Marietas Islands Hidden Beach Tour: Explore Iconic Lover's Beach, Banderas Bay
4.0
51 Ratings
Nuevo Nayarit
Discover the hidden beach of Marietas Islands and take a walk on Lover's Beach in Banderas Bay. Swim through cave formations, spot unique birds and fish, and watch playful wild dolphins on a small group tour.
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • H. Escuela Naval Militar 11 - This adventure can begin at Vallarta Adventures Office in Nuevo Vallarta. When departing from Nuevo Vallarta, you’ll cruise by the Nuevo Vallarta Beach.
What's Included
  • Snacks provided
  • Purified water available
  • Snorkel equipment included
What's Not Included
  • Port fees $40 mxn pesos p/p
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • $100-pesos conservation fee per person will be collected at check-in
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Stroll along the famous Lover’s Beach at Banderas Bay. The Marietas Islands serve as a haven of ecological diversity, boasting a breathtaking secret beach hidden from plain view. Enjoy the intimacy of a limited-capacity group as we sail to the islands aboard our cozy vessel.

Dive amongst caves and natural arches, exploring the remarkable landscape and observing over 100 distinct species of exotic birds and marine life that inhabit the islands.

As you make your way back, keep an eye out for the acrobatic wild dolphins as they leap from the water, providing an entertaining display. Experience the splendor of these magnificent animals up close from the unique vantage point of our small group boat tour for a memorable encounter.

