Snorkel· Islas Marietas· Mexico
Islas Marietas Snorkel
20° 41.8′ N · 105° 34.1′ W
Rocky reefs and volcanic caves around Isla Larga and Isla Redonda, with king angelfish, Moorish idols, parrotfish and butterflyfish over coral and sponge. Turtles, manta rays, dolphins and the nesting blue-footed boobies overhead make it the bay's best wildlife snorkel.
Practical
Coordinate is PADI's dive-site position for Islas Marietas (depth 25 to 75 ft, average visibility about 39 ft). National park and no-take zone: no anchoring (Noonsite); see 'Islas Marietas Day-Use Moorings' for private-yacht access and check current CONANP permit terms before going. Tour operators charge a park entrance and conservation fee of USD 13 plus a USD 5 port fee per person, cash (Ecotours Vallarta, 2026), and require life jackets and helmets; sprays and lotions are banned inside the park, so put sunscreen on before you arrive. Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) access is strictly limited and not guaranteed even on tours. Coral was badly hit by Hurricane Lidia in October 2023 and is recovering (Banderas News, May 2024). Heavy tour-boat traffic in the morning; the afternoon thermal and west swell make the outer rocks choppy, so snorkel early. Fifteen minutes by boat from Punta de Mita.
Best for
Wildlife snorkel among reef fish, turtles and seabirds
Season
Year-round; calmest Nov–May mornings; closed to visitors when CONANP orders
Nearby
- Islas Marietas Dive SitesRight here
- Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach, Islas Marietas)0.5 NM away
- Islas Marietas Day-Use Moorings0.7 NM away
- Islas Marietas National Park1 NM away
- El Morro Dive Site (Islas Marietas)4.9 NM away
- Banderas Bay Blast and Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club5.2 NM away
- Punta de Mita Anchorage5.2 NM away
- El Anclote Restaurants (Punta de Mita)5.3 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).