Marietas Islands National Park: Full Day ALL INCLUSIVE Tour

Marietas Islands is a full day of water fun. You get a boat ride with nonstop activity, an open bar setup, and time in a protected ocean playground where whales can show up. What I like most is the way the crew builds your day around simple, do-it-yourself adventure, not just sitting around. You also get a mix of deck time and in-water time, with a staff style that keeps energy high from Bay of Banderas to the ride home.

Two specific things I really like: the all inclusive food and premium drinks (breakfast fruit and pastries, guacamole snacks, and a fajita lunch), and the hands-on water options like snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboards, and even waterslides. One drawback to consider is that park rules control water entry, so you must wear a life jacket in the water and you should be ready for boat jump-in moments, which can feel awkward if you want the easiest, step-by-step entry.

Key Highlights Before You Go

• Premium open bar all day, from coffee and juices to margaritas, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, and more
• Included water gear and toys, like snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mats, and tubes
• Wildlife viewing time built in, with humpback whales seasonally and other marine life possible year-round
• Playa la Nopalera with guided help, plus optional Hidden Beach access if you secure the limited permit
• Crew-led “Chica Locca” energy, plus onboard photographer support if you want photos later
• You plan for variable ocean conditions, since snorkeling visibility and beach access can change

Marietas Islands from the Water: What This Day Actually Feels Like

This tour is built for people who want a day on the ocean that moves. You’ll spend hours on the boat, then swap to in-water play, then back to the boat for more fun, lunch, and a relaxed return. It’s not a quiet, museum-style outing, and that’s the point.

What makes it work is the balance between structured moments and free choice. The crew sets you up with breakfast and drinks, then offers guided water activities like snorkeling and kayaking, and gives you time to chill afterward. The group stays lively too, and the “master of ceremonies” vibe on the cruise means you’re not left wondering what to do next.

Price and Value: Why $110 Can Make Sense Here

At $110 per person for about six hours, this isn’t a budget snack-and-boat ticket. But the value comes from what’s included, not from fancy marketing.

You get:

• Breakfast, plus guacamole and chips as you cruise closer
• Lunch with Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas
• Premium open bar from water and coffee up through mixed drinks and alcohol
• Water gear and toys, including snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattress, and tubes
• Bathroom access onboard

If you price that out on your own, drinks alone can add up fast, and you’d likely pay separately for water toys and guided snorkeling. Also, the group size cap is 66, which helps keep it from feeling like a cattle chute all day.

Getting There: Meeting Point, Transfers, and the Boat Time You Should Expect

You’ll start with a direct cruise out to the islands after meeting at your chosen departure point. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so build your plan around getting to the meeting location yourself. The experience uses a mobile ticket, and you’ll want to have that ready.

The boat ride is about an hour each way. That time matters because it sets the tone. Early on, you’ll be treated to breakfast and drinks, then you’ll get a snack while cruising the north shore. If you’re the type who hates “dead time,” this schedule is designed to keep the day filled.

One practical note: the tour doesn’t allow drones, due to federal regulations and protection of endemic bird flight paths. So leave the drone at home and bring a regular camera or phone you can keep safe around splashes.

Stop-by-Stop Itinerary: From Bay of Banderas Breakfast to the Return Dance

Stop 1: Breakfast, Drinks, and the Onboard Welcome

Service begins promptly as you cruise straight toward Marietas. You’ll start with breakfast featuring fresh fruit in season and pastries. Then the premium beverage service kicks in: water, coffee, juices, sodas, and alcohol like margaritas, piña coladas, beer, tequila, wine, and champagne, plus more.

You’ll also meet the photographer and crew, and the staff explains how photo coverage works if you did not pre-book a package. If you want candid action shots during splashes and swims, this is where you’re set up for it.

Stop 2: Cruise by the North Shore with Wildlife Hints

As you head toward the islands, you’ll see more of the coastline and have chances to spot marine life. From December to April, these waters are inhabited by humpback whales, and all year you might see sea turtles and rays.

This is also when the tour throws in a snack break with fresh guacamole and chips. It keeps you fueled because you’ll be doing more than just looking.

Stop 3: Marietas Islands, Anchor Time, and Guided Water Options

By late morning, you arrive and anchor in the national park zone. This is where the tour shifts from cruising to doing.

With a guide, you can swim, kayak, paddle, or snorkel to Playa la Nopalera, a beach area known for clear water and reef life. You’re likely to see sea birds and tropical fish, and snorkeling quality can swing depending on the day.

If you want the special Hidden Beach, you’ll need a limited permit that must be booked in advance. It’s very regulated in how many people can enter, and access depends on permits and conditions. The permit cost is paid in pesos when you check in, so plan for cash in that currency if you add Hidden Beach.

Stop 4: Lunch, Floating Fun, and the Open Bar Still Running

Once you return to the boat, lunch hits: Mexican fajitas, rice, beans, and tortillas. With food like that included, the day stops feeling like a “drinks first, snacks later” situation.

After lunch, the open bar stays going and the tour turns into a floating play session. You’ll also get wildlife watching time again and relax with music and views. The floating toys are part of the fun factory style here, so if you like hanging out in the water without committing to deep snorkel time, this is your window.

Stop 5: Return Trip with Wildlife Stops, Music, and More Drinks

On the way back, you keep cruising with a lively onboard atmosphere. There’s time to dance, relax, or just watch the ocean slide by. The crew is also actively checking for whales and sea life, and the boat can stop when nature puts on a show.

