Open Bar, Meals, 6 Hours

Overview

Six hours on the water with ParaViajantes, sailing from Marina API Puerto Mágico in Puerto Vallarta out to the Marietas Islands off the coast of Nayarit. The day is built around the marine life: dolphins and colorful fish are commonly seen, and humpback whales pass through these waters between December and March. Along the way the crew leads stops for snorkeling and kayaking, and there is time to look around natural caves along the shoreline.

The practical side is straightforward. Breakfast and lunch are served on the tour, and the boat runs an open bar. Snorkel gear, fins and a vest come with the booking, so there is no need to bring your own equipment. The crew gives guidance in both English and Spanish.

Two things to know before committing. There is no hotel pickup, so travelers make their own way to the marina, meeting at 8:15 a.m. for a 9:00 a.m. departure, with the boat returning to the same point at the end. And the boat carries up to 80 passengers, so this is a big-group day rather than an intimate outing. It suits travelers who want a full schedule of activities and food included, and who do not mind crowds. It is not adapted for wheelchair users, and the listing advises against it for people with back problems.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Marina API Puerto MágicoMeet the Bahía Alegre stand on the ground floor at the back on the left. Meeting time is 8:15 a.m.
2. Depart from the marinaThe boat leaves at 9:00 a.m.
3. Sail to the Marietas IslandsThe crossing doubles as a wildlife watch, with chances to spot dolphins and, from December to March, humpback whales.
4. Caves, snorkeling and kayakingAt the islands the group explores natural caves, and snorkels and kayaks with crew guidance.
5. Return to the marinaThe boat finishes at the original meeting point. The full journey runs approximately 6 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape the day, gathered from the listing and from what travelers have reported after booking.

• Getting there. Pickup is not included, so plan your own transport to Marina API Puerto Mágico. Allow extra time: multiple reviewers said the address on their ticket was wrong and that mapping apps took them elsewhere, and one group boarded almost an hour late as a result.
• Group size. The tour carries a maximum of 80 travelers, so expect a lively, busy boat rather than a quiet cruise. Two reviewers described the crew as friendly and the activity as fun.
• Cash for fees. Bring pesos. A port fee of MXN 30 and a SEMARNAT conservation bracelet at MXN 110 are payable on site and are not covered by the booking. One reviewer also reported heavily promoted on-board extras, so budget for add-ons if you want the full range of activities.
• On the water. The day centers on snorkeling and kayaking, so basic comfort in the water helps. Gear, fins and a vest are provided. The listing warns the tour is not suited to wheelchair users or travelers with back problems.
• Food and drink. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with an open bar on the boat. With a 9:00 a.m. departure and roughly 6 hours on the water, the two meals cover most of the day.
• Photos. No photographic service is offered on this tour. Bring your own camera or waterproof phone case for the caves and wildlife.

Common issues. The recurring complaint in reviews is the meeting point: the address on the ticket has directed travelers to the wrong location, and the contact number went unanswered for one group, so confirm the exact stand before departure day. Extra costs add up. One reviewer reported paying roughly 4,000 pesos in additional charges from arrival until leaving the boat, while another described heavily promoted on-board extras such as the Hidden Beach excursion, and noted that guests who did not buy extras waited on the boat while others snorkeled. The listing itself flags the MXN 30 port fee, the MXN 110 SEMARNAT bracelet, the 80-passenger cap, and the lack of wheelchair access.

Common Questions