Marieta Islands Snorkeling Trip: A Detailed Review

So, are you thinking about taking a snorkeling trip to the Marieta Islands from Puerto Vallarta? Basically, it’s something lots of folks do while visiting this corner of Mexico. We actually took one of these excursions ourselves and really, we’ve got the inside scoop. Here’s like our no-frills take on what it’s really like. Very important to get it right when spending your hard earned vacation dollars, you know?

Booking Your Trip: Finding the Right Tour Operator

Alright, so first thing’s first, you got to decide who to book with, you know? You’ll notice that there are, seemingly, tons of companies offering basically the same trip from Puerto Vallarta, almost as if they appear out of nowhere. The prices are really all over the map, very much that you may see anything from like $50 to $150 per person, just so you know. Apparently, the cheapest isn’t usually the best, just from our experiences, anyway.

Typically, what you will want to look for is basically a tour operator that clearly emphasizes responsible tourism. Or better said, just one that cares about the islands and the wildlife living there. See if you can find anything at all about that, anyway. Read the fine print and very much see what’s included in the price – is it like food and drinks, snorkeling gear, and any Hidden Beach access fees? Knowing this stuff beforehand will really prevent any, or at least, most surprises, really.

I would say that checking online reviews is actually very important. Just look at sites like TripAdvisor or even Yelp, just something to get an overall sense of other travelers’ experiences. Really keep an eye out for any comments regarding, like, the crew’s professionalism, how crowded the boat was, and how clean their gear actually is. I can’t emphasize that enough. And also, it is worthwhile to actually book in advance, more or less. Many of the tours will fill up really quickly, basically, especially during peak season. Booking online beforehand basically will secure your spot and who knows, sometimes you could even actually snag a discount.

The Boat Ride: Setting Sail

So, the adventure begins. Most tours basically kick off from either the marina in Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta, as a matter of fact. Just so you are ready for it, the boat trip to the Marieta Islands could very easily take around an hour to an hour and a half, even, you know. On the way, the views of the Banderas Bay coastline basically are pretty awesome, in my view anyway. You’ll probably see some amazing, really blue water and the really beautiful, green Sierra Madre mountains just kind of rolling down to the coast. Definitely have a camera handy because you may likely spot dolphins or even whales, basically depending on the season, of course.

Boats really differ quite a bit. Typically, some are really huge catamarans with, really, open bars and dance floors. Oh my. Some are also smaller, more personal speedboats. If you think about it, smaller boats often could provide a faster ride, more or less, but they also might be less steady if the sea is choppy. Or think about it the other way around. No one ever gets to enjoy this, you know?

Snorkeling in the Marieta Islands: An Underwater Paradise

Basically, once you actually get to the islands, the real enjoyment actually begins. Now, so the water surrounding the Marietas is basically teeming with sea life, which means it’s really just spectacular for snorkeling. Expect basically to see tons of tropical fish, sea turtles, and even maybe manta rays depending on the season of course.

The visibility basically really depends on the weather conditions and time of year, still on most days, anyway, you’re talking good views, at least pretty decent ones. Snorkeling equipment tends to be provided, so I mean, masks, snorkels, fins—but to make sure everything works for you and it’s also a good idea really to check your gear properly, you know? To just see if anything’s loose, because you’ll just want to just take it in.

Also, the tour operators usually will, at least most of the better ones that I’ve heard of, will take you basically to various snorkeling spots around the islands. Each is a little different and features different highlights. Just, you may feel pretty hurried getting everything taken in, honestly.

The Hidden Beach (Playa Escondida): A Unique Experience

I guess what most visitors, including us, are going for when choosing this particular excursion is seeing that Hidden Beach, or Playa Escondida. You’ve likely probably seen those pictures online and always in magazines or travel guides. Like, the pictures of a beach nestled inside a crater, almost like something out of a movie, and it’s basically really awesome, actually.

However, I do think it’s pretty good to know going into this excursion, that actually, getting to the Hidden Beach is actually something very managed, limited even, in a way. Here are like a few things to remember if it’s an important thing for you when choosing this particular boat trip: because they have to protect it and that basically, it’s controlled to protect it, anyway.

