Our pick · Punta Mita
Experiences · Banderas Bay · Punta Mita
Marietas Islandsby private boat from Punta Mita.
An uninhabited group of islands off Punta Mita, protected as a national park. Snorkel the volcanic reefs, paddle out under the seabird cliffs, and on the right trip swim into Hidden Beach.
3 – 7½ hoursDuration
Punta MitaPrivate boats leave from
All ages10 + for Hidden Beach
Dec – MarHumpbacks in the bay
Private & sharedFour ways to go
The islands
A national park a short run from the villa.
The Marietas lie about five miles off Punta Mita, a short boat ride from the villa. They are a protected national park: blue-footed boobies nest on the cliffs, and from December to March humpback whales are in the bay.
From a Punta Mita villa, a private Marietas Islands tour is the easy choice. The boats leave from Punta Mita itself, so there is no drive across the bay, and the pace is yours: snorkel the reefs, take the paddleboards out, stay longer where the fish are.
Hidden Beach is the famous part: a small beach inside a volcanic crater open to the sky, reached by swimming through a sea tunnel.
Choose your day
Four ways to the islands.
Two private boats from Punta Mita, two shared trips from Puerto Vallarta. Every option is run by Vallarta Adventures and booked through us.
Our pick · Punta Mita
Shared · small group, from Puerto Vallarta
Hidden Beach, small group
- Speed boat across the bay to the islands
- Guided swim into Hidden Beach
- Snorkel mask, helmet and life jacket
- A light snack on board
Snorkeling and birdwatching instead if access is closed.
Our concierge confirms availability and books it for you.
Booking for the whole villa? The private boats take your party only; for larger groups our concierge arranges more than one.
The film
The Marietas, from the water
Fifty seconds from the boat: the islands, the arches and the swim in. Filmed by Vallarta Adventures, who run every trip on this page.
Film · Vallarta Adventures
Private Marietas
Three hours, in order.
i.
Board at Punta Mita
Your private boat and guide
ii.
Cross to the islands
A short run out to the Marietas
iii.
Snorkel and paddle
Volcanic reefs, fish and seabirds
iv.
Back at Punta Mita
About three hours after you left
The order of the day as the operator runs it; exact times are confirmed when you book.
The route
From the pier to the water.
Where your boat leaves and where it takes you, on the bay we know best.
Bahía de Banderas · Jalisco & NayaritRoute approximate
- Punta Mita pierWhere the private boats leave.
- Puerto VallartaWhere the shared boats leave; confirmed at booking.
- Islas MarietasThe national park, Hidden Beach and the reef walls.
Punta Mita pier is right on your doorstep.
Puerto Vallarta is about 32 km from Punta Mita; our concierge arranges the transfer.
The gallery
See it for yourself.
When to go
Through the year.
Jan
Whales
Feb
Whales
Mar
Whales
Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
Whales
Humpback whales in the bay, December to March
Good to know
Before you go.
Hidden Beach
Only on the two Hidden Beach trips, from age 10. Entry is limited each day and depends on the tide and the sea.
A national park
No drones, and no sunscreen in the water, so bring a sun shirt and a hat.
Included
A snorkel mask and life jacket on every trip; the full day also covers the park fee.
From your villa
Private boats leave from Punta Mita. The shared trips leave from Puerto Vallarta, and the full day also from Nuevo Vallarta.
Our take
Founder, Villa Experience
“For Punta Mita guests I suggest the private boat: you leave from Punta Mita, the day runs at your pace, and you are back about three hours later. If Hidden Beach is the reason you are going, book the Hidden Beach trip itself.”
Founder, Villa Experience
After the boat, lunch at the villa by a private chef (at additional cost), arranged by our concierge.
Questions
Before you ask.
How do we get into Hidden Beach?
You swim from the boat through a sea tunnel of about 70 metres, in a helmet and life jacket, and come out on the beach inside the crater. You need to be comfortable swimming in open water, and the tunnel can only be swum at low tide when the sea allows.
Is Hidden Beach open every day?
Not always. The park admits 116 visitors a day, and the authorities close the tunnel when the tide or the sea is wrong. On those days the trip snorkels around the islands instead.
Can we see Hidden Beach on the private Marietas trip?
No. Hidden Beach has its own trips, private from Punta Mita or in a small group from Puerto Vallarta. The private island trip snorkels and paddles around the islands.
Which trip leaves closest to our villa?
In Punta Mita, the two private boats, which leave from Punta Mita itself. In Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta, the shared trips leave from Nuevo Vallarta or the Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal; from Sayulita or Bucerías, our concierge arranges the transfer to whichever suits your day.
Can children go?
Yes. The private Marietas trip takes all ages, the full day with lunch is from age 4, and both Hidden Beach trips are from age 10.
When can we see whales?
Humpback whales are in the bay from December to March, so you may see them on the way.
Villa Experience Concierge
Let us arrange the day.
Tell us your dates and your group. We book the right option and the transfer, plan the rest of the day at the villa, and send you one confirmation.
Pairs well with
More for the same week.
Marietas IslandsOperated by Vallarta Adventures
Reserve
