The Marietas Islands rise from the Pacific just five miles off the coast of Punta Mita — a volcanic archipelago of towering cliffs, hidden caves, and turquoise shallows teeming with marine life. Protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve and a Mexican national park, these uninhabited islands are home to rare blue-footed boobies, vibrant coral reefs, and the iconic Hidden Beach — a crater of golden sand accessible only by swimming through a rock tunnel at low tide.
Why the Marietas Islands Are Special
The Marietas Islands — known locally as Islas Marietas — are a small group of uninhabited volcanic islands at the mouth of Banderas Bay. Formed by thousands of years of underwater volcanic activity, the islands were first brought to international attention by Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s, who documented their extraordinary marine biodiversity and advocated for their protection.
Today the islands hold dual designations: a Mexican national park since 2005 and a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Access is strictly regulated — only licensed tour operators with federal permits may approach, and visitor numbers are capped daily to protect the fragile ecosystem. The result is one of the most pristine marine environments on Mexico's Pacific coast, where coral gardens, sea turtles, manta rays, and over 90 species of seabirds thrive in waters remarkably close to one of the country's most exclusive resort communities.
For guests staying in a private villa in Punta Mita, the Marietas Islands are the closest major natural attraction — just a 15 to 20 minute boat ride from El Anclote pier. That proximity means you can enjoy a full snorkeling or Hidden Beach excursion and return to your villa in time for a late lunch at one of Punta Mita's restaurants.
Best Snorkeling Tours from Punta Mita
Even without visiting Hidden Beach, the snorkeling around the Marietas Islands is exceptional. The volcanic rock formations create underwater landscapes of caves, tunnels, and coral gardens that shelter an abundance of tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays. Tours departing from Punta Mita reach the islands far faster than those from Puerto Vallarta — leaving more time in the water and less time in transit.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Tour
This half-day excursion departs directly from the Punta de Mita pier, reaching the islands in roughly 20 minutes. You'll snorkel at the reef area on the first island, then visit La Nopalera Beach on Long Island — a calm stretch of sand bordered by volcanic caves. The tour continues with a boat circuit for bird watching, passing landmarks like Cueva de la Virgen, La Piedra del Elefante, and the Stone Bridge crater. Hidden Beach is not included on this tour, making it a strong option for those who want marine life and scenery without the swim-through-the-tunnel requirement.
Marietas Islands Snorkeling Safari
Led by a local guide with deep knowledge of the islands' underwater geography, this snorkeling safari focuses on finding the best marine life the Marietas have to offer. The guide identifies fish species, points out sea turtles and rays, and navigates to less-visited reef sections away from the main tour groups. The small group size ensures a more intimate experience in the water, and the local departure from Punta Mita means you're snorkeling within 20 minutes of leaving shore.
Marietas Islands & Hidden Beach Tour
For guests who want the complete Marietas experience including Hidden Beach, this full-day tour departs from Nuevo Vallarta and includes the swim-through access to Playa del Amor (permit included), snorkeling at the reef, and a boat tour of the island's rock formations. Breakfast and lunch are served onboard with an open bar. The larger vessel provides comfortable seating, shade, and restrooms — important for a full day on the water. During whale season (December through March), humpback whale sightings are common on the crossing.
Private Boat Charters
A private charter to the Marietas Islands is the definitive way to experience this national park — no shared boat, no fixed schedule, and the flexibility to linger at the spots that captivate your group most. From Punta Mita, your captain departs directly from El Anclote pier on your timetable, reaching the islands in 15 to 20 minutes.
Private charters typically include snorkeling equipment, paddleboards, a knowledgeable guide, and provisions — from simple coolers of cerveza and ceviche to full catering with champagne and a private chef aboard. Many operators hold Hidden Beach permits and can combine the beach visit with extended snorkeling time, bird watching circuits, and even a stop at a secluded mainland beach on the return.
The Villa Experience concierge team coordinates private Marietas charters for villa guests, matching the right vessel and operator to your group size, interests, and preferred level of luxury. A combined Marietas + whale watching charter during the winter months (December through March) is one of the most popular requests.