Access is Limited: To just protect the area they have permits in effect and also allow so many folks in per day to this site. And by the way, just about any tour will “add it on”, for an additional fee and it seems always presented as “subject to availability”, really. I mean that’s really common so there’s a possibility that on a particular day that you can’t visit it, that’s entirely within the realm of reasonable expectation.
Swimming Required: Very importantly, very physically importantly, very strenuously important: actually getting to the Hidden Beach usually basically involves swimming via a pretty narrow tunnel, okay. Not easy for everyone. Also you absolutely MUST wear a life vest. Keep in mind the currents might potentially be fairly strong and I mean really, I was surprised how narrow this passageway was. The swim isn’t really too far. Although they say folks who are not really great swimmers, or folks with little, minor physical restrictions, more or less, you can opt out entirely from that bit of the adventure altogether, actually. Don’t feel compelled if it makes you feel uneasy.
Time on the Beach: Now assuming that you make it onto the beach that day, after getting yourself onto the island on the trip itself, do expect your time spent on the beach can be fairly short. Basically, you are really looking at about 30 minutes total there at most. They want as many as can to enjoy a bit of time there. This helps again, more or less, to protect this kinda special little jewel for the ecosystem itself.

Honestly, I’m so pleased we made it onto Hidden Beach and you could be very glad, too. Just kind of be really well-informed about actually getting in. Is that good to know, yeah? So very good.

Environmental Considerations and Responsible Tourism

The Marieta Islands are a really protected national park, you know? Actually, preserving its natural beauty it is really important, for real, for all our enjoyment, basically.

Sunscreen: Definitely, use reef-safe sunscreen, the biodegradable stuff. Basically, it does sound ridiculous to do that, yeah? Ordinary sunscreens will really have chemicals that are literally bad to the coral reefs and marine life, frankly and honestly. Actually, slather up basically before you leave. Even then, I would definitely recommend that if you could get ahold of, I would say, basically a rash guard to reduce using the creams.
No Touching: As they state when briefing passengers to swim. Actually do not touch any of the coral or bother the marine animals. Best way to preserve the really delicate ecosystem. In order to respect the animals, don’t disturb, chase, or try to grab them because in short they just aren’t things, clearly. This tends to be even really truer during nesting season for a great many species around here, actually.
Waste Disposal: Please ensure you don’t actually leave anything, including any form of waste, behind. Don’t just toss it somewhere in the ocean or just on the islands, but hold onto it all, just as always basically.

Actually, consider just how your visit may possibly impact the environment that basically assists that natural resource for even longer, you know?

What to Bring: Essential Items for Your Trip

So, to actually prepare correctly will absolutely make all the difference to basically making the experience simply far superior. Here are just basically a number of suggested things actually to bring along:

Swimsuit: Pretty sure it can go without saying! You definitely are going to need something to actually swim around and splash with water while going through the isles of Marietta, I actually really suppose. So just remember the basic equipment that actually fits for going into aquatic activities!
Towel: For once all that actually ocean-borne water leaves your skin! The towel is for like when the waters of Puerto Vallarta, well, once they don’t soak you! If you wanna, too, you could certainly want one just by when going back home from these particular islands you’re at that second actually planning and hoping you shall return!
Reef-Safe Sunscreen: I’d actually mention as many more occasions of its potential and positive usage: You basically do not have to do the thing which directly destroys all those species of fish there while wanting at the same second really pretty hard on also getting any dose from solar radiation. They are each super critical here.
Hat and Sunglasses: Really bright sunlight gets reflected right onto you through seas, that’s like the simple version. Get shades and protect those baby eyes! A cap just keeps even hotter-feeling sunburn from blazing as such on any part of you!
Waterproof Camera or Phone Case: Definitely, you will 100% gonna prefer actually getting moments captured. I would basically bring every conceivable device or option, since just using ones, usually isn’t totally certain enough for having it not fail when it doesn’t keep the seas outside it.
Cash: Should be, certainly, really great when meaning actually for you to be needing it as related actually for needing buy something at any one market you visit as near Puerto Vallarta, but still some more occasions shall call specifically upon the payment coming via literal, hard payment via bucks alone really. Definitely tips for tour-crew and small shopping chances would absolutely like this also actually!

After the Tour: Reflecting on Your Experience

Alright, so right after your very amazing excursion, think for one moment that the tour generally ends pretty back when leaving from just such islands. But actually if anyone felt, really deep or basically even in really tiny bits just then? How actually everything might be so greatly perfect actually? Just you definitely should always remember that such might all turn real again someday anyway.

Did anyone actually experience such delight once really making way deep when meaning entering some beach which exists somewhat hidden when just right over deep from one specific side here by Puerto Vallarta basically? What that all says should be: really perfect for keeping on, while basically not giving as little stuff and space from themselves when at just it.

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