Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

Whales, slides, and a volcanic island await. This six-hour Chica Locca boat trip combines the marine life of Banderas Bay with time at the Marietas Islands National Park, plus breakfast, lunch, an open bar, and a full rack of water toys. I especially like the friendly, attentive crew and the fact that the $131 price includes nearly everything you need for a day on the water. I also like the choice of activities, from snorkeling and kayaking to simply stretching out on the boat with a drink.

The main catch is that getting to Playa La Nopalera and the snorkeling area requires a wet landing and swimming from a smaller boat. The famously photographed enclosed beach is not included in this outing, so check your expectations before booking. If you want an easy sightseeing cruise with optional water fun, this works well. If you have limited mobility or dislike open-water transfers, choose another excursion.

Five Things to Know Before You Go

• Whale watching adds real value in winter: From December through April, humpback whales may appear in Banderas Bay, and the captain has stopped to watch them during the cruise.
• The $131 price covers a lot: Breakfast, guacamole, fajitas, premium drinks, snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattresses, guides, and supervision are included.
• Playa La Nopalera requires a wet landing: You swim from a smaller boat to the island, so bring swimwear and a towel, plus a waterproof case if you want to carry your phone.
• The big catamaran is part of the attraction: Waterslides, open deck space, and plenty of seating make the boat itself a major source of fun.
• The hidden beach is not part of this tour: The beach shown in some promotional images may be a different option, so confirm the exact route if that sight is your priority.
• The crew earns consistent praise: Saul, Kano, and the wider Chica Locca team are known for attentive drink service, safety help, local tips, and an upbeat approach.

Leaving Banderas Bay With Breakfast in Hand

You can start from either the Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier or the Carlos Co y Usa location. The exact meeting point depends on the option you book, so check that detail carefully before setting out. Some passengers have found the transportation to the marina comfortable and the meeting spot easy to reach from the Sayulita area.

Once aboard, the morning begins with fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, coffee, and juices. It is a light continental breakfast rather than a full hot meal, which is worth knowing if you usually need a substantial breakfast before time on the water. Still, fruit and a muffin are a sensible start before swimming and snorkeling.

The boat heads along the north shore of Banderas Bay toward the islands. This is not dead time between activities. You get broad coastal views, ocean air, and a good chance to watch for marine life. From December through April, humpback whales use these waters, and several outings have included multiple sightings. One captain even made extra stops for whales that were not strictly required by the schedule.

You may also see sea turtles, rays, seabirds, and tropical coastline throughout the year. Blue-footed boobies are another special sight around the islands, and one family saw several while the birds flew and fished beside the boat. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but this route gives you a proper chance to look.

A Floating Fun Factory, Not Just a Ride

The large boat is designed for play as much as transport. It has waterslides and unlimited use of the onboard water equipment, including snorkels, kayaks, paddleboards, water mattresses, and swimming access. You can join the action or stay on deck and watch the water activity unfold around you.

That flexibility matters. A typical group may include strong swimmers, cautious swimmers, children, and people who would rather sunbathe with a cold drink. The boat has room to walk around and relax on both lower and upper decks, so you are not forced into one pace for six hours.

The crew handles water equipment, gives guidance, and provides supervision. Families have found the staff particularly attentive with children, while other passengers appreciated help getting in and out of the smaller boat. Still, supervision does not remove the need for basic swimming ability if you want to reach the island or snorkeling area.

The premium beverage service runs throughout the day. It includes water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, piña coladas, and other drinks. Crew members are notably quick to refill glasses, which sounds pleasant but can also make it easy to drink more alcohol than planned before swimming. Pace yourself, especially in the tropical sun.

Reaching the Marietas Islands by Wet Landing

The Marietas Islands are a marine national park made up of volcanic formations and protected waters. Their appeal is not only the scenery. The surrounding sea supports fish and other tropical wildlife, giving you a chance to see the islands from the water as well as from shore.

At the park, a guide leads the group toward Playa La Nopalera. Depending on conditions and the activity you choose, you may swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard, or float. The approach is part of the adventure because you leave the main boat and use a smaller craft for the final transfer.

The landing is wet. You should expect to enter the water, swim toward shore, and manage the return to the smaller boat. One passenger described the arrival as exhilarating, but also pointed out that a camera is awkward to carry unless it has a waterproof case that can be secured around your neck.

Plan your clothing accordingly. Wear your swimsuit from the start and bring a towel. A waterproof phone pouch is a smart addition, though it is not listed as a required item. The onboard photographer can also take pictures during the landing and water activities, which helps if you do not want to risk your own camera.

Time on the island can be fairly brief. One outing allowed about 20 minutes on shore, which was enough for a look around but not enough for a long beach day. The main experience is the combination of boat, water, volcanic scenery, and marine life, not hours of sitting on the sand.

Playa La Nopalera Versus the Famous Hidden Beach

This distinction deserves clear attention. The tour described here visits Playa La Nopalera, not the enclosed cove beach often shown in images of the Marietas Islands. Some passengers arrived expecting that famous covered beach and were disappointed to find a different stop.

The Nopalera outing is still attractive, with clear water, volcanic rock, and access to swimming and water activities. But if the enclosed beach is the reason you want to visit the islands, you should pay for the appropriate add-on or book an option that explicitly includes it. Do not assume every Marietas tour visits the same beach.

