If youre hoping to visit the beach, reserve your tour with a reputable company such as Ecotours de Mexico or Vallarta Adventures well in advance. Awful - Beach Boy Marietas islands Tour - Don't Do It!!! In order to participate in these activities, you usually need to hop off the boat into the water and climb back in on a ladder. My wife and I signed up to visit Marieta Islands "Hidden Beach" via Vallarta Adventures. Part natural beauty and part man-made the result is simply breath-taking. Imagine a wide, sandy cavern with the waters from the Pacific Ocean creating a picturesque scene. There is a endless stream of tourists swimming in so it is not that hidden. The snorkeling is very poor at Marietas Island. As luck would have it, the only day that I had available for a tour was a Tuesday. It also gives you the chance to relax and look for whales. Your boat captain and crew cannot control the weather, water or tide. Top 10 Summer Activities for Adults in Puerto Vallarta. more. Tours to the Islas Marietas offered by local companies usually include the option of snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. Caribbean Warehouse is part of the Blue Bay Travel family, the UKs leading independent experts in long-haul holidays. The Mexican Government once used the Marietas Islands as a bomb testing and explosive site in the 60s, which is what caused the crater that forms the hidden beach in the first place. So that meant Hidden Beach was closed. To find out more read the privacy policy. This keeps Southerner Says online and on the road. You do not get to go onto the hidden beach.On the way back the bar opens and the staff put on an entertaining show.On the whole a good trip! The cliffs, recesses, and caves of the islands provide nesting areas to a great many species of birds that reside on the island. Ocean adventures took me here with my husband. Most all boat tours leave from this marina so there will be a crowd if its high season or theres a cruise in port. When you take time to visit the islands you will definitely want to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive, but dont leave the Marietas Islands before you have explored Playa del Amors hidden beach that is located between two of the islands. They will do their best to make it happen but if they decide that its too dangerous, they will cancel the swim to Hidden Beach.

Even if you paid for it.

Learn how your comment data is processed. We instead went to bigger beach on the second island which was nicer and bigger but still stuffed with tourists.Overall it was not a great experience; huge tourist trap. Everything you Need to Know About Radisson Blu Punta Cana, 16 Reasons Why Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is the Ideal Family-Friendly Mexican Escape. Boat Tours & Water Sports in Puerto Vallarta. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Top 8 Foodie Destinations in Mexico You Must Visit. We were supposed to go snorkeling but a couple of people got stung by jellyfish swimming from the hidden beach to the boat and the majority of the group did not want to go. Once the water activities are complete, the crew opens the bar and serves lunch. They just dont serve alcohol until everyone is out of the water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Join us on a quest to find the hidden beach Mexico, otherwise known as Playa del Amor. In Mexico, thats typically yogurt, fruit, toast and juice or coffee. Part of an underwater mountain range that peaks above the ocean's surface, the Islas Marietas mark the entrance to Banderas Bay from the Pacific. Playa del Amor is a hidden beach that offers visitors natural beauty, crystal clear waters, and a cute sandy beach that is hidden at the center of a huge crater, where you can also observe a thriving natural bird sanctuary. Anyone that wants to stay onboard the boat can do so. After looking at some tour operators websites, its unclear if their tours include Hidden Beach or not. If you would like to enjoy the park fully and possibly access Hidden Beach, your best bet is to go with an organized tour such as those offered by Vallarta Adventures, Islas Marietas Tours, or Eco Tours Vallarta. For my Islas Marietas tour was in February and there were so many whales, there was hardly a time when you looked around the bay, that you didnt see at least one whale breaching or the movement of a tail.

Your email address will not be published. It also appears they leave out the important information about Hidden Beach beach being closed on specific days.

