The 10 Top-Rated Marietas Islands Tours to Explore Mexico’s Secret Beach
Ready to book one of the best Isla Marietas tours?
You’re in the right place because the 10 best Marietas Islands tours are all featured here. How do I know they’re the best?
As someone who has done a Marietas Islands tour, and lives in Mexico, I’ve made sure to only highlight the best Marietas Islands tours in this article — so know all these tours have been carefully vetted.
Don’t have time to read the entire article? Book this Sailboat to Marietas Islands and Hidden Beach Tour — with a perfect 5 Star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Known as The Galapagos of Mexico, these uninhabited islands are home to blue footed boobies, sea birds, and amazing marine life.
Enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, paddle boarding, and whale watching from your boat. Make the challenging swim to see the Marietas Islands Hidden Beach or admire the beauties of Puente de Piedra.
No matter your preferences or budget, there’s sure to be an awesome Marietas Islands tour for you. Ready to explore the best Marietas Islands tours? Let’s go.
Our Top 3 Picks: Best Marietas Islands Tours
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Sailboat to Marietas Islands Mexico Hidden Beach
✔️ Hidden Beach entrance
✔️ Food and drinks
#2 PICK
Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise
✔️ Snorkel & kayak equipment
✔️ Open bar and lunch
#3 PICK
All-Inclusive Marietas Islands Boat Tour
✔️ Water activities
✔️ Snorkel equipment
The Best Marietas Islands Tours
1. Sailboat to Marietas Islands Hidden Beach
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🏝️ Check Rates and Availability
Discover the world’s most exclusive beach, hidden within the Marietas Islands National Park, on this Puerto Vallarta Islas Marietas Hidden Beach Sailboat Tour.
Explore caves, captivating rock formations, underground rivers, and secret spots within Hidden Beach. Witness the charming blue-footed booby bird and go swimming or snorkeling among protected marine life.
Such a fun day! Small group with hidden beach entrance, open bar, breakfast, lunch, snacks, the staff were so attentive and fun.
-Kassie (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
During your trip, you’ll enjoy snacks, see colorful fish (maybe even whales and dolphins), and have the opportunity to try paddleboarding. Las Islas Marietas eco discovery is ready for you.
This amazing Marietas Islands Hidden Beach tour is perfect for anyone wanting to explore this Mexico hidden gem. Just remember that it can be a tough swim against the current to the hidden beach, but the effort is worth it.
Marietas Islands Tours
2. Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise from Puerto Vallarta
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 7 hours | 🤿 Check Rates and Availability
Another great way to tour Islas Marietas Puerto Vallarta is with this awesome Marietas Islands Snorkel Cruise. It’s definitly one of the best Islas Marietas tours if you want to enjoy al lot of water activities.
This day tour will take you out on the water for a chance to see three different dolphin species. You’ll also have the opportunity to either snorkel, kayak, or stand up paddleboard.
The trip was wonderful! The staff was so attentive and made the experience really fun and enjoyable.
-Heidi (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
In between the water sports, relax on deck, sipping beverages from the open bar or eating a tasty buffet lunch.
Perfect for high-energy travelers, this tour to the Marietas Islands from Puerto Vallarta allows you to explore the amazing marine life of the Mexican Pacific and the Bay of Banderas on an exciting full-day adventure.
Marietas Islands Tours
3. All-Inclusive Full-Day Marietas Islands Boat Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6-7 hours | 🏝️ Check Rates and Availability
Spend an entire day enjoying the beauties of Isla Marietas Mexico, on this All-Inclusive Full-Day Cruise from Puerto Vallarta.
Board a double-decker boat stocked with a yummy continental breakfast, and a fabulous taco and fajita lunch.
In short — Wow, so amazing!!! 110% worth the time and money, and better than I had anticipated.
-Heidi (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
You’ll also have access to an open bar, smoothies, sodas, beer, piña coladas, tequila and more. But, before you indulge too much, be sure to take full advantage of the stop at Islas Marietas National Park.
Here, you can swim on Playa la Nopalera, see blue-footed boobies, and have a blast with the snorkel gear, SUP paddleboards, kayaks, water tubes, splash nets, water mattresses, and so much more.
Puerto Vallarta Marietas Island tours don’t get better than this fun option with Chica Locca Tours.
