Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera

A boat day can fix a vacation. I like the friendly crew and open bar, and I especially like having kayaks, paddleboards, snorkeling gear, and waterslides ready to use without extra fees. The main catch is that the famous enclosed Hidden Beach is not part of this outing, and reaching Playa Nopalera requires a wet landing and some swimming.

This six-hour Chica Locca trip combines a scenic cruise across Banderas Bay with time in the Marietas Islands National Park. You get breakfast, guacamole, a Mexican fajita lunch, premium drinks, and guided water activities for $131 per person. It is a strong fit if you want a lively boat day, but less so if your only goal is serious snorkeling or a quiet island visit.

Key points at a glance

• The boat is part of the attraction: You get waterslides, upper and lower seating areas, kayaks, paddleboards, swim mats, and plenty of room to move around.
• Playa Nopalera is the destination: You reach this beach by swimming from a smaller boat, then return to the main vessel for lunch and more water time.
• Whale watching adds real value: From December through April, humpback whales may appear in Banderas Bay, and the captain may stop when sightings are good.
• Food and drinks are included: Breakfast, guacamole and blue corn chips, Mexican fajitas, and an open bar cover the basics all day.
• The Hidden Beach costs extra: The enclosed cove shown in some promotional images is not included in this particular tour.
• Mobility matters: Swimming, climbing into a smaller boat, and handling a wet landing are required for the island activities.

Why this six-hour cruise is more than a transfer

The Marietas Islands are often treated as a quick photo stop. This trip gives you a fuller boat-day experience, with the ride itself carrying nearly as much weight as the island visit.

You cruise along the north shore of Banderas Bay aboard a roomy vessel equipped for play. The boat has waterslides and unlimited use of the water gear, so you can spend time in the sea even after the island portion is finished. I like that flexibility. If snorkeling conditions are poor, you are not stuck with only one activity.

The boat has upper and lower areas for sitting, sunning, and cooling off. You can choose a social day with music, drinks, and the slide, or find a quieter corner and watch the coast roll by. That makes the trip work for mixed groups, although it is not a peaceful sailing excursion from start to finish.

The overall rating is 4.7 from 40 ratings, with 95 percent of ratings receiving the top score. The strongest pattern is clear: service, attention from the crew, the boat, whale sightings, and the easy all-inclusive format earn the most praise.

Starting in Banderas Bay with breakfast on board

Your meeting point depends on the option you book. The listed starting locations are Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier and Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y usa, with return drop-offs at the same two locations.

Once aboard, breakfast gets the day moving without making you wait for a full meal. Expect fresh seasonal fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. One piece of practical advice comes from the structure of the day: eat something before the boat reaches open water, especially if you plan to swim and use the water toys later.

Drinks are available throughout the trip. The included selection covers water, coffee, tea, juices, sodas, mineral water, beer, wine, tequila, champagne, margaritas, and piña coladas. You are not paying for each drink as the day unfolds, which makes the $131 price easier to assess.

The open bar also changes the character of the excursion. This is not simply a wildlife trip with a sandwich lunch. It is a social day built around service, music, ocean views, and water play. If you want a serious nature outing with minimal partying, this may feel busier than you prefer.

The cruise to the islands and the best wildlife window

The ride across Banderas Bay gives you a good chance to settle in before the active part begins. You get coastal views, ocean air, and marine-life watching along the way.

The best seasonal bonus is humpback whale watching from December through April. Several recent outings included whale sightings, and one captain stopped multiple times so people could watch. That is not guaranteed, but the timing is useful if whales are high on your list.

You may also see sea turtles, rays, tropical fish, and blue-footed boobies. One particularly memorable sight is the boobies flying and fishing near the boat. The crew can point out wildlife, and guides speak English and Spanish.

A serving of fresh guacamole with blue corn chips arrives during the cruise. It is a smart snack before the island activities, and it keeps the meal schedule from becoming too rigid. The ride is scenic, but remember that conditions at sea can change. Strong swells affected one outing and reduced the quality of the snorkeling.

Reaching Playa Nopalera by wet landing

At the Marietas Islands National Park, a guide leads the group toward Playa La Nopalera. The route involves a smaller boat and water entry, followed by swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, or paddling toward shore.

This is the key practical point: you do not simply walk off the main boat onto a dry pier. You need to be comfortable entering the water, moving through it, and getting back into the smaller boat afterward. One person who could not manage the water activities stayed aboard the catamaran and still enjoyed the views, sun, and whale watching, but the central island activities were beyond their comfort and mobility level.

The wet landing is part of the fun for strong swimmers. You get close to volcanic formations and clear tropical water rather than viewing the islands from a distance. Playa Nopalera offers time to explore, swim, and see the marine reserve from close range.

Plan on keeping personal cameras protected. Because you enter the water, a waterproof case that can attach around your neck is useful. The onboard photographer can also come ashore and take pictures while you enjoy the landing.

Snorkeling, kayaking, and water toys

The activity menu is generous. You can snorkel, kayak, use a stand-up paddleboard, float on a water mattress, swim, or return to the main boat for the slide.

I like the unlimited equipment policy because it lets you switch activities without worrying about another charge. You can snorkel for a while, paddle around, then climb back aboard for a drink and another slide. Life vests and snorkeling gear are supplied, and the equipment was described as good quality.

