Isla Marietas Catamaran Tour! Full Day Nature Adventure

The best part of this Puerto Vallarta day trip is the ride itself: a two-level catamaran carries you across the bay to the Islas Marietas, with breakfast, lunch, music, and water gear included. It is part nature outing, part floating social day, and part test of your patience with boat schedules.

I like the practical package here. You get snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddle boards, a salad bar, and an open bar after the island stop, so you are not paying separately for every small activity. I also like that the crew has shown flexibility when trouble hits, including completing a trip after a motor problem.

The catch is the timing and extra charges. About six of the eight hours are spent going and coming by boat, and you must budget $13 per person in required cash fees for the dock charge and environmental bracelet. Clarify the currency and payment process before you go.

Key points to know before booking

• Six hours of the day are spent aboard the catamaran, leaving about two hours near the Islas Marietas.
• Breakfast and lunch are included, with hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, a hamburger, shrimp, and a salad bar.
• Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding are included, but conditions may affect which activities operate.
• The open bar begins only after the island visit, so do not expect drinks throughout the morning.
• Two extra charges total $13 per person, listed as a $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet.
• The boat can carry up to 70 people, making this a lively group excursion rather than a quiet small-boat trip.

What the Islas Marietas day is really like

The Islas Marietas sit offshore from Puerto Vallarta, and getting there is a major part of the experience. The catamaran ride takes about three hours each way, according to the stated schedule, so you should think of this as a full-day sea outing rather than a quick island transfer.

That long ride has two sides. You get plenty of time to sit on deck, watch the coast recede, listen to dancing music, and enjoy the open-air feel of the boat. On the other hand, anyone hoping to spend most of the day swimming or walking on the islands may find the roughly two-hour island window short.

The boat is a two-floor catamaran with room for a large group of up to 70 people. That gives you a choice of atmosphere. You can look for a quieter place to sit, or join the music and social energy if that is your idea of a good vacation day. This is not designed as a private, contemplative nature trip.

The island stop is the main nature segment. The supplied plan allows about two hours at or near the islands, with snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and paddle boards available. The exact mix of activities can depend on conditions, and jellyfish affected snorkeling during one outing. Bring realistic expectations: ocean activity is never guaranteed just because equipment is on board.

The morning starts early at Puerto Vallarta’s marina

The meeting point is Grupo Naviero de la Bahía at MQ35+4H, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Área Militar de Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta. Departure is scheduled for 8:00 a.m., and the experience ends back at the same meeting point.

You should arrive with time to spare. The check-in process involves more than simply showing a mobile ticket and stepping aboard. There are additional charges to settle, and delays at the marina have caused serious frustration when people did not understand what they needed to pay before boarding.

The stated fees are:

• $3 per person dock fee, cash only
• $10 per person SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet, cash only

That adds $13 per person to the advertised $96 price, bringing the basic outlay to $109 before any other personal spending. One important wrinkle is currency. A complaint described an attempt to pay the environmental charge in US dollars, followed by a demand for pesos. The response from the operator said the charges were clearly listed, but the practical lesson is still simple: confirm whether pesos are required and bring enough cash in the accepted currency.

Do not assume the mobile ticket covers every payment needed at the marina. Keep your ticket ready, but also keep cash separate and accessible. A small amount of planning here can prevent a very expensive morning mistake.

Breakfast makes the long ride easier

The morning food is more substantial than a basic coffee stop. The package includes continental breakfast and hot cakes, along with fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice.

That matters because the boat ride is long. You will have several hours before reaching the islands, and a proper breakfast gives you a better start than relying on snacks bought at the marina. If you get seasick, eat lightly and sit where you feel most stable. The supplied information does not specify which part of the catamaran is best for motion, so choose your seat based on your own comfort.

The food service also helps explain the tour’s value. At $96 per person, you are not only buying transportation. You are getting two meals, equipment, entertainment, and a full day on the water. The value improves if you plan to use several of those inclusions.

Still, do not book this simply because lunch is included. The day’s quality depends heavily on sea conditions, the timing of boarding, and how much you enjoy group boat trips.

Two hours around the islands, with several ways to get wet

At the Islas Marietas, you can use the provided mask, tube, and life jacket for snorkeling. Kayaks and paddle boards are also included, giving you more than one way to enjoy the water.

This is a good setup for a mixed group. One person can snorkel while another prefers a paddle board, and someone else can stay aboard or enjoy the views. The activity list gives you flexibility without requiring separate rental payments.

Water conditions matter. During one outing, jellyfish made snorkeling unattractive, and the participants skipped it. That is not necessarily a failure of the tour, but it is a reminder that the sea makes the final decision. If snorkeling is the one thing you care about most, you should accept that visibility, marine life, and comfort can change on the day.

There is also some ambiguity about an island tour. One account described the tour around the island as an extra charge, while the operator stated that the only extra was the optional island tour. The safest approach is to ask exactly what the optional tour includes and what it costs before departure. Do not assume every island-related activity is covered simply because the boat stops at the islands.

The roughly two-hour stop passes quickly once equipment is distributed and activities begin. If you want to snorkel, paddle, and kayak, you may not have time for all three. Pick your first choice before arriving.

