A secret beach cruise beats the usual day trip. On this Puerto Vallarta outing to Las Marietas, you cruise the Banderas Bay area while looking for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays, with continental breakfast served along the way.

What I like most is the mix of real wildlife watching and hands-on water time: you’ll snorkel in the protected marine park with an expert guide pointing out where the marine life tends to show up. I also love that the fun keeps going after your swim—there’s an open bar after snorkeling, plus a hot lunch cooked onboard.

One consideration: your base price is not the whole cost. Expect extra on-site fees like a marine park conservation fee and a marina entrance fee, plus you may still want to budget for tips and photos.

Key Things You’ll Actually Notice on This Tour

• Wildlife spotting in season (including humpback whales) while you cruise, not just after you arrive
• Snorkeling in a protected marine park where your guide helps you find the best views
• More than one water option: snorkeling, then kayaking or paddle boarding if you want to keep moving
• Blue-footed booby is possible, plus other marine birds that share the area
• Open bar after snorkeling paired with a hot lunch on the boat
• A party-style return with music, dancing, karaoke, and crew games

Cruising Out of Puerto Vallarta: Breakfast While You Hunt for Marine Life

This is a 6-hour day built around time on the water. You’ll start with a continental breakfast while the boat heads toward Las Marietas, and that matters because you get to look out for wildlife before the snorkel session even starts. When the sea is calm and the light is right, the whole trip feels like you’re watching the coast wake up.

The wildlife angle is the real hook. You can be on the lookout for humpback whales (in season), dolphins, sea turtles, and manta rays. It’s not something you control, so I’d frame it like this: even if the whales don’t show up that day, you’re still in the right place at the right time to spot other animals as you cruise around the islands.

You also get marine birds on your radar. One fun detail you may hear from your guide: sightings like the blue-footed booby are possible there, and that same bird is also associated with the Galápagos Islands. That’s the kind of comparison that makes the area feel connected to the world’s famous wildlife hotspots, not just another beach stop.

Las Marietas Marine Park Snorkeling: What Protected Water Changes

When you arrive at Las Marietas, snorkeling is the centerpiece. This isn’t an “in-and-out” swim. You’ll go into the protected marine park, and your expert guide helps you find the best spots to see marine life.

Why that’s valuable: protected areas tend to have healthier ecosystems, and your chances of seeing interesting fish are better than in open-water spots where conditions are rougher or life is scattered. The guide’s role is practical, too. Instead of everyone drifting around randomly, you’re guided toward places where the marine ecosystem is more visible.

What you should expect to see is colorful fish and a diverse underwater environment. Your guide will point out areas based on what’s happening that day, not a one-size-fits-all script. If visibility is limited due to the day’s water conditions, snorkeling can feel less rewarding than you hoped—but that’s true anywhere along the coast. The upside here is you’re not just hoping; you’re getting directions from someone who knows where to look.

Another thing to plan for: this isn’t a dry activity. Bring a swimsuit, and expect that your towel and sunglasses will be in constant demand. The tour includes mask & snorkel and life jackets, so you don’t need to bring gear, but you do want to be comfortable getting in and out smoothly.

After Snorkeling: Kayaking, Paddle Boarding, or a Slow Swim

Once you finish snorkeling, you can keep the day active or slow it down. The tour offers kayaking and paddle boards, plus the option to just swim or hang out in the water after you’ve checked out the marine life.

This part is more than “extra time.” It gives you choices based on your energy level and your comfort in the water. If snorkeling was perfect and you still want the view, kayaking and paddle boarding help you stay out a bit longer without changing your whole plan. If you’re tired, it’s still easy to just float and cool off.

And because this is a protected area experience, it can feel less chaotic than some open-water tours. You’re not just chasing the next location; you’re using the best part of the day—your time near the islands—to do multiple kinds of water fun.

Open Bar After Snorkeling, Hot Lunch on the Boat

One reason this tour feels like good value is that it doesn’t treat food as an afterthought. After snorkeling, the open bar is available so you can relax while the crew keeps the pace moving. This is also when your energy resets. You’ve been in the sun, you’ve been in the water, and then—finally—you get a chance to sit back.

Lunch comes later as a hot cooked meal prepared on the boat. That detail matters. On a lot of tours, you get something that’s technically edible but not really satisfying after swimming. Here, you’re set up for a proper hot lunch while the cruise continues around the Marietas area.

What to do with this info: if you’re the type who gets hangry fast, this tour’s timing is built around you. Eat breakfast on the way, snorkel, then you’re supported with a drink option and a hot lunch rather than waiting hours later.

