Sightseeing, 7.5 Hours, Food

Overview

This is a catamaran day out from Puerto Mágico Port in Puerto Vallarta that spends most of its daylight on and around the Marietas Islands, a protected marine sanctuary. The run out is fast, and the boat carries snorkel gear, kayaks and paddleboards for use during the day. Aboard, the crew serves breakfast, lunch, a fish ceviche snack, and an open bar of beer and soft drinks. The full day runs 7.5 hours and is given in Spanish and English.

There are two package levels, and the choice matters. The basic option visits Playa Nopalera only, while the full package adds Playa Escondida, the partly enclosed beach reached through a rocky passage. Entering it requires swimming roughly 60 meters, wearing a helmet and life jacket, and being between 12 and 65 years old, with time inside capped at 15 to 20 minutes under federal rules. Swimmers who want the full challenge should select the full package when booking; the basic option still includes the island visit and snorkeling.

Who it suits: confident swimmers in reasonable shape get the most from the full package, and the listing explicitly excludes pregnant women and people with back, neck, heart or balance problems, or vertigo. Getting to Hidden Beach is a genuine physical effort, not a stroll. Reviews from the full-package trip praise the attentive crew and the on-board biologist who explains the islands and their marine life.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Puerto MágicoCheck in at the module at Puerto Mágico Port, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Puerto Vallarta. Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup is not included.
2. Catamaran to the islandsBoard the catamaran for a high-speed crossing to the Marietas Islands, a protected sanctuary.
3. Playa NopaleraVisit Nopalera Beach, included in both package options.
4. Playa Escondida (optional)Full package only. Swim through a rocky passage, wearing helmet and life jacket, for a stay of 15 to 20 minutes inside. Minimum age 12, maximum 65, and you must be able to swim about 60 meters.
5. Snorkel and water toysSnorkeling with gear included, plus kayaks and paddleboards. Swimming ability is required for snorkeling.
6. Food and drinks on boardBreakfast of pancakes, eggs with ham and juice, a lunch of grilled beef, chicken, chorizo, mashed potatoes, tortillas and salad, a fish ceviche snack, and an open bar of beer and soft drinks.
7. Return to Puerto MágicoSail back to the port, keeping the total duration at 7.5 hours.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points shape how this day goes, from the two-package choice to the swimming requirement and the taxes paid on site.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup; everyone makes their own way to the module at Puerto Mágico Port in Puerto Vallarta. The listing asks travelers to arrive at least 45 minutes before departure. Cruise passengers should watch the local time zone, GMT-6.
• Swimming required. To snorkel, and to enter Playa Escondida, you need to be able to swim. The Hidden Beach passage involves swimming roughly 60 meters, and a helmet and life jacket are mandatory. One reviewer described the full-package version as sensational from start to finish.
• What to bring. The listing recommends a passport or ID card, sunglasses, a sun hat, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera, beachwear, water shoes, cash and a daypack. Leave drones, jewelry and coolers at home; none are allowed.
• Sunscreen rules. Although biodegradable sunscreen appears on the bring list, the know-before-you-go notes ask travelers not to use any sunscreen, including biodegradable types, because it harms marine life. A sun hat is listed as a bring item.
• Food and drink. Breakfast, lunch, a ceviche snack and an open bar of beer and soft drinks are all included. One reviewer found the food and juice basic, while another praised the crew for constantly offering drinks and checking on guests.
• Crowds and pace. The listing promotes visiting the islands without crowds, and the day mixes a fast crossing with time at beaches and in the water. Time inside Playa Escondida is short by regulation, 15 to 20 minutes.

Common issues. Two taxes are not included and are paid locally: a maritime and port infrastructure tax of MXN 35 and a Semarnat wristband tax of MXN 220, so bring cash. Access to Playa Escondida requires the full package, the ability to swim about 60 meters, and an age between 12 and 65, which rules out some families and older travelers. One reviewer reported cancelling after not receiving what was promised, and another found the food and open bar very simple. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with back, neck, heart or balance problems, or vertigo.

Common Questions