Islas Marietas | Christian Frausto Bernal/Flickr, worst-kept secrets in international tourism. I would not recommend this activity and would suggest visiting Sayulita or just a regular beach instead. Are you visiting Puerto Vallarta want to see the Marietas Islands? Its closest to Punta de Mita, from where the boat trip is only about 15 minutes. (This stands for Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and the fee helps preserve and maintain the park) Once you pay this fee, youll be given a wristband to wear for the duration of the tour that shows you paid your fee. Our guide to the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta will help you find more beauties. We then put on helmets and were told we had exactly thirty minutes inside on the "hidden beach". Most of the tour companies offering boat tours to the Islas Marietas have a tour that includes a visit to Hidden Beach, and one that does not. Even if you arent familiar with the name of the islands themselves, youve probably seen photos of the secret, crater like Hidden Beach or Playa del Amor, floating around on the internet. Located just a few miles off the coast of Mexico, Las Islas Marietas are in federal waters off the western Pacific coast of Mexico near the states of Nayarit and Jalisco. However, legend has it that the hidden island was formed by more than a natural wonder. We instead went to bigger beach on the second island which was nicer and bigger but still stuffed with tourists. Today, however, it is one of Puerto Vallartas most treasured destinations for a day trip or diving excursion. Weve spent over a decade collecting tonnes of first-hand holiday expertise to help you make the right choice from a smorgasbord of gorgeous getaways, providing individual care and attention for every holidaymaker. Since that time, many steps have been taken to protect the delicate ecosystem on the islands and in the surrounding water. Diving excursions are offered by Dressel Divers and Vallarta Adventures. Input your search keywords and press Enter. There was some controversy in recent years due to the sheer volume of visitors that were landing on the sandy shores official figures put the number as somewhere in the region of 2,500 visitors daily and as a result the Islas Marietas were, to the dismay of many, closed temporarily in May 2016. Since access to the islands is limited, the tour is much more of a day out on the water tour than a lay on the beach tour. In the past, almost anyone could tour the islands. The islands are completely uninhabited and have been classified as a national park since 2005, known as Parque Nacional Islas Marietas. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Its also a good idea to bring a light sweater or jacket, as it can get breezy out on the open sea, especially if youre wet on the way back. In the 1960s, Jacques Cousteau and other conservationists decried the military testing, and the islands were eventually protected as a National Park in 2005 and recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve in 2008.

Once everyone is loaded onboard for the Islas Marietas tour, the crew will go over all the safety and life jacket information. Heres how a day on an Islas Marietas Tour goes. Years went by before anything was done but finally in 2005, the islands were declared a national park. Completely hidden from sight the only way to catch a glimpse is from an aerial viewpoint or to embark on a voyage of discovery. Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets in international tourism, Mexicos stunning hidden beach, which forms part of the Islas Marietas, is situated just off the coast of the Riviera Nayarit. Be prepared to pay in cash on arrival at the dock. If you need something more substantial, there are a few counter service type restaurants in the port, where you can order a hardier breakfast.

