Islas Marietas Experience! Catamaran Nature Trip

The Marietas Islands are the star here, but the ride is a major part of the day. You spend about six hours on the catamaran, round trip, then roughly two hours at the islands for water activities and scenery. Whales have been spotted during both legs of the ride, so keep your eyes on the sea.

I like the two-level catamaran, which gives you room to sit, move around, and find either sun or shade. I also like that breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddle boards, and drinks are bundled into the $96 price. The main drawback is simple: you spend far more time getting to and from the islands than you spend there, and the extra $13 in cash fees brings the basic cost to $109 per person.

Key points at a glance

• About six hours at sea: The boat ride takes most of the eight-hour outing, so this suits you if you enjoy being on the water.
• Roughly two hours at Marietas: Your island time is focused on snorkeling, paddling, and taking in the coastal scenery.
• Whale sightings are possible: The crew watches for whales, and sightings have occurred on both outbound and return trips.
• Meals are included: Start with continental breakfast and hot cakes, then have a hamburger, shrimp side, and salad bar for lunch.
• Water equipment is supplied: Snorkel gear, life jackets, kayaks, and paddle boards are included.
• Budget for $13 in cash fees: Add a $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet fee per person.

Why Marietas works best as a full-day boat outing

This is not a quick transfer to an island. It is a full day built around time on the Pacific, with the Marietas Islands as the main destination. That distinction matters when you decide if the tour fits your style.

If you enjoy a boat ride, music, open water, and several hours to relax between activities, the long crossing can feel like part of the fun. If you want the most island time possible, two hours at the destination may feel brief.

The route also gives you a chance to watch for marine life. The crew keeps an eye out for whales, and two separate whale sightings were reported during the boat rides. Nothing in the schedule guarantees a sighting, but the possibility adds a pleasant reason to look up from your breakfast or conversation.

The boat returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate ride back from another harbor. The stated start time is 8:00 in the morning, and the entire outing lasts about eight hours.

Six hours aboard a two-level catamaran

The two-level catamaran is useful on a long day. You can change your position instead of being stuck in one seat for the entire ride. The upper level should appeal to you if you want a wider view, while the lower areas may suit you when you want a break from direct sun.

The catamaran also gives the day a social feel. Dancing music is part of the setup, so this is not a quiet nature cruise from start to finish. You will likely find a mix of sightseeing, conversation, music, and time spent watching the water.

The long ride has a tradeoff. Six hours of transportation leaves about two hours for the island activities, and sea conditions can affect how comfortable that time feels. I would bring the requested comfortable clothing, sturdy shoes, a swimsuit, a towel, and an extra change of clothes. A dry layer can be useful after snorkeling or paddling, even though the supplied information does not promise any particular weather.

Use biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, as requested by the operator. That is good practice around a protected natural area and also makes the day more comfortable.

What your two hours at the islands look like

The Marietas portion is the active heart of the tour. Snorkeling equipment includes a mask, tube, and life jacket, so you do not need to rent the basic gear separately. Kayaks and paddle boards are also provided, giving you more than one way to experience the water.

The two-hour schedule means you should plan to make quick choices. You may want to snorkel first, paddle for a while, and leave time to look around from the boat or nearby water. You will not have an unlimited block for every activity, so focus on the one or two things you most want to do.

The tour information does not promise access to a particular beach, cave, or famous opening on the islands. It describes a boat trip to the Marietas area with about two hours at the islands. That makes it wiser to book for the protected island setting and water activities, not for a guaranteed visit to one specific feature.

Your life jacket is included with the snorkel setup. Even if you are a confident swimmer, use the provided safety equipment and follow the crew’s instructions. Most people can participate, but anyone who is unsure about swimming or paddling should think carefully about how comfortable they are in open water.

Breakfast, lunch, and the open bar

The included food makes the $96 price easier to assess. Breakfast includes fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, juice, and hot cakes. That gives you a practical start before the longer ride and active island portion.

Lunch is a hamburger with a side of shrimp and access to a salad bar. It is casual boat food rather than a restaurant meal, but it covers the middle of a long day. You will not need to organize a separate lunch while away from shore.

The open bar begins only after the Isla Marietas portion. That timing is worth noting. You should not expect open-bar service throughout the morning, and it is sensible to save alcoholic drinks until after snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding are finished.