Snorkeling quality depends heavily on the sea. One trip had disappointing visibility and rough swells, even though the equipment was good. That is worth taking seriously. The Marietas Islands can provide beautiful fish viewing, but the conditions are not controlled by the operator.

The tour works best for people who see snorkeling as one part of a larger day. If clear underwater viewing is your only reason for booking, you may find the experience less reliable. The boat, wildlife, food, and water toys give you other ways to enjoy the outing when visibility drops.

The waterslide is a major draw for families and playful adults. Children were well supervised on one family outing, and the crew paid close attention to their safety. Still, this is an active excursion, not a simple sightseeing cruise.

Lunch, service, and the return ride

After the island activities, you return to the boat for Mexican fajitas with your choice of beef, chicken, or a vegetarian filling. Rice, beans, and local corn tortillas round out the meal.

The food receives generally good marks, though not universal praise. Some people found the lunch tasty and satisfying. One person found it bland and wished for hot sauce, while another wanted more protein at breakfast. I would view the meals as solid fuel for a water-heavy day, not a special restaurant experience.

The crew is the strongest part of the trip. Names that come up in connection with the service include Saul and Kano, and the team is described as attentive, energetic, and generous with drinks. Kano even shared local taco suggestions with one passenger, a small touch that adds useful local value beyond the boat.

On the ride back, the mood shifts into a relaxed party. You can have another drink, listen to music, dance, sit on the upper deck, or watch the coast slide past. The crew continues serving beverages, and the photographer presents action and candid images for purchase.

Photos are not included in the $131 price. The photographer can be useful because taking your own camera ashore is awkward, but you should treat the picture package as an optional extra rather than part of the base cost.

What the $131 price really buys

At $131 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Marietas Islands. The value comes from how many separate costs are folded into one day.

You receive boat transportation, a guided park visit, breakfast, guacamole and chips, lunch, a premium open bar, snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, swim mats, waterslides, and crew supervision. If you would otherwise pay separately for food, drinks, and water equipment, the package becomes easier to justify.

The trip also gives you six hours on the water rather than a quick ride to the islands and back. Whale watching can add a memorable extra from December through April, though no wildlife sighting is guaranteed.

The value drops if you do not drink, do not want to use the water toys, or mainly want the enclosed Hidden Beach. That cove is not part of this tour, and you need to pay extra for an option that includes it. Check the exact package before booking if that beach is your main goal.

I see this as good value for an active couple, a family with older children, or a group of friends who will use the food, drinks, and equipment. It is less compelling for someone seeking a quiet, low-cost nature trip.

Who should book this Marietas Islands outing

You should consider this tour if you want several experiences in one package:

• A scenic cruise across Banderas Bay
• A chance to see whales in season
• Guided access to Playa Nopalera
• Snorkeling and marine wildlife viewing
• Kayaking and paddleboarding
• Waterslides and swim time
• Included meals and drinks
• A lively return cruise

Families can benefit from the attentive supervision and range of activities, though children must be comfortable around water. Couples can enjoy the views and the photographer’s service, while groups of friends may make full use of the slide, open bar, and music.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with mobility limitations, weak swimming ability, or discomfort entering and exiting a smaller boat. The main vessel is comfortable, but the island portion demands physical effort.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Add a waterproof phone case if you want to take pictures during the wet landing. If whale watching matters most, December through April gives you the best stated seasonal chance.

My call: book it for the full boat day

I would book this Chica Locca excursion if I wanted a fun, well-fed day on Banderas Bay with a real mix of activities. The crew service, roomy boat, open bar, wildlife possibilities, and included equipment make the price reasonable for the right person.

I would not book it expecting guaranteed perfect snorkeling or the famous enclosed beach shown in some images. Check the package details, be honest about your comfort in the water, and think of Playa Nopalera as one part of a six-hour boat party and marine reserve visit.

If that sounds like your kind of Mexico day, this is a strong choice. If you want quiet beaches, dry access, or highly focused underwater viewing, choose a different outing.

FAQ

How long is the Marietas Islands boat tour?

The tour lasts six hours.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $131 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The available starting locations are Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier and Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y usa. Your meeting point may vary based on the option booked.

Where does the tour return?

Drop-off is available at Chica Locca Tours Carlos Co y usa or Chica Locca Tours Paradise Village Pier, depending on the option selected.

Is food included?

Yes. Breakfast includes fresh fruit, muffins or pastries, juice, and coffee. You also receive guacamole with blue corn chips and a Mexican fajita lunch with rice, beans, and corn tortillas.

Are drinks included?

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

What activities are included?

You can use snorkeling equipment, kayaks, paddleboards, swim mats, and the boat’s waterslides. Swimming and marine-life viewing are also included.

Is the Hidden Beach included?

No. The enclosed Hidden Beach shown in some tour images is not included in this experience. An extra option is required for that visit.

Can I see whales?

Whales may be seen in Banderas Bay from December through April. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed, but the tour also offers chances to see turtles, rays, tropical fish, and blue-footed boobies.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. A waterproof phone or camera case is useful because reaching Playa Nopalera involves a wet landing.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The experience is not considered suitable for people with mobility impairments. Reaching the island activities requires swimming and handling a smaller boat.