Sailing to a secret beach is the point. This 7-hour Marietas Sail, Snorkel and Beach trip heads out from Nuevo Vallarta toward the islands north of Puerto Vallarta, then gives you about 2 hours on-site. I like the small-group setup (up to 7 people), and I also like the domestic open bar served only after the water activities. One possible drawback to plan for: access to Love Beach is controlled by the marine park, so it can feel like a lottery.

If wildlife is your thing, you may get a good show, with dolphins and even whales spotted on the way out or back, plus bird viewing where blue-footed boobies show up. I also like that the snorkeling setup is provided, including life vests and gear that is described as well sanitized, which makes the water time easier to manage. Still, snorkeling conditions can vary and visibility is not always like the cleanest tropical postcards.

For $99, this can be good value if you want a boat day with food, drinks, and activities, but you should budget for extra fees not included in that base price. The big ones to remember are the port tax and the Marietas Islands conservation fee, plus you will need transportation to the marina since it is not provided.

Key points before you go

• Small group feel, max 7 travelers, so you should get more attention during the water time
• Snorkeling gear and life vests included, described as well sanitized
• Breakfast plus deli-style lunch on board, and drinks served only after water activities
• Marietas Islands time is about 2 hours, with Love Beach access controlled by the marine park
• Wildlife spotting is often part of the day, including dolphins and sometimes whales, plus birds like blue-footed boobies
• One booking-related risk exists, since one guest report described a reservation mismatch between the seller and the boat operator

Marietas Islands: what you are really paying for

You are paying for a rare mix: a real sailing day out of Puerto Vallarta plus time at the Marietas Islands, a spot known for its dramatic coastline and famous Love Beach. The tour is built around water time, with snorkeling gear, life vests, and paddle boards included, so you are not just watching from the deck.

The best part is that the day is designed to feel active without feeling like a workout class. You get food onboard, then you go do the ocean stuff while the day is still fresh. If you like boats, fish, and wildlife, this is the right kind of outing.

The day’s flow from Paradise Village Public Pier

You meet at Paradise Village Public Pier on Blvrd Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta. The tour ends back at the same meeting point, so you avoid the stress of being dropped somewhere else.

Expect the day to be paced around the island stop, which is about 2 hours on-site. Before and after that, the trip is about the sailing experience and the ride back with plenty of chances to look for wildlife, depending on conditions.

One practical thing: you are not getting a transport pickup. If you are staying in Puerto Vallarta or farther down the coast, you will want to plan your own way to the marina early enough that you do not feel rushed.

On-board food, drinks, and the crew vibe

This tour includes continental breakfast and a deli-style lunch onboard. That matters more than it sounds, because it keeps the day from turning into a hungry scramble once you are wet and sunburn-prone.

For drinks, you get a domestic open bar on board, but only after the water activities. That is a smart structure for safety and energy, especially if you plan to snorkel and then actually want to enjoy the boat ride back.

Crew service gets consistent praise, with reports of attentive staff and helpful guidance once people get geared up. Some notes also mention fun onboard entertainment during the return sail, which helps the whole day feel lively rather than just “tourist time, then back.”

Snorkeling and paddle boards: included, but manage expectations

Snorkeling gear and life vests are included, and the gear is described as well sanitized. I like that because it removes one of the annoying travel friction points. You do not have to hunt for equipment on your own, and you start with the basics ready to go.

That said, snorkeling reality is not always perfect. In at least one experience, the snorkeling felt more like a challenging swim than a relaxed, easy viewing session, and visibility was limited, with fish best seen near the rocks. If you are coming from super-clear water places, you may find the experience more physical and less effortless than you hoped.

Paddle boards are included too. If you enjoy quiet movement over a board, you may find this a nice balance to snorkeling, especially when conditions make one activity less comfortable than the other.

If you forget your own gear, you can buy new snorkeling tubes on board, but that is not included.

Love Beach at the marine park: not guaranteed

Love Beach is optional and controlled by the marine park. In other words, it is not something you should assume you will definitely get, even if you paid for the tour.

This is worth taking seriously because it changes how you plan your headspace. If you want the iconic beach experience, bring flexibility and recognize that the day might instead focus more on island scenery, snorkeling, and water access where permitted.

In one account, only some people in the group were allowed onto the beach area. That suggests access can be limited by rules and by what is allowed on the day, which is exactly how a protected marine site tends to operate.

Wildlife spotting on Bahia de Banderas

A lot of the excitement on this kind of trip comes from what you see while you are moving. Multiple experiences mention dolphins, and some mention whales, with sightings close enough to feel memorable.