Music and drinks make the return ride feel more like a social cruise than a quiet nature trip. That will appeal to you if you like a lively atmosphere. If you prefer a silent wildlife excursion, the music may be less appealing, though the catamaran offers space to move away from the main activity.

Is the $96 price good value?

At first glance, $96 is a fair midrange price for an eight-hour outing that includes food, equipment, a catamaran ride, and an open bar. The value improves if you plan to use the snorkeling gear and at least one of the kayaks or paddle boards.

You should add the required cash fees to your budget. The dock fee is $3 per person, and the SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet costs $10 per person. That brings the known total to $109 per person before any personal spending.

Those charges are not included in the advertised price, so prepare $13 in cash for each person. This is one of the most useful details to handle before you arrive. It prevents a small but avoidable surprise at the dock.

The value is less convincing if your main goal is a long island visit. About two hours at the destination is not much compared with the six-hour round trip. In that case, you are paying for a complete boat day, not simply transportation to Marietas.

Crew service and the feel of the day

The crew receives especially strong praise for being friendly, attentive, helpful, and professional. That matters on a water outing because the staff handles food, equipment, safety, timing, and the general mood aboard the boat.

The crew also watches for wildlife during the ride. Whale sightings have occurred on both directions of the trip, and the staff treats those moments as part of the nature experience rather than ignoring them. You should still regard whales as a bonus, not a scheduled feature.

The operator’s tone centers on care for nature and Mexico. You can expect the crew to frame the islands as an environmental experience, not just a party stop. At the same time, the music and open bar mean the day has a recreational side too.

With a maximum of 75 people, this is a sizable group outing. It is not an intimate private cruise. A larger group can create a more social atmosphere and support the range of included services, but it may also mean more people sharing the water equipment and moving through the same schedule.

Practical timing at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía

The meeting point is Grupo Naviero de la Bahía, at MQ35+4H, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Área Militar de Vallarta, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The stated start time is 8:00 a.m., and the tour ends back at that same meeting point.

Plan your morning around the full schedule. Since the return is expected about eight hours later, avoid booking a tight afternoon activity or an important evening commitment. Boat conditions, loading, and the long return ride can make an exact finish time less useful than the broad eight-hour estimate.

A mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation is provided when you book. The activity is offered in English. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring your swimsuit, towel, and spare clothing. Keep the $13 per-person fee money separate and ready in cash.

Who should book this catamaran trip?

I would recommend this outing to you if you enjoy being on a boat as much as reaching a destination. It works well for people who want a mix of snorkeling, paddling, food, music, wildlife watching, and a full day outside.

It is also a sensible choice if you want most of the practical details handled for you. Meals, water equipment, safety gear, and drinks are part of the package, so you do not need to arrange each piece separately.

Families and mixed-age groups may appreciate the range of activities, since not everyone has to do the same thing in the water. The information says most people can participate, but you should still consider your own comfort with boats and open-water activities.

I would be more cautious about booking if you dislike long rides, prefer a quiet vessel, or want several hours to explore the islands themselves. The two-hour island stop is the key limitation. You are choosing a broad catamaran day, not a short island excursion.

Cancellation and weather notes

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the 8:00 a.m. start time for a full refund. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. Since the trip spends about six hours at sea, checking the forecast before you leave for the meeting point is a sensible habit.

Should you book the Marietas catamaran experience?

Book it if you want a social, activity-filled day on the water and like the idea of meals, gear, music, and drinks being included. The friendly crew, chance of whale sightings, and easy all-in-one format give the outing real appeal.

Skip it if your priority is maximizing time on the islands or avoiding a long boat ride. Before booking, calculate the real price as $109 per person with the required cash fees, then decide if six hours aboard the catamaran and two hours at Marietas matches what you want from Puerto Vallarta.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours. About six hours are spent on round-trip boat transportation, with roughly two hours at the Marietas Islands.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 a.m.

Where does the tour meet?

You meet at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía, MQ35+4H, H. Escuela Naval Militar, Área Militar de Vallarta, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What food is included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, tube, and life jacket, along with kayaks and paddle boards.

Are drinks included?

An open bar is included, but it is available only after the Isla Marietas portion of the trip.

What extra fees must I pay?

You must pay a $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet fee per person. Both fees are cash only.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.