Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

A waterslide belongs on every island day. Chica Locca’s six-hour Marietas Islands trip mixes a scenic Banderas Bay cruise with snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, food, and a very well-stocked bar. I especially like the spacious boat and the crew’s attentive service, with guides such as Saul and Kano earning repeated praise for keeping the day lively and well organized. The main catch is that reaching Playa La Nopalera requires a wet landing and a swim from a smaller boat, so this is not a good fit if you have mobility limits or dislike entering the water.

You get a lot for the $131 price: breakfast, guacamole, a Mexican fajita lunch, quality water equipment, and drinks ranging from coffee and juice to beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. I also like the chance to see humpback whales from December through April. Just know that the famous enclosed beach shown in some promotional images is not part of this trip unless you book an additional option.

Key points to know before booking

• Playa La Nopalera requires a wet landing: You swim from a smaller boat to reach the island, then swim back.
• The boat is part of the attraction: Expect waterslides, paddleboards, kayaks, snorkel gear, floating mats, and room to relax.
• Food is included throughout the day: Fresh fruit and muffins begin the morning, followed by guacamole and chips, then fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas.
• Whale sightings are seasonal: Humpback whales visit Banderas Bay from December through April, with turtles and rays possible year-round.
• The famous hidden beach is not included: This tour goes to Playa La Nopalera, a different island beach.
• The strongest feature is the crew: Service is attentive, friendly, and active without forcing you into every water activity.

Why this Marietas Islands tour is different

Many boat trips to the Marietas Islands focus almost entirely on getting you there, taking a few photographs, and bringing you back. This Chica Locca trip treats the boat itself as a floating playground.

You can slide into the sea, paddle a kayak, stand on a paddleboard, float on a water mattress, or simply sit upstairs with a drink and watch the coast pass by. That makes the tour a good choice for mixed groups. One person can snorkel while another stays on deck with a coffee. Children can enjoy the water toys, while adults can settle into a shaded or sunny spot.

The setting is the real prize. The Marietas Islands sit in a protected marine area off the coast of Jalisco, at the mouth of Banderas Bay. Volcanic rock formations rise from the Pacific, and the surrounding water supports tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, and seabirds. Blue-footed boobies are one of the memorable sights, and you may see birds fishing near the boat.

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach the islands. But the fare covers transport by boat, two meals, snacks, the full open bar, guide support, and use of all the water gear. If you would otherwise pay separately for lunch, drinks, snorkel rental, and a whale-watching cruise, the price makes more sense.

Starting from Puerto Vallarta’s north shore

You can depart from either the Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier or the Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y usa location. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check it carefully before setting out.

The cruise runs along the northern shore of Banderas Bay. This is not dead time. You get broad views of the coast, open ocean, and the changing shape of the bay as the boat heads toward the islands.

A breakfast of fresh seasonal fruit, muffins, juice, and coffee is served early in the trip. It is a light meal rather than a full hot breakfast, which is worth knowing if you wake up hungry. One person specifically wished for meat or cheese at breakfast, though the fruit and muffin combination works well as a simple start before water activities.

The crew begins beverage service early, with water, mineral water, coffee, tea, juices, and sodas available. Alcoholic drinks include beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. Service is notably hands-on. You do not need to spend the day lining up at a bar, as the crew regularly checks on people.

Whale watching across Banderas Bay

From December through April, humpback whales use these waters. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the captain may slow or stop when whales appear, even if whale watching is not the central purpose of the trip.

This flexibility can make the cruise much better than a strict point-to-point transfer. Several outings included multiple whale sightings, including a pair of humpbacks seen on the way to the islands. Turtles and rays are possible throughout the year, and you may also spot seabirds working the water beside the boat.

Keep your phone or camera ready during the crossing, but protect it from spray. The most exciting wildlife moments can happen before you reach the Marietas Islands, when everyone is still settling into the day.

A serving of fresh guacamole with blue corn chips arrives during the cruise. It is a useful snack before the main water portion, and it fits the relaxed Mexican holiday mood better than a packet of packaged food.

Arriving at Playa La Nopalera

The trip’s island stop takes place at Playa La Nopalera in Islas Marietas National Park. With the guide’s help, you transfer to a smaller boat, then swim toward shore. This is called a wet landing because your feet, clothing, and anything you carry can get wet.

The swim and transfer are important practical details. You need to feel comfortable in open water, manage a return climb into the smaller boat, and handle the movement caused by waves. Life vests and snorkel equipment are supplied, and guides supervise the activities, but you still need enough strength and confidence to take part.

Once ashore, you get roughly 20 minutes to look around and enjoy the beach area. That is enough for a quick visit, photographs, and a taste of the island. It is not enough for a long beach afternoon, so think of this as one part of a boat-based day rather than a traditional beach excursion.

The island is beautiful because of its volcanic forms, clear water, and protected wildlife. The marine reserve setting also explains why conditions can affect the schedule. Strong swells may force the boat to use a different snorkeling area or adjust the order of activities.

One point deserves special attention: Playa La Nopalera is not the famous enclosed cove beach often shown in Marietas Islands advertising. If seeing that particular beach is your main goal, check the extra option carefully and pay for it if available. This tour can still be excellent, but you should book it for the full boat-and-island day rather than for one famous photograph.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and time on the water

After the guided landing, you have free time for the included water activities. Snorkeling lets you look for tropical fish around the island, while kayaking and paddleboarding provide a slower way to enjoy the cliffs and sea.

