Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

Marietas Islands is less a quiet island outing than a full day of food, drinks, music and water play with a national park visit in the middle. You cruise from the Bay of Banderas, watch for whales and dolphins, then spend time snorkeling, kayaking, swimming or relaxing on the boat.

I like the way the tour gives you several ways to enjoy the water, from paddleboards and kayaks to floating mats and a waterslide. I also like the attentive crew, who keep the day moving and make solo visitors, couples and families feel included. The main drawback is that this is an active boat party, not a peaceful nature cruise, and the island activities can be affected by tides, weather and strict park rules.

Key points to know before booking

• Hidden Beach is not automatic: You need a limited permit, advance notice and an extra fee paid in pesos.
• The boat carries up to 66 people: The crew is praised for its service, but the experience can feel lively and busy.
• Water entry takes effort: You may need to jump from a small boat into the sea, and life jackets are required in the water.
• Food and drinks cover most of the day: Breakfast, guacamole and chips, lunch, soft drinks and a premium open bar are included.
• Wildlife can be a real highlight: Humpback whales are most likely from December through April, while dolphins, turtles, rays and seabirds may appear year-round.
• Bring protection for your phone: Much of the island portion involves swimming, and drones are prohibited by federal rules.

What the $110 price really buys you

At $110 per person, this is not simply a boat ride to look at the Marietas Islands from offshore. Your price covers roughly six hours on the water, breakfast, snacks, lunch, a premium open bar, water equipment, a crew, music and the full boat program.

I consider that a fair package if you plan to use the activities and enjoy the social side of the trip. Buying meals, drinks, snorkeling gear and a separate boat excursion on your own would quickly add up. The value is strongest for families, couples and friends who want one easy day with most costs handled in advance.

The value is weaker if your main goal is a quiet, small-group wildlife trip or a guaranteed visit to the famous Hidden Beach. That beach has limited access and is not included in the base price. You can have a very good day without entering it, but you should not book this tour assuming the beach is guaranteed.

The boat holds a maximum of 66 people. That keeps the cost below many private charters, but it also means you share the deck, water toys and activity time with a fairly large group. Some departures may feel spacious enough, while others can feel busy, especially when several people enter the water at once.

The morning cruise across the Bay of Banderas

The day begins promptly with a direct cruise toward Marietas Islands. The first food is simple: fresh seasonal fruit and small pastries or muffins. Coffee, juice, water and soft drinks are available, along with the open bar.

I would not treat breakfast as a full meal. A few people have found it too light for the long wait before lunch, especially if they wake early or have a large appetite. You can bring a little extra food if you need more substance, but do not bring alcohol, since the tour already provides drinks.

The crew introduces the cruise director, photographer and other staff early in the trip. Music and service begin right away, so you quickly understand the tone. This is a social outing, and the crew works hard to keep people talking, dancing and ordering drinks rather than sitting quietly through the crossing.

The trip to the islands takes about an hour or longer depending on the day and route. You cruise along the north shore of the bay, with views of the coast and open water. From December through April, humpback whales are a major possibility. The boat may stop when whales or other marine life appear, but no sighting can be promised.

Dolphins, sea turtles, rays and seabirds can appear at other times of year. The wildlife is not a staged show, so patience matters. On a good day, the ride out becomes part whale watch and part scenic cruise. On a quiet day, you still have the crew, music, drinks and ocean views.

Fresh guacamole and chips arrive during the crossing. This is useful because the island stop is active, and you may not want to wait until lunch to eat again.

Arriving at the protected Marietas Islands

By late morning, the boat reaches the national park boundary and anchors for the main activity period. Marietas Islands is a protected marine area, so the crew cannot treat it like an unrestricted beach stop. Rules control where boats go, how many people enter certain areas and how guests move through the water.

The usual activities include snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming toward Playa la Nopalera. You may also use floating mattresses, tubes and other water toys. The crew organizes the activities in groups, allowing some people to snorkel while others use the kayaks, paddleboards or beach area before rotating.

This setup is a smart way to handle a large boat. You are not expected to do everything at the same moment. You can try an activity, return to the boat, have a drink and then join another group.

The water conditions matter. Some departures have clear water and good snorkeling. On other days, waves or murky water reduce visibility, and the snorkeling time can feel short. You will see tropical fish, seabirds and marine life in the protected area, but this is not a guaranteed reef expedition.

The beach portion also depends on conditions. High tide, weather or a late arrival can prevent the boat from using the beach. One delayed departure, including mechanical trouble, resulted in less time at the islands and no beach access. That is an important reality: the schedule is planned, but the sea gets the final word.

Hidden Beach requires planning and a swim

The famous Hidden Beach is an optional add-on, not part of the standard $110 price. Access is tightly limited, and you need a special permit reserved in advance. You also pay an additional fee in pesos at check-in or through the required reservation process.

If you want to visit, contact the operator after booking and ask for the permit before your departure date. Do not assume you can decide at the last minute. The number of permits is limited, and available dates may fill.

The approach involves swimming through the water, so you need to be comfortable in the sea. You also need to follow the crew and park rules closely. The experience can be beautiful and memorable, but it is not a simple walk from the boat onto a beach.

This is where you should set your expectations carefully. Some people consider Hidden Beach the main reason to book. Others find the regular island stop, water toys and wildlife enough. If you cannot swim confidently, have trouble getting in and out of the water or dislike wearing a life jacket, the optional beach visit may not suit you.

Life jackets and getting into the water

The most important practical warning concerns water entry. Life jackets are required in the water under Marietas Islands National Park rules, including when you are swimming near the boat. Strong swimmers may find this restrictive.

