Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Island, Breakfast, Lunch, Open Bar

Las Marietas is the star here: a protected island park reached by boat across Banderas Bay, with snorkeling, marine birds, and the chance to see humpback whales, dolphins, turtles, or manta rays along the way. The famous beach associated with the islands may require an extra fee, so check exactly what your booking includes before you set out.

I like the good mix of water activities, from snorkeling to kayaking and paddle boarding. I also like that breakfast, a cooked lunch, and drinks after the water activities are included, which makes the $128 price easier to understand. The main drawback is that the sea life and underwater visibility can be unpredictable, and add-on charges for the beach or another island boat ride can push up the final cost.

Key points to know

• Las Marietas is a protected marine park: Your time there centers on snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and marine birds.
• The famous beach may cost extra: Playa del Amor, also called the hidden or secret beach, is not clearly included in the base price.
• Wildlife sightings are possible, not guaranteed: Humpback whales are seasonal, and you might also see dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and blue-footed boobies.
• Food is covered during the cruise: You receive a continental breakfast and a hot lunch prepared on the boat.
• The boat becomes a party on the return: After snorkeling, the open bar begins, followed by music, dancing, karaoke, and games.
• Budget for extra fees: Marine park and marina charges are paid separately, and the stated amounts vary between the booking details.

The six-hour route from Puerto Vallarta to Las Marietas

This is a six-hour boat outing built around the journey as much as the island stop. You start with a cruise across Banderas Bay, where the boat becomes your breakfast table and wildlife-watching platform.

The exact departure time depends on availability, so check it before booking. No hotel transfer is listed, which means you should pay close attention to the meeting instructions and allow time for the marina entrance process.

A continental breakfast is served on the way out. It is a useful start rather than the main culinary event, since the larger meal comes later. Keep your camera ready during the crossing. The tour specifically looks for humpback whales in season, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and marine birds.

You should treat these sightings as a bonus, not a promise. The boat is traveling through a large bay, and nature does not follow the schedule printed on a ticket. Still, the outward cruise gives you something to do before the island activities begin, and the possibility of spotting a whale or dolphin adds real excitement to the ride.

Reaching the protected islands

Las Marietas is known for its unusual rock formations, secluded beach associations, and protected marine life. The marine park rules matter here. Your guide points out areas where you can see fish and explains how to move through the water while using the equipment.

The snorkeling portion is the core of the excursion. Masks and snorkels are provided, as are life jackets. You will swim around colorful fish and may see a range of underwater life, but conditions can change the experience from one day to the next.

One important warning: underwater visibility is not guaranteed. On one September outing, the water was described as so cloudy that snorkeling was very disappointing. That does not mean every trip has poor visibility, but it is a useful reminder not to book this tour solely for a perfect reef scene.

If you are hoping to see the blue-footed booby, keep expectations modest. The bird is associated with Las Marietas and the Galapagos Islands, which makes a sighting special, but the tour cannot promise that one will appear. You will still have the marine park, rock scenery, and other birdlife to watch.

The secret beach question

The phrase secret beach can create confusion. The famous beach at Las Marietas is often known as Playa del Amor, and access may involve a separate charge or arrangement. The information for this experience includes the island cruise and water activities, but it does not clearly include entry to that beach.

That distinction matters. One person reported being asked to pay a substantial extra amount for Playa del Amor, along with another charge for a small boat ride around the island’s ecological area. The exact cost and arrangements may change, but you should confirm before departure:

• Is Playa del Amor included in your specific booking?
• Is an additional boat required to reach it?
• Is the beach visit dependent on sea conditions or permits?
• Are the extra charges paid in pesos?

If the beach is your main reason for booking, get a clear answer first. If you are happy with snorkeling, swimming, and the boat ride, the tour has more to offer even without that stop.

Kayaking, paddle boards, and time in the water

After snorkeling, you can choose from kayaking, paddle boarding, or simply swimming. This makes the trip more flexible than a cruise that gives you only one short swim stop.

I like this part because you are not forced to spend the entire water session under the surface. You can use a paddle board, take a kayak, or stay in the water with a life jacket. It also gives less confident swimmers a calmer way to enjoy the setting, though the provided information does not specify how long each activity lasts or how many pieces of equipment are available.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. You will also want sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen. A camera or video camera is listed as useful, but protect it carefully around the water. Extra cash is sensible for tips, photos, and the separate fees.

The tour requires a security deposit for snorkeling gear. You can provide a hotel room key, identification, or 200 pesos. That is easy to miss when planning, so do not arrive with nothing you can leave as security.

