We had an amazing experience on the big catamaran with Puerto Vallarta Adventures! Everything was absolutely fantastic! The whole trip was perfectly organized, with every little detail taken care of, so we could just relax and enjoy every moment. A huge thank you to the entire crew! Everyone was so friendly, fun, and professional, creating such a great atmosphere throughout the day. Special thanks to Captain Henry and Fernando! You guys made this experience even more memorable! Highly recommend! We would absolutely love to do it again!
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- BBQ lunch at Majahuitas with refreshing drinks.
- Stand-up Paddle Boarding
- Use of snorkel and kayak equipment
Excludes
- Port fees (to be paid in cash at the port)
- Conservation fee to cover at check in
- This tour does not include a visit to the Hidden Beach
- Gratuites
- Hotel pickup and drop off
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Please arrive 30 minutes before departure. Look for the Vallarta Adventures check-in area and staff in turkish blue color uniform. Check in with our team before proceeding to the boarding area.
Return
- Please arrive 30 minutes before departure. Look for the Vallarta Adventures check-in area and staff in turkish blue color uniform. Check in with our team before proceeding to the boarding area.
Itinerary
Explore the stunning Islas Marietas National Park on a scenic boat excursion from Puerto Vallarta. Cruise approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Puerto Mágico to the islands, enjoying views of the Pacific coast and keeping an eye out for marine wildlife along the way. Please note that Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) is not included in this tour. Spend approximately 40 minutes outside the Marietas Islands for sightseeing, birdwatching, and scheduled snorkeling, subject to sea conditions. Then cruise approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to Majahuitas Beach, where you’ll have approximately 2 hours to relax, enjoy a BBQ lunch served around noon, and enjoy the beach surroundings. Juices and coffee are offered on board during the morning journey. After your time at Majahuitas, board the boat for the approximately 1-hour-30-minute return journey to Puerto Mágico. This experience combines scenic cruising, nature observation, snorkeling, and a relaxing beach visit.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
We have taken several excursions with Vallerta Adventures and this one did not disappoint! Snorkeling at the Marieta islands and bird watching was amazing, but the real thrill was the Majahuitas Beach across the bay! During the voyage across the bay, the staff was entertaining and the scenery, as always was amazing. There were birds that flew by the boat the entire trip which was fun to watch. The beach was absolutely gorgeous! The color of the water, the beach and the amenities were top notch! Lunch was served with excellent service and a variety of food to choose from. The surroundings were breathtaking!! The jungle atmosphere made time stand still. The topography was level and good for walking. We will definitely come back to this beach. On the way back to the marina, the crew performed a show that was so entertaining and fun that we're still talking about it today.
OMG!! it was a fantastic time. The crew was great, they had entertainment on the boat ride to the island and back. The island was remarkable. It was full of fun of water sports or you can relax in the sun. Their staff worked hard to make sure we were having fun and enjoying the lunch that was included. It reminded me of the tv show called Gilligan's Island . Don't miss this event. Once you get there, you don't wanna come back! Definitely a must do excursion.😊😊
It was alr ig yk so chill but like there wasn't a lot of time at the waterfall. Would appreciate if we had more time and had lunch at 12 instead of 1 or 2.
We had a great time with the crew and the experience! They were very helpful, friendly, and informative! Would definitely recommend again. Danny and Nolberto was amazing!
Very happy with the experience. Plenty of things to do, good food and plenty of it, treated well all throughout the day.
If you’re considering this boat tour, do it!! You won’t regret it! This was hands down one of the best excursions we’ve ever done and easily the highlight of our trip. The boat crew put on a show from start to finish and kept everyone entertained the entire day. Our kids couldn’t stop talking about it and both said it was the best day ever! We visited two beautiful beaches, went snorkeling, explored a tiny village that was fascinating to see, enjoyed a delicious BBQ lunch, and even got to ride the banana boat. Every part of the day was fun, well organized, and unforgettable. A huge shoutout to Felipe, Fernando, Kevin (or Kellen!), and the entire crew. They were energetic, friendly, hilarious, and truly made the experience so special. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 10/10 would recommend, and we will absolutely be booking this tour again the next time we’re in Puerto Vallarta!
Although it's billed as an "ecotourism" adventure, the vibe isn't that at all. There's a party boat atmosphere both out and back, with open bar and LOUD music. The crew was awesome--very attentive and courteous..We were dropped off to snorkel, but the water was rough and very murky. Also, some small jellyfish were spotted so everyone was called back to the boat. Some in our group went scuba diving and enjoyed it, although the instructions were rudimentary at best. Lunch and the beach were very good. Snorkeling at the beach cove was much better. We enjoyed the day but if you're looking for an eco-tour experience, this may not be the best option.
