Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

The best part of this Marietas Islands tour is that it combines a marine reserve visit with a full day of play aboard a roomy boat. You can snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, swim to Playa Nopalera, or stay aboard with a drink and watch the coast slide by. I especially like the whale-watching chances in Banderas Bay and the generous food and drink service.

I also like the crew’s hands-on care. Names mentioned during the trip include Saul and Kano, and the staff keep an eye on swimmers, help with equipment, and take photos in the water. The main catch is simple: reaching the island and snorkeling area requires a wet landing and swimming, so this is not a good fit if you have limited mobility or are not comfortable in the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Whales from December through April: Humpback whales are often seen on the cruise, and the captain may stop when sightings are possible.
• Playa Nopalera, not the famous enclosed beach: This tour visits La Nopalera. The hidden beach shown in some promotional images requires a different booking or extra fee.
• A true boat day: You get breakfast, guacamole and chips, Mexican fajitas, and an open bar with beer, wine, tequila, cocktails, coffee, juices, and soft drinks.
• Water toys included: Snorkels, kayaks, paddleboards, swim floats, and the boat waterslides are available without a separate rental charge.
• Wet landing required: You reach shore by swimming from a smaller boat or from the main boat, then return the same way.
• Six hours for $131: The price is strongest for people who will use the food, drinks, water gear, and boat activities rather than treating this as a short island transfer.

The real appeal: a marine reserve with a floating play area

The Marietas Islands are volcanic islands at the mouth of Banderas Bay, surrounded by clear Pacific water and protected as a marine national park. The setting gives you two very different experiences in one day: a close look at tropical marine life and a relaxed party boat with slides, music, drinks, and plenty of room to sit.

I like this mix because you are not locked into one activity. You can swim toward Playa La Nopalera with a guide, then snorkel for a while before switching to a kayak or paddleboard. If the sea is rough or you simply want a slower morning, you can stay on the boat and enjoy the views.

The boat is described as spacious, with seating on both lower and upper decks. That matters on a six-hour outing. You can find sun, shade, open air, or a place to sit during the cruise instead of spending the whole day squeezed into one position.

The waterslide adds a playful touch, especially for families and adults who want more than a standard sightseeing cruise. The crew also brings out water mattresses and other equipment, so the boat itself becomes part of the attraction.

Cruising north along Banderas Bay

The trip begins at one of two possible Chica Locca Tours meeting points: Paradise Village Pier or the Carlos Co y usa location. Check your booked option carefully because the meeting point can vary.

Once aboard, the boat heads along the north shore of Banderas Bay. The ride gives you broad coastal views and a chance to settle into the day before the more active part begins. English and Spanish guides are available, and the crew handles the food, drinks, and equipment while you enjoy the ride.

From December through April, humpback whales pass through these waters. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the captain may stop when whales appear. Several people had close whale encounters during the cruise, including repeated stops and large groups of humpbacks. Outside whale season, you might still spot sea turtles, rays, tropical birds, and blue-footed boobies.

The birdlife is worth watching near the islands. Blue-footed boobies fly close to the water and fish around the boat, adding a natural-history element to what could otherwise feel like a purely recreational outing.

Breakfast first, then guacamole and drinks

The morning food service begins with fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. It is a light breakfast rather than a full hot meal, which works well before swimming. If you need a substantial breakfast, eat beforehand or plan to make good use of the later lunch.

As the boat approaches the islands, the crew serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips. It is a welcome snack during the cruise and keeps the food coming without making you feel too full before the water activities.

The drink service is one of the tour’s stronger points. Included choices range from water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas, and mineral water to beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. Drinks are served throughout the day, and the crew is notably attentive about refills.

That open bar is valuable only if you want to use it. At $131, the tour makes more financial sense for someone who will enjoy several drinks, lunch, and the water equipment. If you do not drink alcohol and plan to remain on deck, a simpler boat trip could be better value.

Arriving at Playa La Nopalera

The Marietas Islands stop is guided rather than a loose drop-off. The crew helps you use the snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, and other equipment, then directs the group toward Playa La Nopalera.

The approach involves a wet landing. You may need to jump or step into the water from a smaller boat, swim toward shore, and later maneuver back into the boat. This is the most important practical detail to understand before booking.

Playa La Nopalera is a small natural beach within the protected island area. Volcanic rock, clear water, and tropical wildlife give the stop its character. You get time to look around, swim, and take photos, but this is not a long beach day. One outing allowed about 20 minutes on shore, which was enough for a quick look but not enough for a slow, extended stay.

Do not book this tour expecting the famous enclosed cove or hidden beach shown in some Marietas Island advertising. That site is not part of this outing and requires an additional booking or a different excursion. Playa Nopalera is still attractive, but the distinction can prevent disappointment.

The onboard photographer can come ashore and take pictures while you explore. That helps because carrying a phone or camera through a wet landing is awkward unless you have a waterproof case that fastens securely around your neck.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding

The water activities are the heart of the day. You can snorkel around the island, kayak along the rock formations, stand on a paddleboard, swim, or float on a water mattress. Snorkel equipment and life vests are included.

The quality of the snorkeling depends heavily on the sea. On a calm day, you might see plenty of tropical fish around the volcanic formations. On a rough day, swells can make the usual snorkeling area unsafe or less clear, and the crew may use a different location.

