All Inclusive, 9 Hours

Overview

This nine hour catamaran trip runs from Puerto Mágico Maritime Terminal in Puerto Vallarta and spends the day around the Marietas Islands, an island group reached by a sailing of roughly two hours each way. Boarding is set for 8:30 am at Door No. 9 of the cruise ship dock, and the boat returns to the same point at the end of the day.

The day is structured around the crossing and the islands. Breakfast is served on the way out, then the boat reaches the reefs for snorkeling, with kayaks and paddle boards available on board. There is a stop at Playa la Nopalera, views of the blowhole known as the Bufadora, and a pass beneath the stone arches. Lunch and an open bar with soft drinks, beer, tequila, rum, brandy and whiskey come later, along with music for dancing on the return leg.

It suits travelers who want a full day at sea with a lively crew and several water activities bundled into one booking. Snorkeling is in the reefs around the islands rather than at a beach, and reviewers say the water clarity varies. Note that entry to the well known hidden beach inside the crater is a separate arrangement with limited places, not part of this ticket.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet at Puerto Mágico terminalArrive at 8:30 am at the Puerto Mágico Maritime Terminal (API), Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio at the Naval Military School, Cruise Ship Dock Door No. 9, where the Bahía Alegre boats depart.
2. Breakfast aboardBreakfast is served on the catamaran during the outbound crossing.
3. Marietas Islands snorkelingThe boat reaches the islands and stops at the reefs for snorkeling. Kayak and paddle board equipment is also on board.
4. Playa la NopaleraThe group spends time at this beach, which reviewers call beautiful, and several wished for more time there.
5. Bufadora and stone archesThe boat passes the blowhole and descends into the stone arches so passengers can view them from the water side.
6. Lunch and open barFood is served on board, and the open bar opens, with music and dancing on the return crossing.
7. Return to Puerto MágicoThe tour ends back at the same meeting point, roughly nine hours after departure.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the listing and from traveler reports will help set expectations before booking.

• Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is Door No. 9 at the Puerto Mágico Maritime Terminal, and ground transport to the dock is the traveler's own arrangement. Aim to arrive on time for the 8:30 am start.
• Bring cash. Several reviewers said extra costs come up on board, such as optional side trips and photos sold by the crew. Cash is the practical way to handle these, since they are not part of the booking price.
• Pace and seas. The crossing takes about two hours each way, so much of the day is spent on the boat.
• Food and drink. Breakfast and lunch are included, along with an open bar of soft drinks, beer and spirits. Multiple reviewers said the open bar operates on the return leg rather than all day.
• Sea conditions. Weather shapes the day.
• Hidden beach is extra. The famous beach inside the crater is not part of this ticket. Reviewers in several reports said access requires a separate payment and has limited places, and one traveler was told there was no space left.

Common issues. The biggest recurring complaint is the hidden beach: it is not included, needs a separate payment and reservation, and one reviewer reported being told there was no space left. Water clarity for snorkeling divides opinion, with some reporting murky water or jellyfish. Multiple reviewers noted the open bar mainly runs on the return trip and that side trips and photos add unbudgeted costs. The listing caps the group at 40 travelers, states the tour is not wheelchair accessible, and does not recommend it for pregnant travelers, with a stated limit of four months. A dock tax and a Conape and Semarnat tax are payable per person and not included, and poor weather can lead to cancellation with a different date or a full refund offered.

Common Questions