We had an incredible time on our trip. Since we were in Nuevo Vallarta, our departure was slightly earlier than in Puerto Vallarta. The crew was incredibly attentive and friendly. My kids absolutely adored Majahuitas. The beach was beautiful, and we also enjoyed the banana ride, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. The sea lion encounter was another highlight of our trip. Overall, we had fantastic excursions and highly recommend this tour.
We had another wonderful adventure with Vallarta. The beach lunch was excellent as were the open bar drinks.Chai and his crew were great very friendly and polite.The show they did on the return boat ride was A1
We had a group of 9 people - 7 of which booked under the current promotion of 30% off and two were locals. It was the locals tickets that created such a nightmare. They were about $20 USD less than the other 7. When we arrived, we were required to wait an additional 45 minutes until the internet service opened. My son goes to school in Guadalahara but his home address is with me - his parent. However, his ID showed the Guadalahara address and he was rejected. We had to pay an additional amount, wait around for 1 hour to get it resolved and delay are group of 8 others. Employee Josephie was so rude - obviously it is all about the money. My PR ID didn't even have an address on it but it wasn't a problem at all. Needless to say, it cast a shadow over our group for the entire day. If you plan on signing up as a local, be sure to bring a copy of your lease, electric bill, and multiple other pieces of information to avoid paying twice. They obviously don't appreciate locals.
It was a perfect day! Met at the port and everything was simple with clear directions. The boat was amazing. Our drinks were always refilled and the food/snacks were always available. The staff were extremely friendly, attentive and entertaining. They shared lots of information on the wales, dolphins, and birds we encountered during our trip. The snorkelling was perfect and the lunch at the private beach was beautiful. The day was absolutely perfect!
We had so much fun The personnel made sure of our safety We sent snorkling then lunch and relaxing on the Beach
The tour was great and the crew of Boat 4 for Monday Feb 16 2026 was fenomenal. Every member of the crew wants youth get the experience by taking care of you and make sure you are alright. Couple of notes, there's activities at the beach you can do at no cost and there's basic diving at an extra cost but make sure you do it with Israel as he's the real deal. Note this tour does NOT take you inside of the Marietas Island. The pictures showing the tour are deceiving. Though, it clearly noted you will not go there so they are covered. Again, it was an awesome tour! Solo, couples, families, it's definitely for everyone. And welcome to Mexico everyone! Love it!
The pros: The islands were very interesting, with good snorkeling and lots of bird life. We saw quite a few whales on the boat rides, though they were too far away to see really well. The cons: We spent about 45 minutes snorkeling at the islands, and 90 minutes at Las Caletas for lunch and a bit of beach time. The whole of the rest of the day (7:15 am arrival at the marina, and returned around 4:30 or so, I can't remember exactly) was spent on the boat. To be fair, the boat had engine trouble and didn't go at full speed, so maybe on other days there would have been more time at Las Caletas. But we had a replacement boat for the last leg from Las Caletas back to the marina, and it still took over an hour to get there. Another note: The 7:15 arrival time was so early we couldn't eat breakfast at our hotel. I asked and was told there was no breakfast provided, but it turned out that there was in fact some fruit and a tiny pastry, and then some delicious salsa and chips after the snorkel. If the morning pastry had been larger they could have been justified in saying that the tour included a continental breakfast, which would have saved us bringing muffins all the way from home.
Such a fun trip - we had a shore excursion from Royal Caribbean in Puerto Vallarta and didn’t know what to expect - but dang so well beyond our expectations - from the whales that they made sure we saw - pseudo whale tour I would say to the snorkeling to the relaxing beach afternoon. Sexy Mexy and his crew made sure no one’s drink went empty and kept things livened up with multiple entertaining shows. Thank you!
While the Marietas Islands and Majahuitas Beach were stunning, it was the crew of "Boat 4" that truly made our day unforgettable. From the moment we stepped on board, our "fearless leader" Daniel and his team prioritized our comfort and entertainment with a level of hospitality we've never experienced before. The day was a perfect balance of thoughtful service and unexpected magic. We enjoyed great food and drinks, insightful nature talks, and even a surprise musical performance at the end. The captain even expertly detoured for some unplanned whale watching, and the crew's attention to detail—like rinsing the sand off our feet before we re-boarded—did not go unnoticed. We’ve been on many snorkeling tours, but none compare to the camaraderie of this team. We felt like family and left with memories to last a lifetime. Viva Familia Tequila!