Lunch, open bar, and the trip back

Once the water activities finish, the boat’s social side begins. The open bar opens after snorkeling, not at the start of the excursion. That timing makes sense: you can focus on swimming and equipment use first, then relax with a drink afterward.

A hot lunch is prepared on board while the boat cruises around the Marietas Islands. The food has been a strong part of the experience for many people, with particular praise for both the breakfast and cooked meal. The available details do not provide a fixed menu, so do not book this as a food-focused tour with a guaranteed dish list.

The guide shares information about the protected area during the cruise. The tour is available in English and Spanish, and the guides are described as friendly and attentive. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not expect a named guide to be guaranteed.

On the way back, the mood shifts from nature outing to boat party. Music plays, the dance floor opens, and karaoke and group games continue the ride to Puerto Vallarta. If you like a lively finish, this is a real plus. If you want a quiet return after snorkeling, it could feel like too much noise.

This is one of the tour’s defining choices. You are not getting a silent nature boat. You are getting a full day on the water that ends with singing, dancing, and drinks. That will suit some people perfectly and annoy others.

What the $128 price really covers

At $128 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Las Marietas. The price includes a six-hour boat experience, a continental breakfast, lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, kayaking, paddle boards, an English or Spanish guide, and an open bar after the water activities.

That package can be good value if you plan to use several parts of it. A person who wants breakfast, lunch, water sports, and a party boat may find the cost reasonable. Someone interested only in seeing the islands from the water may prefer a simpler cruise.

You should also budget for the extra charges. The main information lists a marine park conservation fee of 220 pesos, about $8, and a marina entrance fee of 33 pesos, about $2. The practical notes give slightly different figures, 180 pesos for the marine park and 32 pesos for the marina.

Because the amounts conflict, confirm the current total before you pay. Using the higher listed marine park amount, the two fees add about $10 per person. That places the basic total near $138 before tips, photos, or any separate Playa del Amor or small-boat charge.

Children ages three to five pay 200 pesos directly at check-in. The provided information does not state the policy for other child age groups, so ask if you are booking for older children.

Who will enjoy this cruise most

This tour is a good match if you want several kinds of entertainment in one outing. You can snorkel, swim, kayak, paddle board, eat, watch for wildlife, and finish with music and karaoke without arranging separate activities.

Families and mixed groups may appreciate the choice of activities. A strong swimmer can snorkel, while someone else can remain on the boat or use a paddle board. The food and drinks also remove some of the hassle of planning meals during a six-hour excursion.

It suits social travelers who enjoy a friendly crew and a party atmosphere. The boat games and karaoke make the return trip part of the event rather than dead time.

I would be more cautious if you want a quiet wildlife trip or a guaranteed beach visit. I would also think twice if excellent snorkeling is your top priority, since visibility can be poor on some days. The tour offers a broad package, but no single feature is guaranteed to be perfect.

Practical advice before you go

Wear your swimsuit under your clothes and pack a towel. Add sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, and a waterproof way to carry small items.

Bring enough pesos for the marine park and marina fees, tips, photos, and possible add-ons. Since the beach and ecological boat ride may not be included, ask about those charges before boarding rather than after you arrive at the islands.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the current departure time and meeting point when you book, since the tour lasts six hours but the available start time can vary.

The tour accepts English and Spanish. If you need detailed instructions about snorkeling, kayaking, or possible beach access, ask your guide directly before entering the water.

Should you book the Marietas Island experience?

Book it if you want a full boat day rather than a single-purpose snorkeling trip. The combination of breakfast, lunch, water activities, wildlife watching, open bar, music, and karaoke gives you plenty for the price.

Before booking, confirm the current conservation and marina fees, and ask in plain terms if Playa del Amor is included. That one detail can change the value of the outing.

My call: this is a strong choice for social groups, families with different interests, and anyone who likes a lively finish after time in the water. Choose another option if the secret beach or crystal-clear snorkeling is non-negotiable. Las Marietas can be memorable, but the best experience comes from treating the beach and wildlife sightings as possible extras, not guaranteed parts of the package.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Island tour last?

The tour lasts six hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

What food is included?

A continental breakfast is served during the outward cruise, and a hot lunch is prepared on the boat later in the outing.

When does the open bar begin?

The open bar opens after the snorkeling and other water activities are finished.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, and life jackets are included. A hotel room key, identification, or 200 pesos may be required as a security deposit for the snorkeling equipment.

Are the marine park and marina fees included?

No. A separate marine park conservation fee and marina entrance fee are required. The listed amounts differ slightly, so confirm the current charges before departure.

Is Playa del Amor included?

The provided tour details do not clearly confirm that Playa del Amor is included. A separate charge may apply, along with a possible additional small-boat ride, so ask the provider before booking if the beach is important to you.