Islas Marietas Experience! Catamaran Nature Trip

The Pacific can make a fine breakfast table. This eight-hour catamaran trip from Puerto Vallarta combines a long ocean ride with about two hours at the Marietas Islands, plus snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, meals, and an open bar after the island visit. It is a full day on the water, not a quick boat transfer.

I like the two-floor catamaran, which gives you more room to spread out, and I like that breakfast, lunch, snorkel gear, and several water activities are included. The main drawback is the travel time: about six hours of the day is spent going to and from the islands, leaving roughly two hours at the destination. You will also need cash for $13 in separate fees.

The crew earns strong praise for being friendly, attentive, and helpful. Keep your eyes on the water during both crossings, since whale sightings have occurred on the ride out and back. They are never guaranteed, but the possibility adds a little excitement to a long passage.

Key points before you book

• About six hours at sea: Most of the eight-hour outing is the catamaran ride, with approximately two hours at the Marietas Islands.
• Meals are included: You get a continental breakfast with hot cakes, fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice, followed by a hamburger lunch with shrimp, salad, and side dishes.
• Water activities are supplied: Snorkel equipment, masks, tubes, life jackets, kayaks, and paddle boards are included.
• The open bar starts later: Drinks from the open bar are available only after leaving Isla Marietas.
• Bring $13 cash per person: A $3 dock fee and a $10 SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet fee are not included in the advertised price.
• The boat holds up to 75 people: This is a social group outing, not a quiet private cruise.

The 8:00 a.m. start in Puerto Vallarta

Your morning begins at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía, at MQ35+4H on H. Escuela Naval Militar in the Área Militar de Vallarta. The listed start time is 8:00 a.m., and the trip returns to this same meeting point.

Arrive prepared for a full day outdoors. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a swimsuit, towel, and an extra change of clothes. Biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent are specifically recommended. Since you will move between a boat, water equipment, and the island area, practical clothing matters more than dressing for a polished resort outing.

You also need cash at the start for two required charges. The dock fee is $3 per person, and the SEMARNAT and CONANP conservation bracelet costs $10 per person. Together, that adds $13 in cash per person. These charges are easy to overlook when comparing prices, so include them in your actual budget.

The advertised price is $96 per person. With the additional fees, your direct cost becomes $109 per person before any optional spending. For an eight-hour day with two meals, equipment, transportation by catamaran, and an open bar after the island visit, that is a reasonable package if you plan to use the included activities. It is less compelling if you mainly want a short island visit or prefer a quiet boat ride.

A catamaran ride that takes up most of the day

The boat ride to and from the Marietas Islands takes around six hours in total. That is the most important detail to understand before booking. The Marietas Islands may be the headline attraction, but this is also a long day on the Pacific.

The two-floor catamaran gives you choices. You can move around rather than remain fixed in one seat, and the upper level should appeal to anyone who wants a better view of the open water. The lower level may feel more practical when you want shade or a steadier place to eat, although the supplied information does not promise a particular seating arrangement.

Music and dancing are part of the outing. That makes this a lively social cruise rather than a quiet nature boat. If you enjoy meeting people, music, and a party feel on the return trip, this format should suit you. If you want silence for birdwatching or a small-group nature lesson, the maximum group size of 75 may feel busy.

The crew keeps watch for wildlife. One especially appealing possibility is seeing whales during the crossings. A sighting happened on both the outward and return rides for one pair of passengers, but you should treat that as a lucky bonus, not a promised part of the schedule. The ocean ride is long enough that wildlife watching gives you a good reason to keep looking up from your breakfast or drink.

Breakfast first, then a day on the water

The morning food includes a continental breakfast and hot cakes. The spread includes fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. This is useful because the boat leaves early and the first part of the day involves several hours at sea.

I like the mix of lighter breakfast items and something warm. Fruit and yogurt are easy choices before water activities, while hot cakes give you a more filling start. Still, if you need a large breakfast or have strict dietary requirements, the supplied menu is fairly specific, so you should not assume there will be many alternatives.

Lunch is built around a hamburger, a side of shrimp, and a salad bar. This is practical boat food that should satisfy you after snorkeling and paddling. The meal is included in the price, which helps the overall value, especially since buying food and drinks separately during a full-day outing can add up quickly.

The lunch menu may not suit every diet. No vegetarian, vegan, allergy-friendly, or gluten-free options are listed. If that matters to you, confirm before booking rather than assuming the crew can make changes.

About two hours at the Marietas Islands

The island portion lasts around two hours. That is enough time to enjoy water activities and take in the setting, but it is not a leisurely half-day visit. Your time here will pass quickly once you collect equipment, enter the water, and get settled.

The Marietas Islands are protected by Mexico’s environmental authorities, which helps explain the separate SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet fee. The fee is not just another random add-on. It is connected to access and conservation requirements for the protected area, and you should plan to pay it in cash.

