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Even if you take a tour that specifically includes Hidden Beach, theres no guarantee that you'll actually be able to visit it, as that will depend on the sea conditions on the day of your visit. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Join us on a quest to find the hidden beach Mexico, otherwise known as Playa del Amor.

Diving excursions are offered by Dressel Divers and Vallarta Adventures.

Different tour companies utilize different types of boats but our boat was a one deck with chairs. TripSavvy uses only high-quality, trusted sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

Plan in advance to get a spot on a tour (access is not permitted to the islands on Mondays and Tuesdays). Wildlife observation can always be enjoyed, and even those who arent much into birdwatching will appreciate seeing a striking species like the blue-footed booby or a red-billed tropicbird. There was plenty of equipment and everyone that wanted to had a turn snorkeling or kayaking or both. For my Islas Marietas tour was in February and there were so many whales, there was hardly a time when you looked around the bay, that you didnt see at least one whale breaching or the movement of a tail. They just dont serve alcohol until everyone is out of the water. Not worth the $80 per head for 40 minutes of snorkeling and 20 minutes on a beach, yet we were at sea for 8 hours. Islas Marietas are comprised of 3 main islands and 6 smaller islands forming an archipelago. Be prepared there are a couple of fees collected on behalf of the government, that arent included in the price of a tour ticket. Perhaps one of the worst-kept secrets in international tourism, Mexicos stunning hidden beach, which forms part of the Islas Marietas, is situated just off the coast of the Riviera Nayarit. However, I knew this in advance and I still had a great time on the tour. This park became a hugely popular day trip site starting around 2012 due to photos on social media showing the beautiful Hidden Beach located within a crater, and many travelers flock there to have their own Instagram moment. marieta All activities are from the boat, as it anchors in the bay and understandably, its very controlled.

The boat ride is a great chance to partake in some whale-watching with humpback whales regularly glimpsed in the waters. Heres how a day on an Islas Marietas Tour goes. I would not recommend this activity and would suggest visiting Sayulita or just a regular beach instead. This post contains affiliate links. The Hidden beach was the result of a large explosion. A post shared by Jennika Argent (@photojennika). What Its Like Swimming With the Bahamas Pigs For Your Birthday. The staff with Vallarta Adventures were great and helpful. In the 1900s test bombs are known to have resulted in the unique topography of the islands along with a plethora of caves and rock formations. And if you are wondering theres also a bathroom on board the boat. Follow the guidelines to minimize damage to the environment such as not touching the coral reef, or the wildlife, and dont leave anything behind on the island. The boat tours will take you just close enough but due to the islands geography (more on that later), youll need to swim the last stretch to reach the hidden beach itself. Our guide to the best beaches in Puerto Vallarta will help you find more beauties. In fact, the boat ride to reach them takes little more than an hour and there are a selection of companies and schedules to choose from. From Puerto Vallartas main pier, it can take an hour to an hour and a half depending on wind and sea conditions.

