# IslasMarietasNationalPark.com - Islas Marietas National Park (Mexico) and its boat tours, compared

> Independent guide to the Islas Marietas National Park off Punta de Mita, Nayarit: the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor),
> which tours enter it, departure piers and boat times, park rules, fees, age limits, season and booking.
> Not affiliated with CONANP, any tour operator or GetYourGuide.

Site: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com
Language: en. Currency: USD for online tours, MXN for the park fee. Country: Mexico (Nayarit).

## Verified facts

- Islands: Isla Redonda and Isla Larga plus two islets, uninhabited; managed by CONANP (descubreanp.conanp.gob.mx).
- Protected natural area since 25 April 2005, 1,383 ha; UNESCO biosphere reserve (2008); Ramsar site no. 1345 (2004).
- Distances (CONANP): Puerto Vallarta 34 km (18 nmi), Punta de Mita 9 km. Boat time from Punta de Mita 15-20 min; Puerto Vallarta 45 min to 1.5 h.
- Opening (CONANP): park Tuesday-Sunday 08:00-18:00; Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach) Wednesday-Sunday 08:00-17:00. Closed Mondays.
- Entry fee (CONANP): 125 MXN per person per day; children under 12, seniors and people with disabilities exempt.
- Hidden Beach: capacity 116 visitors per day; reached only by swimming through a rock tunnel at low tide with a life jacket and helmet, no fins; about 15-30 min in total.
- Only operators with a park permit may land guests at the Hidden Beach. Many tours land at Playa La Nopalera instead (no tunnel).
- Age limits vary by operator: usually 10+, with upper limits of 60 to 70; pregnant travellers and non-swimmers excluded.
- CONANP closed the islands from 9 May 2016 after overcrowding (127,372 visitors in 2015); they reopened under limits.
- Wildlife: largest brown booby colony in Mexico, blue-footed boobies, giant mantas, eagle rays, olive ridley turtles; humpback whales 8 Dec to 23 Mar.

## Tours listed on this site

Booking links are GetYourGuide affiliate links (partner_id 7GG5I5H). The site earns a commission at no extra cost to
the reader and says so at https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD at the last build and move. Ratings are GetYourGuide figures.

- Hidden Beach Tour from Nuevo Vallarta (Paradise Village pier, Nuevo Vallarta) - from $168 per person, 6.5 hours, Hidden Beach: Included, tide permitting; rated 4.6 from 81 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/hidden-beach-tour-nuevo-vallarta/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/nayarit-l32409/from-nueva-vallarta-marietas-islands-hidden-beach-tour-t407459/
- Snorkel, Kayak & Playa Nopalera Boat Day (North shore of Banderas Bay) - from $119 per person, 6 hours, Hidden Beach: No, Playa La Nopalera; rated 4.8 from 59 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/snorkel-kayak-playa-nopalera-boat-tour/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/la-cruz-de-huanacaxtle-l94044/marietas-islands-boat-tour-snorkel-kayak-playa-nopalera-t461417/
- Marietas Islands Safari from Punta de Mita (Punta de Mita marina, 15 min by boat) - from $154 per person, 3.5 hours, Hidden Beach: Listed, tide permitting; rated 4.5 from 19 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/marietas-islands-safari-punta-mita/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/corral-del-risco-l236660/marietas-islands-safari-t947882/
- Private Snorkeling Safari with a Local Guide (Punta de Mita pier) - from $368 per group, 3 hours, Hidden Beach: Extra, ask the operator; rated 4.8 from 4 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/private-snorkeling-safari-punta-mita/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/punta-mita-l98853/marietas-islands-snorkeling-safari-with-a-local-guide-t1067612/
- Marietas Snorkeling Trip from Puerto Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta) - from $135 per person, 5 hours, Hidden Beach: Not listed; rated 4.9 from 18 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/marietas-snorkeling-trip-puerto-vallarta/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/puerto-vallarta-l265/from-puerto-vallarta-marieta-islands-snorkeling-trip-t415673/
- Snorkel, Kayak, Paddle & Playa Nopalera (Puerto Vallarta) - from $88 per person, 8 hours, Hidden Beach: No, Playa La Nopalera; rated 4.0 from 26 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/snorkel-kayak-paddle-playa-nopalera/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/puerto-vallarta-l265/islas-marietas-snorkel-kayak-paddle-and-playa-nopalera-t732315/
- Marietas Islands with Breakfast, Lunch & Open Bar (Puerto Vallarta) - from $119 per person, 6 hours, Hidden Beach: Not listed; rated 4.7 from 9 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/marietas-breakfast-lunch-open-bar/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/puerto-vallarta-l265/puerto-vallarta-marietas-island-breakfast-lunch-open-bar-t743956/
- Los Arcos Five Islands Boat & Snorkel (Los Arcos National Marine Park, south of Puerto Vallarta) - from $48 per person, 3.5 hours, Hidden Beach: No, a different marine park; rated 4.7 from 393 reviews. Page: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/tours/los-arcos-five-islands-snorkel/ Booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/puerto-vallarta-l265/vallarta-boat-snorkel-tour-to-5-islands-of-los-arcos-t528921/

## Guide pages

- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/hidden-beach-marietas-islands/ - The Marietas Hidden Beach in 2026: how the tunnel swim works, the 116-a-day cap, open days, age limits, time on the sand and which tours actually go in.
- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/marietas-islands-tours-which-one/ - Eight Marietas Islands tours sorted by what you actually do: Hidden Beach, Playa La Nopalera or a private boat, with prices, piers and who each one suits.
- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/marietas-islands-from-puerto-vallarta-or-punta-mita/ - Getting to the Marietas Islands: every pier from Punta de Mita to Puerto Vallarta, boat times, the road to Punta de Mita, buses, taxis and Sayulita.
- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/snorkeling-marietas-islands/ - Snorkelling at the Marietas Islands in 2026: what you see, the best spots around Isla Larga, gear and sunscreen rules, water by season, and scuba.
- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/best-time-to-visit-marietas-islands/ - The best time to visit the Marietas Islands: month by month, whale season 8 December to 23 March, rain and hurricanes, Monday closures and holidays.
- https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/guides/marietas-islands-with-kids/ - Taking kids to the Marietas Islands: Hidden Beach age limits by tour, the best options for under-10s, life jackets, seasickness and what families should pack.

## Blog posts (dated)

- 2026-10-23: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/blog/marietas-park-fee-bracelet-2026/ - The Islas Marietas park fee in 2026 is 125 pesos per person per day. Who is exempt, the CONANP bracelet, the Hidden Beach bracelet and which tours include it.
- 2026-10-22: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/blog/whale-season-banderas-bay-2026-27/ - Humpback whale season in Banderas Bay 2026-27: the official 8 December to 23 March window, peak months, boat distance rules and whales on a Marietas trip.
- 2026-10-21: https://islasmarietasnationalpark.com/blog/hidden-beach-rules-2026-27-season/ - The Hidden Beach rules for the 2026-27 season: Wednesday to Sunday landings, 116 people a day, short visits, gear and age limits, and what changed since 2016.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- Not every Marietas Islands tour visits the Hidden Beach; check the inclusions for Hidden Beach / Playa del Amor / Playa Escondida.
- You cannot visit the islands independently or land from a private unpermitted boat.
- The park is closed on Mondays, and Hidden Beach landings do not run on Tuesdays.
- Hidden Beach time on the sand is short: about 10 to 20 minutes.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage or the relevant tour page. Prices, rules and schedules change; verify close to your travel date.