Snorkel, kayak and paddle at the Marietas

An eight-hour day at the Marietas from the Puerto Vallarta area, with snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding and Playa La Nopalera in the title. It's the cheapest way out to the islands on this site, and the longest day.

About this experience

The title lays out the day: snorkel, kayak, paddleboard and Playa La Nopalera, the open beach on the second island, over eight hours from the Puerto Vallarta area. At $88 it's the lowest from-price for a Marietas trip on this site. Eight hours is a long day, and the crossing from Puerto Vallarta takes 45 minutes to an hour and a half each way.

Playa La Nopalera is the beach you can land on without the tunnel swim. The Hidden Beach crater is a different stop, capped at 116 people a day, and nothing in this title points to it. The park's usual rules apply: life jacket in the water, eco-friendly sunscreen only, no alcohol on the islands, and a 125 MXN fee per person. The park is closed on Mondays.

The booking page shows the exact pier, the inclusions (meals, drinks, the park fee) and whether the Hidden Beach is included. Read it before you compare prices: a low from-price matters less if lunch and the fee come on top.

The lowest from-price for a Marietas trip here: $88
Snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding in one day
Playa La Nopalera, no tunnel swim
Eight hours on and around the islands

How the day runs

StartBoard near Puerto Vallarta
Meet at the pier given on the booking page.
45 min to 1.5 hCross the bay
The ride across Banderas Bay to the islands, with whales possible in winter.
At the islandsSnorkel, kayak and paddle
Mask and snorkel first, then a kayak or a paddleboard along the rocks.
At the islandsPlaya La Nopalera
Time on the open beach on the second island.
45 min to 1.5 hBack to the pier
The crossing home at the end of an eight-hour day.

Two kayakers paddling along the volcanic cliffs of the Marietas

What's included

Included

Snorkelling
Kayak
Paddleboard
Playa La Nopalera
Life jacket in the water (a park rule)

Not included

The Hidden Beach: Playa La Nopalera is the beach in the title
Meals and drinks: not in the title, check the booking page
Alcohol on the islands (banned by the park)
Drones (not allowed in the park)

Who it suits

Book it if

You want the lowest price to reach the islands
You'd like to kayak and paddleboard, not only snorkel
You're happy with Playa La Nopalera instead of the Hidden Beach
A long day on the water sounds good to you

Skip it if

The Hidden Beach crater is the point of the trip
Eight hours is too much for your group or your kids
You want food and drinks you can count on: the Playa Nopalera day lists them
Your only free day is a Monday

Tips before you book

Check what the price covers before you compare it with other tours: meals, drinks and the park fee.
Pack water, snacks and a hat for an eight-hour day.
Bring a dry bag for your phone if you plan to kayak.
Wear a rash guard instead of sunscreen if you can. The park only allows eco-friendly sunscreen.

Read next:

Frequently asked questions

Is this the cheapest Marietas Islands tour?

It has the lowest from-price on this site, at $88 per person. Check the booking page for what that includes.

Does the kayak tour go to the Hidden Beach?

The title names Playa La Nopalera, the open beach without the tunnel, not the Hidden Beach. The booking page confirms whether the Hidden Beach is included.

How long is the snorkel, kayak and paddle tour?

About eight hours, including 45 minutes to an hour and a half of crossing each way from the Puerto Vallarta area.

Do I need kayak experience?

The title doesn't set a skill level. Ask the operator before you book if anyone in your group is nervous on the water.

Ready to book

Book Snorkel, kayak & paddle day

The lowest-priced way out to the islands: a full day of snorkelling, kayaking and paddleboarding.

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