Marietas Islands Tours
4. Scuba Diving the Marietas Islands from Sayulita
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🤿 Check Rates and Availability
Don your tank, weights and mask on this fabulous scuba diving adventure. This excursion to the Marietas Islands from Sayulita is a perfect chance to explore a volcanic rock reef during two separate immersions.
The Marietas Islands is one of the most popular dive spots in Mexico. The beauty is unparalleled. Experience an amazing underwater world, swimming with puffer fish, volcanic rock reefs, and watching for dolphins.
I had two days of excursions with Oceano Adventures. First day I went diving & the second day I went snorkeling and entered the Hidden Beach. Both days were awesome🤩
-Janet (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
If no one or only a few people in your group dives, no worries! This scuba diving experience is perfect for both snorkelers and divers, offering a flexible itinerary to cater to everyone’s interests.
Also, the small-group size means personalized attention. In short: This Marietas Islands diving trip (or snorkeling trip) is an experience you won’t forget.
Marietas Islands Tours
5. Snorkeling at Marietas Islands Hidden Beach
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3 hours | 🤿 Check Rates and Availability
Explore an incredibly biodiverse area on this Snorkeling Marietas Islands Tour!
This half-day tour will take you out on the gorgeous waters of the Bahía de Banderas, to a wildlife sanctuary home to blue-footed-boobies, and to the Puerto Vallarta Isla Marietas Hidden Beach.
The island was beautiful and the crew was extremely informative about all of it. They ensured everyone stayed safe and together in our group.
-Ted (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
The Hidden Beach is a restricted area that only about 100 tourists get to visit each day. If you want to be one of the lucky ones, book your tour ASAP because they always sell out.
Swimming into it through rock arches and watery caves is bound to get your heart beating like mad. Along the way, you’ll get the chance to see dolphins, whales, and amazing scenery.
This Marieta Islands tour is perfect for an adventurous soul.
Marietas Islands Tours
6. Marietas Islands Private Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 hours | 🏝️ Check Rates and Availability
Short on time? Enjoy this Private Personalized Tour of Marietas Islands National Park — a great tour that takes you to two islands near Puerto Vallarta.
On the first one, you get to see the Puente de Piedra, a beautiful and eye-catching crater with an opening under a stone bridge on one side. Next, you’ll visit La Nopalera Beach for some fabulous snorkeling.
We loved the snorkeling experience. We even got to see whales along the way. It was absolutely amazing!
-darla (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Travelers raved about this Isla Marietas Puerto Vallarta tour, praising the knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide, the opportunity to spot whales and dolphins, and the fantastic snorkeling experience.
With a perfect 5 out of 5 Stars rating, you’re sure to love it as well.
Marietas Islands Tours
7. Marietas Islands All-Inclusive Full-Day Boat Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🏝️ Check Rates and Availability
Party on the surf aboard this Fun Boat Tour from Cruz de Huanacaxtle near Puerto Vallarta. Oodles of entertainment per person await, including a top-deck jumping board, waterslides, fishing nets, and floatation mats.
Staff were friendly, knowledgeable and were great to be around. The trip was great and our whole family really enjoyed it.
-Kyle (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Prefer to relax? Chill in one of the on-board hammocks sipping a cold beverage from the unlimited open bar.
As you cruise, you’ll have the chance to admire marine life in and around the beautiful Marietas Island Puerto Vallarta. Finish off with some fun Marietas Island snorkeling in the beautiful water.
Marietas Islands Tours
8. All-Inclusive Private Mariestas Islands Boat Tour on a Trimaran
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 3.5 hours | 🏝️ Check Rates and Availability
Have the best time of your life on this incredible private boat tour on a Trimaran. This full-customizable excursion comes complete with breakfast, lunch, an open bar, water toys, and a top-notch staff.
On this tour, you get to decide on the itinerary. Want to visit the Marietas Islands in Mexico? This Trimaran can take you there!
This is a must do if you’re in the area!! We were a group of 11 and it was the best thing we did in Mexico!
-Kyle (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Explore, snorkel, leap from the dive platforms, holler with glee as you zip down the waterslides, and admire the awesome vistas. Ready for fun?
This is hands-down the best Marieta Islands tour from Puerto Vallarta for anyone looking for a more private experience.
Marietas Islands Tours
9. Diving in Marietas Islands Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🤿 Check Rates and Availability
Unparalleled visibility, underwater arches, pyramid towers, and caves await on this Diving Tour to Marietas Island Mexico.
