🏝️ Banderas Bay, Nayarit, Mexico
Things to do in Marietas Islands
A hidden beach inside a protected island national park
The Marietas Islands are an uninhabited national park in Banderas Bay off Puerto Vallarta, famous for the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) — a sandy cove tucked inside a collapsed volcanic crater, reached by swimming through a short sea tunnel. The islands are a protected marine reserve with capped daily visitor numbers, so it’s a boat-tour day trip you book ahead.
Time needed
Day trip
Best time
Year-round, with the driest, calmest seas roughly November–April; December–March adds humpback whales on the crossing
Region
Banderas Bay, Nayarit, Mexico
Don’t miss
Swim into the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor)
The reason to come: a sheltered beach hidden inside a crater, accessed by swimming or paddling through a low rock tunnel from the open sea. Access is strictly limited to protect the reef, requires a licensed operator with a permit, and the daily quota sells out — book early.
Check availability on GetYourGuideTop things to do in Marietas Islands
- Snorkel or dive the clear, fish-rich waters around the islands.Find tours
- Spot blue-footed boobies and seabirds on the protected cliffs.Find tours
- Whale watching across Banderas Bay on the way out (December–March).Find tours
- Kayak or paddleboard the coves on a small-group eco tour.Find tours
Book Marietas Islands tours & tickets
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and the big-ticket experiences — compare and book ahead so they don’t sell out.
See all Marietas Islands experiences on GetYourGuideWhere to stay near Marietas Islands
Compare Marietas Islands hotels & stays
Find the right area, filter by price and reviews
How to get to Marietas Islands
It’s a boat trip of roughly 45 minutes to an hour from Puerto Vallarta’s marina or nearby Punta de Mita. Only licensed operators with national-park permits can land at the Hidden Beach, and daily numbers are capped — book a reputable tour in advance rather than turning up.
Hire a car in Puerto Vallarta
Compare rental deals — handy for reaching Marietas Islands at your own pace
Best time to visit
Year-round, with the driest, calmest seas roughly November–April; December–March adds humpback whales on the crossing. The Hidden Beach itself sometimes closes to let the ecosystem recover, so confirm access when you book.
Marietas Islands tips
- Book ahead — the Hidden Beach has a strict daily visitor quota and only permitted operators can access it.
- You need to be a confident swimmer for the tunnel into the Hidden Beach; life jackets and a helmet are usually required.
- Choose an eco-certified operator — reef-safe sunscreen and no-touch rules protect the marine park.
Fit Marietas Islands into a real trip — free
Wavvia builds a day-by-day plan around Marietas Islands and Puerto Vallarta — tuned to your dates, pace and how you travel, with real places and safety built in.
Plan my trip — freeMore places to explore
Opening hours, prices, transport and entry rules change — always verify before you go, and check your government’s current travel advice. Some links are affiliate links; Wavvia may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.