In fact, the boat ride to reach them takes little more than an hour and there are a selection of companies and schedules to choose from. Invisible from the outside, no boats can make their way into the petite bay, so would-be visitors must hop into the water and swim under the rocks to reach their paradisiacal destination where only swimming and sunbathing is allowed. There was plenty of equipment and everyone that wanted to had a turn snorkeling or kayaking or both. The Marieta Islands were formed thousands of years ago as a result of underwater volcanic eruptions. Its also helpful to check a couple of different travel sites too. Recommended experiences in and around Puerto Vallarta, Scuba & Snorkeling, Boat Tours, Private Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Scuba & Snorkeling, Brenda Guadalup M, Guest Relations Manager at Marietas Islands, responded to this review. I must say it is probably the best place I have ever snorkeled and the island is a gem perfect for a quick getaway or day trip! It only takes a few minutes for you to swim through a rocky tunnel where you will arrive to the beach that is surrounded on all sides by the walls of a crater. The crew presented useful information about the area and the islands throughout the tour in Spanish and English. As the Marieta Islands and Hidden Beach gained popularity, visitation got out of hand. Doesn't include access to the hidden beach, which is the main attraction. Lastly, I want to acknowledge that Vallarta by Boats Google reviews arent great. There are several boat tour companies that take visitors out to watch the humpback whales who make their home here in Bay of Banderas from November until the end of March. It was pretty incredible. Making the trip over to the Marieta Islands to see one of Mexicos most unique beaches is 100% worth it. All activities are from the boat, as it anchors in the bay and understandably, its very controlled. Youll wear a life jacket and a helmet (to avoid hitting your head on the roof of the tunnel) but no fins, to avoid damaging the coral. Well the hidden beach is tiny; maybe 50ft - 80ft long. We then put on helmets and were told we had exactly thirty minutes inside on the "hidden beach". To do this swim you need to be a strong swimmer and over twelve years of age. Unless this was your first time snorkeling there is no other word for it; but poor. In the first half of the 1900s, the Mexican government conducted military testing on the islands, and the resulting explosions, along with erosion, created some interesting rock formations, including the famous beach. Why All-inclusive makes sense at Hotel Mousai, Luxurious Shopping Villages Around the World, Best beaches around Banderas Bay and Puerto Vallarta. Booking an Islas Marietas tour gives you a chance to see some of the wildlife on and around the islands and if youre lucky, fish, sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and even whales in the waters around the islands. Doesn't include access to the hidden beach, which is the main attraction. Some of the chairs were under an awning in case you didnt want to be in the sun. The tour I chose was an all day tour that leaves from the cruise ship terminal in Puerto Vallarta. Throughout the year you might also be able to observe orcas, stingrays, various species of sharks, as well as giant manta rays, sea turtles, and maybe even a dolphin pod. Many resorts and hotels have trusted tour operators that they have partnerships with. For sure, La Playa del Amor is the hidden beach that every visitor to Puerto Vallarta should experience. Most tours include lunch and possibly breakfast. The Islas Marietas are located just a few miles offshore from the popular Mexican beach destination of Puerto Vallarta and just off the coast of Riviera Nayarit. Continue swimming below the caves and arches to emerge onto the stunning island. With no real regulations or supervision, visitors caused a lot of damage and destruction to the islands themselves and the coral reefs that surround the islands. The Beach Boys crew aboard the Bora Bora were lovely, fun and full of Visiting Hidden Beach is a major attraction of this national park, although there are a number of challenges to accessing the beach, so many visitors are not able to get there, but there are plenty of other activities on offer. Islas Marietas National Park is made up of a pair of small uninhabited islandsIsla Larga and Isla Redondaalong with a couple of islets. The morning air, especially in winter, and even in spring at times, can be chilly on the boat, so you might want to pack a light jacket or a long sleeved shirt. read more, The Entire thing was amazing. As youd expect theres an abundance of marine life, flora and fauna on the islands. If birding is your main interest, you may prefer a tour that is geared specifically to this activity, such as the one offered by Birding Mexico or Birding San Pancho, which also offers the opportunity for snorkeling. Islas Marietas are comprised of 3 main islands and 6 smaller islands forming an archipelago. Now, as part of the new regulations, only certified licensed tour operators have permission to go to the islands. We cant find a country that matches your search. While planning an Islas Marietas tour for myself, I realized that the internet is full of vague information about how to get to the islands and just what you can or cant do there. Getting out on the water in the Bay of Banderas and with this tour is a great way to see wildlife and Puerto Vallarta from a different perspective. If this is something that concerns you, then book a small tour with less people. The Entire thing was amazing. The whole experience just adds to the mystery of the trip. Hey I'm Lori! I'm Lori - southerner, traveler, road tripper and public lands lover. Then there is a nice boat ride back to the port, with an open bar. The Viator.com tours below all have 5 star reviews. If you go, take a towel, swimsuit, reef-friendly sunblock, and a camera (preferably a waterproof one). Once everyone is on the boat, the official tour is begins. For everyone thats participating in the water activities the crew splits you up into groups.