If you are scuba certified, you’ll enjoy a two-tank dive in an unspoiled underwater landscape. Beginners get to go on a one-tank dive.
I had a really fun time diving in Puerto Vallarta with this crew and guests! The instructors were patient, kind, and made me feel at ease.
-jordan (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
No matter your level, you’ll have the chance to see tons of marine life both above and below water. Dolphins, seasonal whales, fish, and birds await.
This tour is perfect for divers of any level. When not underwater, enjoy a tasty breakfast and lunch, leaping dolphins, and scenic views. Ah, life is good.
Marietas Islands Tours
10. Catamaran Tour to Islas Marietas
⭐️ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 10 hours | 🚢 Check Rates and Availability
Set sail on this Full-Day Islas Marietas Catamaran Cruise to the breathtaking Marietas Island from Puerto Vallarta.
Experience a shared cruise to Marietas Island, complete with lunch and open bar, while discovering stunning coastal locations accessible only by water.
Best of the best! This tour was amazing and the guys work so hard to make this possible.
-MARIA (SEE MORE REVIEWS)
Choose from a range of activities, including snorkeling, kayaking, bird-watching, and leisure time on the beautiful Nopalera Beach.
This adventure combines bird-watching and snorkeling with paddleboarding and kayaking, making it a truly unforgettable day.
Marietas Islands Tours
Marietas Islands Tours FAQs
Where are the Marietas Islands located?
The Marietas Islands are a group of protected islands off the coast of Narayit state in Mexico, but also not far from Puerto Vallarta. They are about 5 miles (7.5km) southwest of Punta de Mita in the Bay of Flags.
While some people know this place as the Marieta Islands in Puerto Vallarta, the islands are actually closer to the beach town of Sayulita.
If you’re looking to take a hidden beach tour from Sayulita, this one is a great option.
The Islas Marietas consist of two islands and two islets in between the Gulf of California, the California Current, and the Coast of Costa Rica Current. However, it might be easier to just use the map below for a visual.
📍 Marietas Islands Map
Because of their proximity to Punta Mita Mexico, they’re also called Las Marietas Punta Mita. In Spanish, they’re called the Islas Marietas Mexico.
Wondering, How do you get from Punta Mita to Marietas Islands? (or How do you get from Puerto Vallarta to to Marietas Islands?) The answer is: By boat!
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the Punta Mita Marietas Islands, and 1.5 hours to reach them from Puerto Vallarta — but you can only get there by boat.
Marietas Islands Tours
What are the Marietas Islands known for?
The Marietas Islands are known for their incredible biodiversity and hidden beaches. The islands are a breeding ground for the blue-footed booby and over 100 different species of birds.
The area around the islands is teeming with marine life including fish, manta rays, and sea turtles. The Hidden Beach Marietas Islands is another major attraction, drawing many tourists every day.
This unique island is only accessible by swimming through a cavernous tunnel against a strong current. Inside the crater is a gorgeous beach that is Instagram famous.
Are the Marietas Islands worth visiting?
Yes — They are gorgeous, and have great swimming and snorkeling opportunities. Nature lovers will also enjoy these islands, which have been called the Galapagos of Mexico for the abundant wildlife that inhabits the area.
Marietas Islands Tours
What is the history of Islas Marietas?
The Isla Marietas Vallarta were created by volcanic activity and have never been inhabited.
🤔 Islas Marietas Fun Fact: The Mexican government took advantage of this fact in the early 1900s and used the islands as a military testing area. This resulted in many caves, craters, and rock formations.
Thanks to a conservation effort led by Jacques Cousteau, the Mexican government declared the Islands a national park in 1960.
In 2012, pictures of Hidden Beach Islas Marietas Mexico appeared online, creating massive interest in visiting the islands. Nowadays, the Mexican government restricts entry, to preserve the islands for years to come.
Marietas Islands Tours
How do you get to Marietas Islands?
To get to the Marietas Islands, you must go on a boat tour. The islands are located more than an hour from shore, and you can access them from Puerto Vallarta or Sayulita.
Travelers can get to the Marietas Islands from throughout Riviera Nayarit including Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerías, and Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
Most tours to the Islas Marietas Nayarit include snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. Some tours also include breakfast, lunch, and an open bar.