From the time we checked in with coffee while we waited, the entire day was so much fun! Starting off with a few whale sightings as we headed out to the island, the Tequila crew was always there with drinks, goodies and always watching over us as we snorkeled, did some water sports and relaxed after a delicious lunch on the beach. Topped off with the crew and their singing and dancing skills, it made for the perfect day!! Thank you
Loved the Marietas Island and beach BBQ experience! Small regret though: not asking the name of the guy with an Australian accent who made sure I was okay when I cut my foot. We shared a few smiles but no names missed opportunity!
The crew on boat B4 on Dec. 23, 2025 were excellent! So hardworking and ensured everyone was having a great time and were safe in the water. They kept the awesome tunes going and the cups flowing with delicious drinks. It felt like they were well honed hosts at a nightclub. We saw humpback whales and dolphins. The on board entertainment was a highlight - so fun! Thank you for creating such a beautiful day for our family. Familia tequila!
The advertisement is misleading. This trip does not take you to the hidden beach otherwise it was a decent experience.
On the way to Marietas Islands our captain slowed so we could watch whales. An awesome sight. We stayedas long as thewhaleswereactive. Lots of fish to see at the location we snorkled. Be aware that park regulations require everyone who snorkles at the park to wear a life jacket, to preserve the coral. Our guide Luis and the boat captain got us up close to the islands, very educational. Majahitas Beach was great, somethingforeveryone. Lunch at Calientas beach was good, great setting, but a bit rushed-we assume they had to make up whale watching time. Fun, attentive, efficient crew. Extremely organized. Breakfast on the boat of rolls, fruit, juice, and coffee was a nice surprise. Snack and drinks after snorkeling was good. We were told to check in at 7:15, boat boarded at 8:15. This tour is a great way to spend the day.
Went on the Marietas islands trip and Majahuitas beach bbq, snorkeling and kayaking, with Capitan Henrry, crew Luis, Marvin, Armando, Franchesco and Francisco. It was amazing! Saw humpback whales, dolphins and turtle on the boat ride out, the water was sooooo warm! I was expecting colder ocean water out there by the islands but it was like being in a nice warm pool. Water was clear, saw many tropical fish, the ocean was very safe and the crew checked on everyone often. Majahuitas beach was beautiful, the lunch was delicious. The crew was spectacular. They were so friendly, warm, knowledgeable, they looked like they were having fun and they worked so hard to make sure our trip was perfect. Highly recommend, great time.
This excursion was the highlight of my cruise. The staff was phenomenal in their service. Danny, our guide was knowledgeable and hilarious. The whole staff entertained us during the long ride back to shore. The snorkeling was short—about 30 minutes. The water was pretty clear and there were lots of beautiful fish. You must wear a life jacket while in the water, which was annoying, but it was just a small thing. We happened to see whales while we were out, which was a lucky bonus. They took great pictures of everyone for a reasonable price. Great job guys!!
Great expeierence! Amazing! Every single detail, every single moment, they make it special. We came from Tijuana, BC, MX., and it has been one of the most great experiencie of my life. The staff is pretty kind, the best ones. Thank you Lucas, Angel, Daniel, bartender and staff. Thank you! Dante.
Snorkeling visibility during rainy season is terrible. The birds are cool. The lunch was quite good. Boat crew were great.
Dani and crew on Boat 1 did an amazing job. The weather wasn’t the best, but a good time was had and was well worth the money. Plenty of fish and other wildlife seen at the Marieta Islands. Great lunch was provided after the snorkeling while we were moving to the beach for another hour of fun. While at the beach, more food was provided as well as drinks that continued to flow. The last leg back to port was an entertainment filled hour provided by the crew…singing, dancing, and lip sync/air guitar shenanigans. Great excursion guys!!
Crew was great 👍 Beach time at Majahuitas was too short, too rushed, we were back at 3pm at port. Islas Marietas snorkeling was waste of time, no visibility so could have had more beach time at Majahuitas!!
Amazing and entertaining. Dani and his grew were the best. Great service and entertainment. Snorkeling and lunch were great.
If I could give six stars, I would. At the end of our week in Puerto Vallarta, I asked my family (2 adults, 3 kids) for their trip highlight—every single one of us chose this tour. We were picked up in Nuevo Nayarit, stopped in Puerto Vallarta to pick up more passengers, and then continued to Isla Marietas. If you're prone to seasickness, consider taking medication. We had no issues, but some other passengers did feel sick. Cruising across Bahia de Banderas was a highlight. Our guide, Mr. Luis, made the ride both informative and fun—more like a lively tour-meets-boat-party than just a transfer. We mainly booked for the snorkeling, especially for our daughter who is nine. The water was rough that day, and it was almost canceled, but the crew found a calmer spot. Snorkeling with three kids was a challenge, but the crew was incredibly helpful. We also spotted blue-footed boobies near the island! On the way to the beach, Captain Ricardo spotted a pod of dolphins—including babies! Watching them from the top deck was pure magic and a total surprise in the off-season. The beach stop was stunning. Lunch was delicious, and we enjoyed a banana boat ride and kayaking. On the way back, we even saw sea turtles! An unforgettable day and the absolute highlight of our trip.