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The tour departs at 9am and returns around 5pm. Although its not within a crater, its surrounded by interesting rock formations and lots of the nopal cacti after which it is named. Heres everything you need to know about this spectacular hidden beach. Because of the temperate water temperature, every year, thousands of humpback and gray whales make their way into the Bay of Banderas to mate and give birth. 2000, Visit the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico: Best Things to Do, Find Out Which Island in Tahiti is Right for You, The Top 10 Things to Do in the Cook Islands, 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, The 10 Most Beautiful National Parks in Mexico, The Top 5 Places to Go Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta, Plan a Romantic Trip to Puerto Rico With These Things to Do, Top Things to Do When You Visit Florida's Key Largo, The 8 Best Great Barrier Reef Tours of 2022, 15 Fun Diversions for the Whole Family on Oahu, Hawaii, Romantic Getaways in 2019: Go Here, Not There. Youll find some great options in these round-ups of resorts: Islas Marietas National Park is an easy day trip from Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit. We snorkel all over the world. I been whale watching in Cabo, La Paz and Costa Rica and this trip was where Ive seen the most whales at one time. The government initiated a huge clean up and restoration of the entire area. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Plus, they also have the accolade of being a UNESCO biosphere reserve. This is a great spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, but even from the boat, you may be able to see schools of dolphins or breeching whales (in season). The music didnt bother me but Ive read reviews of people who didnt like the afternoon activities. On my tour there was local beer, margaritas, and of course, water and juice were available the entire cruise. Yet one of the biggest draws is undeniably the wealth of enchanting marine life that can be spotted in the coral reefs around the island; you can potentially spot anything from dolphins to eels and turtles, and even humpback whales between December and March. The Vallarta by Boat tour is definitely not what I would consider a party tour at all but to keep it fun on the way back to Puerto Vallarta the crew played music and some games for guests that wanted to participate. Renowned as a bird sanctuary, the islands are home to 92 species of bird, of which 40% are classified as endangered. If you do visit the islands, dont forget to practice leave no trace principles and tip your guides. This location was first made famous for its diving and snorkeling by the famous oceanographer and explorer, Jacques Cousteau.

Top 5 Mexican Traditions You Have to Experience! This is a day cruise from the port to the islands. Some other useful items you might want on your Islas Marietas tour are: Along with day trips to Yelapa and Mismaloya, an Islas Marietas tour is a must when visiting Puerto Vallarta or Nayarit. Known for providing the best scuba diving, snorkeling, and even watching whales haunts, the Marietas Islands are a great spot for all kinds of underwater activities. The most famous one found in the islands is the blue footed booby. With the exception of hurricane season, the Pacific coast of Mexico generally experiences good weather all year long. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Different tour companies utilize different types of boats but our boat was a one deck with chairs. Plan in advance to get a spot on a tour (access is not permitted to the islands on Mondays and Tuesdays). Best All Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Distribucin, abundancia y conservacin de la avifauna de las islas Marietas, Nayarit, Mxico. Not worth the $80 per head for 40 minutes of snorkeling and 20 minutes on a beach, yet we were at sea for 8 hours. Personal flotation devices are mandatory and shoes, sunglasses, cameras and drones are not allowed. read more. We were supposed to go snorkeling but a couple of people got stung by jellyfish swimming from the hidden beach to the boat and the majority of the group did not want to go. For my Islas Marietas tour, I used Vallarta by Boat. Working in travel marketing lets me inspire others to visit their dream destinations and create their own happy holiday memories. The strange formation of the hidden beach is said to be due to military explosives testing in the 1900s, which left several craters and caves on the islands. Even if you take a tour that specifically includes Hidden Beach, theres no guarantee that you'll actually be able to visit it, as that will depend on the sea conditions on the day of your visit.

