Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

Whales, waves, and a floating party boat await. Chica Locca’s Marietas Islands tour combines a scenic cruise, breakfast, lunch, open bar, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, waterslides, and time near one of Mexico’s most unusual marine parks. I like the friendly, attentive crew and the sheer number of ways to spend your time on the water. I also like that you can move between sun, shade, swimming, music, and wildlife watching without arranging several separate activities.

The main caution is simple: this is an active boat day, not a quiet island sightseeing trip. You may need to jump or swim into the water, life jackets are required while swimming, and access to Hidden Beach is limited by permits, tides, weather, and timing. If you want comfort, calm, and a guaranteed beach visit, this may not be your best match.

At about $110 per person, the value depends on how much you use the package. Food, snacks, premium drinks, equipment, entertainment, and roughly six hours on the bay are included. I would consider it a strong deal for an energetic day with friends or family, but less appealing if you do not drink or plan to skip the water activities.

Quick Take: What Makes This Boat Day Worth Considering

• Wildlife can be a major bonus: From December through April, humpback whales may appear in the bay. Dolphins, turtles, rays, seabirds, and tropical fish can also turn up at any time.
• The food and drink package is generous: You receive fruit and pastries in the morning, guacamole and chips during the cruise, and a Mexican fajita lunch with rice, beans, and tortillas.
• Water activities are built into the day: Snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, floating mats, tubes, and waterslides give you plenty to do around the islands.
• Hidden Beach costs extra: The limited permit must be arranged in advance and paid separately in pesos at check-in.
• The boat carries up to 66 people: That leaves room for a social atmosphere, but it may feel busy during popular departures.
• You need to be comfortable in the water: Life jackets are required, and several people found entering the ocean from the boat physically demanding.

Leaving Bay of Banderas With Breakfast and Drinks

The day begins promptly in Bay of Banderas, so take the meeting instructions seriously. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and you must select your meeting place before completing the reservation. If you are coming from Sayulita, transportation to the marina can add about 50 minutes each way, with traffic affecting the return.

Once aboard, the crew starts the service quickly. The morning offering includes fresh seasonal fruit and pastries, along with coffee, juices, soft drinks, and water. The all-day bar includes beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals are available if you request them when booking.

A practical note: breakfast is light. Think fruit and a small pastry, not eggs, bacon, or a full plate of food. A few people found themselves hungry before lunch, so I would eat something before departure if you need a substantial breakfast.

The cruise director and photographer are introduced early. Photos are not included, but you can buy a package or view and purchase images later. The photographer follows the action on the boat and in the water, which can be useful if you want pictures without risking your phone.

The Cruise North Along the Coast

The ride to the islands takes about an hour or more each way. That travel time is part of the experience, but it also shapes the day. You are spending a large portion of the tour on the boat, so think of this as a cruise with activities rather than a short transfer to a beach.

The boat travels along the North Shore of the bay. From December through April, humpback whales are often in these waters. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the crew keeps watch and communicates with other boats. The return route may include stops when whales or other wildlife appear.

The view is open and pleasant, with the Pacific coast slipping by as you settle into the boat’s rhythm. You can sit in the sun, find shade beneath the canopies, listen to music, or start sampling the bar. The mood leans social and lively. This is a good setup for couples, families, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and groups of friends who want a full day out together.

About halfway to the islands, the crew serves guacamole and chips. Potato chips and other snacks are also available. These small servings matter because the morning meal is modest and the main lunch comes later.

Reaching the Marietas Islands and Playa la Nopalera

By late morning, the boat reaches the protected waters of Marietas Islands National Park and anchors for the activity portion of the day. The park is known for unusual rock formations, seabirds, clear water, and marine life. You do not simply walk around the entire island at your own pace. Instead, the crew organizes water-based activities from the boat.

With guidance from the crew, you may swim, kayak, paddle, or snorkel toward Playa la Nopalera. The small beach offers a chance to see seabirds, tropical fish, and coral in a protected setting. The water may be clear, but conditions vary. One family found the snorkeling murky and rushed, so you should keep expectations sensible. This is a group outing with a set schedule, not a private snorkeling trip.

The activity period lasts about an hour before you return to the boat. Some departures divide people into groups, with one group snorkeling, another using the beach, and another playing with the water equipment. The groups then rotate. That system can make the visit feel organized and gives you several ways to enjoy the stop, though your exact time in each activity may feel short.

The water entry is an important point. Several people found that they had to jump from a smaller boat into ocean waves, even when they preferred using a ladder. This can be difficult for older adults, anyone with joint pain, or anyone who is not confident entering open water. Ask the crew about assistance before committing to the swim.

Life jackets are required in the water under the park’s rules. Strong swimmers may find this restrictive, and an ill-fitting vest can rub or make snorkeling less pleasant. Try to check the fit before entering the water and speak up immediately if the jacket feels loose or uncomfortable.

Hidden Beach: A Special Add-On With No Guarantee

Hidden Beach is the most famous image associated with the Marietas Islands, but access is not automatic. A special permit is required, availability is very limited, and you need to request it in advance. There is also an extra fee, paid in pesos at check-in.

Even with a permit, conditions can prevent the visit. Tides, weather, timing, and sea conditions all matter. A delayed departure or engine trouble can mean the water is too high for safe entry. On some days, the tour may visit the beach area or another part of the park instead.