Staff onboard were outstanding. Constantly feeding and watering us. Many non alcoholic and alcoholic options. Alcohol was not served until after the snorkeling. Very smart. Continental breakfast on ship great and lunch on shore was the best meal we had in PV! Lots of shade on board, not overcrowded. Mixed crowd. So many activities to enjoy on shore. Timing was unrushed. Just a great day. Don’t miss it!
This tour was amazing. The crew did an excellent job keeping everyone happy, entertained and safe. The snacks and drinks were really good and constantly the crew kept checking on us. Snorkeling was wonderful, I always felt that my family and I were safe. The food and activities in Majauitas were great, too. They all deserve 5 stars. We’ll be back.
we were wary due to some previous reviews, but ended up having a great time on this excursion thanks to boat #1 with danny!!! we came from nuevo vallarta, so it was a short stop to pick up the people from puerto vallarta (they do the reverse on the way back so its fair to everyone) before heading out to the marietas islands. since the islands are still in the bay, there are no crazy swells so i wouldn’t worry if you are someone that gets seasick. on the way to the islands, we even saw a couple dolphins :) there are no drinks before the snorkeling to make sure everyone is safe despite previous reviews saying otherwise, we had a good 1 hour in the water to snorkel! there are a good amount of fish to see and they are diverse as well! we recommend going out to the edges of the rocks, as that is where the coral are and the fish :) there are also photographers with vallarta adventures that help you capture the moment, but i did wish i had a waterproof phone case or a gopro to take photos underwater. after snorkeling, they take you around the islands to see the blue-footed booby and the magnificent frigatebirds that are around! then the open bar begins as you make your way to the beach bbq. the beach bbq did have some vegetarian options (rice, pasta, salad, potatoes, bread), which was a nice surprise! there are only a couple kayaks and paddle boards, but it seemed like those who wanted to do it were able to try it out for at least a couple minutes. overall, the trip is what you make of it! the islands are beautiful, and we had an amazing time thanks to an amazing crew for a hassle-free experience.
The tour promises a lot including we thought hidden beach. It’s a relatively expensive trip as well. After a reasonably long boat ride we got to the islands which are not especially pretty or remarkable - snorkeling with several hundred people in life jackets with poor visibility - saw some fish but it’s not exactly the barrier reef. We sailed past hidden beach and saw - a shallow cave. That was it. Another long boat ride but they cracked out the beer and fruit punch. Crew were fun, there was karaoke. The bbq beach was again unremarkable and the food pretty awful. The promised activities consisted of an old paddle board and some other bits of worn out equipment which in the time allowed about 2 people got to use. Long trip back - more booze and singing. Pretty crap trip to be honest. Take my advice and don’t waste your time.
Had a great time. My 7yr old loved it. Water was a bit chilly during thay time but wet suit helped. Music was a bit too much at times but overall ok.
This trip was a fun day of snorkeling, water, activities, beach, lounging, eating, drinking, and laughing. It was a really fun day, but the crew really made it that much more! A couple things to know are there that this might be the only company that does a pick up north of PV. If you want to save some time and not go into town, this is your best bet. Also, on the day we went the water was a bit choppy. Be prepared!
We were a group of 16 friends in our mid 20s and were a little hesitant initially as we didn’t know what to expect. However, the friendly / fun staff on boat 4 with captain juan were incredible. The lunch on the beach was amazing and was located at this super cool beach restaurant with hammocks, ample seating, and delicious bbq chicken, ribs, coleslaw, salad, pasta and more, and the open bar was also great! If you’re looking for a little adventure and willing to learn a little more about the birds on the island, snorkel, and eat great food with a fun crew, this is the trip for you! While we took advantage of the open bar, there were families and kids on board and felt like it would be an equally great experience for them as well.
Great time - one of our key highlights of our trip. Would have been nicer to have another hour at the island but the team did a fab job with experience & show.
My mother and I had a wonderful time in this fun filled boat. The water was murky, so we did not see a lot of fish but it was still fun swimming around the island. The service was amazing and very entertaining! We enjoyed relaxing at the private beach with great photo ops! The food was tasty and plentiful.