Invisible from the outside, no boats can make their way into the petite bay, so would-be visitors must hop into the water and swim under the rocks to reach their paradisiacal destination where only swimming and sunbathing is allowed. Top 5 Mexican Traditions You Have to Experience! For everyone thats participating in the water activities the crew splits you up into groups. This is collected on behalf of the government. Once you access the beach, your time there is restricted, as each tour company gets their turn. So, in 2016, the islands were closed to the public. If you need something more substantial, there are a few counter service type restaurants in the port, where you can order a hardier breakfast. The most famous one found in the islands is the blue footed booby. ( hence 2 stars ) seen lots of whales and a school of dolphins.It this was advertised as whale/dolphin watching I would of gave it 5 stars. 2000, Visit the Riviera Nayarit in Mexico: Best Things to Do, Find Out Which Island in Tahiti is Right for You, The Top 10 Things to Do in the Cook Islands, 10 Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, The 10 Most Beautiful National Parks in Mexico, The Top 5 Places to Go Snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta, Plan a Romantic Trip to Puerto Rico With These Things to Do, Top Things to Do When You Visit Florida's Key Largo, The 8 Best Great Barrier Reef Tours of 2022, 15 Fun Diversions for the Whole Family on Oahu, Hawaii, Romantic Getaways in 2019: Go Here, Not There. vallarta If youre prone to seasickness, you may wish to take medication before heading out as the boat will go through the open ocean to reach the islands and the waves can be strong.. Making the trip over to the Marieta Islands to see one of Mexicos most unique beaches is 100% worth it. On my tour there was local beer, margaritas, and of course, water and juice were available the entire cruise. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC. This is a good boat trip with quite a lot of seabirds and dolphins to be seen on the way there.When you arrive at the islands you can do a number of activities such as snorkeling or kayaking, then you get a tour around the islands while the guide explains some of the history. Boat excursions depart regularly from Puerto Vallarta, the journey takes about an hour. In Mexico, thats typically yogurt, fruit, toast and juice or coffee. Since that time, many steps have been taken to protect the delicate ecosystem on the islands and in the surrounding water. We then put on helmets and were told we had exactly thirty minutes inside on the "hidden beach". Feel bad for the boat crew because they did a wonderful job. Their ceviche was very good but the other salads were just adequate. So when you are ready to book an Islas Marietas tour, dont just look at the rating. This picturesque beach is located within a crater on the northern end of Isla Redonda, Photos of the sun shining through an open crater illuminating a sandy beach with clear blue water started making the rounds on social media beginning in 2012, and still inspire many folks to add the Islas Marietas to their bucket list. With no real regulations or supervision, visitors caused a lot of damage and destruction to the islands themselves and the coral reefs that surround the islands. Weve spent over a decade collecting tonnes of first-hand holiday expertise to help you make the right choice from a smorgasbord of gorgeous getaways, providing individual care and attention for every holidaymaker. Ive found completely different reviews for companies on Google than on, for instance, Tripadvisor. Years went by before anything was done but finally in 2005, the islands were declared a national park. The hidden beach can be found within an island so the only way to gain access is to take one of the boat trips from Puerto Vallarta across the Pacific Ocean. Renowned as a bird sanctuary, the islands are home to 92 species of bird, of which 40% are classified as endangered. Required fields are marked *. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. There are plenty of people on the Malecn in Puerto Vallarta and on the beach selling tours but just be careful, it might not end in a good experience. Once everyone is loaded onboard for the Islas Marietas tour, the crew will go over all the safety and life jacket information. Visibility is best between May and December where you may see up to 100 feet, and water temperatures around 80 degrees F (27 degrees C). read more, The Entire thing was amazing. After looking at some tour operators websites, its unclear if their tours include Hidden Beach or not. I recommend booking directly with a tour operator or a reputable third party. Heres everything you need to know about this spectacular hidden beach. If youre planning to visit the Islas Marietas, you can stay in Puerto Vallarta, or Riviera Nayarit, which are both popular beach resort destinations, so there are many options of places to stay.

Continue swimming below the caves and arches to emerge onto the stunning island. I've driven over 100k miles solo looking for the perfect scenic drives, the prettiest sunsets and the best places to visit. Total Rip Off. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Come along for the ride! Even with access to Hidden Beach, the time is limited. If birding is your main interest, you may prefer a tour that is geared specifically to this activity, such as the one offered by Birding Mexico or Birding San Pancho, which also offers the opportunity for snorkeling. Now, as part of the new regulations, only certified licensed tour operators have permission to go to the islands. After swimming back out we toured around the island where our tour guide described the birds and island. Unless this was your first time snorkeling there is no other word for it; but poor. There also is a port fee of about $2 USD since the port is a federal property. Everything you Need to Know About Radisson Blu Punta Cana, 16 Reasons Why Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa is the Ideal Family-Friendly Mexican Escape. However; we picked this because of the great snorkeling claim. There are dozens of rocky outcroppings under the water but the two main uninhabited islands Round Island and Long Island are the biggest land masses of the islands and the islands you can see. However, an outcry led by Jacques Cousteau in the 1960s put an end to this practice, along with any other harmful human intervention. Once you arrive at the islands, the crew anchors the boat and brings out the kayaks, stand up paddle boards and the snorkeling gear. However, legend has it that the hidden island was formed by more than a natural wonder. The morning air, especially in winter, and even in spring at times, can be chilly on the boat, so you might want to pack a light jacket or a long sleeved shirt.

