When to go

What is the best time to visit the Marietas Islands?

February and March, for dry weather, calm seas and humpback whales. December, January and April are also good.

The winter months are the dry season on this coast. CONANP describes the climate as warm sub-humid with summer rain and less than 5% of the rain in winter. The sea is usually calm, the water is clear, and the official whale-watching season covers most of it.

The Vallarta Adventures guide rates February and March as best, January, April and December as good, May, June and November as in between, and July to September as the time to be careful. That matches what you would expect from the rain and storm calendar below.

The catch with winter is demand. The Hidden Beach takes 116 people a day, and those places go first between Christmas and Easter. Book two to four weeks ahead for those months.

What are the Marietas Islands like month by month?

Dry and calm from December to April, warming in May and June, wet and stormy from July to September, then settling in October and November.

Air temperatures are typical Puerto Vallarta ranges from the Garza Blanca month-by-month guide; water temperatures from dive.site.

When can you see humpback whales near the Marietas?

From 8 December to 23 March, the official whale-watching season in Banderas Bay, with the most sightings in January and February.

Humpbacks come down from the North Pacific each winter to calve and mate in the warm water of the bay. The official window, set under Mexico's whale-watching rules, runs from 8 December to 23 March. The 2026-27 whale season post has the details for this winter.

You do not need a separate whale tour. Boats crossing to the Marietas pass right through the area, and many captains slow down when they see a spout. One guest on the snorkel and kayak day wrote: "saw loads of humpback whales, outstanding snorkeling, helpful staff, very good lunch! highly recommended". The longer the crossing, the more whale time you get, which is one point in favour of a Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta departure in winter.

A long winter day on the water: snorkelling, kayaks, Playa La Nopalera, and whales on the way when they are in the bay.

★ 4.8 · 6 hours · from $119

Explore the snorkel and kayak boat day → Tour details

What is the rainy season like at the Marietas?

June to October, with September the wettest. Rain usually comes as short afternoon or evening storms, so mornings are often fine.

Summer rain on this coast is mostly tropical showers and thunderstorms late in the day; Garza Blanca's guide mentions storms around 17:00 in August. A morning tour can be dry and hot while the afternoon pours. The trouble for the Marietas is less the rain than what comes with it: swell and wind that make the tunnel unsafe and the crossing rough.

The Vallarta Adventures guide flags July to September as the period with the lowest Hidden Beach reliability. Summer has upsides: warm water near 29°C, fewer visitors and easier availability. Go with a flexible plan and an early start.

Is hurricane season a problem for Marietas tours?

It can be. The eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from 15 May to 30 November, with the highest risk in August and September.

The US National Hurricane Center tracks the eastern Pacific season from 15 May to 30 November. Most storms never come near Banderas Bay, but a system passing offshore still sends swell into the bay for days. When that happens, the port authority can close the port to small boats and CONANP can suspend landings.

The practical defence is flexibility. Every tour on this site cancels for a full refund up to 24 hours before, and an operator or park cancellation gets you a refund or a new date. Book your Marietas day early in your stay so you have a spare day if the sea closes.

Which days is the Marietas park closed?

Mondays for the whole park, and Tuesdays for the Hidden Beach. Landings in the crater run Wednesday to Sunday, 8:00 to 17:00.

The official CONANP schedule is simple: the park opens Tuesday to Sunday, 8:00 to 18:00, and Playa del Amor opens Wednesday to Sunday, 8:00 to 17:00. On Mondays the boats stay home, or head elsewhere in the bay.

If you want the Hidden Beach, you have five days a week to choose from. A Tuesday trip can still snorkel and land at Playa La Nopalera, which makes it a decent day for families or anyone not doing the swim. The Hidden Beach guide covers the crater's rules.

What time of day is best?

Morning. The sea is usually calmer, the light is soft, and you are back before the afternoon wind or summer storms.

Landings at the Hidden Beach start at 8:00, and the first groups of the day tend to get the flattest water in the tunnel. Wind usually builds after midday. In summer, storms gather in the late afternoon.

Short tours from Punta de Mita, such as the Marietas safari, make a morning trip easy, because 15 minutes on the water gets you there early. From Puerto Vallarta, the long day boats leave in the morning anyway and come back mid to late afternoon. See Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita for the piers.

When are the Marietas busiest?

Christmas to New Year, Holy Week before Easter, and Mexican long weekends. With 116 Hidden Beach places a day, those dates sell out first.

Holy Week (Semana Santa) brings Mexican families to the coast in large numbers; in 2027 Easter Sunday falls on 28 March, so expect crowds in the week before. Christmas and New Year are the other peak, followed by the long weekends around national holidays. Winter visitors from the US and Canada fill January to March.

Book two to four weeks ahead for those dates, as the Food and Pleasure guide advises for high season. In the quieter months, a few days ahead is often enough. The season rules post tracks any changes to the limits.

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