While the Islas Marietas are technically under the jurisdiction of the state of Nayarit, they are arguably a more popular destination for tourists in the coastal Jalisco town of Puerto Vallarta. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Our tour also stopped in Nuevo Vallarta to pick up a few passengers that boarded from there. Be prepared there are a couple of fees collected on behalf of the government, that arent included in the price of a tour ticket. Please try again. After about an hour boat ride from Puerto Vallarta we got to the Marieta Islands which is a bird sanctuary. To get to the beach, you have to jump off the boat and swim through a 50-foot tunnel through the rock. And in 2008 they were added the list of world UNESCO sites. Furthermore, in the surrounding water there are over 115 different species of fish including the King Angel Fish. Therefore, its imperative to book in advance to ensure you get to visit. After swimming back out we toured around the island where our tour guide described the birds and island. For that, you apparently Suzanne Barbezat is a freelance writer specializing in Mexican travel, culture, and food. The hidden beach at Puerto Vallartas Marietas Islands is one of the highlights of any fabulous vacation to Mexicos Pacific Coast. After about two hours there, we all board the boat, and go to another area on the island where lunch and drinks are provided. My family waiting over 30 minutes to get on a boat to go to the beach for 20 minutes. Since the beach was closed on the Tuesday of my tour, when we left the area, the captain did at least move the boat closer to the opening in the rocks so that we could get a better look of how you enter Hidden Beach. If youre planning to visit the Islas Marietas, you can stay in Puerto Vallarta, or Riviera Nayarit, which are both popular beach resort destinations, so there are many options of places to stay. Enjoy your time at the hidden beach Mexico by soaking up the sunshine or choose to further explore the rocky archways and caves. The boat tours will take you just close enough but due to the islands geography (more on that later), youll need to swim the last stretch to reach the hidden beach itself. You will be disappointed. The beach is only accessible when the tide is low, otherwise, the tunnel is underwater and its not possible to get through. Although the rumoured military testing wiped out many creatures, they have steadily replenished their stock (so to speak) over the past few decades of relative tranquillity and the islands now house hundreds of plant and wildlife species, including the amusingly named blue-footed boobies. Although many people wish to visit, access to the beach is strictly limited to 116 visitors per day and is also dependent on the tide, wind, and waves. Wildlife observation can always be enjoyed, and even those who arent much into birdwatching will appreciate seeing a striking species like the blue-footed booby or a red-billed tropicbird. The closure lasted several months while tons of garbage diapers, tires and other household items and plastic were pulled from around the islands. Playa del Amor is a romantic destination that provides one of the most unique days trips on Banderas Bay. In the 1900s test bombs are known to have resulted in the unique topography of the islands along with a plethora of caves and rock formations. The only way to reach the park is by boat. And if you are wondering theres also a bathroom on board the boat. All beaches are special but this one really excels. Read our. It used to be prohibited to explore the islands on foot, but as a sustainable tourism option, Mexicos National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), has opened an interpretive trail at the northwestern end of Isla Larga, starting at Playa La Nopalera, Walking this short but interesting 1,000-foot trail offers the opportunity to enjoy the interesting landscape from a different perspective, see nesting seabirds, various species of reptiles such as green iguanas and Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas, as well as a few different kinds of snakes, and some interesting endemic plant life. The island is in fact home to over 80 different bird species and youre almost guaranteed a sighting of a blue-footed booby. This picturesque beach is located within a crater on the northern end of Isla Redonda, Photos of the sun shining through an open crater illuminating a sandy beach with clear blue water started making the rounds on social media beginning in 2012, and still inspire many folks to add the Islas Marietas to their bucket list. I've driven over 100k miles solo looking for the perfect scenic drives, the prettiest sunsets and the best places to visit. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Because the park's natural life is protected, hunting and fishing are not permitted here. My advice is to bring your own snacks. This is possibly the best spot in western Mexico for scuba diving. Heres what you need to know if you want to see the islands. The park hosts tremendous biodiversity: its an important feeding and nesting site for several species of seabirds and the islands are surrounded by a marine sanctuary, so underwater exploration will reveal a multitude of tropical fish, sea turtles, and giant manta rays in the crystal clear water. Unless you get this at a GREAT discount do not do it. The Marietas islands were formed thousands of years ago during a volcanic eruption yet today the islands with their hidden beach are home to hundreds of birds, marine life, and blue footed boobies, a rare breed of bird that can only be seen in a few places around the world that are famed for their blue colored feet. Once you access the beach, your time there is restricted, as each tour company gets their turn. Follow the guidelines to minimize damage to the environment such as not touching the coral reef, or the wildlife, and dont leave anything behind on the island. However, I knew this in advance and I still had a great time on the tour. Traveler, road tripper and public lands explorer, I've driven thousands of miles looking for the best sunsets, the perfect campsites and amazing food. And yes, there was alcohol for purchase as well. Anales del Instituto de Biologa de la Universidad Autonoma de Mxico, "Distribucin, abundancia y conservacin de la avifauna de las islas Marietas, Nayarit, Mxico." Most of these tours are not recommended for people with limited mobility and are not accessible to people in wheelchairs. Probably 150+ people with maybe 6 kayaks and 6 paddle boards. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There are dozens of rocky outcroppings under the water but the two main uninhabited islands Round Island and Long Island are the biggest land masses of the islands and the islands you can see.

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