Awful - Beach Boy Marietas islands Tour - Don't Do It!!! Most tours include lunch and possibly breakfast. In order to participate in these activities, you usually need to hop off the boat into the water and climb back in on a ladder. Best All Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Distribucin, abundancia y conservacin de la avifauna de las islas Marietas, Nayarit, Mxico.

When you take time to visit the islands you will definitely want to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive, but dont leave the Marietas Islands before you have explored Playa del Amors hidden beach that is located between two of the islands. The islands are completely uninhabited and have been classified as a national park since 2005, known as Parque Nacional Islas Marietas. Some of my all-time favourite memories are from my holidays. If you plan on swimming, obviously, youll need a swimsuit. Because the park's natural life is protected, hunting and fishing are not permitted here. One of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta is to visit the Islas Marietas and the hidden beach but for more inspiration, simply click the button below. Here you can soak up the sun, play in the sand, and swim in the calming, cool waters. Unless you get this at a GREAT discount do not do it. I love the excitement of planning a new trip and visiting a new destination. Its also a good idea to bring a light sweater or jacket, as it can get breezy out on the open sea, especially if youre wet on the way back. Throughout the year you might also be able to observe orcas, stingrays, various species of sharks, as well as giant manta rays, sea turtles, and maybe even a dolphin pod. Our tour also stopped in Nuevo Vallarta to pick up a few passengers that boarded from there. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. A post shared by Ocean Lovers United (@ocean_lovers_united).

If you would like to enjoy the park fully and possibly access Hidden Beach, your best bet is to go with an organized tour such as those offered by Vallarta Adventures, Islas Marietas Tours, or Eco Tours Vallarta. As a result, the Mexican government decided to implement conservation measures and to limit the number of people visiting each day to 116. The Beach Boys crew aboard the Bora Bora were lovely, fun and full of My wife and I signed up to visit Marieta Islands "Hidden Beach" via Vallarta Adventures. There is a endless stream of tourists swimming in so it is not that hidden. But after reading some of the the complaints, many of the things that people dont like are things the tour operator has no control over. The Vallarta by Boat tour is definitely not what I would consider a party tour at all but to keep it fun on the way back to Puerto Vallarta the crew played music and some games for guests that wanted to participate. Be prepared to pay in cash on arrival at the dock. Although its not within a crater, its surrounded by interesting rock formations and lots of the nopal cacti after which it is named. Learn how your comment data is processed. An Islas Marietas tour can be arranged at a tour kiosk found throughout the Puerto Vallarara and the Malecn. It also gives you the chance to relax and look for whales. Some of the activities you can enjoy on the Marietas Islands include scuba diving, snorkeling, or just relaxing and lounging on the beach that is located in the middle of the crater. Even if you pre-pay for your tour, its a good idea to get to the marina early. There were also other snacks available for purchase onboard but they were kind of pricey. If you need help picking a good tour operator for your Islas Marietas tour, look at the ratings and read the reviews. As weve mentioned the islands are uninhabited, making them perfect sites for military testing by the Mexican government. Well the hidden beach is tiny; maybe 50ft - 80ft long.

Bad Experience.

