The Marietas Islands are a small group of uninhabited volcanic islands off Punta de Mita, at the mouth of Banderas Bay. They are protected as a national park, and their reefs, caves and arches are home to tropical fish, rays, sea turtles and large colonies of seabirds, including the famous blue-footed booby.
The best-known spot is the Hidden Beach (Playa Escondida or Playa del Amor): a cove of sand inside a collapsed crater, open to the sky, reached by swimming through a short tunnel from the sea. To protect it, access is controlled — a limited number of visitors per day, only with authorised operators, and generally with the beach closed on some days of the week. Rules change, so always check what your tour includes.
Islas Marietas: the top things to do
Snorkel the reefs
Most tours stop to snorkel around the islands, where the water is usually clear and the marine life abundant. Life jackets are generally required in the park.
Visit the Hidden Beach
Only on tours that include it, with limited daily places. You swim through the tunnel, usually with a guide, and depending on the tide and swell it can be closed at short notice. Not for weak swimmers.
Watch the seabirds
The islands are a breeding site for seabirds; blue-footed boobies are the stars. Boats cannot land on most of the islands, so birdwatching is from the water.
Look out for whales
In whale season, boats crossing to the islands often meet humpbacks on the way.
Getting there: Islas Marietas
- From La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: about 10 minutes from Bucerías by road, then roughly an hour by boat.
- From Punta de Mita: about 30 minutes from Bucerías by road; the shortest crossing to the islands.
- From Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta: longer boat rides; some tours include hotel pickup.
Insider tips
- Book ahead in high season — places for the Hidden Beach are limited.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen, or a rash vest, to protect the corals.
- Bring a towel, a hat and seasickness tablets if you need them.
- Do not touch corals or feed fish, and take all your rubbish back.
Bookable experiences to pair with Islas Marietas
These are the real, bookable experiences that fit best around a visit to Islas Marietas:
Boat tour from US$129 Marietas Islands Boat Tour: Snorkel, Kayak, Playa Nopalera
A full morning or afternoon out to the protected Marietas Islands from the marina at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle — the nearest departure point to Bucerías. The listing includes snorkelling, kayaking and a stop at Playa Nopalera; check whether it includes the Hidden Beach, which has its own limited daily access.
- Departs from La Cruz, about 10 minutes from Bucerías
- Snorkelling and kayaking at the Marietas Islands
- Time on Playa Nopalera
Boat tour from US$166 From Nuevo Vallarta: Marietas Islands Hidden Beach Tour
A Marietas Islands tour from Nuevo Vallarta, 15 minutes from Bucerías, focused on the Hidden Beach — the sandy cove inside a collapsed crater that you reach by swimming through a short tunnel. Access is limited and controlled by the national park, so read the conditions on the listing carefully.
- Built around a visit to the Hidden Beach
- Snorkelling around the islands
- More than 80 reviews on GetYourGuide
Boat tour from US$71 Marietas Islands from Punta Mita with optional Hidden Beach
A half-day trip from Punta de Mita, the closest point on the mainland to the Marietas. The Hidden Beach is offered as an option. A new listing with only one review so far.
- Shortest crossing to the islands
- Optional Hidden Beach visit
- Half-day format
