15 questions answered, from safety and sunscreen to tipping and which beach to pick.
Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay from December to March, and Marietas Islands tours describe sightings as a seasonal possibility on the crossing. Here is what the official season window and the listings actually say.
Yes, snorkeling is a permitted activity in the Marietas Islands National Park, with gear listed on most boat tours. Here is where the boats stop, what the park rules say, and how Hidden Beach differs.
Yes, you can swim into the Hidden Beach, but only with an authorized tour, a life jacket and a helmet, through a buoyed lane at low tide. Here is exactly what the swim involves and who is turned away.
The Marietas Islands are a national park reachable only by authorized operator boats. Here is what that means in practice, and how the tour formats differ on fees, gear and Hidden Beach.
No official depth figure exists for the waters around the Marietas Islands. Here is what CONANP, the listings and the park rules actually say about depth, swimming ability and staying safe in the water.
No official crossing time exists for the Marietas Islands, but the distances from each port and the total durations of the tours on this site tell you how to plan the day.
A cost-versus-payoff look at Marietas Islands boat tours: prices, extra fees, Hidden Beach uncertainty and who the trip suits best.
Hidden Beach is not described as a nudist beach. Here is what CONANP and the tour listings actually say about clothing, supervision and family suitability.
A weigh-up of the Hidden Beach crater at the Marietas Islands: the short visit, the fees, the entry odds and which tours include the landing.
A calm, fact-based answer for boat-trip travelers: official Marietas Islands park rules, on-water safety, tour safety features and how to check your government's current advisory.
A comparison of Punta de Mita and Puerto Vallarta as bases for a Marietas Islands boat trip: crossing distances, which tours leave from each, and the character of each town.
A close look at the boat crossing to the Marietas Islands: what season, boat type and departure point mean for the ride, and who should plan for motion sickness.
The Marietas Islands are known for Hidden Beach, blue-footed boobies, a protected coral reef and strict national park rules. Here is what the islands are famous for and how to see it.
A sourced answer to the prettiest beach question from the Marietas Islands side: Hidden Beach, Playa Nopalera, and the boat-only beaches listings actually cover.
Playa del Amor is the official CONANP name for the Hidden Beach inside the Marietas Islands National Park. Here is how the names differ, where each beach sits, and which tours list which landing.