BBQ Lunch At Majahuitas, 7 Hours

Overview

This is a full-day boat trip out of Puerto Vallarta with Vallarta Adventures, built around the Islas Marietas and a beach BBQ at Majahuitas. You check in at Puerto Mágico on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio thirty minutes before the 07:00 departure and board from there. Most of the seven hours are spent on the water, with the boat doing the work of moving you between stops.

The shape of the day is fairly consistent across traveler accounts. On the ride out there is often whale and dolphin watching, and reviewers report seeing humpbacks and dolphins on this leg. At the Marietas you get a short snorkeling session in a protected marine area, then the boat continues to a beach for the included BBQ lunch and drinks. Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available at the beach stop, though several reviewers found the time there tight. On the return leg the crew puts on an entertainment show that many travelers single out as a highlight.

It suits people who want a lively, social day on the water with food, drinks and a crew that keeps the energy up. It suits confident swimmers and reasonably fit travelers, since there is no dock at any stop and you reboard via metal ladders. It does not suit anyone expecting a long, unhurried snorkel, a visit to the Hidden Beach, or a day without boat time. Note that hotel pickup is not included, and extra fees apply on the day, so this is a bring-your-own-logistics kind of excursion rather than a door-to-door one.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Puerto MágicoArrive at Puerto Mágico, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, 30 minutes before the 07:00 departure and check in with the Vallarta Adventures team before proceeding to the boarding area.
2. Boat ride to Islas MarietasHead out by boat, with whale and dolphin sightings often reported by travelers on this leg.
3. Snorkeling at the MarietasA short snorkeling session in the protected waters around the islands. Reviewers consistently describe the in-water time as brief because the area is protected for conservation.
4. BBQ lunch at MajahuitasBeach stop for the included BBQ lunch with drinks. Kayaks and stand-up paddle boards are available here, though several travelers say activity time feels rushed. Buffet lines can be long, so eating second and playing first is a tactic some used.
5. Return boat ride with showCruise back toward port with drinks flowing and a crew performance that many reviewers call one of the best parts of the day.
6. Return to the meeting pointThe activity ends back at Puerto Mágico. One reviewer reported the boat mooring elsewhere and needing a water taxi back, so confirm the return logistics with the crew on the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveler reviews, and they shape how the day feels.

• Bring basics. Bring a towel and water. One reviewer reported that towels are not provided, and another mentioned that the crew served a light breakfast of fruit, pastries, juice and coffee on board, so the morning food situation can vary.
• Short water time. Reviewers often mention that snorkeling is limited to a short window, around 30 minutes by several accounts, because the area is protected for conservation. Kayaking and paddle boarding at the beach also feel squeezed, so decide your priority before the boat stops.
• Boat-heavy day. Plan accordingly if you are prone to it.
• Ladder boarding. There is no dock at any stop. You jump off the boat to swim and climb back on using small metal ladders, which requires moderate fitness and reasonable mobility.
• Crowd and pace. The tour runs with up to 100 travelers, and several reviewers describe a hurried feel at the beach and at the snorkel stop. The crew entertainment, food and drinks get consistently strong marks, so the trade-off is food and fun over quiet nature time.
• Strict port rules. Federal maritime port rules prohibit all drugs, including vapes and e-cigarettes, and drones are banned to protect endemic birds flight paths. Denied boarding at port security means no refund or date change, so leave these items behind.

Common issues. The main complaints are about pace and activity time. Several reviewers say the trip feels rushed, with limited snorkeling and little time for kayaking or paddle boarding, and one suggests fewer stops would help. Extra costs add up: a MXN 40 per person port fee payable in cash and a US$20 per person conservation fee at check in are not in the ticket price, and hotel pickup is not included. The listing flags that the tour is not wheelchair accessible, not suitable for cruise passengers due to scheduling conflicts, and capped at 100 travelers. One reviewer reported confusion about the return leg and a missed water taxi back to Puerto Mágico. Seasickness is a real factor given the amount of boat time.

Common Questions