Two hours on the islands, then freedom to play. This Sea Mi Amor Marietas tour pairs a fun cruise from Puerto Vallarta with open bar and included kayaking and snorkeling gear, and it is all aimed at Marietas Island National Park. One thing to plan for, Love Beach access is optional, controlled, and usually costs extra.

I like that this is a value-first day: breakfast, lunch, and the water equipment are built in, so you are not stuck buying everything line by line. You also get an English experience, with a mobile ticket, and the trip runs about 8 hours with a maximum of 280 people.

The schedule centers on one main stop at the Marietas Islands, plus time on board for food and activities. If you want Love Beach, request it early, because the secret part depends on limited park access and can change what you get on the day.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• A full-day Marietas Islands National Park trip from Puerto Vallarta, built around water time
• Breakfast and lunch included, plus an onboard open bar with a rule: alcohol after water activities
• Equipment included (snorkeling gear, life vest, kayaks, and paddle boards)
• Love Beach is optional and request-based, not automatically included
• Extra fees may apply for port tax and Marietas Island conservation, plus any Love Beach upgrade

Meeting Point And The 9:00 AM Pace From Puerto Vallarta

This tour starts at 9:00 am at Terminal Maritima, on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta. It ends back at the same meeting point, so you are not juggling transfers all day.

That early start matters. You are leaving the marina, getting fed breakfast on board, and then spending the key block of time around the Marietas Islands. If you want a smooth day, I suggest showing up early enough that you can check in without rushing.

One more practical note: this runs with a group that can get up to 280 people. That does not mean you will feel lost, but it does mean the day can feel a bit organized and busy, especially around check-in and getting onto the water gear.

Price Breakdown: What $99 Buys You, And What It Does Not

At $99 per person, the headline value is simple: you get a cruise day with two meals and multiple water activities. Breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, and fruit. Lunch is a baguette with cheese, ham and salami, plus homemade potatoes and tropical salad. You also get snorkeling gear and a life vest, plus kayaks and paddle boards.

To me, this is a solid deal if your goal is a low-stress day on the water without nickel-and-diming every step.

Now the part to take seriously: several charges are not included. You should expect to pay a port tax of MX$29 per person and a Marietas Island conservation fee of MX$100 per person. Also, Marietas Island admission is listed as not included, which lines up with those added island-related costs.

And then there is Love Beach. Access is optional, request-based, and extra. In one account, the secret beach attempt came with an additional payment of about MX$1,000. The exact amount can vary by upgrade details, but treat Love Beach as a separate budget line, not a free add-on.

Cruise Day Flow: Breakfast, Open Bar Timing, And Water Activities

This is designed as a full-day outing, roughly 8 hours. Most of the day makes sense once you picture the rhythm: board early, eat breakfast, cruise toward the islands, do the water activities, return, then eat lunch later.

The onboard open bar is a nice touch for a Mexico sea day, but there is a clear rule: alcoholic drinks are only served after water activities. In practice, that means you should plan to treat the first part of the day as the active part. Get your snorkeling and paddle time done first, then enjoy the drinks after.

The water gear is where this tour earns its keep. You get snorkeling gear plus a life vest, and you can use kayaks and paddle boards. That combo gives you options. If snorkeling feels intimidating, you can still paddle. If you want to move at your own pace, kayaking can be your calmer choice.

If you care about pacing, keep expectations realistic. One review complained about being told to swim faster and about fin and life vest fit. You can reduce stress by choosing the activity that matches your comfort level, and by asking the crew for help if the life vest fit feels wrong.

Marietas Islands Stop: Your Two Hours Of National Park Time

The main stop is the Marietas Islands (small islands north of Vallarta). You get about 2 hours there, and it is the heart of the day.

During that window, you will be using the included gear. Expect the island time to feel action-focused, not sightseeing-slow. Snorkeling gear plus life vest means you can get into the water, and kayaks and paddle boards help you cover more space than just treading water.

A good reason to go is that this is National Park territory. That usually means the area is protected, and the coast stays dramatic and full of wildlife potential. One highlight from a review was seeing whales, especially on late November. You cannot count on whales every day, but if they are in the area, you might spot them from the water or while cruising.

One consideration: life vest comfort. Some people love the safety aspect. Others find the fit awkward. If the vest feels too tight or restrictive, ask for a quick adjustment. A good fit makes snorkeling and paddling much more enjoyable.

Love Beach Access: How The Optional Upgrade Works And How To Avoid Problems

Love Beach is the famous secret-sand spot, but here is the key point: it is not included by default. Access is available on request, and it is controlled by the marine park. That means you need to treat it like a limited-permission add-on.

There is also an upgrade option that includes souvenir photos. Translation: if Love Beach is important to you, you should confirm the upgrade details clearly before the trip.