They did a really nice job with the tour. Everyone was very nice. The lunch location was picturesque and the food and drinks were yummy. Didn't see anything with the snorkeling and the water was very cold. Not the fault of the touring company of course but if snorkeling is very important to you then I would book a different tour. We saw mother and baby dolphins on the ride back which was a highlight!
I was told by the representative from grey line tours that the boat taking us was a catamaran with pictures of a beautiful 35’ power sail, like you’d see in Hawaii. Instead what we got was a catamaran ferry with a 135 people on board. Not the experience I wanted or thought I was buying. I recognize that the Vallarta adventures and the sales rep are not the same company, but he was representing them. The service was good and no complaints about the trip, but be aware and look it up online before you purchase anything.
Took my family here for a full day trip. Dani was such a great host and guide. He’s so knowledgeable and so entertaining! Him and his team went above and beyond to ensure that there was never a dull moment at any given time throughout the trip. Such a great experience. Thanks Dani!!
WE were on boat 3 with Pancho and had a great time. The snorkeling was cold, but nice. The entertainment from Pancho and the crew was great! The service was amazing! WE also saw a pacific mantra ray. The best was when the boat slowed down so we could watch a humpback whale slap its pectoral fins on the water, and then it breached a lot for us!!!!
90% plus of the time is on a boat with very little time for snorkeling (maybe 30 minutes tops) and you will need to be very fast if you are going to do any kayaking or paddle boarding. The time spent doing activities feels very rushed. However, there is good service for drinks and the lunch is excellent and the location for lunch is great. However I would not recommend this tour. Perhaps if we went to two locations rather then three it would have felt less rushed with more time for activities.
Danny and the crew of boat B4 were great hosts and kind friendly people. I can’t remember seeing an itinerary of what was going to happen and being an anal Brit I missed being informed. But Danny soon put pay to that as he gave us all the info on the days activities as we left the harbour. All in all an excellent package of fun, adventure, good food and drink and interesting info on this very special place.
It was a fun day. Really enjoyed the snorkelling even though the water was somewhat murky. Could have been a little more information about the island and the wildlife. The beach stop felt rushed, particularly related to kayaking or paddle boarding. The lunch stop was a highlight, with great food and scenery. Despite some of the shortfalls, it was still worth it.
We were absolutely blown away by this tour! We received so much more than we expected; other than the beach BBQ, they also provided breakfast, snacks and an open bar on the boat. All of the food was incredible. The views at the islands and Majahuitas beach were absolutely breathtaking. The crew was fantastic as well! They were all so kind and accommodating and really made the experience special. They even danced and put on a show for us! Luis was our tour guide, and he was the best! We also purchased the photo package, which was definitely worth the money. We received about 65 photos and a fun drone video for $90 USD. Everyone said this was by far the best experience of our trip and worth every penny and more! Two small notes: We only got about 20ish minutes to snorkel, so if that's the main draw for you, just be aware. And second, when we booked the tour, it said it was at 8am, but when we got the confirmation email, we found out check-in was actually 6:45am. Overall, we would highly, highly recommend!!!
This excursion is not as advertised and a waste of money. Snorkeling in very cold, murky water with zero visibility. 115 people were scrambling to get back in the boat including young children who were very cold. The beach BBQ ( food not great and over cooked) offers only a few paddle boards and kayaks and no time to use them because of a hurried lunch..total excursion 8 hours!! Other excursions are great but this one is a total bust in all regards .
On March 21st my husband and I went on the Marietas Island and BBQ tour. It was wonderful. Sexy Mexy and the whole crew in boat 6 provided amazing customer service and entertainment. The show on the way back to port was so fun!! The beach portion was very fun, except it was way too short! By the time we hiked to the beach and went in the water we only had 45 mins to eat and then we had to leave. But we still enjoyed it the waves and the bbq really was delicious as the reviews mentioned. The best part of the whole tour was seeing the whales!!! I’ve never seen them before so it was a sight to see. The downfall of the trip was the snorkeling. We couldn’t go to the first stop because there were loads of jellyfish and the second spot was too deep so you couldn’t see any fish really. Just a handful so that part was very disappointing, but you can’t control nature so I can’t blame to the tour. I highly recommend Vallarta adventures for tours! Would use them again.
The crew were very friendly, attentive and fun! The captain stopped so we could enjoy whale watching. The food and drinks were amazing. The snorkelling was disappointing as it was murky and we couldn’t really see anything. Not the fault of the company though; can’t control nature. After lunch we were supposed to have time to kayak. Since we were told we were leaving in 15-20 minutes we didn’t get to experience this activity which was disappointing.
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