Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

The big draw here is simple: you get a full day of ocean play and wildlife watching without having to plan each piece yourself. Chica Locca’s crew keeps food, drinks, music, and water activities moving while the boat heads across Bay of Banderas to Marietas Islands National Park.

I like the generous mix of activities, from snorkeling and kayaking to floating mats and a waterslide. I also like the crew’s warm, social approach. Staff members such as Raul, Alex, Saul, and the cruise directors have earned praise for keeping families, couples, and solo passengers included. The main drawback is that this is not a quiet nature cruise. Music can be loud, the boat can carry up to 66 people, and access to the famous Hidden Beach is not guaranteed.

Key points to know before booking

• Hidden Beach requires advance planning: Access is limited by park permits, ocean conditions, tides, and an extra fee paid in pesos.
• The boat is built for fun: You get snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, tubes, floating mattresses, and waterslides.
• The food plan is generous but breakfast is light: Expect fruit and pastries or muffins early, guacamole and chips on the way out, then fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas.
• Wildlife is a welcome bonus: From December through April, humpback whales may be seen. Turtles, rays, dolphins, and seabirds are possible year-round.
• Water entry takes effort: You may need to jump from a smaller boat into ocean water, and life jackets are required while in the water.
• The $110 price covers a lot: Meals, snacks, premium drinks, equipment, and the boat trip are included, but tips, photos, transfers, and Hidden Beach access cost extra.

What the $110 price really buys you

At $110 per person, this tour is priced as an all-day package rather than a simple boat ride. You are paying for roughly six hours on the water, meals, snacks, a premium open bar, crew service, park access by boat, and a long list of water equipment.

That can be good value if you plan to drink, eat onboard, and use several activities. Buying those pieces separately would add up quickly. You also avoid the work of arranging a boat, finding snorkeling gear, packing lunch, and deciding how to fill the time around the islands.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a calm ride to see the islands from a distance. The boat has music, dancing, group activities, and a social atmosphere. You are paying for the floating party as much as for the national park.

The advertised group limit is 66 people. That is not a small private outing, though the boat has sunny and shaded areas and enough room for people to spread out. One experience found the boat comfortable and not overly crowded, while another wished for fewer passengers. Your comfort will depend partly on how much you enjoy shared space and lively music.

Boarding in Bay of Banderas and the light breakfast

The day begins promptly with a direct cruise toward Marietas Islands. The first service includes fresh seasonal fruit and pastries, along with coffee, juices, sodas, water, and alcoholic drinks.

I would treat breakfast as a light start, not a full meal. A small fruit and muffin-style breakfast may leave you hungry before lunch, especially if you plan to swim. The crew does provide guacamole and chips during the cruise, but you may want to eat something substantial before boarding.

The open bar begins early and stays open throughout the outing. Listed choices include margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, champagne, coffee, soft drinks, juices, and mineral water. The minimum drinking age is 18.

The cruise director and photographer are introduced early. Photos are not included, but you can view and buy action or candid images later if you did not pre-book the package. If you want to use your phone in the water, bring a waterproof case or pouch. Much of the day involves swimming, splashing, or getting on and off small boats.

The cruise across Bay of Banderas

The ride to Marietas takes about an hour or more each way, depending on conditions and the exact route. The trip follows the north shore, with views of the tropical coastline and open water.

From December through April, humpback whales may be in the bay. You may also spot dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and seabirds at other times of year. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the crew stays in contact with other boats and watches for activity. When whales or other animals appear, the boat may stop to give you time to watch.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. The cruise is not dead time filled only with drinks. The ride itself can become a wildlife outing, especially during whale season. Several recent outings included sightings of whales and dolphins, and some people saw turtles and large numbers of seabirds.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. Wildlife is unpredictable, and the ride can feel long if the sea is rough or nothing appears. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel. Shade is available, but you will likely move between the sun, the deck, and the water during the day.

Arriving at Marietas Islands National Park

By late morning, the boat reaches the protected park area and anchors. Marietas is a marine reserve known for rocky islands, seabirds, clear water on good days, small beaches, and caves.

The exact water program can vary with tides, weather, current, and park rules. The activities may be arranged in rotations, with some people snorkeling, others kayaking or paddling, and another group enjoying the beach or floating equipment. This system helps more people try different activities without everyone crowding into the same spot at once.

Playa la Nopalera is the main beach area described for the regular outing. You can swim, snorkel, paddle, and look around the shoreline. The setting is appealing, but the beach is small. If you are picturing a broad, empty beach day, adjust that expectation.

Ocean visibility also changes. On a good day, you might see tropical fish, coral, seabirds, and clear water. On another day, waves or murky conditions can make snorkeling feel rushed or underwhelming. The natural setting remains attractive, but this is not a controlled aquarium.

Hidden Beach and the limits of the famous photo

Hidden Beach is the most important detail to understand before you pay for this trip. It is not automatically included in the $110 fare.

The beach has limited access because Marietas is a protected national park and biosphere reserve. You need a special permit, an additional fee paid in pesos, and advance coordination. You should notify the operator after booking if you want to try for a permit, then confirm the arrangements in the booking information.

Even with a permit, access can be affected by tide, waves, weather, timing, or other park restrictions. A late departure or mechanical problem can mean the tide is too high by the time you arrive. Some outings reach the islands but cannot enter the beach area.

