Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

The best part of this Marietas Islands boat tour is that it mixes a marine reserve visit with a full day of easygoing boat fun. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim to Playa La Nopalera, or simply sit on deck with a cold drink while Banderas Bay rolls by. From December through April, humpback whales add a fine bonus.

I especially like the attentive Chica Locca crew and the fact that breakfast, guacamole, lunch, equipment, and premium drinks are included. I also like the roomy boat, waterslide, and onboard photographer. The main caution is simple: reaching the island and snorkel area requires a wet landing and swimming from a smaller boat, and rough water can limit the activities. The famous enclosed Hidden Beach is not included in this outing.

Key points to know before you book

• Whale watching is a real bonus from December through April: The captain may slow or stop when whales appear in Banderas Bay.
• Playa La Nopalera requires a wet landing: You will transfer to a smaller boat, swim in, and manage yourself in the water.
• The boat is built for play: Waterslides, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel gear, and floating mats are available.
• Food and drinks cover the full day: Expect fruit, muffins, coffee, juices, guacamole, chips, Mexican fajitas, and a broad open bar.
• The Hidden Beach is not part of this trip: Check the exact package if that beach is your main goal.
• Mobility matters: This tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

A six-hour day on Banderas Bay

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the Marietas Islands. It is also not just an island transfer. You are paying for a six-hour floating party boat with meals, an open bar, water equipment, guides, wildlife viewing, and entertainment on the ride home.

That distinction matters. If you only want a short snorkel trip, a smaller and less elaborate excursion may suit you better. If you want an all-day outing where the boat itself is part of the attraction, the price is easier to justify.

You can board at either Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier or Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y Usa, depending on the option you book. The meeting point can vary, so check your confirmation carefully. The tour returns to one of the same two locations.

The boat has room to walk around, sit in the shade, or find a sunny place on the upper deck. One particularly useful detail is that the boat is not described as cramped. You can spend part of the day relaxing instead of being locked into one seat.

Breakfast begins the cruise

Once the boat heads along the north shore of Banderas Bay, breakfast is served. It is a light start: fresh seasonal fruit, muffins, coffee, and juice. If you need a hearty breakfast, plan accordingly. One person specifically wished for more protein in the morning, such as meat or cheese.

Still, the timing works well for a boat departure. You can eat, settle in, and watch the coast before the water activities begin. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, mineral water, and juices are available throughout the day.

The beverage service is one of the strongest parts of the package. The open bar includes beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, spirits, and other drinks. The crew serves drinks regularly, and the atmosphere becomes more festive on the return trip.

That can be a plus or a drawback, depending on your ideal day. Families and active swimmers can enjoy the boat without drinking, while adults looking for a social outing have plenty of options. Keep in mind that alcohol and open water require some common sense. You will need to swim, climb back into a smaller boat, and use the water toys.

The north shore cruise and wildlife watch

The ride to the islands gives you time to enjoy the coast of Banderas Bay. The scenery is a major part of the trip, especially when the sea is calm and the air is clear.

From December through April, humpback whales pass through these waters. Several outings have had multiple whale sightings, and the captain has stopped to give people a better look, even though whale watching is not the central purpose of the trip. You may also spot sea turtles and rays at different times of year.

Birdlife adds another layer. Blue-footed boobies are associated with the Marietas Islands, and you may see them flying near the boat or fishing in the water. Watching birds work the sea is a nice reminder that this is a protected marine area, not simply a pretty beach stop.

Wildlife is never guaranteed, so do not book this as a dedicated whale safari. The better approach is to treat sightings as a welcome part of the cruise. Bring patience, keep your eyes on the water, and listen when the crew points out activity.

Reaching Playa La Nopalera

The Marietas Islands are volcanic islands protected as a marine national park. Their cliffs, rock formations, clear water, and wildlife make them one of the most popular boat destinations near Puerto Vallarta and the towns around Banderas Bay.

The main activity takes place around Playa La Nopalera. A guide leads you from the larger boat toward the island by smaller boat, kayak, paddleboard, or swim, depending on conditions and your comfort level.

This is the point where you should be realistic about your abilities. The landing is wet. You may need to jump or step into the water, swim toward shore, and later return to the smaller boat. You must also manage your own movement in the water. One person with mobility concerns stayed on the main boat and still enjoyed the scenery and whale watching, but the active parts were beyond their comfort and physical ability.

For confident swimmers, the wet landing is part of the fun. For anyone nervous in open water, ask the crew for clear instructions before leaving the main boat. Life vests and snorkel equipment are supplied, and the water guides supervise the activities.

The beach time is not an extended island hike. You get a short period to look around, swim, take photographs, and enjoy the setting. One useful expectation is that roughly 20 minutes on the island may be enough for a quick look. Most of the activity time is spent in and around the water.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding

The tour gives you plenty of ways to use the marine reserve. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim, or float on a water mattress. Equipment is included, so you do not need to rent these items separately.

The snorkeling can be excellent when conditions cooperate. Fish are visible around the island, and the volcanic formations give the water character. The supplied gear has been described as good quality, which is important because poor masks can ruin an otherwise fine stop.

