A catamaran day trip can feel like two vacations. This full-day Isla Marietas outing combines a long boat ride, time at the island, and a floating snack plan, with snorkeling plus paddle boards and kayaks included. The ride runs in English and caps at 70 people, which keeps it manageable.

What I like most is the all-in-one food and water rhythm. You get continental breakfast with hot cakes before heading out, then lunch on board with a salad bar, plus snorkeling gear ready to go. The second big win is the sailing vibe, including dancing music and an open bar after Isla Marietas, so the day ends with an easier mood.

One thing to plan carefully: there are cash-only extra fees (dock fee and required bracelets), and one bad experience I saw involved confusion about payment type and missing the boat. Add early buffer to your schedule and bring the right cash format.

Key Takeaways Before You Go

• Two-deck catamaran with snorkeling gear included, plus a life jacket and mask and tube setup
• Full meal schedule: continental breakfast with hot cakes, then lunch with salad bar
• 6 hours round-trip by boat and about 2 hours on Isla Marietas, so you’ll want to be ready fast
• Open bar starts only after Isla Marietas, not at check-in
• Some extra island options may cost more, and snorkel time depends on conditions like jellyfish
• Bring cash for cash-only fees, including the required bracelets and the dock fee

What This Tour Really Feels Like (And Who It Fits)

This is a straightforward, “get on the water and enjoy the day” kind of tour. You start in Puerto Vallarta at 8:00 am, then spend most of your time moving toward Isla Marietas, eating, and gearing up. The island part is shorter than you might hope, so it works best if you’re the type who can make the most of a tight window.

You’ll likely enjoy this most if you want:

• A social day on the sea (music, open bar later, and a group rhythm)
• Snorkel time without having to rent gear
• A full meal plan that keeps you from getting hangry at sea

It may feel less ideal if you’re hoping for a slow, long beach day, or if you need super flexible timing. The island window is about 2 hours, and the day is built around boat timing.

Price and Value: What You Pay, What It Covers, and What Costs Extra

The tour price is $96.00 per person, and the real value question is: does it include the pieces you’d otherwise pay for? In this case, yes. You’re not just buying boat transportation. You also get:

• Snorkel gear (mask, tube, life jacket)
• Paddle board and kayak equipment
• Admission ticket included
• Breakfast and lunch
• Open bar after Isla Marietas
• Dancing music as part of the ride

That’s a lot packed into a single ticket price. When you compare it to paying separately for boat access, meals, and gear, it starts to make sense.

Now for the part you must budget for: extra fees are not optional.

• Dock fee: $3 USD per person, cash only
• SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet: $10 USD per person, cash only

And here’s the practical warning: at least one unhappy experience came from a payment mismatch at the desk, where USD was not accepted the way the reservation details suggested. I can’t tell you the official rule, but I can tell you what helps. Bring cash and plan on paying in the format they accept on site, and ask the check-in desk what exact currency they take before you’re standing in line.

Getting There at 8:00 am: The Part That Makes or Breaks Your Day

This tour runs from 8:00 am, starting at Grupo Naviero de la Bahía at the marina area in Puerto Vallarta. The good news is the tour ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not dealing with a different drop-off location.

The not-so-fun truth: if check-in slips, the boat timing matters a lot. One review described arriving about 10 minutes before check-in, then losing time to payment questions and additional fees, and ultimately missing boarding. Whether that exact scenario happens to you or not, it highlights a simple traveler rule.

My advice:

• Arrive earlier than the minimum you’re told
• Have your cash ready for the dock fee and the bracelet
• Don’t wait for your phone to translate fee details later, ask staff immediately

Also note: your ticket is mobile. That’s convenient, but it’s not a reason to arrive late. Staff still have to get you processed.

Breakfast on the Catamaran: Fuel That Actually Matters

Before you leave, you’ll get continental breakfast with hot cakes, plus fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice. This is one of those details that seems small until you’re staring at the sea for hours without food.

Why it matters: the boat portion is about 6 hours round-trip, and the island stop is about 2 hours. So you’re eating on a clock. Breakfast helps you save energy for snorkeling and any water activities you decide to do later.

Pack thinking:

• If you tend to get seasick, you might want to bring what helps you at sea, but the tour itself only promises the food and gear, not motion medication.
• Bring extra clothes for the ride back, because seawater and sunscreen can get messy fast.

The 6-Hour Boat Ride: Snorkel Setup, Music, and Sea-Time Reality

Once you head out, expect the day to feel slower than the island stop. The boat ride is roughly 6 hours round. That’s long enough that the mood onboard matters, and this tour leans into fun: dancing music is part of the experience.

You’ll also have your snorkeling gear ready through the day. Snorkel gear includes:

• Mask
• Tube
• Life jacket

You’re also offered access to paddle boards and kayaks equipment. The key point is timing. During the island portion, there’s not much time to figure things out from scratch. If you want to use water equipment, get familiar with how to handle your gear before your island window runs out.