If reaching Hidden Beach is your main reason for booking, contact the operator after reserving and request the permit as early as possible. Do not treat the permit as a promise that you will enter. The swim through the opening is part of the experience, so it requires comfort in the water and reasonable physical ability.

The beach itself is small. That is worth knowing before you pay extra. It can be beautiful and memorable, but it is not a large stretch of sand where you will spend half the afternoon. One person felt the island stop was underwhelming without access to the famous cave, while others considered the swim and unusual setting well worth the effort.

Lunch, Waterslides, and the Floating Fun Factory

After the island activities, you return to the main boat for lunch. The meal is Mexican fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available when requested ahead of time.

The food receives generally strong praise, though expectations should stay practical. It is a catered boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. Portions and quality can vary by personal taste, but the combination is filling and far more useful than a simple snack after a morning in the water.

After lunch, the boat becomes the base for more play. You can use the waterslides, paddleboards, kayaks, tubes, floating mattresses, and snorkeling gear. Some people spend the afternoon jumping in and out of the water. Others stay aboard with a drink, watch for wildlife, or relax in the shade.

The boat’s layout helps here. You are not forced to participate in every activity. Families can split up, with children enjoying the water toys while adults sit under the canopy. One family particularly liked the shade, and another found the crew attentive with a five-year-old. Still, the music can be loud, so this may not be the right choice if you want a peaceful afternoon.

The crew is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Names such as Raul, Alex, Saul, Luis, and Ricky appear in praise for keeping the day moving, serving drinks, and looking after people in the water. Service is a central part of the product. You are paying not only for the location, but also for the staff’s energy and attention.

The Return Ride With Wildlife Watching

The trip back takes about an hour. By this stage, people usually settle into the mix of music, drinks, conversation, and ocean views. The cruise director acts as host, encouraging dancing and keeping the atmosphere upbeat.

The crew continues looking for whales, dolphins, turtles, and rays. Humpback whales are the big prize from December through April, and several people saw whales during their outing. Wildlife sightings depend entirely on nature, but the boat’s communication with other vessels improves your odds of hearing about activity nearby.

The return can also be affected by traffic if you are using transportation from Sayulita. Build some flexibility into your evening plans. This is not a tour I would book before a strict dinner reservation or an airport transfer.

Price, Group Size, and Overall Value

At $110 per person, the price includes the boat ride, breakfast, lunch, snacks, premium drinks, water equipment, bathrooms, and entertainment. The package makes the most sense if you plan to eat on board, use several water toys, and enjoy the bar and social atmosphere.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink, do not swim, or mainly want a short sightseeing cruise. You could end up paying for a large package while using only a small part of it. The separate Hidden Beach permit and photo package also increase the final cost.

The maximum group size is 66 people. That is not an intimate outing, but the boat has enough room for different styles of participation. You can socialize or find a quieter corner. During water entry and activity changes, however, the group size may be more noticeable.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. Changes made inside that window are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What to Pack and Who Should Book

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, hat, and a secure way to protect your phone. A waterproof phone case is especially useful because much of the day involves swimming, splashing, and boat entry.

Wear footwear that stays secure. Flip-flops can be awkward around wet boat surfaces, and you should avoid carrying loose items into the water. Drones are prohibited under federal rules because of the flight path of endemic birds.

I think this tour suits you best if you:

• Enjoy a lively group setting with music and a full bar
• Want several water activities in one outing
• Like the idea of whale and dolphin watching
• Are comfortable swimming or entering the water from a boat
• Are traveling with family members who can manage an active day
• Prefer an all-inclusive package over arranging food and equipment separately

I would think twice if you need a quiet boat, easy ladder access, a guaranteed beach visit, or a substantial breakfast. People with limited mobility should ask detailed questions before booking, especially about the jump into the water and required life jacket.

Should You Book the Marietas Islands Tour?

I would book it if you want a social, active day with strong service, plenty of food and drinks, and several ways to enjoy the bay. The crew’s care is the most consistent strength, and wildlife sightings can turn a fun outing into a memorable one.

Book the Hidden Beach permit early, but do not pay for the tour assuming you are guaranteed entry. If the beach is closed, the day still offers snorkeling, kayaking, slides, floating equipment, lunch, music, and wildlife watching. If those extras do not interest you, choose a quieter sightseeing cruise instead.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands tour?

The experience lasts approximately six hours. The listed schedule includes the outward cruise, time at the islands, lunch and water activities, and the return ride.

What is included in the price?

The price includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, premium alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, waterslides, floating mats, water tubes, and onboard bathrooms.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must select your meeting place before submitting the reservation.

Is Hidden Beach included?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate permit and extra fee. Access is limited and should be requested in advance.

Can I visit Hidden Beach without a permit?

No. A special permit is required, and access is controlled by the national park. Weather, tides, timing, and availability can still prevent entry.

Is breakfast a full meal?

Breakfast consists of fresh seasonal fruit and pastries, along with drinks. It is a light meal, so you may want to eat beforehand if you usually need a substantial breakfast.

What food options are available?

The lunch includes Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options are available if requested when booking.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

Yes. The premium open bar includes beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Do I have to wear a life jacket?

Life jackets are required while you are in the water under Marietas Islands National Park rules. Check the fit before entering and ask the crew for help if it is uncomfortable.

Are drones allowed?

No. Drones are prohibited because of federal regulations and the need to protect the flight path of endemic birds.