Islas Marietas & BBQ lunch at Majahuitas

The best part of this day is the mix of open-water wildlife and active stops. You may spot dolphins in Banderas Bay, humpback whales in season, and blue-footed boobies near the Marietas Islands, all before lunch on a beautiful beach at Majahuitas. It is part boat excursion, part floating party, and part easygoing water adventure.

I like the excellent crew service, with guides such as Poncho and Dani praised for handling safety, drinks, commentary, and even a comic musical show on the return trip. I also like the strong lunch stop, which gives you a proper meal in a scenic setting rather than another snack eaten at sea.

The main catch is time. You spend most of the day aboard the boat, and snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding can feel rushed when the schedule moves between three locations. If you want long, quiet hours in the water, this is not the right trip.

Key points to know before booking

• Wildlife comes first: Dolphins are possible year-round, while humpback whales are seasonal and never guaranteed.
• Three water activities are offered: You can use the snorkel gear, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, but you may not have time for all three.
• Majahuitas is a highlight: The BBQ lunch, drinks, scenery, and beach setting often make this the most satisfying stop.
• Expect a full day at sea: The tour lasts about seven hours, with no hotel pickup and a maximum group size of 100.
• Bring cash and a towel: The port fee is MX$40 per person, the conservation fee is MX$20, and towels are not provided.
• Prepare for a wet reboarding: There are no docks at the stops. You jump into the water and climb back aboard using small metal ladders.

A seven-hour day from Puerto Vallarta

This tour leaves at 7:00 a.m. from Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio. You arrange your own way to the meeting point, then pay the MX$40 port fee in Mexican cash. A separate MX$20 conservation fee is collected at check-in.

The $99 price looks fair if you want a full day with equipment, food, drinks, guides, and several types of entertainment bundled together. It is less compelling if your main goal is serious snorkeling, since the time in the water can be short. You are paying for the whole package: the boat ride, wildlife search, beach lunch, open bar, equipment, and crew-led atmosphere.

The boat returns to the meeting point at the end of the day. Do not treat this as a cruise ship excursion. The early start and local schedule make it unsuitable for cruise passengers with a fixed ship departure.

Watching dolphins across Banderas Bay

Once the boat leaves Puerto Vallarta, the first stretch takes you across Banderas Bay. The crew keeps watch for Pacific bottlenose dolphins, spotted dolphins, and spinner dolphins. The sightings are wild and unpredictable, so you should think of them as a lucky part of the crossing rather than a guaranteed performance.

This is also where the length of the boat ride becomes clear. The bay is large, and the tour spends much of its time moving between stops. That gives you a wide view of the coast and open Pacific, but it also means you should be comfortable sitting aboard for long periods.

The crew provides commentary about the marine mammals and the area. The tone is not a silent nature cruise. Music, drinks, conversation, and crew entertainment are part of the experience, and the atmosphere can feel lively. Families and groups of friends often fit the mood better than couples seeking a quiet, private sailing.

Whales can appear during the seasonal months. Several departures have included memorable humpback sightings, including breaches and fin slaps close enough to watch from the boat. Pacific manta rays are also possible. None of these encounters can be promised, but the route gives you a reasonable chance to keep scanning the water.

If you are prone to seasickness, take this warning seriously. Choppy water can affect the ride, and most of your seven hours are spent aboard. Ask the tour company for advice before booking if motion sickness is a concern.

The Marietas Islands and their seabirds

The Marietas Islands are a group of rugged rock formations at the northern end of Banderas Bay. Their cliffs, sea caves, and surrounding water provide the visual change you want after the open crossing. You may see blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, and other native seabirds around the islands.

The birds are a genuine highlight, especially for anyone who enjoys wildlife photography or natural history. Bring a camera, but remember that drones are prohibited. Federal rules protect the flight paths of endemic birds, so do not bring one expecting to use it from the boat.

This tour does not visit Hidden Beach. That point matters because the name Marietas Islands often leads people to expect the famous beach inside a cave. The route focuses on viewing the islands, marine life, and water activities instead.

Snorkeling conditions vary. Rainy-season water can be murky, and visibility may fall well below what you would find in the Caribbean or Hawaii. On a clear day, you can see fish around the rocky habitat, but this is not a specialist snorkeling trip with long reef sessions.

The boat provides snorkel equipment. You should still bring a towel, wear clothing and shoes that can get wet, and expect to climb a small metal ladder to return aboard. There is no dock at the snorkeling area, so you enter directly from the boat.

Water temperatures can feel cold, particularly for children. One family found a wetsuit helpful for a seven-year-old. The available information does not promise wetsuit rental, so ask in advance if you need one.

Choosing between snorkeling, kayaking, and SUP

The water activities give the Marietas stop its active edge. You can snorkel, paddle a kayak, or try stand-up paddleboarding. The equipment is included, and eco-guides are available to help with safety and confidence.

The practical problem is time. When many people want to use the same equipment, the window for each activity can shrink. Some departures have allowed roughly 30 minutes for snorkeling, with kayaking or SUP squeezed into the remaining time. You may need to choose one main activity instead of trying to do everything.

If snorkeling is your priority, get ready before the crew opens the water session and move promptly when called. If you want kayaking or SUP, do not spend the entire stop snorkeling first. The schedule may not leave enough time to try a second activity at an unhurried pace.