Please try again. Even though the islands are full of wildlife, sadly, the Mexican army used the islands for target practice in the early 1900s. A post shared by Angelica Arrevillaga (@angelica__arrevillaga). When you book your Islas Marietas tour, make sure to confirm exactly what is included. The Beach Boys crew aboard the Bora Bora were lovely, fun and full of As the Marieta Islands and Hidden Beach gained popularity, visitation got out of hand. It doesnt help that the islands are made of a volcanic rock thats very susceptible to erosion. My family waiting over 30 minutes to get on a boat to go to the beach for 20 minutes. Even if you arent familiar with the name of the islands themselves, youve probably seen photos of the secret, crater like Hidden Beach or Playa del Amor, floating around on the internet. Even if you paid for it. The boat travels at a nice slow pace, which is good because then you dont have to worry as much about getting seasick. Thanks for your description, the activities are for all you want to have a different excursion day, on the national park as well known Marietas Islands, and remember if you want to visit Hidden Beach book in advance as there is a limited per day. Since access to the islands is limited, the tour is much more of a day out on the water tour than a lay on the beach tour. To find out more read the privacy policy. In addition, some of the tour companies have minimum and maximum age limits and state that it is not advisable for pregnant women or people with heart conditions, or any neck, back, or knee issues to participate. Below the surface, you can see volcanic formations with arches, spires, tunnels, and caves, as well as several different species of coral, and abundant sea life. Lunch was ceviche with tortilla chips and two other kinds of salads. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

If it does includes breakfast, its probably a continental breakfast. If you do decide to visit, plan in advance to get a spot on a tour (access is no longer permitted on Mondays and Tuesdays) and follow the guidelines to minimise damage to the environment. Some people enjoy exploring around the islands on kayaks or stand-up-paddleboard. Visiting Hidden Beach is a major attraction of this national park, although there are a number of challenges to accessing the beach, so many visitors are not able to get there, but there are plenty of other activities on offer. So that meant Hidden Beach was closed. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Islas Marietas National Park is made up of a pair of small uninhabited islandsIsla Larga and Isla Redondaalong with a couple of islets. Luxury Yacht & Snorkel in Puerto Vallarta. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. While the Islas Marietas are technically under the jurisdiction of the state of Nayarit, they are arguably a more popular destination for tourists in the coastal Jalisco town of Puerto Vallarta. Tipping Etiquette in Mexico How Much Should you Tip? If you go, take a towel, swimsuit, reef-friendly sunblock, and a camera (preferably a waterproof one). Its also helpful to check a couple of different travel sites too. If you do visit the islands, dont forget to practice leave no trace principles and tip your guides. With the exception of hurricane season, the Pacific coast of Mexico generally experiences good weather all year long. Most of the tour companies offering boat tours to the Islas Marietas have a tour that includes a visit to Hidden Beach, and one that does not.

In fact, its thought that the bombing is what caused or at least revealed the Hidden Beach feature. Read our. In the past, almost anyone could tour the islands. Youll find some great options in these round-ups of resorts: Islas Marietas National Park is an easy day trip from Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Nayarit. Getting out on the water in the Bay of Banderas and with this tour is a great way to see wildlife and Puerto Vallarta from a different perspective. Playa del Amor is a romantic destination that provides one of the most unique days trips on Banderas Bay.

Recommended experiences in and around Puerto Vallarta, Scuba & Snorkeling, Boat Tours, Private Tours, Dolphin & Whale Watching, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Scuba & Snorkeling, Brenda Guadalup M, Guest Relations Manager at Marietas Islands, responded to this review. read more. Suzanne Barbezat is a freelance writer specializing in Mexican travel, culture, and food. As youd expect theres an abundance of marine life, flora and fauna on the islands. It is really for Spanish speaking only. Whilst its not always an easy swim depending on the currents, you will be thankful you made the effort to reach paradise. The closure lasted several months while tons of garbage diapers, tires and other household items and plastic were pulled from around the islands.

My advice is to bring your own snacks. However the company tried to force you to buy $60 USD photo packages which I think is terrible and will not return. We were supposed to go snorkeling but a couple of people got stung by jellyfish swimming from the hidden beach to the boat and the majority of the group did not want to go. While planning an Islas Marietas tour for myself, I realized that the internet is full of vague information about how to get to the islands and just what you can or cant do there. So, hop in and let's go for a ride together.