This is also a good example of why promotional images need careful reading. The islands contain several different sights, and route changes can depend on sea conditions, park access, or the specific package. Ask which beach and which snorkeling area are included before you pay.

Snorkeling, Kayaking, and Conditions at Sea

The water activities are the heart of this tour. You can use the included snorkel equipment to look for tropical fish, paddle a kayak near the island, stand on a paddleboard, or relax on a water mattress. The gear has been described as good quality, including life vests and snorkels.

Snorkeling conditions are not guaranteed. One outing encountered high swells and had to use a less satisfying snorkeling location, making the experience disappointing for people who booked mainly for underwater viewing. On another trip, the snorkeling was excellent, with plenty of beautiful fish.

That contrast is normal for an ocean excursion, but it matters when you compare this trip with a dedicated snorkeling charter. Here, you are paying for a broad day of activities, food, drinks, scenery, and service. The snorkeling can be a highlight, but it is not the only reason to book.

If you are comfortable in the water, the variety keeps the day moving. You can snorkel for a while, switch to a kayak, then return to the boat for a drink or a turn on the slide. If you are not a confident swimmer, you can still enjoy the cruise and boat facilities, but the island transfer and some activities may be beyond your comfort level.

Lunch, Guacamole, and the Return Cruise

As the boat approaches the islands, the crew serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips. It is a useful mid-morning snack, especially after the cruise and before time in the water.

Lunch is Mexican fajitas with your choice of beef, chicken, or a vegetarian filling, along with rice, beans, and local corn tortillas. The meal is practical for a boat day and gives you something more substantial after swimming and paddling.

Food quality has generally been a strong point, though expectations should remain sensible. Some people found the lunch delicious, while another found it fair and wanted more seasoning and hot sauce. Breakfast is also light, with no meat or cheese listed. If you need extra food early in the day, have something before boarding.

After lunch, you get more time for swimming, slides, paddling, drinks, or simply relaxing. The return cruise is less structured. You can listen to music, dance, enjoy the ocean breeze, and watch the views roll by. This loose afternoon rhythm works well because the morning already includes a guided park visit.

The photographer remains active throughout the outing, capturing candid moments and action shots. Photos are not included in the $131 price, but the team may show you images to purchase later. If you care about having good pictures from the wet landing, snorkeling, or slide, this service can be useful. If you prefer to avoid an extra expense, bring a waterproof camera and accept that some moments may be hard to capture.

How the $131 Price Holds Up

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Marietas Islands. It is also not a simple transport-and-snorkel trip. The price includes breakfast, snacks, a prepared lunch, unlimited drinks, equipment, water guides, supervision, and access to the boat’s slides and toys.

That package can represent good value if you plan to drink, eat onboard, and use several activities. Buying those pieces separately would quickly add up, and the boat provides a social day rather than a bare island transfer.

The value is weaker if you do not drink alcohol, do not care about waterslides, or mainly want a particular beach or the best possible snorkeling. In that case, a smaller, more focused boat trip may suit you better. The tour’s strength is its all-day mix of comfort, service, food, wildlife, and play.

The high rating of 4.7 from 40 reviews matches the strongest pattern in the feedback: the crew is the star. Saul and Kano have received special praise for attentive service and local advice, including taco recommendations in the area. That human touch matters on a busy water day, especially when you need help with equipment or the smaller boat transfer.

Who Should Book This Marietas Islands Tour?

I would recommend this trip to families, couples, groups of friends, and first-time visitors who want a complete day on Banderas Bay without organizing separate meals, drinks, and equipment. It is particularly good for mixed groups because active passengers have plenty to do while others can sit back on the boat.

It also suits anyone visiting between December and April who hopes to add humpback whale watching to a Marietas Islands outing. The captain may stop for whales when sightings appear, giving the cruise an unexpected bonus.

You should think twice if you have a mobility impairment, cannot swim, or dislike entering the sea from a smaller boat. The island and snorkeling area are reached through the water, and the wet landing requires physical effort.

Also book carefully if the enclosed hidden beach is essential to your plans. This trip is built around Playa La Nopalera and broad water activities, not that famous cove.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands boat tour?

The experience lasts six hours, including the cruise through Banderas Bay, breakfast, the guided visit to the Marietas Islands, lunch, water activities, and the return cruise.

What food is included?

Breakfast includes fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, juices, and coffee. The crew also serves fresh guacamole with blue corn chips. Lunch includes beef, chicken, or vegetarian Mexican fajitas with rice, beans, and local corn tortillas.

What drinks are included?

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

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling equipment?

No. Snorkeling equipment, life vests, kayaks, paddleboards, and water mattresses are included. You should bring swimwear and a towel.

Is the famous hidden beach included?

No. This outing visits Playa La Nopalera. The enclosed cove beach shown in some Marietas Islands images requires a different option or an extra payment.

Can people with mobility impairments take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Reaching the island and snorkeling area requires transferring to a smaller boat and swimming through the water.

Should You Book It?

Book this Chica Locca tour if you want the Marietas Islands wrapped into a lively, well-served day with food, drinks, whales, snorkeling, kayaks, paddleboards, and waterslides. The crew’s care and the spacious boat make the $131 price reasonable for an active all-inclusive outing.

Skip it if you want a quiet, small-boat trip, guaranteed top-quality snorkeling, or the enclosed hidden beach. For everyone else, bring a swimsuit, towel, waterproof phone case, and a willingness to get wet. That is where this tour is at its best.