Sea conditions are the big variable. High swells can force the crew to change the usual snorkeling area or reduce visibility. One outing had disappointing snorkeling because of rough water, even though the equipment was good. That is not a flaw the crew can fully control, but it is worth understanding before you pay for the trip.

I would book this tour for the full mix of activities, not for snorkeling alone. If snorkeling is your only reason for going, look closely at the forecast and ask whether conditions are expected to be suitable. If the sea is rough, you can still enjoy the boat, wildlife, food, and water slide, but the underwater part may not match your hopes.

The slide is a genuine attraction for children and adults. You can race down it into the sea, then return to the boat and try a paddleboard or kayak. The crew pays close attention to safety, and families have found the staff especially attentive with children.

Lunch, guacamole, and the open bar

After the island activities, you return to the main boat for food. The snack stop is fresh guacamole with blue corn chips, followed by lunch with Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and local corn tortillas.

You can choose beef, chicken, or a vegetarian fajita option. The meal is practical for a day on the water and gives you something more filling after swimming. The food has received strong praise overall, although one person found the lunch bland and wished for hot sauce. If you like spice, ask whether the crew has some available.

The food is not a restaurant tasting menu, and it does not need to be. Its value is that you receive several substantial food stops without having to bring or buy lunch during a six-hour outing. Add the open bar and the included water equipment, and the package covers most of the expenses you would otherwise face.

Coffee, tea, water, juices, sodas, beer, wine, tequila, cocktails, and champagne are available. If you prefer to stay active, nonalcoholic choices are always part of the service.

The ride home turns more social

The return cruise is less about sightseeing and more about enjoying the boat. You can have another drink, listen to music, dance, sit in the breeze, or watch the coast slide past.

This is where the tour feels different from a basic island shuttle. The boat remains the destination for part of the afternoon. The upper deck offers sun and views, while the lower areas give you a place to relax.

The crew has earned especially strong praise for attentive service. Saul has been singled out for keeping people well supplied with food and drinks, while Kano has offered useful suggestions for local taco places. The names matter because they reflect the personal style of this operation: the crew is not simply moving you from point A to point B. They are active hosts throughout the day.

An onboard photographer also takes candid and action photographs. The photographer may come ashore, photograph the wet landing, and help stage a few useful shots. You can view and purchase the pictures afterward. Photos are not included, so bring a waterproof phone case if you want your own images during the wet landing.

What the tour does not include

The most important point is the Hidden Beach. Images of the Marietas Islands often show an enclosed cove or famous beach reached through a rock opening. That location is not included in this particular experience.

Instead, you visit Playa La Nopalera and the surrounding water. It is still a beautiful area with volcanic rock, marine life, and clear water, but you should not assume that every photograph associated with the Marietas Islands is part of your day.

The tour also does not guarantee calm water, whale sightings, or perfect snorkeling. The crew can adjust the route and activities when conditions change, but nature sets the terms. I see this as a reasonable tradeoff for an outing that includes so much beyond one beach stop.

Who will enjoy this boat tour most

This is a strong choice for you if you want several activities in one day and like a social, lively boat atmosphere. Families can use the waterslide and floating equipment, couples can enjoy the food and scenery, and groups of friends can make the ride home part of the entertainment.

It also suits people who want support in the water. Guides provide equipment and supervision, and the crew is attentive throughout the day. You do not have to arrange separate rentals for kayaks, boards, or snorkel gear.

I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, dislike swimming in open water, or want a quiet naturalist trip. The transfer to the island involves a wet landing, and the active stops require swimming and climbing into a smaller boat. You can remain on the main boat, but that means skipping the central island activities.

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof case is a smart extra if you want to take photographs near shore. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your plans are still taking shape.

Should you book the Marietas Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want the Marietas Islands plus a full day of food, drinks, waterslides, wildlife watching, and easy access to water toys. The service, spacious boat, whale sightings, and generous inclusions make the $131 price reasonable for an all-day outing.

Skip it if the Hidden Beach is your main goal, if you want a serious snorkeling expedition, or if a wet landing is not comfortable for you. For everyone else, this is a cheerful and well-supported way to spend six hours on Banderas Bay, with enough variety to keep the day from feeling like a simple boat ride.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including the cruise across Banderas Bay, breakfast, the Marietas Islands stop, lunch, water activities, and the return boat ride.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, muffins, juice, and coffee. You also receive guacamole with blue corn chips and a Mexican fajita lunch with beef, chicken, or a vegetarian option, plus rice, beans, and local corn tortillas.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, spirits, margaritas, piña coladas, champagne, and other drinks.

What activities can I do at the Marietas Islands?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, float on a water mattress, and view marine wildlife. The tour also includes a guided visit to Playa La Nopalera.

Is the Hidden Beach included?

No. The famous enclosed beach shown in many Marietas Islands images is not included in this tour.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Reaching the island involves a wet landing and swimming from a smaller boat.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone or camera case is useful because the island landing and water activities can get you wet.