Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

The best part of this Marietas Islands boat tour is the mix of wildlife, water play, and easygoing boat time. You cruise across Banderas Bay, watch for humpback whales from December through April, then reach the islands by small boat for a wet landing at Playa La Nopalera. I especially like the excellent crew service and the fact that breakfast, guacamole, lunch, drinks, kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear are all covered.

You also get two details that make this feel more than a basic island transfer: a large boat with a waterslide and an onboard photographer who follows the action. The main catch is simple but important: getting to the island and snorkel area requires swimming from a smaller boat, so this is not a good fit if you have limited mobility or are uncomfortable in open water. Also, the famous enclosed hidden beach shown in some promotional images is not part of this outing.

What makes this Marietas tour worth considering

• Whale watching from December through April: The captain may pause when humpback whales appear in Banderas Bay.
• A wet landing at Playa La Nopalera: You swim from a smaller boat to reach the beach and marine reserve.
• Real water-play equipment: Use kayaks, paddleboards, snorkels, floating mats, and the boat’s waterslide.
• Food from breakfast through lunch: Fresh fruit, muffins, guacamole with blue corn chips, and Mexican fajitas are included.
• A roomy boat with attentive service: You can join the action or stay aboard with a drink and ocean views.
• The hidden beach costs extra: This tour visits Playa La Nopalera, not the enclosed cove often shown in island photos.

A floating base for the Marietas Islands

Chica Locca’s six-hour outing is less a quiet nature cruise than a full water day built around a comfortable boat. You spend a good part of the trip aboard a roomy vessel with upper and lower areas, places to sit, a waterslide, and a full supply of water toys.

That setup matters because the Marietas Islands are only one part of the day. You may spend several hours moving between cruising, swimming, snorkeling, eating, relaxing, and watching the crew keep drinks and equipment moving. If you want a calm ride with occasional activities, you can stay on the boat and enjoy the bay. If you want constant action, the kayak, paddleboard, snorkel gear, floating mats, and slide give you plenty to do.

I like this balance. A smaller excursion focused only on snorkeling can feel disappointing if the sea is rough or visibility is poor. Here, the boat itself remains part of the attraction. One caution: the music, drinks, and waterslide give the trip a social, party-boat feel. You should not book it expecting a silent wildlife expedition.

Leaving from Nuevo Vallarta or Sayulita

You can begin at Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier or at the Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y Usa location. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check it carefully before you set out.

One particularly useful detail is the transportation from Sayulita. The meeting point there was described as easy to reach, with comfortable transportation to the marina. That makes the tour more practical if you are staying in Sayulita rather than near Nuevo Vallarta.

Bring a swimsuit and towel. I would also pack sun protection and a waterproof phone case, since the wet landing makes carrying an ordinary camera awkward. The photographer can take pictures on the island and around the boat, but those photos are not included in the price.

The cruise across Banderas Bay

The outward cruise follows the northern shore of Banderas Bay toward the islands. You get broad coastal views, an ocean breeze, and a chance to spot marine life before the active part of the day begins.

From December through April, humpback whales pass through these waters. The captain has stopped several times to let people watch whales, even when whale watching was not the main purpose of the trip. You might also see sea turtles, rays, tropical birds, and blue-footed boobies. A particularly memorable sight can be boobies flying and fishing near the boat.

Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and sea conditions affect how close you can get. Still, the cruise gives you something worthwhile even before you reach the islands. If whale watching is your main goal, book during the December to April season and treat any sighting as a bonus rather than a promise.

Breakfast arrives during the cruise. It includes fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. It is a light continental meal rather than a full hot breakfast, so you may want to eat something before boarding if you need a substantial start to the day.

Reaching Playa La Nopalera by wet landing

The Marietas Islands are a protected marine area formed by volcanic rock, sea caves, cliffs, and clear tropical water. Your guided visit takes you toward Playa La Nopalera, a beach reached by water rather than by road.

The landing is part of the adventure. You transfer to a smaller boat, then swim to shore with the guide. You need to be comfortable entering the water, moving through it, and getting back into the smaller boat afterward. Life vests and snorkel equipment are provided, and the crew supervises the water activities.

The beach time is not long. One estimate put the time on the island at around 20 minutes, which is enough to look around, take photos, and enjoy the setting, but not enough for a slow beach afternoon. The photographer can come ashore, which is useful because your own camera may be hard to manage during the wet landing.

Here is the key point for planning: Playa La Nopalera is not the famous hidden beach with the enclosed cove often shown in pictures of the Marietas Islands. Access to that site requires a separate option and an extra payment. If seeing the hidden beach is the central reason you want to visit, confirm the exact package before booking. If you mainly want island scenery, a guided wet landing, snorkeling, and water activities, La Nopalera still gives you a worthwhile visit.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and open-water fun

After the guided portion, you have free time for swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and floating. This is where the tour works best for groups with different interests. One person can snorkel, another can paddleboard, and someone else can remain on the boat with a drink.

The gear includes snorkels, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattresses, and life vests. The equipment has been described as good quality, which matters when you are climbing into a kayak or trying to adjust a mask in moving water.

