The included meals and water equipment make the price sensible, and the crew has shown it can work through a mechanical problem and still complete the outing.

I would book only after confirming the exact extra charges, accepted currency, optional island-tour cost, and boarding procedure. Bring $13 per person in Mexican pesos for the listed fees, arrive early, and treat the six-hour boat ride as a central part of the experience.

With those expectations, this can be a fun and practical day at sea. Without them, the payment rules and limited island time may leave you frustrated.

FAQ

How long does the Isla Marietas catamaran tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Approximately six hours are spent on boat transportation round trip, with about two hours at Islas Marietas.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía, MQ35+4H, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Área Militar de Vallarta, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast includes continental items, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. Lunch includes a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. A mask, tube, and life jacket are included. Kayaks and paddle boards are also available as part of the included equipment.

Is an open bar available during the whole trip?

No. The open bar is available only after the visit to Islas Marietas.

What extra fees must I pay?

The listed extra fees are a $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet per person. Both are described as cash only.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.