Marietas Islands snorkel trip from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

Photos: Christian Frausto Bernal, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Ferfive, CC BY 4.0 · terri_bateman, CC BY 2.0 · terri_bateman, CC BY 2.0 · Ferfive, CC BY 4.0 · terri_bateman, CC BY 2.0

A four-hour yacht trip from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to the Marietas Islands National Park: snorkel over the reefs, paddle, and look for blue-footed boobies.

Price follows the partner boat

Date

Guests

The Marietas Islands take only boats authorised by CONANP, and no yacht in our fleet holds that permit today, so we arrange the trip on an authorised partner boat.

Check availability

What you do

  • Snorkeling
  • Swimming
  • Paddleboarding

Highlights

  • Snorkelling and swimming in the Marietas Islands National Park
  • Paddleboarding where the crew judges it safe
  • Blue-footed boobies on the islands
  • Humpback whales in the bay in winter

About this trip

The Marietas are two volcanic islands at the mouth of Banderas Bay, protected as a national park. Blue-footed boobies are their best-known bird, there are reefs and tropical fish to snorkel over, and humpback whales come into the bay in winter, most reliably from December to March.

This is a trip we have designed from Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The park puts La Cruz 11.84 nautical miles from the islands, against 15.96 from Nuevo Nayarit in Nuevo Vallarta and 18 from Puerto Vallarta, and that shorter crossing is what makes the islands a half day from here. Inside the park its rules apply: a life jacket in the water, eco-friendly sunscreen put on at least 30 minutes before you swim, no alcohol and no single-use plastics.

Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) is not part of this trip as priced; the first question below explains how entry works.

The price is for the whole yacht with its crew. The park fee is charged per person and paid separately. What is on board differs from yacht to yacht; each yacht's page lists it.

Itinerary

  1. After departure: 0:00

    Board at Marina Riviera Nayarit

    Meet your crew at the dock in La Cruz and head west across the bay to the islands, about 45 minutes. The times here are for a motor yacht.

  2. After departure: 0:50

    The Marietas Islands

    A little over two hours in the national park: snorkel and swim, and paddle where the crew judges it safe.

    Marietas Islands

  3. After departure: 2:00

    Hidden Beach, arranged separately

    Landing on the beach is booked apart from the park visit. The first question below gives the beach's days, limits and how a place is arranged.

    Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor), Marietas Islands

  4. After departure: 2:30

    Playa La Nopalera

    A beach on the islands reached only by boat, with clear water for snorkelling before the ride back.

    Playa La Nopalera (Nopalera Beach), Marietas Islands

  5. After departure: 3:05

    Return to La Cruz de Huanacaxtle

    Back across the bay to the marina, about 45 minutes.

Questions

Does this trip include Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor)?

Not as priced. Hidden Beach takes 116 visitors a day, opens Wednesday to Sunday, and is entered by swimming in from the boat at low tide when the sea allows. Children under 4 are not admitted, and it is not for non-swimmers. We'll confirm whether entry can be arranged for your date and yacht, and at what cost.

Is four hours enough for the Marietas Islands?

Yes. The times in the itinerary are for a motor boat at the 16 knots we plan on, which leaves time to snorkel and swim at the islands before the ride back.

Are there park fees?

Yes. The national park charges 125 Mexican pesos per person per day. Children under 12, seniors and people with disabilities are exempt, and Mexican nationals and foreign residents pay half.

Can children and non-swimmers come?

Yes. Anyone who prefers to stay dry can watch the birds and the water from the deck. Hidden Beach has stricter limits, given in the first question.

Which days can we go?

Any day but Monday, all year: the park is open Tuesday to Sunday. Summer is the rainy season; whenever the sea is too rough, the captain moves the trip.

Which marina do we leave from?

Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. The trip runs on a partner boat authorised by CONANP, and we confirm its berth at the marina with your booking.

What should we bring?

Swimwear, a hat, sunglasses, eco-friendly sunscreen, a towel if your yacht does not list them, ID if you qualify for a reduced park fee, and any medication you need.

How do I book, and what if I have to cancel?

A 50% deposit confirms your date and the balance is due 7 days before the trip. If we cannot run the trip because of weather or a mechanical problem, you get a full refund or a new date. Otherwise the deposit is not refundable, but it can be moved to another date within 6 months on the same yacht. Terms vary by yacht and we confirm them in writing before you pay.

Is the crew's tip included?

No. Tipping the crew is customary and at your discretion; we suggest 10% to 15% of the charter fee.

Price follows the partner boat

Check availability