Puerto Vallarta, Islas Marietas Tour with BBQ Lunch at Majahuitas

This day tour from Puerto Vallarta explores the Bay of Banderas and the Marietas Islands, an area the operator describes as rich in wildlife. Depending on what turns up, you may look out for dolphins, whales, giant manta rays, sea turtles and tropical fish in their natural setting. The listed duration is 420 minutes, and the trip is presented as an eco-adventure.

The activities named in the description are bird watching, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and kayaking in the warm waters around the islands. The inclusions list mentions lunch, stand-up paddleboarding and the use of snorkel and kayak equipment. The title refers to a barbecue lunch at Majahuitas. The listing gives no hour-by-hour itinerary, so the order of stops is best confirmed with the operator.

An important point is that this tour does not include a visit to the Hidden Beach, so if that is your main goal, look at other options. Drones are prohibited, in line with federal regulations meant to protect the flight path of endemic birds.

Most of the trip is spent on the boat, and there is no dock at any of the places visited. You jump off the boat into the water and climb back aboard using small metal ladders. If you suffer from seasickness this may not be the best choice, and the operator suggests contacting one of its adventure advisors first. The tour is not suitable for cruise ship passengers because of time conflicts with the local schedule.

Gratuities, hotel pickup and drop-off, admission fees and port fees are not included; port fees are paid in cash at the port. Mexico's federal maritime ports operate a strict no-drug policy that covers electronic cigarettes and vapers, so do not bring them. The operator cannot offer a refund or change of day to any guest denied access by federal security. The tour is not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health, and a moderate level of fitness is expected.