Guided Snorkeling, 7.5 Hours, Meal

Overview

This seven and a half hour trip combines three things that rarely come in one package: a sailing passage to the Marietas Islands, time on Playa del Amor, the enclosed beach with a circular opening to the sky, and roughly 45 minutes of guided snorkeling over reefs. Snorkel instructors lead the group through the best spots in the water. The boat itself doubles as a wildlife platform, with chances to spot Pacific bottlenose dolphins, giant manta rays and sea turtles on the crossing, and humpback whales between December and March.

The day is built around a relaxed schedule rather than a rushed checklist. A continental breakfast and a deli lunch are included, and once the boat leaves the national park the national open bar opens. On the sail back the crew handles everything while passengers watch the cliffs, caves, arches and chimneys of the islands, with rare bird species including the blue-footed booby to spot. Two languages, English and Spanish, are spoken by the crew.

It suits travelers who want a full day on the water with swimming, snorkeling and wildlife in a national park, and who can arrange their own way to the meeting point. Hotel pickup and transportation are not part of the booking, and two marina and conservation fees are paid in person on the day.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet your boatThe activity uses two possible meeting points, depending on the option selected, and travelers confirm which applies on the booking page. Hotel pickup and transportation are not included, and per person marina and conservation fees are payable directly at the marina.
2. SailingThe trip includes sailing around the islands, a chance to take in the cliffs, caves and rock formations such as arches and chimneys from the water.
3. Playa del Amor beach stopSwim and relax on the sandy shores of the Hidden Beach, a circular enclosed cove open to the sky.
4. Guided snorkelingSnorkel instructors lead the group into clear water for approximately 45 minutes over coral reefs and colorful fish.
5. Wildlife and bird watchingKeep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, sea turtles and, from December to March, humpback whales, plus rare bird species including the blue-footed booby around the islands.
6. Return and hospitalityOn the return journey the crew takes care of everything, with beverages including the open national bar available after departure from the national park. Total duration is 7.5 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the day run more smoothly, from fees paid at the dock to what belongs in your bag.

• Bring cash. Two per person fees are paid directly at the marina: a marina fee of MXN 100 and a marine park conservation fee of MXN 220. Cash is also on the operator's what to bring list, so plan for it beyond the fees.
• Getting there. Transportation and hotel pickup are not included, so travelers make their own way to the meeting point. The activity has two meeting points and which one applies depends on the option selected, so confirm this on the booking page before the day.
• Swim ability. The tour includes swimming and relaxing at Playa del Amor, plus a snorkeling session of about 45 minutes with instructors present. Reasonable comfort in the sea matters more than fitness on land here.
• Food and drink. A continental breakfast and a deli lunch are included. Beverages include an open national bar, which is available after the boat departs the national park.
• What to pack. The listing recommends swimwear, beachwear, comfortable clothes and shoes, sunglasses, a hat and biodegradable sunscreen. The sunscreen matters because this is a protected marine park.
• Wildlife timing. Dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles are spotted on the crossing, while humpback whales appear only from December to March. Travelers outside that window should not book expecting whales.

Common issues. The main friction points come from the extras: transportation, hotel pickup, gratuities for the crew and two per person fees paid at the marina are all outside the booking. Whale watching is seasonal, so travelers at other times of year will miss that part of the trip. This tour has no traveler reviews yet, so the practical picture here rests on the operator's listing.

Common Questions