That variability is worth taking seriously. One outing had disappointing snorkeling because of high swells, despite good equipment. The same person still liked the boat and crew and would consider returning in better conditions. I would book this as a complete boat-and-island day, not as a guaranteed top-tier snorkeling trip.

The guides help make the water time easier. They supervise the group, explain how to use the equipment, and keep watch as people move between the boat, smaller vessels, and shore. Families appreciated the close attention given to children, though parents still need to judge each child’s swimming comfort.

If you are not a confident swimmer, you can stay aboard and enjoy the boat. The activity list is broad enough that you do not have to take part in every water sport. Still, the most memorable parts of the island visit require getting into the water.

Mexican fajitas and another round of ocean time

After the island activities, you return to the boat for lunch. The meal includes Mexican fajitas with a choice of beef, chicken, or vegetarian filling, plus rice, beans, and local corn tortillas.

The food is practical and filling after a morning in the water. It is not a restaurant meal, and one meal was described as somewhat bland, so bring your expectations down a notch. Hot sauce would be a useful addition if you like stronger flavors, though the guacamole and fresh ingredients help.

Lunch also marks a change in pace. You can eat, order another drink, and then return to the water toys or relax on deck. This flexible rhythm works well for mixed groups. One person can use the slide while another sits in the sun, and nobody has to follow a strict activity schedule.

The return cruise, photos, and party mood

The ride back across Banderas Bay is more relaxed and more social. The crew serves additional drinks and local snacks, and you can enjoy music, dancing, ocean air, or a quiet seat on the upper deck.

The return is not just dead time after the island stop. The views remain part of the experience, and the boat’s open layout gives you a good chance to watch for wildlife. If you missed whales on the way out, keep looking on the way back.

A photographer works aboard throughout the day, taking action shots and candid pictures during the boat activities, snorkeling, and shore visit. Photos are not included in the tour price. You can view and purchase them later, and the photographer may also show the group pictures before the end of the trip.

For water activities, photos can be useful because it is difficult to carry a phone during the wet landing. If you want your own pictures, bring a waterproof case. Otherwise, the photographer provides a convenient alternative, though you should budget extra if you decide to buy images.

What $131 really gets you

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Marietas Islands. The price includes much more than a boat ride, though: breakfast, guacamole, lunch, an open bar, a guide, water supervision, snorkel gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floats, and the waterslides.

I see the value most clearly for an active group that will spend time in the water and make use of the drinks and meals. The roomy boat, attentive service, and included equipment also reduce the small extra costs that can add up on a marine excursion.

The value is weaker if your main goal is the famous hidden beach, a long beach stay, or highly reliable snorkeling. The hidden beach is not included, shore time is limited, and sea conditions can change the snorkeling plan.

The tour has a six-hour duration, which gives you enough time for the cruise, island stop, lunch, and return entertainment without taking up an entire day. Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead and the option to reserve now and pay later make planning easier, though you should still confirm your departure point before setting out.

Who should book this tour?

I would choose this outing for families with older children, couples who enjoy a social boat day, and groups with mixed interests. Strong swimmers can snorkel and kayak, while others can relax on deck, eat, watch for whales, and use the slide when the mood strikes.

It also suits people who want service handled for them. The crew brings food and drinks, distributes the equipment, supervises the water activities, and keeps the day moving. That makes the outing feel easy, though it also means you are joining a set boat experience rather than arranging a quiet private visit.

I would think twice if you have mobility limitations, dislike wet landings, or want a calm trip with no party atmosphere. The boat is comfortable, but getting to Playa Nopalera requires swimming and boarding a smaller boat. The return cruise can include dancing and plenty of alcohol, so this is not designed as a silent nature tour.

Should you book the Marietas Islands boat tour?

Book it if you want a lively, well-fed day on the water with strong service, several included activities, and a real chance of seeing whales during the right season. The crew care, spacious boat, generous drink service, and mix of snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and waterslides make the $131 price reasonable for active visitors.

Skip it if the hidden beach is your main reason for going, or if you need guaranteed snorkeling conditions. Before paying, confirm that your booking is for Playa La Nopalera, check the meeting point, bring swimwear and a towel, and pack a waterproof phone case if you want your own pictures. For the right kind of day, this is less a simple island transfer than a full Pacific boat outing with a marine reserve at its center.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours, including the cruise across Banderas Bay, breakfast, the guided island visit, lunch, water activities, and the return boat ride.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. The crew also serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips and a Mexican fajita lunch with beef, chicken, or vegetarian filling, rice, beans, and corn tortillas.

What drinks are included?

The open bar includes water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas.

Is the hidden beach included?

No. This experience visits Playa La Nopalera. The enclosed cove beach shown in some promotional images requires an additional fee or a different booking.

What activities can I do at the Marietas Islands?

You can swim, snorkel, kayak, use a paddleboard, float on a water mattress, and take part in guided wildlife viewing. The boat also has waterslides.

Do I need to swim to reach Playa La Nopalera?

Yes. The island visit involves a wet landing, with swimming between the boat or a smaller boat and the shore. You must also swim back and get into the boat again.

Are photos included in the price?

No. A photographer takes candid and action photos during the day, but the photos are not included. You can view and purchase them separately.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone or camera case is also useful if you want to take your own pictures during the wet landing and water activities.