Equipment fit has also been an issue for some people. A poorly adjusted vest can rub, feel itchy or make swimming awkward. Ask the crew for help with sizing before you jump in. If you are sensitive to chafing, wearing a rash guard or thin swim shirt may help, though that clothing is not listed as provided.

Getting into the water can require a jump from a smaller boat or transfer vessel into ocean waves. A ladder may be available, but it may not always be used for every activity. If you are bringing an older parent, a young child or anyone with mobility concerns, speak with the crew before boarding and make the physical demands clear.

The tour is suitable for most people who can participate in active water activities, but it is not designed as a fully accessible sightseeing cruise. The staff is praised for helping children and supporting people on and off the boat, yet the basic conditions remain: swimming, climbing, jumping and life jackets are part of the program.

Lunch, open bar and the floating fun factory

After the island activities, you return to the main boat for lunch. The usual meal is Mexican fajitas with rice, beans and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available if you advise the operator when booking.

The food is generally one of the strongest parts of the package, though it is not restaurant dining. Expect a practical, plentiful boat lunch rather than a refined meal. Guacamole, chips and potato chips fill the gaps between breakfast and lunch.

The premium open bar continues through the day. It includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas and other drinks. The crew keeps the service flowing, which is a big reason this tour feels like a party cruise.

You can choose a sunny or shaded place on the boat. Canopies provide useful relief, especially during the long return ride. Clean bathrooms are available, another small feature that matters on a six-hour outing.

After lunch, the boat becomes what the operator calls a floating fun factory. You can return to the water toys, swim, relax on a floating mattress, listen to music or watch for wildlife. Families can keep children busy, while adults can settle into shade with a drink.

Music is part of the appeal, but it can be loud. If you are sensitive to volume, choose a seat away from the main speakers or ask the crew where the quieter areas are. This is not an intimate sailing trip with soft background music.

The return cruise and the social atmosphere

The ride home is usually the most relaxed part of the day. The cruise director acts as master of ceremonies, and the crew may encourage dancing, games and more drinks. You can join in or sit back with the ocean breeze.

The boat continues watching for whales and other sea life. If something appears, the crew may pause so everyone can see it. A whale sighting on the way home can turn an already full day into a memorable one, but again, nature sets the schedule.

The crew receives unusually strong praise for attentiveness, humor and care. Staff members such as Raul, Alex and Saul have been singled out for keeping the atmosphere friendly and the service steady. Names and crew assignments can change, but the style is consistent: active service, plenty of encouragement and close attention around the water.

Solo visitors are not left to fend for themselves. The group format makes it fairly easy to meet people, especially if you join the music, activities or shared seating. Couples can enjoy the day together, while families get a mix of structured activities and downtime.

Family fit, group size and transportation

This tour works well for families with children who enjoy swimming, music and activity. The crew has experience entertaining young children, and nonalcoholic piña coladas give kids something festive to enjoy. There is no kid-size snorkeling equipment provided, so bring your own if your child needs a small mask or fins.

The boat can also work well for friends, couples and solo visitors. The key question is not age alone, but comfort with water entry, life jackets, sun, music and a long day outside.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must choose your meeting place before submitting the reservation. Some departures connected with Sayulita use a bus transfer to the marina, taking about 50 minutes in each direction, and traffic can lengthen the return. Confirm your exact meeting point and transport arrangement before booking.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, swimsuit, towel and a secure phone case. Protect your phone from water, since swimming and splashing are central to the day. Drones are prohibited because of federal rules and the flight paths of endemic birds.

The tour is offered in English, though a multilingual guide may operate the departure. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Who should book this Marietas Islands tour?

I would choose this tour if you want a complete, social day with food, drinks, wildlife watching and several water activities in one package. It is especially good for families with active children, groups of friends and couples who enjoy music and a lively boat.

I would also recommend it to solo visitors who like meeting people. The crew makes a real effort to keep everyone involved, and the group format is less awkward than joining a quiet private charter alone.

I would think twice if you want guaranteed beach access, quiet snorkeling or a small boat with personal attention. The Hidden Beach permit is limited, snorkeling conditions change, and a boat with up to 66 people is not a private experience.

At $110, the package makes financial sense if you drink, eat the included meals and use the water equipment. It is less compelling if you plan to stay dry, avoid alcohol and mainly want to photograph the islands from a distance.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a fun, active and well-fed day on the water, and you are comfortable with a group setting. The crew, food, open bar and range of activities create good value, while whales, dolphins and seabirds can add a wonderful surprise.

Before paying, decide how important Hidden Beach is to you. Ask about the permit immediately, understand that tides and weather can cancel the beach stop, and prepare for a life jacket and an energetic water entry. If those conditions suit you, Chica Locca Tours offers a lively way to experience Marietas Islands without arranging every meal, drink and activity separately.

FAQ

How long does the Marietas Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately six hours. The itinerary includes the cruise to the islands, island activities, lunch and the return trip.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes seasonal fruit and pastries or muffins. Guacamole and chips are served during the cruise, and lunch includes Mexican fajitas, rice, beans and tortillas. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are available if requested at booking.

What drinks are included?

The premium open bar includes water, coffee, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas and piña coladas. The minimum drinking age is 18.

Is Hidden Beach included in the tour price?

No. Hidden Beach requires a separate permit and extra fee. Access is limited, must be reserved in advance and depends on conditions and park regulations.

What water activities are available?

You can use snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattresses, water tubes and waterslides. Swimming and beach activities are also part of the island stop.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must select a meeting place before submitting your reservation. Some departures from Sayulita involve a bus transfer to the marina.

Are life jackets required?

Yes. Life jackets are required while you are in the water under Marietas Islands National Park rules. Ask the crew for help adjusting the fit before joining the water activities.