This is a moderate physical activity, not a passive sightseeing cruise. You need to climb ladders, get in and out of the water, and manage wet equipment. Children can enjoy it, but adults should judge their swimming ability, balance, and comfort in open water carefully.

Lunch at Majahuitas Beach

Majahuitas is often the strongest part of the day. The beach gives you a change from the boat, with time to eat, look around, and enjoy the setting. The BBQ lunch is included, along with refreshing drinks, and the food has drawn unusually warm praise.

Expect a substantial buffet-style meal rather than a small boxed lunch. Descriptions include sandwich bread with fillings, potato salad, pasta salad, and other lunch fixings. The exact menu can change, but the meal is intended to keep you full through the afternoon.

There is a practical wrinkle. Lunch lines can become long when the full group arrives, and that may cut into beach time. If the crew gives you a choice between playing first and eating first, consider eating early if your priority is kayaking or paddleboarding. Otherwise, you may spend your whole stop in the food line and walking back to the boat.

Majahuitas is not a private, empty beach experience. The tour can include a large group, and the maximum capacity is 100 people. You get a social beach stop with food and water activities, not solitude.

The tour information describes lunch as a BBQ, while individual menus may vary by departure. Drinks are available throughout the day, including alcoholic and nonalcoholic choices. Alcohol is reportedly held until after the snorkeling portion, a sensible policy for a morning spent swimming.

The crew, music, and return trip

Service is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour. The crew moves between safety duties, guiding, drinks, equipment, and meal support. Poncho and Dani are two names that have received particular praise, but crew assignments can change.

The return trip may include a choreographed music and lip-sync show. It is silly, energetic, and not designed for people seeking quiet reflection. Many people find it a fun finish, while others may find the music too loud at times.

That split is worth considering before you book. The tour is not just a nature outing. It is also a social boat day with a performance element. The crew works hard to keep the energy high, even when rain or rough water affects the morning.

The boat offers shade, and some departures have not felt overcrowded despite the group size. Still, space and activity access depend on the number of people aboard. If you want a private guide, a quiet deck, or flexible timing, choose a smaller charter instead.

What to bring for a smoother day

You should arrive with Mexican cash for the port fee and conservation charge. Bring extra pesos for tips if you wish to thank the crew, though gratuities are not listed as included.

Pack a towel. Towels are not provided, and you will be wet after snorkeling, kayaking, or paddleboarding. Wear a swimsuit or quick-drying clothes, plus footwear that can handle a wet boat and beach stop.

Breakfast deserves a note. Some departures have offered coffee, fruit, orange juice, and small pastries, but you should not count on a full breakfast. The safest plan is to eat something before arriving, especially with a 7:00 a.m. start.

Leave drones at home. Also do not bring drugs, electronic cigarettes, or vapes. Federal maritime ports enforce a strict no-drug policy that includes those items, and security can deny boarding without a refund or date change.

The experience requires good weather. If conditions force a cancellation, you can receive a full refund or move to another date. For your own comfort, avoid booking your only possible water day if you are unwilling to accept a weather-related change.

Who should book this Marietas and Majahuitas trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day on the water with several kinds of entertainment. Families with active children, groups of friends, first-time visitors to Puerto Vallarta, and anyone hoping to combine wildlife watching with a beach lunch are good matches.

You should also book it if service matters as much as scenery. The crew is central to the experience, and the drinks, meals, safety help, commentary, and final show make the day feel full.

I would hesitate if you want long snorkeling sessions, quiet nature study, or a private beach. The water may be cloudy, the activity windows may be brief, and the boat can carry many people. Strong seasickness concerns are another reason to choose a land-based outing.

At $99, the value is best when you use the whole package. Eat the included lunch, try at least one water activity, watch for wildlife, and enjoy the boat atmosphere. If you only want to snorkel, a smaller specialist trip may give you more time in the water for your money.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, all-day Puerto Vallarta excursion with dolphins, possible whales, seabirds, water sports, a well-regarded lunch, and a crew that keeps the mood moving. The strongest moments are often the whale sightings, the Majahuitas meal, and the funny return-trip show.

Skip it if the phrase mostly on a boat sounds like a warning rather than a promise. You should also skip it if Hidden Beach is your main goal, since it is not included. For the right person, this is a fun and well-filled day. Just board with realistic expectations about water time and group size.

FAQ

How long does the Islas Marietas and Majahuitas tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours, beginning at 7:00 a.m. and ending back at the meeting point.

Where does the tour start?

You meet at Puerto Magico on Boulevard Francisco Medina Ascencio in Puerto Vallarta’s northern hotel zone.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to Puerto Magico.

What extra fees do I need to pay?

You pay a MX$40 port fee per person in Mexican cash and a MX$20 conservation fee per person at check-in.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A BBQ lunch at Majahuitas Beach and refreshing drinks are included.

Are snorkeling and kayaking equipment included?

Yes. Snorkel and kayak equipment are provided, and stand-up paddleboarding is also included.

Can I visit Hidden Beach?

No. This tour does not visit Hidden Beach.

Is the tour suitable for someone who gets seasick?

The tour may not be a good choice if you suffer from seasickness because you spend most of the day on the boat and conditions can be choppy.

Can cruise ship passengers book this excursion?

No. The local schedule creates time conflicts, so this option is not suitable for cruise ship passengers.