Islas Marietas Snorkel & Hidden Beach Tour is a full- or half-day boat excursion to the Marietas Islands, a protected marine and bird sanctuary roughly 45 minutes by boat from Punta de Mita in Nayarit, Mexico. The tour combines snorkeling stops around the islands' reefs with a swim or short guided visit to Playa del Amor, the "hidden beach" reached through a tunnel carved into the rock by ocean swell. Participants should be comfortable swimming in open water and able to tread water for several minutes, since currents around the tunnel entrance can be moderate; the excursion is generally not recommended for non-swimmers or very young children, and most operators set a minimum age around 6-8 depending on conditions that day. Snorkel gear (mask, snorkel, and fins) and a life jacket are included in the tour price; participants should bring their own reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and a dry bag for phones and cameras, since access to the hidden beach can involve a short swim. Islas Marietas National Park is a federally protected marine reserve, and licensed Bahía de Banderas tour boat operators are required to carry permits, follow visitor caps, and brief guests on no-touch reef rules before entering the water; established operators run daily departures with certified boat captains and onboard safety equipment including life rings and first-aid kits. Every trip opens with a safety briefing covering life-jacket use, snorkeling hand signals, boarding/exiting the water from the boat, and evacuation procedures back to Punta de Mita in case of injury or sudden weather change. The park is closed to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays to allow the ecosystem to rest, so tours run Wednesday through Sunday. The best conditions fall between November and May, when seas are calmer and underwater visibility is highest; June through October can bring rougher swell and lower visibility from summer rains, and access to the hidden beach itself is periodically restricted by park authorities based on swell conditions and visitor quotas.
Activity facts
- Where
- Punta de Mita
- Duration
- 4-6 hours
Equipment
Snorkel gear, life jacket provided
Location
Departure from Playa El Anclote, Punta de Mita, Nayarit
20.7717, -105.5346 View on map
Highlights
- Snorkeling stops around the protected Islas Marietas reef system
- Swim through a rock tunnel to reach the famous Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor)
- Life jacket and snorkel gear included
- Departs from Playa El Anclote in Punta de Mita
- Chance to spot manta rays, sea turtles, and nesting seabirds
Tips for visiting
- Book several days ahead in high season since the park limits daily visitor numbers
- Park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays -- plan around those days
- Bring a waterproof bag for phones and cameras during the tunnel swim
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen only; standard sunscreen is restricted in the reserve
- November-May offers the calmest seas and best underwater visibility
Frequently asked questions
Is the Islas Marietas tour suitable for non-swimmers?
No, reaching the hidden beach requires swimming through a tunnel with some current, so comfort in open water is required.
Why is the park closed some days?
Islas Marietas National Park closes to visitors on Mondays and Tuesdays to give the reef and beach ecosystem time to recover.
What should be brought that isn't provided?
Reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard, and a waterproof bag for electronics, since the mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket are included.
Can hidden beach access be guaranteed?
No, access depends on swell conditions and daily visitor quotas set by park authorities and can be closed even when the boat tour runs.