Snorkeling is the main draw for many people. Mask, tube, and life jacket equipment are provided, so you do not need to bring your own gear. That makes the outing easier for first-time snorkelers and occasional swimmers who do not want to pack specialist equipment.

Kayaks and paddle boards are also available. These give you another way to spend your limited island time, though the schedule means you may need to choose how to use the two-hour stop. Trying every activity could leave little time to simply look around and enjoy the water.

The supplied information does not promise a particular beach, cave, wildlife encounter, or access to a specific landmark. It also does not promise that every activity will be available in every sea condition. Think of the stop as a chance to use the water equipment around the islands, not as a guaranteed checklist of specific sights.

Snorkeling, kayaks, and paddle boards

All the main equipment is included: snorkel gear, mask, tube, life jacket, kayaks, and paddle boards. That is a strong point for value. You can arrive with a swimsuit and towel instead of renting each item separately.

A life jacket is included with the snorkel gear, which is useful if you are not a confident swimmer. The tour is open to most people, but the water activities still require you to judge your own comfort and ability. If you prefer not to enter the water, you can enjoy the boat, views, meals, and music instead, although you will get more from the price if you take part in at least one activity.

The two-hour island window means organization matters. Listen closely when the crew gives instructions about equipment and return times. A few minutes spent deciding whether you want to snorkel, kayak, or use a paddle board can prevent you from wasting much of your stop.

Bring your own towel and extra clothes. Provided snorkel equipment does not mean towels or dry clothing are included. After the water activities, a dry shirt will make the return ride much more comfortable.

Open bar and the return ride

The open bar begins only after the catamaran leaves Isla Marietas. That timing is worth noting. You should not expect included alcoholic drinks during the morning crossing or while the boat is at the islands.

Once the island portion is finished, the return ride shifts toward the social side of the outing. Music, dancing, and the open bar can make the long journey back feel less like dead time. For many people, this will be the most festive part of the day.

Drink responsibly, especially if you have been in the sun and water. The boat ride is long, and dehydration can catch up with you quickly. Water is not specifically listed among the included drinks, so it is sensible to clarify what is available before relying on the open bar for hydration.

The return journey is also another chance to watch for whales. Since sightings have occurred on both directions of the route, keep your phone or camera ready, but do not let the search distract you from enjoying the boat ride itself.

Staff service and group size

The strongest praise goes to the crew. The staff is described as friendly, attentive, supportive, helpful, and professional. That matters on a boat trip because the crew controls the rhythm of meals, equipment use, safety instructions, and the move between the catamaran and the island activities.

The tour has a maximum of 75 people. That is not a tiny group, and you should expect a shared outing with a social atmosphere. The advantage is the energy: music, dancing, and more people to meet. The tradeoff is that equipment and space may feel less personal than on a private charter.

The crew also takes pride in pointing out nature and sharing enthusiasm for Mexico. That suggests the tone is not purely a party cruise, even though the return includes music and dancing. Still, there is no detailed promise of a formal naturalist talk or a long educational presentation, so book it for the overall mix of nature, recreation, and social fun.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want several elements packed into one day:

• A boat ride to the Marietas Islands
• Snorkeling with equipment supplied
• Kayaks and paddle boards
• Breakfast and lunch
• Music and dancing
• An open bar after the island stop
• A chance of seeing whales

It is especially suitable for couples, friends, and families who enjoy active water time but also want a relaxed party atmosphere. Most people can participate, and the provided life jackets make the water portion more approachable for casual swimmers.

I would hesitate if your top priority is spending most of the day on the islands. With about six hours of transportation and about two hours at the destination, the schedule favors the full boat experience rather than extended island exploration.

I would also think twice if you dislike group outings, music, or dancing. A 75-person maximum is manageable for a large catamaran, but it is not the setting for a private, quiet escape.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is received at the time of booking, and the experience is offered in English. It is booked an average of 34 days in advance, so planning ahead is sensible if your Puerto Vallarta dates are fixed.

The trip depends on good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

The experience returns to the original meeting point, which simplifies your end-of-day plans. Even so, allow the full eight hours rather than scheduling a tight evening reservation immediately afterward.

Is the Islas Marietas catamaran trip worth booking?

Book it if you want a full-day ocean outing with food, water equipment, music, and a social atmosphere. The $96 price is fair for what is included, though the required $13 cash fee brings the practical cost to $109 per person.

The best reasons to choose it are the friendly crew, the two-floor catamaran, the included meals and equipment, and the chance of seeing whales on either crossing. The main reason to skip it is the ratio of travel time to island time. You will spend about six hours in transit for approximately two hours at the Marietas Islands.

For an active day with a little party energy, I would book it. For a quiet nature visit with long time ashore, choose a shorter or more island-focused option instead.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

What time does the tour begin?

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

How long does the full experience last?

The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

How much time is spent traveling by boat?

The total transportation time is around six hours for the round trip.

How long do you spend at the Marietas Islands?

The island visit lasts approximately two hours.

Is food included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment included?

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

Are there extra fees?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Poor-weather cancellations offer a different date or a full refund.