Marietas is a full day of sea and fun. This shared catamaran trip builds in snorkeling around the Marietas Islands National Park, plus breakfast and lunch onboard, and then an open bar on the way back with loud-on-purpose music and even karaoke energy. One thing to consider, since it is a group cruise, is that the water time is shared too, so you may feel a bit cramped around kayak activity and gear.

I like that the plan is straightforward and timed for a long day on the water, with an 8:00 am start from Puerto Magico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio (Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333). It is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, so you should be set once you confirm. Bring your swimsuit, towels, and extra clothes, plus biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent, because you will be outside all morning and into the afternoon.

Key things that make this Marietas catamaran worth your attention

• Full-day water time: snorkeling plus paddleboarding and kayaks, not just a quick pass-by
• UNESCO marine park setting: you are out at Marietas Islands National Park, protected and best reached by boat
• Meals included onboard: continental breakfast and lunch keep you fueled without hunting for food
• Open bar on the return: alcoholic drinks are part of the way-back cruise
• Small-enough group size: up to 90 travelers, which helps on a shared boat day
• Crew who keep the vibe moving: names like David, Charly, and Alan show up in guest praise

Marietas Islands National Park feels different when you approach by catamaran

The Marietas Islands National Park sits just offshore from Puerto Vallarta, and it is one of those places where the best views and best moments happen only from the water. On this kind of catamaran day, you trade a road trip for open Pacific time, with coastal scenery you cannot see the same way from land.

You also get a mix of what people usually split into separate outings: time floating above clear water for snorkeling, plus time doing low-speed exploring by paddleboard and kayak near rocky areas. That blend matters because it gives you options depending on how energetic you feel that day. Want to relax first? Deck time with ocean views is built in. Want action? The equipment gets used during the Marietas portion of the trip.

The ship setup is shared, though, so your personal “comfort” math depends on your tolerance for group logistics. One mixed note in the feedback points to kayak space feeling tight when the boat is busy. If you hate crowded movement zones, plan to keep your expectations realistic.

The 10-hour rhythm: breakfast, the main island stop, then return fun

This is a long, single-day outing, around 10 hours, starting at 8:00 am and returning back to the meeting point. The day is structured around the main stop at Islas Marietas, with onboard meals and activities keeping the timeline moving.

Step 1: Out to Islas Marietas, the core of the day

This is the big one: the tour centers on the Marietas Islands stop, where you do snorkeling and get time with paddleboards and kayaks. The practical value here is simple. You spend your energy on location, instead of burning the whole day in transit.

Because this is a marine park experience, you are also in a more regulated environment than a casual beach swim. That tends to mean fewer “random stops” and more organized time on the water. For most people, that structure helps you relax, since you are not stuck guessing what comes next.

Hidden Beach option: why it is worth asking about

There is an optional visit to the famous Hidden Beach, also called Playa del Amor. The word optional matters for your decision-making. If it is a priority for you, you should confirm how that portion fits into the day’s flow when you check in. If it is not available due to conditions on the day, you still get the main Marietas water activities, so you are not completely stuck.

Step 2: On the way back, the party shifts to the deck

The return is where the tour leans into energy. You get unlimited drinks and music on the way back to Puerto Vallarta. The onboard entertainment can include games and even karaoke. I like this pacing because it keeps you from feeling like the entire day is “work mode” on the water. If you want a fun last segment, this is the time.

Also, the crew gets real props in guest feedback for keeping things friendly and upbeat. Names that came up include David, Charly, and Alan, credited with working hard to make the day run smoothly and keep the mood up.

Snorkeling plus paddleboards and kayaks: the best part, with one tradeoff

Your water menu is not just snorkeling. You should expect snorkeling in the Marietas area, and you also get access to paddleboarding and kayaks with equipment provided. This combination is a big reason the tour works well for people who want more than one kind of “seeing the coast.”

Here is what that means for you on the ground:

• Snorkeling is the easiest way to get close to the marine life without worrying about direction.
• Kayaks and paddleboards let you move at your pace along rocky formations and sheltered areas where a boat ride alone would feel too distant.
• If you are not confident with either paddleboarding or kayaking, you can still enjoy the day through snorkeling and deck time.

The tradeoff is spacing and timing. One review note mentions kayak activities having limited room. That lines up with the reality of shared catamaran tours: when multiple groups want water time at once, your boarding and maneuvering space can feel tighter than you might expect on a calmer, private day.

My practical advice: keep your change of clothes and towel plan simple. You want to be ready fast when your turn comes for water activities. And wear the type of footwear that lets you move comfortably around a boat deck. The tour specifically asks you to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Food onboard makes the day feel easier, not rushed

A full day at sea can turn into a hangry day if meals are optional or chaotic. Here, you get both a continental breakfast and lunch served onboard, plus hot cakes at breakfast.