The Return Trip Turns Into a Music and Karaoke Party

The vibe shifts on the way back to Puerto Vallarta. On the return cruise, the dance floor opens and you can enjoy music, dancing, or karaoke. That’s a big deal if you’re on a group trip or you just want the day to end with energy instead of another quiet boat ride.

There are also games prepared by the crew, so the fun keeps going until the end. I like this because it gives you a natural social outlet. You don’t need to be an expert singer or a pro dancer. You just need to be willing to smile and enjoy a laid-back atmosphere.

It also helps make the 6 hours feel like one full experience rather than a split morning-and-nothing-afternoon situation.

Price and Logistics: Where the Real Cost Adds Up

At $128 per person for a 6-hour tour, you’re paying for a lot of included activity time: snorkeling gear and life jackets, breakfast, lunch, kayaking, paddle boards, an open bar after snorkeling, and onboard entertainment (music, karaoke, games).

But here’s the part you should budget carefully: the tour price does not include marine park conservation fees and a marina entrance fee.

• Marine park conservation fee is listed as 220 MXN per person (approx. $8 USD), and another note lists it around 180 MXN per person (with an approximate USD figure).
• Marina entrance fee is listed as 33 MXN per person (approx. $2 USD), with another note around 32 MXN per person.

Since those numbers are close, I’d treat it as roughly a small add-on fee that you’ll pay at the time of check-in. It’s not the kind of cost that should surprise you if you’re planning ahead.

Also factor in:

• Tips, photos, and extra cash for personal spending
• A snorkeling equipment security deposit requirement: you’ll need a hotel room key or ID, or pay 200 Pesos as a security deposit for the snorkeling equipment

If you like clean budgeting, set aside a little extra beyond the ticket price. You’ll feel better that day, and you won’t be doing mental math while you’re trying to enjoy the water.

What to Pack So the Day Goes Smoothly

This tour is easy if you pack like it’s a day at the beach plus a boat ride plus a short wildlife hunt. Use the checklist they provide and you’ll be fine.

Bring:

• Swimsuit, towel
• Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen
• Camera or video camera
• Extra cash for tips and photos

And make sure your documents and belongings are ready for the snorkeling equipment deposit system. If you’re relying on a hotel room key or ID, don’t wait until you’re already on the boat to hunt for it.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Another Option)

This tour is best for you if you want a single-day plan that blends wildlife watching with guided snorkeling and then adds more water activities like kayaking and paddle boarding. You’ll also enjoy it if you like a group energy level—music, dancing, karaoke, and games are built into the return trip.

I’d also say it fits well for couples and small friend groups because you get both: time to look for marine life, and time to relax and have fun.

If you’re extremely picky about snorkeling visibility or you’ve had bad luck with murky water in the past, keep your expectations flexible. Snorkeling quality depends on conditions that day, and the best underwater experience can’t be guaranteed. You’re still going to be in a protected area, with a guide to help, but nature runs the show.

For families: children ages 3–5 pay 200 Pesos direct at check-in, so there is a clear child option inside the overall structure.

Should You Book the Puerto Vallarta: Marietas Island Tour?

If you want a day that feels like more than just a beach stop, I’d book it. You’re getting snorkeling in a protected marine area, the chance to see wildlife like whales (in season), plus extra activities like kayaking and paddle boarding. The included breakfast and hot lunch reduce the usual “how do we eat out here?” stress, and the open bar after snorkeling helps the day land well.

Do it if you’re comfortable paying the marine park conservation fee and marina entrance fee on top of the base ticket. And do it if you’ll enjoy the onboard atmosphere with music, dancing, and karaoke.

Skip it only if you’re on a strict budget where even small add-on fees will annoy you, or if your number-one priority is guaranteed, crystal-clear snorkeling footage. If you can enjoy the experience as a wildlife-and-water day with a guide leading the way, this one is built to deliver.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Island tour from Puerto Vallarta?

The tour duration is 6 hours.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. You’ll have a continental breakfast included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is prepared on the boat and is served as a hot cooked meal.

Is there an open bar?

Yes. The open bar is available after snorkeling.

What snorkeling gear is provided?

The tour includes mask & snorkel, and life jackets.

What other water activities are included besides snorkeling?

You can go kayaking and paddle boarding, and you also have time to swim.

Can I see humpback whales on this tour?

Humpback whale sightings are possible in season, but they are not guaranteed.

Are there extra fees besides the tour price?

Yes. There is a marine park conservation fee (listed around 180–220 MXN per person) and a marina entrance fee (listed around 32–33 MXN per person). These are not included.

Do I need a deposit for snorkeling equipment?

You’ll need a hotel room key or ID, or you can pay a 200 Pesos security deposit for the snorkeling equipment.

Is there music, dancing, or karaoke?

Yes. The return trip includes music for dancing and karaoke, plus crew games.