The photographer team may handle action coverage for those who didn’t pre-book. The return trip is also the time when people usually realize the day flew by, because your schedule was stacked with activities and breaks.

Hidden Beach vs. Playa la Nopalera: Plan for Both, but Know the Rules

Playa la Nopalera is the built-in option for water time at Marietas. You’re guided there for swimming and activities, and it’s the natural focus if you want to snorkel and play without needing special add-ons.

Hidden Beach is different. It’s a controlled, limited-access feature with strict rules and a permit. Even if you’ve paid for the addition, you can end up missing it when conditions or timing don’t line up. In the real world, ocean days are weather and tide dependent, and this park enforces those limits for safety.

My advice: treat Hidden Beach as a bonus you prepare for, not a guaranteed checkbox. If you do add it, be ready for a bit more planning effort, including the permit requirement and the fact that park timing can be strict.

Snorkeling, Kayaks, Paddleboards, and the Life Jacket Reality

The included water gear is a big part of why this tour feels like value. You can use snorkeling gear, kayaks, paddleboards, floating mattress, and tubes. The tour also has waterslides, so even if snorkeling visibility isn’t perfect, you still have other options.

That said, snorkeling is not magic. Visibility can be murky on some days, and one downside you should know is that the in-water portions can feel a little rushed if you want a slow, long session. If you’re someone who gets frustrated when you’re constantly moving, you may feel it here.

Most importantly, park rules require life jackets in the water all the time. Some people find the jackets itchy or hard to adjust, and you should expect that the fit might not be perfect for everyone. Bring that mindset, and you’ll feel less surprised if the jacket you get is not your ideal.

Also, your comfort depends on how you enter the water. Multiple comments point out that you should be physically capable of jumping from the boat for swimming and snorkeling activities, even when there is a ladder. If that sounds like a dealbreaker, this is where you should think twice and look for alternatives with easier steps.

Wildlife Watching That Actually Changes the Mood

This is one of the most satisfying parts of the day. When humpback whales are in season, the trip has a real chance of seeing them. Even outside peak months, you can still spot sea turtles, rays, and seabirds.

What I like is that the crew treats wildlife sightings as a real part of the itinerary, not a quick photo stop. The boat can pause when whales or sea life show up, and that extra time is what turns a fun boat day into a memorable one.

If you’re traveling in winter to early spring, your chances are better for humpbacks. Either way, keep your expectations flexible. Marine life shows up when it wants to.

Food and Drinks: The Open Bar Setup and the Lunch That Keeps You Happy

Food here is more than a token snack. Breakfast includes fruit and pastries. There are also snacks like guacamole and chips during the cruise. Then lunch is a solid meal of fajitas with rice, beans, and tortillas.

The open bar is a major feature, and it’s offered throughout the day. You can choose from nonalcoholic drinks like water, coffee, juices, and sodas, or go for margaritas, piña coladas, beer, wine, tequila, and champagne.

The overall vibe is party-friendly, but not chaotic. People describe a high-energy onboard atmosphere with a cruise director who runs the show and encourages fun. If you’re sensitive to loud music, note that the music can be quite loud onboard, so you might want ear protection.

Comfort Tips That Save Your Day

This tour is active, and small prep helps a lot. I recommend:

• Bring sunscreen, a hat, and a towel, because you’ll be in and out of water
• Protect your phone in a waterproof pouch since there’s lots of swimming and splashes
• Plan for saltwater, including the chance it gets in your nose or ears when you jump in
• If you’re traveling with kids, check snorkeling gear fit, since kid-size gear may not be provided

One more comfort factor is shade. The boat setup includes shaded areas under a canopy, and that matters when you want a break from sun after swimming.

Who This Tour Fits Best (And Who Should Reconsider)

This works well for:

• Families who want structured activities plus enough downtime to stay relaxed
• Couples and friends who want a social, fun atmosphere with drinks and water toys
• Solo travelers who like staying included, since the crew actively helps people on and off the boat and around activities

It might not be the best match if:

• You need the easiest, step-by-step water entry with no jumping
• You are extremely picky about snorkeling timing or visibility
• You want a quieter, low-music day

Given the group size cap at 66, it also helps to tolerate a busier feel than a private charter.

The Crew and Atmosphere: Why People Keep Coming Back

A lot of the strongest praise centers on the staff. People call out how attentive and friendly the crew is, and they often highlight the vibe. Names that show up in onboard praise include Raul, who keeps the energy moving, Alex, mentioned for a fantastic experience, and Saul, noted for a special touch. There are also frequent compliments about how the crew looks after kids and keeps solo travelers feeling included.

If you’re the type who appreciates safety and guidance, this crew tends to focus on both. You won’t just be handed equipment and left to figure it out.

Should You Book This Marietas Islands All Inclusive Tour?

Book it if you want a real value day on the water with included meals, gear, and a premium open bar. You’ll also like it if your travel style is active but not complicated, meaning you want kayaking, snorkeling options, and floating fun without planning every detail yourself.

Think carefully before booking if you:

• Don’t feel comfortable with jumping in for water activities
• Get easily annoyed by variable ocean conditions and possible beach access limits
• Are sensitive to loud music

If you do decide to go, pack smart for water time, protect your phone, and treat Hidden Beach as an add-on that depends on permits and daily conditions. With that mindset, you’ll be set up for the kind of day people remember long after the drinks wear off.