The breakfast details listed are pretty helpful because they remove guesswork: fruit, yogurt, granola, honey, and juice, alongside hot cakes. Lunch is also included, so you are not stuck paying tourist prices mid-journey.

I also like that meals are paired with the pacing of a cruise. Breakfast helps you get through the morning water time without caffeine panic. Lunch keeps you fueled for snorkeling or paddling later, then you can shift into drinks and music during the return.

One more small value point: the tour includes insurance onboard. It is not the most glamorous line item, but it is the kind of thing that makes you feel calmer when you are out on open water for hours.

The open bar on the return: fun value, not a reason to skip safety

The open bar is on the way back to Puerto Vallarta, which is the right time for it. You get enough sea time earlier in the day to do your main activities, then the vibe shifts to relaxation.

The tour notes unlimited drinks and alcoholic drinks specifically on the return. It also pairs that with music, games, and karaoke. If you enjoy group energy, this is where you will feel it the most.

If you are planning to snorkel or paddleboard earlier, keep your alcohol strategy sensible. Drinks later are fine, but do not treat the open bar as a substitute for hydration or sun protection during the active part of the day.

Also, bring biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent. That is in the provided guidance, and it matters because you are outside for the whole day.

Meeting point near Puerto Vallarta’s hotel zone, start time matters

This tour starts at Puerto Magico Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Zona Hotelera Nte., 48333 Puerto Vallarta, with activity beginning at 8:00 am. It ends back at the meeting point.

For planning, the main takeaway is timing. If you are staying in the hotel zone, you likely will find it easier to reach the meeting point. The tour is also noted as near public transportation, so you have options if you prefer not to rely on taxis.

I recommend arriving a bit early, even if the process looks simple on paper. Boats run on schedule, and it is easier to check in without stress.

What you should budget: the $92 ticket plus required government fees

The price listed is $92.00 per person, but the tour also calls out government fees that are not included: $10.00 per person for SEMARNAT (bracelet) and $3.00 per person for additional government fees.

So your realistic all-in cost will be higher than the base fare. The good news is that the ticket bundles a lot: onboard breakfast and lunch, snorkeling plus paddleboard and kayak equipment, onboard music, insurance onboard, and an open bar on the return.

When you weigh value, think about what you would otherwise pay separately:

• boat time to reach the park area
• water equipment
• guided access to the island area
• meals for a full day

If you want that one-ticket solution, this kind of package can be a good deal. If you only care about one water activity, you might be paying for extras you will not use.

Who this tour fits best, and who should think twice

You will likely enjoy it if you want…

• A full-day Marietas experience, not a short hop
• Multiple water activities: snorkeling plus paddleboard and kayak time
• Meals included so you can focus on the water, not food hunting
• A fun return cruise, with drinks and music

You might want to think twice if…

• You dislike crowds and tight gear areas, especially around kayak activity
• You prefer quiet travel or low-key tours, since the return can include games and karaoke
• You are relying on a very specific accessibility need, since no accessibility details are listed

One important safety note is pregnancy. The company reserves the right to refuse boarding to a pregnant passenger due to maritime risks and vessel navigation. If this applies to you, it is worth checking before you plan your day.

Practical packing and sun plan for a day that runs on water time

The tour guidance is clear on what to bring. Do not wing it. Pack with the assumption that you will get wet and be changing between deck and water time.

Bring:

• swimsuit
• towels
• extra clothes
• biodegradable sunscreen
• insect repellent
• comfortable clothes and shoes

My extra practical tip: keep a small dry bag for essentials. You will want your phone and wallet protected, even if the crew manages the day well.

Also, consider how you will handle wet hair and sun exposure. You are out from morning through the afternoon, so plan for sun and heat, even if the morning starts cool.

Should you book this Marietas catamaran tour?

Book it if you want a classic Puerto Vallarta day that mixes snorkeling, paddleboard and kayak time, and a proper onboard meal plan, then ends with drinks and music on the return. The included breakfast and lunch are real value, and the “do more than one activity” format is ideal if you like options.

Consider skipping or adjusting expectations if space and crowd energy bother you. The tour is capped at up to 90 travelers, which helps, but it is still a shared day. If you are sensitive to tight equipment zones, you may feel it during kayaking time.

If Hidden Beach is a must for you, ask how the optional visit works with your chosen day and what happens if conditions limit it. Either way, you are not left with nothing, because Marietas snorkeling and the other water activities are still the core of the trip.