Marieta Islands Hidden Beach

The Marieta Islands are a small uninhabited archipelago in Banderas Bay off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico, near Punta Mita and Puerto Vallarta, protected as a national park. The site's best-known feature is a hidden beach inside a collapsed volcanic crater, open to the sky and reached by swimming or wading through a short tunnel at low tide. The crater was shaped by erosion and the collapse of its roof, and its enclosed pool of sand and clear water is a popular photo location. Access is strictly regulated: the number of daily visitors is limited, and only authorized operators with permits can bring groups to the beach, usually on tours that depart from Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta or Punta Mita. The islands are also known for snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding around rock arches, coral and tropical fish, and for bird watching, including blue-footed boobies. Humpback whales pass through the bay from December to March. Tours generally run from about 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM and take six to eight hours in total, with the beach visit lasting a limited time. Access can be canceled with little notice because of weather and sea conditions, and the beach has periodically been closed for conservation. Prices run from about $85 to $120 USD for a full-day tour, with lower rates for children. The best photographs of the crater are taken around midday, when sun enters through the opening. Visitors should wear reef-safe sunscreen, avoid touching wildlife, and bring a waterproof camera. Drones are generally prohibited.