Only certain companies offer access to tour Marietas Islands Hidden Beach Puerto Vallarta.
To protect this cool beach, only a limited number of visitors are allowed access each day, and groups can only stay for 30 minutes.
Marietas Islands Tours
What’s the best way to see Marietas Islands?
The best way to see the Marietas Islands Puerto Vallarta is to book a tour. Visits to this Mexico national park are carefully regulated in order to protect the birds and marine life that make them their home.
You can go on either a public or private tour, just make sure the company you choose is authorized for this excursion.
Many tours offer fun water activities on the islands, including snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, water slides, and more.
Do you need to book in advance to visit Marietas Islands?
Yes — The Marietas Islands are a national park and protected by the Mexican government. Only authorized boat companies can take visitors into the park.
Even fewer are allowed to access the Isla Las Marietas Hidden Beach, or Playa Escondida. Only 116 people a day are allowed to visit, and only for 30-45 minutes.
The Hidden Beach is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so it’s important to keep that in mind and book your tour well in advance. The rest of Marietas Islands National Park is open all week.
Marietas Islands Tours
How long is the boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands?
The boat ride from Puerto Vallarta to Marietas Islands takes two hours or more, depending on the speed of your boat and the water conditions.
Most tours include an expert guide who will share information with you during the ride to the islands, and after arriving.
You may also have the chance to see many friendly dolphins of different species. From November to March, you can also spot humpback whales during the Puerto Vallarta whale season.
Marietas Islands Tours
What animals live on Marietas Islands?
The Marietas Islands are home to hundreds of bird species including the blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbird, magnificent frigatebirds, brown boobies, brown noddies, laughing gulls, pelicans, and bridled terns.
The waters around the islands are also home to tropical fish, giant manta rays, dolphins, Olive Ridley sea turtles, and humpback whales (though the latter are only present seasonally in the winter).
Marietas Islands Tours
Are the Marietas Islands open?
Yes — The Marietas Islands are open to visitors who arrive through a tour company. Since this area is a national park, you cannot simply charter a fishing boat and pop over.
Instead, you must book an excursion with an authorized company.
It’s also important to note that only 116 people per day, Wednesday through Sunday, are allowed to visit Hidden Beach, also known as the Playa del Amor Islas Marietas.
You must make a special advance booking if you want to swim to this scenic crater beach.
Marietas Islands Tours
What is the best secret beach in Puerto Vallarta?
The best secret beach in Puerto Vallarta is Playa Escondida, the most famous pocket beach the Marietas Islands has to offer.
This Playa Marietas Puerto Vallarta was created by an explosion that was possibly man-made, since this was a military testing site in the early 1900s.
However, it is now one of the most exclusive and beautiful Playas Marietas Puerto Vallarta in the Banderas Bay.
If you can’t manage a booking (or the swim through the current), consider visiting Pizota Beach instead.
This calm and beautiful beach is beyond Yelapa Beach and Playa Isabel. It is perfect for snorkeling and is little visited.
Final Thoughts: Best Marietas Islands Tours
Ready to visit the Mexican version of the Galapagos Islands on a tour? Now the only question is — Which of these Marietas Islands Mexico tours appeals to you the most? If you’re not sure, here’s our top pick:
We suggest this Sailboat to Marietas Islands and Hidden Beach Tour because it has a perfect 5-Star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ With a rating like that, you can rest assured it’s one of the best Marietas Islands tours Puerto Vallarta has.
From snorkeling and scuba diving, to boarding a private boat and sipping a piña colada, to swimming through the current to the Hidden Beach Marietas Islands — there are so many awesome Marietas Islands tours you can go on.
Whichever you choose, there’s no way you won’t enjoy visiting the Marietas Islands and the famous hidden beach in Mexico.
More Puerto Vallarta Travel Blogs
Looking for more info on traveling to Puerto Vallarta Mexico? Check out these additional Puerto Vallarta travel guides:
- Renting a Car in Puerto Vallarta Mexico
- 15 Best Puerto Vallarta Boat Tours You Can’t Miss
- Top 10 Puerto Vallarta ATV Tours to Book
- 10 Best Marietas Islands Tours to the Hidden Beach
- 11 Best Puerto Vallarta Booze Cruises
- Puerto Vallarta Itinerary: 3, 4 or 5 Days in PV
- 20 Unique Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta Mexico