The water equipment includes snorkels, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, and life vests. Having it all on board saves you from arranging separate rentals and lets you change activities without extra fees.

Snorkeling conditions are not always perfect. High swells can reduce visibility and make it harder to reach the usual snorkeling spot. One outing had disappointing snorkeling because of rough water, despite the good-quality equipment. That is a reminder to keep expectations realistic. The islands are a protected marine area, but the Pacific does not promise calm water every day.

When conditions cooperate, the snorkeling can be excellent, with plenty of colorful fish and clear water. You may also see sea turtles or rays during the wider cruise and water time. The crew’s water guides help with the gear and keep an eye on the active areas, which is especially useful for families and less confident swimmers.

You are not required to join every activity. The upper and lower decks provide space for sitting, sunbathing, and watching the action. This flexibility helped one party with mobility and comfort concerns enjoy the day without entering the water.

Lunch, drinks, and the return cruise

After the island activities, lunch is served back on the boat. The main meal is Mexican fajitas, with a choice of beef, chicken, or vegetarian filling, plus rice, beans, and local corn tortillas.

The food is practical and filling after swimming. Some people found lunch good but a little bland, and hot sauce would have improved it for them. If you like stronger seasoning, ask what sauces are available rather than expecting a fiery meal.

The open bar continues through lunch and on the ride home. Unlimited service has real value here because a six-hour boat outing can otherwise become expensive once drinks are added. You can keep it simple with coffee, water, or soda, or order beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, or piña coladas.

The return cruise becomes more social. Music, dancing, drinks, and the ocean breeze take over as the boat heads back across Banderas Bay. You can join the party or remain on deck with the views. The boat has enough room to walk around and several places to sit, so you are not confined to one crowded bench.

That spacious layout is one of the tour’s best practical features. A comfortable boat matters on a six-hour outing, especially after you have been swimming and sitting in the sun.

The crew and photographer

The service is a major reason this tour earns such strong marks. The crew is attentive without making the day feel stiff. Drinks arrive quickly, safety support is constant around the water, and the guides keep the activities moving.

Saul is one of the crew members singled out for taking excellent care of people. Kano also made a strong impression, not only through the tour service but by sharing recommendations for local taco spots afterward. Those small touches give the outing a friendly, local feel.

A photographer works aboard the boat and captures action shots throughout the day. The photographer may also come ashore during the wet landing and help arrange photographs on the beach.

Photos are not included in the price. You can view and purchase them later, and you should expect an additional charge if you want a set. A waterproof case is useful if you plan to bring your own camera, since reaching shore involves getting wet. Otherwise, the photographer may be your easiest way to get dry photos of the island activities.

Who will enjoy this boat trip most

I would choose this excursion for an active family, a couple wanting a full day on the water, or a group with different ideas about fun. The boat gives you more to do than a simple island transfer, and the food and drinks remove much of the usual day-trip planning.

It is especially well suited to people who like variety. You can watch whales, eat breakfast, snack on guacamole, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, visit the island, slide into the sea, and finish with a drink and music.

It is less suitable if you have mobility impairments or cannot comfortably swim from a smaller boat to shore. The beach access is not a walk-off landing from a dock. You must manage the water transfer and return climb.

It may also disappoint you if snorkeling is your only reason for booking. Pacific conditions can change, and high swells may affect both the snorkeling location and visibility. If your priority is guaranteed calm water or a long stay on a particular beach, this is not the safest choice.

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone case is wise, especially if you want pictures during the wet landing. Photos cost extra, and the meeting point can vary, so confirm both details before the morning of your tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is offered in English and Spanish.

Should you book the Chica Locca Marietas tour?

Book it if you want a lively, well-served day that combines wildlife, island scenery, water sports, meals, and drinks in one price. The crew, roomy boat, waterslide, and flexible activity list make this more than a basic snorkeling transfer.

Skip it if you need easy shore access, want a long quiet beach stay, or are booking mainly to see the famous enclosed beach. Also allow for changing sea conditions, especially if snorkeling is your top priority.

For most active visitors staying near Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, or the north side of Banderas Bay, the $131 cost is fair. You are paying for a full six-hour outing with food, an open bar, equipment, guides, and the chance to see whales in season. Just book with the right expectations: this is a social floating adventure with a short island visit, not a secluded beach day.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands boat tour last?

The tour lasts six hours, including the cruise across Banderas Bay, breakfast, the guided island visit, water activities, lunch, and the return trip.

What food is included?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

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

Which water activities are included?

You can use the snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, and other water equipment without an additional activity fee.

Do I need to swim to reach Playa La Nopalera?

Yes. The island visit involves transferring to a smaller boat and swimming to shore for the wet landing. You also need to swim back and get into the smaller boat again.

Is the famous hidden beach included?

No. This tour visits Playa La Nopalera. The enclosed cove beach shown in some images is not included unless you book an additional option.

Can I see whales on this tour?

Humpback whales inhabit Banderas Bay from December through April. Sightings are possible but are not guaranteed. Sea turtles and rays may be seen throughout the year.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof case can help protect your camera or phone during the wet landing.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide service is offered in English and Spanish.