Snorkeling conditions can change sharply. High swells have sometimes forced the crew to use a different area, and poor conditions can make the underwater viewing disappointing. The fish and clear water can be excellent when the sea cooperates, but I would not choose this tour based on snorkeling alone. The boat, food, wildlife viewing, and other water toys help protect the value of the day if visibility is not at its best.

You should also be honest about your swimming comfort. The water entry is not simply a step from a dock onto a beach. You may need to swim from the small boat and climb back aboard after the activity. The experience is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and that limitation is worth taking seriously.

Food and drinks from morning to return

The all-inclusive setup is one of the strongest practical features. You receive breakfast early in the cruise, fresh guacamole with blue corn chips on the way to the islands, and a Mexican fajita lunch after the water activities.

Lunch includes beef, chicken, or a vegetarian fajita option, along with rice, beans, and local corn tortillas. The food is convenient and filling after swimming. Some people may find the breakfast too light or the lunch a little plain, so bring realistic expectations. Hot sauce or extra seasoning may not be available, although you can ask the crew.

The beverage service includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks. The crew serves drinks throughout the day, and the attentive service is a major part of the appeal.

I would pace yourself. Alcohol, strong sun, salt water, and a moving boat can catch up with you quickly. You can enjoy the open bar without making it the focus of the outing, especially before swimming or kayaking.

The return cruise and onboard atmosphere

After lunch, you have more time for ocean play or relaxation before the return trip. The boat’s slide is a real draw for families and adults who want a little more action. The upper and lower decks give you choices: sit in the sun, find shade, watch the water, or join the music and drinks.

The return ride has a more festive feel. You can have another drink, listen to music, dance, or simply watch the coastline pass by. The boat has enough room to walk around and find a comfortable place, which helps prevent the six-hour outing from feeling cramped.

The professional photographer works throughout the day, capturing swimming, sliding, snorkeling, and posed pictures. You can view and purchase the images afterward if you did not pre-book them. This is useful if you want photos from the wet landing, since keeping your own camera dry and secure can be difficult.

What the $131 price really covers

At $131 per person, the price is not just for a boat ride to the islands. It includes transportation on the water, a six-hour outing, a guided island visit, breakfast, snacks, lunch, a broad open bar, water equipment, life vests, supervision, and access to the waterslide.

That package can be good value if you plan to use several parts of it. A couple who eats the meals, snorkels, kayaks, enjoys drinks, and spends time on the slide gets more from the price than someone who only wants to sit quietly and take pictures.

The value is less clear if your main goal is the hidden beach or serious snorkeling. The hidden beach is not included, and sea conditions can limit underwater visibility. In that case, compare the package carefully with a tour that specifically includes the cove or gives more time at a snorkeling site.

The 4.7 rating from 40 ratings reflects a strong overall response, with particular praise for the crew, boat space, food, drinks, whale sightings, and smooth organization. The weaker points are consistent too: breakfast may feel light, lunch may need more seasoning, and snorkeling can suffer in rough water.

Who will enjoy this boat day most

I would recommend this outing for families with older children, couples, groups of friends, and anyone who wants a social day on the water rather than a strict sightseeing program. Children have been carefully supervised by the crew, and the waterslide and floating equipment give younger passengers plenty to do.

It also suits people who like choice. You can swim to shore, snorkel, paddle, or stay aboard and watch the scenery. That flexibility is valuable when your group does not share the same energy level.

I would be cautious if you have mobility limitations, do not swim confidently, or want a quiet nature trip. The wet landing and small-boat transfers require physical effort. I would also choose another package if the famous hidden beach is essential to your plans.

Cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. The guides speak English and Spanish. Check the departure location and starting time when booking, since both can vary by option.

Should you book the Marietas Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want an active, well-fed, well-serviced day that combines island scenery, possible whale watching, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, a waterslide, and an open bar. The crew service is the tour’s strongest feature, and the roomy boat gives you a comfortable fallback when the sea or your energy level changes.

Think twice if you want a quiet wildlife trip, a guaranteed snorkeling experience, or the famous hidden beach. For most able-bodied visitors who see the Marietas Islands as one part of a lively day on Banderas Bay, the $131 price is reasonable. Just bring a swimsuit, towel, and waterproof phone case, and confirm that Playa La Nopalera, rather than the hidden beach, matches what you want to see.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including the cruise across Banderas Bay, the guided visit to the Marietas Islands, water activities, meals, and the return trip.

Where does the tour depart?

The available starting points are Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier and Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y Usa. The meeting point depends on the option you book.

Is the hidden beach included?

No. This tour visits Playa La Nopalera. Access to the enclosed hidden beach shown in some Marietas Islands images requires a separate option and an additional payment.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. You also receive fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and a Mexican fajita lunch with beef, chicken, or a vegetarian option, plus rice, beans, and corn tortillas.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks.

What water activities are available?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, and use a water mattress. The boat also has a waterslide, and the equipment and life vests are included.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The wet landing and small-boat transfer require swimming and physical movement, so the activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.