  • There is a dock fee of 30 Mexican pesos per person that shall be paid at check-in
  • Due to federal regulations, and in an effort to protect the flight path of endemic birds, drones are prohibited in this tour
  • Bring a bathing suit, shorts, a sun hat, sunscreen and a towel
  • IMPORTANT: Passengers arriving on a cruise ship cannot book this tour
  • Please be advised that Mexico’s Federal Maritime Ports operate a strict No-Drug Policy, including electronic cigarettes, vapers, and all kinds of drugs. Please be advised not to bring them to any of our tours. We cannot offer a refund or change of day for any guest to whom Federal Security has denied access.
  • You must contact Vallarta Adventures to confirm the check in time & location on your booking. It may change according to our operation
  • People who suffer from heart disease, back, spine or knee problems cannot participate in this activity
Location
Vallarta Adventures Nuevo Vallarta
Paseo de las Palmas
Please give us a call so we can assist you in confirming the closest meeting location, you can choose to depart from either our Nuevo Vallarta Adventures center or the cruise port in Puerto Vallarta. Please keep in mind that meeting times may be subject to change based on availability.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.0
(51 Ratings)
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Kaileyw
Mar 28, 2024
Hidden Beach Discovery - Amazing Experience! - My experience with Puerto Vallarta Adventures on the Hidden Beach Discovery tour was fantastic! Our boat captain was not only skilled but also made the journey smooth and enjoyable—I didn't experience any seasickness, which is rare for me. The snorkeling was only okay, but the highlight was definitely the hidden beach. It was like stepping into a paradise! The tour overall was well-organized, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Puerto Vallarta. Additionally, I must mention that we encountered an issue on our end, and I must say customer service was excellent to deal with. Their professionalism and promptness in resolving the issue were commendable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z7277yvtanyam
Feb 20, 2024
Must go experience! - This was one of the coolest excursions we’ve ever done. Everyone that was a part of the Vallarta Adventures crew was incredible. The hidden beach was absolutely beautiful and I am so grateful that we all did it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaile_f
Dec 17, 2023
Great experience and great swim workout! - Super fun time! We took a speed boat with only about 20ish people to the islands. Once we arrived we got our helmets on and swam to the beach! Then we did some snorkeling and on the way back to PV we stopped to see lots of whales. Definitely a fun tour, would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Sarahrl7669eh
Sep 19, 2023
Hidden Beach Tour - My boyfriend and I joined this trip as part of our weekend getaway, we primarily signed up for this one to see the hidden beach and although the waves were choppy, it was determined we could proceed. We are both pretty strong swimmers but with the high tide, it was a challenge to enter the cave. With the help of Daniel and team, I felt very safe through the whole journey. Once on the beach, we got the opportunity to explore and take pictures. The photographers on the trip took our picture although we did not buy a package it was just fun while we enjoyed the beach! After the beach, we swam back to the boat and we got a tour of the islands from Daniel who talked about the history of the islands, some of the birds we saw, and other interesting facts. He spoke in both Spanish and English so everyone on the tour could understand. Then we stopped for about 30 minutes to snorkel. Here you got some fins, goggles, and snorkels. We saw some coral formations and fish, most notably for me was the pufferfish. Then we hopped back in the boat and enjoyed a granola bar, fruit, and water. Including the 40 minute commute to the island, the whole experience was 4 hours. We had a great time but you do have to be a strong swimmer to get to the cave. The team ensured everyone was safe and everyone had fun. I would recommend Vallarta Adventures
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hopew943
Feb 14, 2024
Very cool location - exactly like the picture! - This was such an interesting tour. Swimming through the opening to get inside the island was a little unnerving just because of the waves & current, but it was so neat to be "inside" of it once we got there. We were only allowed 30 minutes inside, but that was plenty of time to take it all in and get pictures. After that, we went around the islands and saw all kinds of birds and the formations on the islands. We stopped to snorkel, and then had snacks and water on the boat. Some tips for this trip: If you need sunscreen, use the reef-safe kind and put it on at the port. It has to dry before you get to the island. Don't take water shoes; you can't wear them inside the island. Don't waste room taking towels; they provide them on the boat. If there is any chance of motion sickness, take something or wear a patch. I highly recommend a waterproof pouch to take your phone. But that's all you can take inside with you. You do have to wear a life jacket and a helmet.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vacation384818
Feb 26, 2024
Disappointing experience! - Disappointing experience and very misleading information when you book. When I approached the counter in Puerto Vallarta to ask for the tour they said that it will be the like the tour called "Islas Marietas" just adding the entrance to the hidden beach or Playa del Amor, this tour is advertidlsed with an open bar, lunch included plus the equipment for 3 other water activities and wet suits in a catamaran, the reality is that this is a tour in a rhib (the small plastic motor boat) that only takes you to the hidden beach and to 1 of the 2 snorkeling areas in the Marietas National Park, the snorkel gear it's awful, old and low quality, cheap and not fit for purpose, so it's hard to actually enjoy the activity, the activity supposed to include weat suits but is not true, the "light snack " it's just fruit and they never offer you water or any drinks (you definitely need to hydrate after the hard swimming to get to the hidden island). The price for the activity for 2 persons with discount for online booking was $4,988.88 mexican pesos which is around $300 USD. Is NOT worth it, and don't get me wrong, the personnel it's friendly and nice, but still not worth it, you have to pay the port fee ($32 pesos / $2 USD) and the fee for the conservation of the Marietas Park ($120 pesos / $7 USD) which is nothing but is not included on the ridiculous expensive price. On top of that you have photographers on your face 70% of the time, and the prices are ridiculous, we were offer the package of a metal picture, a photo album and the digital photos for $150 usd, if we didn't want one of the albums or the metal photo then we had the option of choosing one and the digital photos for $120 usd and if we just wanted the digital photos would be $100 usd, we refused to pay that much, but the couple seating next to us (me and my boyfriend) got the offer of getting only the metal photo for $35 usd, this couple was local (both from Mexico city), I wonder about the reason why we (me being Mexican and my boyfriend being English) were not offered that option, instead we were pushed to get the digital photos, the less we would have to pay would be $80 usd, the photographer rather to loose the sell before offering the individual product to us. The frustrating part was to find another tour going to the same place and doing way more activities, including the breakfast and lunch with an open bar and all the water activities equipment and gear for only $3,600 pesos for 2 persons, around $200 USD. People don't book with Vallarta Adventures, find those little kiosks or the small tour shop in the corner or on the streets, you will get a better value for your money in other places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
16enerir
Apr 10, 2024
DO NOT BOOK WITH VALLARTA ADVENTURES USING THEIR PAGE - Vallarta adventures is a scam. They have offers in their page and when you purchase them you have to be very careful as they change the rules once you have paid. I tried purchasing a 3X2 in their website which I thought I had bought only to receive an email that I had a 2x1 that applied only to locals and requesting I pay the full price. I like transparency and this company doesn't offer that.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Trip01177216564
Mar 28, 2024
Worst excursion experience. - Been to hundreds of excursions and this is by far the worst my family has taken. Why? First, the boat showed up 45 minutes late, no big deal. But the ocean had 7-8 foot swells and the driver went full bore and several people got sick and my partner got injured After visiting the hidden cave the drivers berated remaining passengers who wanted to go snorkeling which is a part of the tour. Never seen anything like this anywhere. Hating your customers and berating a polite boat full of paying customers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brandon_t
Jan 1, 2024
Check your booking !!! - The tour was cancelled and we were NOT notified. Waste of a day. Vallarta Adventures were great. Very disappointing.
Review provided by Viator
Heidi_m
Sep 7, 2023
Unsafe conditions! - There was a storm coming in the morning of our tour but they decided to take us out anyways. The water was very rough and the entrance to Hidden Beach was through a cave. The water was so high that there was only 3 inches of breathing room at rhe top and at times you had to stay under water until a wave passed, this went on for about 100 meters. On top of all that, our guide informed us that they are not allowed to help anyone who is drowning! This tour is dangerous and should not be allowed to operate when weather conditions aren't favorable!
Review provided by Viator
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