The route to Hidden Beach also requires swimming. You may pass through or approach a cave opening under conditions set by the park and crew. This is not a sightseeing stop where you simply walk off the boat onto the sand.

If reaching Hidden Beach is the main reason you are booking, ask about permit availability before you commit. If the permit is unavailable, you can still enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, floating equipment, the regular beach area, and the ride through the bay. But you should not assume the iconic cave beach is part of every departure.

Water activities, life jackets, and physical demands

The activity list is broad. You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, water tubes, floating mattresses, and waterslides. The boat also provides space to swim, relax in the shade, listen to music, or watch the crew manage the day.

The crew is attentive around the water and helps people get on and off the boat. Families have found the staff good with young children, including children around five years old. Solo passengers can also expect a social atmosphere rather than being left on their own.

There are a few important cautions. Life jackets are required in the water under national park rules, including when swimming from the boat. Some people find the jackets itchy, loose, or uncomfortable, so check the fit before entering the water and ask for another size if needed.

Water entry can also be challenging. At some activity points, you may need to jump from a smaller boat into the ocean. A ladder may be present, but it may not always be used for every activity. If you have knee, hip, back, balance, or mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and explain exactly what assistance you need.

You do not need to take part in every activity. You can stay on the main boat, use the shaded seating, watch the wildlife, or enjoy the food and music. But the tour is best for people who are comfortable around water and can manage transfers between boats with crew help.

Lunch, drinks, music, and the ride home

After the island activities, you return to the boat for Mexican fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices are available if you advise the operator when booking.

Lunch is more substantial than breakfast and gives you a proper break after the morning in the water. Guacamole and chips, potato chips, fruit, and pastries round out the food service. The food has received strong praise overall, though a few people found it average. As with any catered group outing, the meal is convenient and filling rather than a restaurant experience.

The open bar continues after lunch. This is where the tour shifts from nature outing to floating social club. The cruise director leads music, dancing, games, and conversation while the boat heads back toward port.

You can have a very lively time here, but you should know what you are signing up for. Music may be loud, and the atmosphere favors people who enjoy a drink, a dance, and easy conversation with a large group. If you want quiet time, move to the shaded areas or the calmer parts of the boat when available.

Timing, meeting points, and what to bring

The full experience lasts about six hours, though the exact schedule can change. The tour is often described as a half-day on the water, leaving the rest of your day free, but transfers and check-in can make it feel like a larger block of time.

You must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included in the standard price. If you are arranging the tour from Sayulita, confirm the transportation details carefully. Some departures connected with Sayulita involve a bus ride of about 50 minutes to the marina, and traffic can lengthen the return.

Bring:

• Swimsuit and towel
• Reef-safe sunscreen if available
• Hat and sunglasses
• Waterproof phone case
• Extra cash in pesos for Hidden Beach access and tips
• Comfortable footwear for the meeting point and any walking before boarding

Drones are prohibited because of federal regulations and concern for endemic birds. The tour may use a multilingual guide, and all travelers in the group must follow the crew’s instructions inside the park.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Later cancellations and last-minute changes are not accepted for a refund.

Who will enjoy this Marietas Islands trip?

I would recommend this tour to families with active children, couples who like a social boat day, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want an easy way to meet people. The crew’s attention to children and willingness to help in the water are real advantages.

It also suits anyone who wants many choices in one outing. You can snorkel for a while, try a kayak, ride the slide, eat lunch, watch whales, and then relax with a drink. You do not need to be an expert at any of these activities.

I would be more cautious if you want a peaceful, low-key nature cruise, dislike loud music, or have trouble jumping into the water. I would also think twice if Hidden Beach is your only goal. The permit is limited, the fee is extra, and the beach can be closed by tide or weather.

Should you book this tour?

Book it if you want a social, activity-packed boat day with meals, drinks, wildlife possibilities, and plenty to do once you reach Marietas Islands. At $110, the package offers solid value for active people who will use the open bar and water equipment.

Before paying, confirm your meeting point, ask about transportation from Sayulita if relevant, and contact the operator about Hidden Beach permits. Pack a waterproof phone case, expect a light breakfast, and be ready for required life jackets and challenging water entry.

I would choose this tour for a fun day on the bay, not for a guaranteed cave-beach visit or a quiet wildlife cruise. If that distinction suits you, Chica Locca gives you a practical and entertaining way to experience Marietas.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The day includes the cruise to Marietas Islands, time for water activities and the beach area, lunch, and the return trip.

Is Hidden Beach included in the price?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate permit and extra fee. Access is limited and should be arranged in advance. Tide, weather, timing, and park rules can still prevent entry.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit and pastries or muffins. Guacamole and chips are served during the cruise, followed by lunch with Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if requested when booking.

What drinks are included?

The premium open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and other listed beverages. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, water tubes, and waterslides. You can also swim, relax, and watch marine life from the boat.

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You should be comfortable in the water. Some activities require jumping from a smaller boat into the ocean, and life jackets are required while in the water. Contact the operator ahead of time if you need help with water entry or transfers.

Is transportation from my hotel included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must choose a meeting place before completing the reservation. If you are departing from Sayulita, confirm whether your booking includes the separate transportation to and from the marina.