This keeps Southerner Says online and on the road. Traveler, road tripper and public lands explorer, I've driven thousands of miles looking for the best sunsets, the perfect campsites and amazing food. Its also a good idea to check out the cancellation policy before you book. This is a day cruise from the port to the islands. The southerner behind Southerner Says. Doesn't include access to the hidden beach, which is the main attraction. Then there is a nice boat ride back to the port, with an open bar. The Mexican Government once used the Marietas Islands as a bomb testing and explosive site in the 60s, which is what caused the crater that forms the hidden beach in the first place. That means I might earn a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you buy or book something through a link I provide. While the hidden beach of the Islas Marietas grabs all the attention, this uninhabited archipelago (chain of islands formed by underwater volcanic eruptions) actually has much more to offer, particularly in terms of wildlife.

Youll wear a life jacket and a helmet (to avoid hitting your head on the roof of the tunnel) but no fins, to avoid damaging the coral. Therefore, its imperative to book in advance to ensure you get to visit. Since the beach was closed on the Tuesday of my tour, when we left the area, the captain did at least move the boat closer to the opening in the rocks so that we could get a better look of how you enter Hidden Beach. Read the reviews carefully to see why people are actually giving a not so good review. Your boat ride will bring you as close as possible to Playa del Amor but youll then need to swim over to the hidden beach. In the 1960s, famous conservationist Jacque Cousteau campaigned for protection of the islands. It only takes a few minutes for you to swim through a rocky tunnel where you will arrive to the beach that is surrounded on all sides by the walls of a crater.

For that, you apparently Your email address will not be published. And yes, there was alcohol for purchase as well. One important thing they ask that you do, is apply your sunscreen at the beginning of the tour. Many tour companies charge an extra 100 peso conservation fee (50 pesos goes to CONAMPand 50 pesos to Bahia Unida) which may not be included in the tour cost. Hey I'm Lori! Located just a few miles off the coast of Mexico, Las Islas Marietas are in federal waters off the western Pacific coast of Mexico near the states of Nayarit and Jalisco. The Marieta Islands were formed thousands of years ago as a result of underwater volcanic eruptions. If your tour includes access to Hidden Beach youll swim through a opening in the island to get to the beach. If this is something that concerns you, then book a small tour with less people. After swimming back out we toured around the island where our tour guide described the birds and island. The island is in fact home to over 80 different bird species and youre almost guaranteed a sighting of a blue-footed booby.

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This area is home to seahorses, large manta rays, tropical fish, and eels, amongst other sea life. It was pretty incredible. I'm Lori - southerner, traveler, road tripper and public lands lover. My wife and I signed up to visit Marieta Islands "Hidden Beach" via Vallarta Adventures. To do this swim you need to be a strong swimmer and over twelve years of age. The hidden beach at Puerto Vallartas Marietas Islands is one of the highlights of any fabulous vacation to Mexicos Pacific Coast. Personal flotation devices are mandatory and shoes, sunglasses, cameras and drones are not allowed. Many resorts and hotels have trusted tour operators that they have partnerships with. Caribbean Warehouse is part of the Blue Bay Travel family, the UKs leading independent experts in long-haul holidays. This location was first made famous for its diving and snorkeling by the famous oceanographer and explorer, Jacques Cousteau. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. So, tours to las Islas Marietas are possible year round. Some other useful items you might want on your Islas Marietas tour are: Along with day trips to Yelapa and Mismaloya, an Islas Marietas tour is a must when visiting Puerto Vallarta or Nayarit. Some of the chairs were under an awning in case you didnt want to be in the sun. From the moment you enter the hidden beach youll be awe-struck at the beauty and simplicity that awaits. Tours to the Islas Marietas offered by local companies usually include the option of snorkeling, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. And in 2008 they were added the list of world UNESCO sites. Booking an Islas Marietas tour gives you a chance to see some of the wildlife on and around the islands and if youre lucky, fish, sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins and even whales in the waters around the islands. Ocean adventures took me here with my husband.

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Even if you take a tour that spe