Bird viewing also shows up in the mix. Blue-footed boobies are specifically called out, along with a variation of other birds, so if you have bird-spotting instincts, bring binoculars if you own them.

Even when wildlife sightings vary, the ocean scenery and the boat time help fill the day. And because your on-site stop is only about 2 hours, the ride portions matter more than they might on a longer excursion.

Price and extra fees: make the math work

The tour price is $99 per person, booked fairly far ahead on average. On paper, that price is attractive because breakfast and lunch are included, plus snorkeling gear, life vests, and paddle boards.

But the base price does not cover the island-related costs. You should budget for:

• Port tax: MX$35.00 per person
• Marietas Islands conservation fee: MX$85.00 per person
• Access to Love Beach is optional and controlled by the marine park (so you may or may not pay for or get that portion depending on what is allowed)
• Any admission ticket for the island stop is not included (the tour notes this item as not included for the island time)

Also note that transportation to and from the marina is not included. When you add those pieces, the all-in cost can rise quickly, especially if you are not using a simple, nearby hotel.

The upside is that you are not paying extra once you are onboard for food and the core gear. If your main goal is Marietas plus water time, the structure can still feel like a fair deal.

Group size: up to 7, but double-check your expectations

The tour lists a maximum of 7 travelers, which is a major quality signal for a sail-and-snorkel day. Smaller groups usually mean less waiting, quicker instruction, and a calmer vibe onboard.

However, there is a specific caution from one experience: a guest reported a discrepancy where there were more people on board than expected, even though the booking stated a max occupant of 7. That does not mean it happens every time, but it is enough for me to suggest you verify details clearly before you board.

If you hate crowded boats, arrive early, confirm your group size with the crew, and keep expectations flexible.

Booking provider reality: a mismatch can happen

One low-rated report described a reservation mix-up tied to the seller and the actual boat operator. The core issue was that the boat operator did not recognize the reservation at the time of departure, forcing the group to find another option.

This is not something you can fully eliminate as a traveler, but you can reduce the risk. I recommend you double-check that you have the right meeting point, the right time, and the name of the boat or operator you will actually be boarding when you show up. Also, keep your confirmation on your phone and take a screenshot in case cellular service is weak.

Who this tour is for, and who should skip it

This Marietas sail is a strong match for you if you want:

• Snorkeling plus paddle boarding without renting gear
• A small-group day on the water
• A chance at wildlife and bird viewing, not just swimming in a bay
• Food and drinks handled for you onboard

It may be less ideal if:

• You need guaranteed access to Love Beach, because it is optional and controlled
• You expect snorkeling to feel effortless and crystal-clear like the most famous snorkeling regions
• You are very sensitive to group-size changes, given one reported mismatch

If you are traveling with kids or a non-swimmer, the good news is that the tour says most travelers can participate, but you should still assess comfort around open water and follow crew guidance closely once you arrive.

Should you book this Marietas sail?

I would book this if your top goal is Marietas Islands, you want a boat day that includes real water activities, and you are okay with the marine park rules around Love Beach. The combination of included food, included snorkeling gear, paddle boards, and an onboard crew that seems genuinely helpful is a lot of value for a single half-day style outing.

I would think twice or at least verify carefully if you are price-sensitive after adding the conservation fee and port tax, or if your heart is set on Love Beach access. Also check your expectations about snorkeling conditions, since the experience is not always the easy, super-clear kind.

If you want a simple decision: book it when you want activities and flexibility, skip it when you need a guaranteed, beach-first itinerary and predictable snorkeling visibility.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas sail, snorkel, and beach tour?

It runs about 7 hours (approx.).

Where do I meet, and where does the tour end?

You meet at Paradise Village Public Pier, Blvrd Nayarit, 63735 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What is included in the price?

You get continental breakfast and a deli-style lunch, snorkeling gear and a life vest, paddle boards, and a domestic open bar onboard after the water activities.

What snorkeling or water gear should I expect?

Snorkeling gear and life vests are provided, and paddle boards are included. There is also an option to buy new snorkeling tubes on board.

What extra fees are not included?

Port tax is MX$35.00 per person, and there is a Marietas Islands Island Conservation Fee of MX$85.00 per person. Admission to Love Beach is controlled by the marine park and is optional, and the island stop admission ticket is noted as not included.

Is transportation provided to and from the marina?

No. Transportation to and from the Marina is not included.

Is Love Beach access guaranteed?

No. Access to Love Beach is optional and controlled by the marine park, so you should be prepared for a day where not everyone can go.