A short journey across Banderas Bay takes you from Puerto Vallarta to one of the most distinctive natural destinations on Mexico’s Pacific coast: the Marietas Islands.
Rocky, wild and surrounded by ocean, the islands are a favorite destination for travelers interested in snorkeling, wildlife and bird watching near Puerto Vallarta.
What Are the Marietas Islands?
The Marietas are a small archipelago near Punta de Mita at the northern entrance of Banderas Bay.
The islands and surrounding waters are part of a protected natural area. The archipelago was declared a Mexican Protected Natural Area in 2005 and became a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2008.
Their volcanic origin and centuries of erosion have created caves, rocky walls, arches and unusual formations both above and below the water.
Snorkeling at the Marietas Islands
One of the best ways to experience the islands is in the water.
The reefs around the Marietas support sponges, echinoderms and many species of colorful tropical fish. Sea turtles can also be found around the islands.
That makes a Marietas Islands snorkeling tour from Puerto Vallarta much more than simply a boat ride to see the islands.
The journey itself is also part of the experience: Banderas Bay offers opportunities to encounter marine wildlife along the way.
Don’t Forget to Look Up
The Marietas are just as interesting above the water.
More than 90 species of resident and migratory marine birds have been recorded around the archipelago.
For nature lovers, spotting seabirds against the volcanic landscape is one of the details that makes the islands feel so different from Puerto Vallarta’s beaches and resorts.
Bring binoculars if you have them — and keep your camera ready.
A Different Kind of Marietas Tour
Ecotours Vallarta currently features Snorkeling at Islas Marietas among its principal tours, combining the marine environment with the nature-focused approach of its biologist and naturalist guides.
For Ecotours Vallarta, visiting a protected area isn’t just about checking another attraction off a vacation list. Understanding the wildlife and ecosystems you are seeing is part of the experience.
Are the Marietas Islands Worth Visiting?
If you enjoy nature, absolutely.
Visit the Marietas for the snorkeling, but don’t make the mistake of looking only underwater.
Watch the cliffs. Look for seabirds. Enjoy the crossing through Banderas Bay. Notice how dramatically the volcanic islands rise from the Pacific.
The Marietas Islands are one of the best nature day trips from Puerto Vallarta because the destination is not one single attraction.
The islands themselves are the experience.