One review I saw mentioned skipping snorkeling due to jellyfish. I can’t promise conditions will be the same every day, but it’s a good reminder that snorkeling plans are sometimes weather and water dependent. If you see jellyfish in the water when you gear up, it’s reasonable to switch to paddle board or kayak instead.

Isla Marietas Time: Two Hours to Use the Water and Stay Flexible

When you finally reach Isla Marietas, you get about 2 hours on the island. Two hours sounds like enough until you factor in boarding times, gearing up, and moving to and from the water. Your best strategy is simple: don’t over-plan. Decide quickly what you want to do and go.

What’s available as part of the tour experience includes:

• Snorkeling gear use
• Paddle boards
• Kayaks

Also, keep your expectations grounded. The island portion is short, so you’ll get the most value if your goal is a taste of the water activities rather than a long exploration day.

One more caution: some add-on activities related to island experiences may cost more. A review complained that a boat around-the-island option felt extra. That doesn’t mean every day has extras, but it’s a sign to stay alert about what’s included versus what’s optional once you’re there.

Lunch and the Open Bar After Isla Marietas

After the island time, the onboard food shifts into full comfort mode. Lunch includes:

• Hamburgers
• A side of shrimps
• Salad bar

This is a practical choice. You get protein, you get something fresh with the salad bar, and it helps you recover from sun and salt after being in the water.

Then there’s the open bar, but it’s important: open bar is only after Isla Marietas. That means don’t plan on getting a drink immediately. If you want a celebratory mood for the return ride, save your energy for later in the day.

Group Size and English Operation: Easier Planning, Less Chaos

The tour is offered in English, and the maximum group size is 70 travelers. That’s a useful number for your expectations. It’s large enough that you’ll see a crowd, but small enough that you’re less likely to feel lost in a giant moving parking lot.

English helps you:

• Understand timing
• Get clearer answers about fees and where to go
• Ask quick questions without playing guessing games

And yes, the tour is described as suitable for most travelers. That phrasing is common, but you still should think about your own comfort level with boat time and water activities.

Small Details That Save You Hassle: What to Bring and What to Wear

The tour gives you snorkeling gear, but you still need to show up ready to use it. Here’s what you should bring based on the provided guidance:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Extra clothes (for the ride back)
• Comfortable clothes and shoes

And for the outdoor reality:

• Use biodegradable sunscreen
• Bring insect repellent

Sunscreen matters for obvious reasons, but the biodegradable part is a good sign the tour is trying to reduce environmental mess. Still, you’ll want to apply before you get too far from the starting point, so you’re not rushing in full sun.

The Crew: Fun When Everything Works, Calm When It Doesn’t

One of the standout positives in the feedback was how the crew handled trouble. There was a report of a motor issue, and the crew managed it so the tour was still completed. That matters more than it sounds. On a water day, mechanical problems are part of life, and your experience depends on how the team responds.

So here’s the practical takeaway: a good crew won’t magically prevent delays, but they can prevent panic. Based on what I saw, this one tries to keep things moving and keep the mood up, even if the timing runs a bit long.

Should You Book This Isla Marietas Catamaran Tour?

Book it if you want a full-day format with real included value: breakfast, lunch, snorkel equipment, paddle boards and kayaks, plus music and an open bar after the island. The 2-deck catamaran setup and the manageable group size also make the day feel organized rather than chaotic.

I’d hesitate or at least plan more carefully if:

• You don’t want to handle cash-only fees
• You hate tight timing and want hours of island wandering
• You’re counting on snorkeling no matter what (conditions can change, and one experience mentioned jellyfish)

My best “yes with prep” advice:

• Bring cash for the dock fee and the SEMARNAT/CONANP bracelet
• Arrive earlier than you think you need
• Decide fast once on Isla Marietas, so the 2-hour window works for you

If you show up ready, this can be a fun, sun-and-sea day with a clear plan and enough included extras to feel like you got your money’s worth.

FAQ

What time does the Isla Marietas catamaran tour start?

The tour starts at 8:00 am and ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is about 8 hours.

How long is the boat ride and how much time is on the island?

The boat transportation is about 6 hours round trip, with about 2 hours on Isla Marietas.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. You get continental breakfast with hot cakes, and lunch is included with a hamburger, a side of shrimps, and a salad bar.

What snorkeling and water equipment is included?

Snorkel gear is included (mask, tube, and life jacket). Paddle board and kayak equipment are also included.

Is the open bar included?

Yes, but the open bar is only after Isla Marietas.

Are there any extra fees I should bring cash for?

Yes. There is a dock fee of $3 USD per person (cash only), and a SEMARNAT and CONANP bracelet fee of $10 USD per person (cash only).

What should I bring with me?

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring your swimsuit, towels, and extra clothes. Bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking time.

What is the group size limit?

The tour has a maximum of 70 travelers.