Lunch, music, and the open bar after the stop

Lunch includes a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar. It is casual boat food, not a restaurant meal, but it should suit a long day in the sun. The shrimp and salad add some variety to the hamburger, which is useful after time in the water.

The open bar begins only after the Islas Marietas visit. This rule matters. If you are expecting drinks during the morning crossing, adjust your expectations. The timing also makes sense from a safety point of view, since the more active water portion comes first.

Music is part of the package, and the catamaran has a social, festive feel. If you want a quiet nature cruise, the dancing music and large-group format may wear thin during six hours of transportation. If you like meeting people, eating outdoors, and turning a boat ride into the day’s entertainment, the atmosphere may be a major plus.

One especially good sign is the crew’s response to a mechanical problem during one trip. A motor issue delayed the outing, but the crew handled it and still completed the planned experience, even though the day ran longer than expected. That does not erase the possibility of delays, but it suggests the staff can stay useful and upbeat when the boat has trouble.

The $96 price: fair if you use the full package

The advertised price is $96 per person, but the two listed mandatory charges add $13. Your practical starting price is therefore about $109 per person, assuming the fees remain as stated and you do not buy anything else.

For that amount, you receive:

• Round-trip catamaran transportation
• About eight hours total
• Breakfast and hot cakes
• Lunch
• Snorkeling gear
• Life jacket
• Kayaks
• Paddle boards
• Music
• Open bar after the island stop

That is a reasonable bundle for a full-day marine outing, especially if you eat both meals and use the water equipment. The value is weaker if you mainly want a short visit to the islands, because approximately six hours are devoted to transportation.

The large capacity also affects the price. A boat for up to 70 people can keep the cost below that of a private charter, but you give up space and personal attention. This is a group excursion with shared food service, shared equipment, and a group schedule.

I would compare it against the kind of day you want, not just against other prices. For a social catamaran day with meals and activities, the package is sensible. For a quiet wildlife trip or a private snorkeling charter, it is the wrong product even if the price looks attractive.

What to pack for comfort and fewer surprises

The operator asks you to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and bring a swimsuit, towel, and extra clothes. Follow that advice closely. You will spend hours on a boat, and dry clothing becomes valuable after swimming or after spray from the sea.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and biodegradable insect repellent. Pack enough for the full day, since the tour begins in the morning and returns later. A waterproof pouch for your phone and cash would also be practical, though it is not specifically listed as provided.

Your small packing list should include:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Extra dry clothes
• Comfortable shoes
• Biodegradable sunscreen
• Biodegradable insect repellent
• Cash for the $13 in listed fees
• Mobile ticket and booking details

Keep the required cash somewhere dry and easy to reach. The boarding problem described above shows how quickly a payment question can become a missed departure.

Who will enjoy this catamaran trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you like a full social day on the water, do not mind a long boat ride, and want several activities bundled into one price. Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate having snorkeling, paddle boards, kayaking, meals, music, and free time in one package.

It also suits people who prefer an organized day. You do not need to arrange separate transport, equipment rentals, breakfast, or lunch. The crew manages the schedule, and the boat returns to the original meeting point.

I would hesitate to recommend it if your priority is a long, quiet stay on the islands. Two hours near the islands is not much after allowing for the three-hour trip each way. I would also think twice if you dislike large group outings, loud music, or the uncertainty of ocean conditions.

The maximum group size of 70 is not a minor detail. It shapes the whole day. Boarding, meals, equipment use, and departures all happen on a shared schedule, and delays can affect everyone.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so you should ask the operator directly if you have mobility or medical concerns.

The cancellation rule allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience. That gives you some flexibility, but it does not solve same-day problems such as late arrival, confusion over fees, or a missed boarding time. Read the payment instructions carefully and contact the operator before departure if anything is unclear.

The experience provider is Altus Tours. No individual guide names are provided, so you should not expect to select a particular guide when booking.

Should you book the Isla Marietas catamaran tour?

Book it if you want an active, upbeat boat day with meals, equipment, music, and an open bar after the island stop. The crew’s handling of a motor problem was a strong point, and the package includes enough food and gear to make the $96 base price reasonable once you plan for the extra fees.

Skip it if you want maximum time at the islands, guaranteed snorkeling, or a quiet small-boat experience. Before paying, confirm the cash fees, accepted currency, boarding procedure, and whether any optional island tour costs extra. If those details are clear and you enjoy several hours at sea, this can be a fun value-packed day from Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long does the Isla Marietas catamaran tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours. About six hours are spent traveling by catamaran, with approximately two hours at or near the islands.

What time does the tour begin?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 a.m. at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía in Puerto Vallarta.

Where does the tour end?

The experience ends back at the original meeting point.

Are snorkeling equipment and water activities included?

Yes. Snorkel gear, a mask, tube, and life jacket are included. Kayaks and paddle boards are also provided.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast includes continental items, hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. Lunch includes a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar.

Is the open bar available all day?

No. The open bar is available only after the visit to the Islas Marietas.

What extra fees must I pay?

The listed extra charges are a $3 per-person dock fee and a $10 per-person SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet. Both are listed as cash-only payments.