Scuba Diving at the Marietas
The Marietas Islands are the premier dive site in the Riviera Nayarit. The volcanic rock formations create an underwater topography of walls, swim-throughs, and overhangs that attract large schools of fish, octopus, moray eels, and — in deeper water — manta rays and reef sharks. Visibility typically ranges from 10 to 25 meters depending on season and conditions.
Dive tours depart from Punta Mita's El Anclote pier, reaching the dive sites in approximately 20 minutes. PADI-certified divemasters guide both certified divers and beginners through the islands' most productive reef systems. Popular dive zones include the reef on the east side of Round Island (suited to all levels) and the more advanced sites at Los Anegados and El Morro, where currents bring pelagic species closer to the volcanic walls.
For beginners, the warm water (averaging 24–27°C year-round) and calm conditions make the Marietas an ideal location for a PADI Discover Scuba experience — your first dive in open water with full instructor support. Several operators offer combined packages that pair a discovery dive with snorkeling time for non-diving members of your group.
Wildlife & Blue-Footed Boobies
The Marietas Islands are one of only two locations in the world — the other being the Galapagos — where the blue-footed booby nests in significant numbers. These distinctive seabirds, instantly recognizable by their vivid turquoise feet and comical mating dance, nest on the cliffs and rocky ledges of the islands year-round. Tour boats pass close enough for excellent observation and photography without disturbing the colonies.
Beyond the boobies, the islands support over 90 documented bird species including brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, red-footed boobies, terns, and several species of tropical seagull. The skies above the Marietas are rarely empty — a constant aerial display that adds a dramatic backdrop to every snorkeling and diving session below.
Underwater Life
The protected waters around the islands shelter a rich diversity of marine species. Snorkelers regularly encounter moorish idols, damselfish, pufferfish, surgeonfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and schools of sergeant majors. Larger species include Pacific sea turtles (olive ridley and green), spotted eagle rays, Pacific manta rays, and during winter months, humpback whales transiting between the open ocean and Banderas Bay through the channel just south of the islands.
| Species | When to See | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Blue-Footed Booby | Year-round (nesting peaks May–Aug) | Cliff faces, Round Island ledges |
| Magnificent Frigatebird | Year-round | Soaring above both islands |
| Pacific Sea Turtle | Year-round | Reef areas, near Nopalera Beach |
| Spotted Eagle Ray | Year-round, peak summer | Sandy channels between reef formations |
| Pacific Manta Ray | Year-round | Deeper water, east side of Round Island |
| Humpback Whale | December–March | Channel between islands and Punta Mita |
| Bottlenose Dolphin | Year-round | Open water on approach to islands |
Essential Tips & Access Rules
Choosing the Right Tour
Want Hidden Beach? Book a tour that explicitly includes Hidden Beach access with a permit. Not all Marietas tours visit the beach — many focus on snorkeling and bird watching only. Confirm Hidden Beach is included before booking, and verify the day is not a Monday or Tuesday.
Prefer snorkeling and marine life? Choose a Punta Mita departure. You'll spend less time in transit and more time in the water. Half-day tours (3–4 hours) from El Anclote are ideal for families and guests who want to keep the afternoon free for beach club lounging or golf.
Traveling with kids? Children under 12 cannot access Hidden Beach. For families with younger children, snorkeling-only tours to the Marietas are excellent — La Nopalera Beach is calm, shallow, and accessible by boat without swimming through tunnels.
What to Bring
No sunscreen on Hidden Beach — this is strictly enforced. Apply biodegradable sunscreen well before boarding the boat so it absorbs fully. Wear a rash guard and hat for sun protection on the boat and during snorkeling instead.
Waterproof camera or GoPro — the underwater visibility at the Marietas is exceptional and the volcanic formations make for dramatic footage. Many operators have photographers onboard and sell digital photo packages.
Cash for park fees — some operators include the national park conservation fee in the tour price; others collect it separately (approximately 120 MXN per person). Confirm what is included when booking.
Light layers and motion sickness prevention — the same advice applies as for whale watching. Early morning crossings can be cool, and even calm seas produce some rocking on smaller boats.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Marietas Islands, 15 Minutes from Your Villa
Villa Experience properties in Punta Mita place you closer to the Marietas Islands than any hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Our concierge team arranges private charters, secures Hidden Beach permits, and coordinates seamless departures from El Anclote — so the only thing you plan is which swimsuit to wear.