Why so much stress? Because one review described a painful mix-up. They requested Love Beach, then arrived to find the reservation was not found, and they ended up stuck on the boat for hours without the expected access. I would not panic, but I also would not assume Love Beach is automatic.

My practical advice:

• Request Love Beach early, well ahead of time.
• Get confirmation in writing or on your booking confirmation.
• If you do not see it clearly on your plan, follow up so your access is recorded.

If you end up paying an extra fee for Love Beach, do it with clear expectations. The cost can be significant compared with the base price, and the access can be limited.

Food And Drink Reality Check: Breakfast And Lunch Quality

The menu is specific, and for a day trip this is better than basic snacks. Breakfast is eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, and fruit. That is a reliable start, especially if you plan to be active in the morning water conditions.

Lunch is a baguette with cheese, ham and salami, plus homemade potatoes and a tropical salad. For many people, it sounds like a solid, filling meal after paddling and snorkeling.

Still, keep it balanced. One review criticized the food quality, and the lunch timing was a frustration for them. They said lunch was served around 3 pm, and that it came much later than expected. Another review mentioned the lunch as economical and delicious. So your experience may land on either side of the quality line, but the food is at least included.

For the best outcome, think of meals as fueling, not as a restaurant meal. If you are sensitive to meal timing, eat breakfast well and plan to stay patient.

What Service Feels Like On A Day Like This

Most of the positive feedback centers on service and friendliness. One review praised the crew, saying the service felt personal and that staff were extremely nice. Another highlighted the overall balance of price, meals, drinks, and activities.

There are also complaints that you should take seriously:

• Reservation problems related to Love Beach access
• Snorkeling equipment and handling concerns, including life vest fit and fin availability
• A sense that the day felt too long for the value, especially if Love Beach does not happen

How do you protect yourself from the bad version of the day? You do it by being proactive. When you have a request like Love Beach, treat it as a confirmed appointment. If something is unclear at check-in, speak up immediately and ask for a direct resolution.

If you need a path for follow-up, one response provided a contact email: [email protected]. If something goes wrong, having that detail can make it easier to get answers later.

Packing And Prep Tips For 8 Hours On The Water

This tour includes a lot of gear, but you still want to be ready for a long day. Bring swimwear you can tolerate for hours, and clothes you can rinse quickly if you get splashed or wet.

A smart move is to bring sunscreen and sun protection. Even if you spend time under the boat shade, you will still catch sun while cruising and on deck. Also, pack a small towel or something you can use to wipe down after getting out of the water.

If you are prone to motion sickness, consider motion-prep ahead of time. The day involves cruising and time on boats, and that can affect people differently.

And if you care about snorkeling comfort, pay attention to the life vest fit at the start. Getting it right early can save your whole two-hour island block.

Who Should Book Sea Mi Amor Marietas (And Who Should Rethink It)

You should book if you want a budget-friendly day on the water with included equipment, breakfast, and lunch, and you are flexible about the Love Beach option. It is a good match for couples, groups of friends, and active solo travelers who enjoy kayaking, paddle boards, and snorkeling time more than long slow land tours.

You might want to rethink if:

• Love Beach is your top priority and you cannot handle the risk of limited access or booking mix-ups
• You are uncomfortable with life vests or prefer very controlled snorkeling conditions
• You are picky about food quality or meal timing, since experiences can vary

For families, there is one supportive detail: kids between 3 and 5 years old are free for the tour, but not for meals, and meals are listed at MX$100 per person. That helps reduce the base cost, though you should still budget for food.

Should You Book This Tour?

My take: Sea Mi Amor Marietas is good value for an active, all-in-one sea day, especially if you treat Love Beach as optional rather than guaranteed. The included meals and water equipment help you get a lot of day-trip for the money.

But I would book with eyes open. Plan to pay port tax and the conservation fee. If Love Beach matters, confirm it early and double-check it at check-in. Then focus on what this tour does well: a fun cruise day, kayaking, paddle boards, snorkeling gear, and time at Marietas Islands.

If that fits your style, it can be a great way to spend your day in Puerto Vallarta without turning it into a logistics headache.

FAQ

How long is the Sea Mi Amor Marietas tour?

The tour is about 8 hours.

What time does it start, and where do I meet?

It starts at 9:00 am at Terminal Maritima, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, 48333 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico.

Is breakfast and lunch included?

Yes. Breakfast and lunch are included in the tour price.

What is included for the water activities?

You get snorkeling gear and a life vest, plus paddle boards and kayaks.

Is the open bar included?

Yes. An open bar is included on board, and alcoholic drinks are only available after the water activities.

Do I need to pay extra fees for Marietas?

Yes. Port tax (MX$29 per person) and the Marietas Island conservation fee (MX$100 per person) are not included.

Is Love Beach included?

Love Beach access is not automatically included. It is available on request as an optional upgrade.

What is the policy if weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.