How to Get to Islas Marietas from Puerto Vallarta
The only way to reach Islas Marietas is by boat from Puerto Vallarta or Punta de Mita. You can join a guided tour, hire a private boat, or book a water taxi, and the trip takes roughly 45 to 90 minutes depending on your departure point. Here is how to choose the option that fits your schedule and budget.
Can you drive or take a ferry to Islas Marietas?
You cannot drive to Islas Marietas and no public ferry goes there. The islands sit roughly 22 nautical miles off the coast of Nayarit, inside a federally protected marine park. No bridge or road connects them to the mainland, so a boat is the only way to reach the park.
Private boat access is tightly controlled by the Islas Marietas National Park authority. Every vessel entering the park must hold a daily permit, and the total number of visitors is capped each day. You cannot simply hire a water taxi and show up. You must join an authorized tour that already holds a permit for that date.
The marine park regulations also prohibit anchoring on the reef or beaching a boat on the islands. All tours use pangas or small catamarans that stop at designated moorings, and visitors transfer to the beach by swimming or wading a short distance from the boat.
Where do boats to Islas Marietas leave from?
Boats to Islas Marietas depart from two locations, and your choice affects the total time you spend on the water. The mainland option is Puerto Vallarta’s maritime terminal, while the closer launch point is the pier at Punta de Mita on the northern tip of Banderas Bay.
Most tour operators include ground transport to the dock in the ticket price, so you do not need to arrange your own ride. The two departure points differ in travel time and convenience.
- Puerto Vallarta’s Terminal Marítima sits near the Hotel Zone and the Romantic Zone, making it easy to reach from most city hotels.
- Boats from Puerto Vallarta take roughly 90 minutes to cross Banderas Bay.
- Punta de Mita’s pier is a 45-minute drive north of Puerto Vallarta.
- From Punta de Mita the boat ride to the islands is much shorter, typically around 30 minutes.
- A morning departure from Punta de Mita gets you to the marine park before the larger boats from the city.
If you are already staying in Punta de Mita, Sayulita, or San Pancho, choosing a tour that leaves from the local pier saves you the drive south and cuts the boat time by an hour each way.
What types of boat trips are available?
Three practical ways reach Islas Marietas from Puerto Vallarta, differing in comfort, speed, and what is included. Shared group tours are the most common option, private charters give you full control of the schedule, and fast water taxis simply move you from one point to another with no extras.
The choice comes down to how much time you want on the water and whether you prefer a fixed itinerary or a flexible one.
- Shared group tours carry 20 to 80 passengers on a catamaran or a mid-size motorboat and include lunch, an open bar, snorkeling gear, and a guided stop near Playa Escondida. The round trip from the marina takes about five to six hours.
- Private charters let you set the departure time and choose which coves and beaches to visit. A small panga or a sportfishing boat with a captain and mate costs more than a shared ticket, but you avoid the crowds and can combine the trip with whale watching in winter.
- Fast water taxis are simple fiberglass pangas that run direct routes with no frills. You pay for the seat and the ride, and you bring your own food, water, and snorkeling mask.
- Luxury sailing catamarans add padded seating, a quieter ride under sail when the wind allows, and a smaller group of 10 to 30 people. The pace is slower, so the trip often stretches to seven hours.
How do you book a tour to Islas Marietas?
You can book a tour online before your trip, through your hotel concierge, or directly with a vendor at the marina. Online booking lets you compare operators and read recent reviews, while a concierge can handle the details once you arrive. Walk-up vendors are easy to find around Puerto Vallarta’s marina and the Romantic Zone, but you will have less time to check the boat’s condition and the guide’s credentials.
Every visitor to Islas Marietas National Park needs a government-issued wristband, and daily entries are capped to protect the ecosystem. A reputable operator includes the park permit in the tour price and handles the paperwork for you. Confirm this when you book, because boats cannot sell permits at the island.
- Book at least two days ahead during the dry season, November through May, when spots sell out quickly.
- Ask whether the operator holds a current CONANP concession to enter the park.
- Check that the price includes the park entry fee and the mandatory wristband.
- Read the cancellation policy. Trips are weather-dependent, and a responsible company will reschedule or refund you if the port is closed.
- Avoid vendors who promise guaranteed access to Playa del Amor. The beach is closed indefinitely for conservation, and any landing there is illegal.
What time do boats leave and return?
Nearly every tour to Islas Marietas leaves early, with most operators scheduling departure between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. The early start lets boats reach the islands before the midday wind picks up and the water turns choppy, and it puts you at the park entrance when marine life is most active.
Boats typically return to Puerto Vallarta between 1:00 and 2:00 PM, though the exact time depends on the marina you depart from and how long the captain stays at the site. Some trips that include lunch or a stop at a nearby beach can push return closer to 3:00 PM. When you book, the operator will give you a firm return time, and you should plan your afternoon around it, a late return is rare unless the sea conditions force a slower crossing.
What should you bring on the boat trip?
Packing smart makes the ride to Islas Marietas far more comfortable. The sun reflects off the water and there is little shade on most boats, so protection and hydration come first.
- Reef-safe sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it before boarding and again after swimming.
- A reusable water bottle. Most operators provide drinking water, but your own bottle makes refills easier.
- Motion sickness medication. Take it 30 minutes before departure if you are prone to seasickness.
- A dry bag or waterproof pouch for your phone, wallet, and a dry towel.
- A light jacket or windbreaker. The ride back in the afternoon often turns cool and windy, even on a sunny day.
Wear your swimsuit under your clothes so you are ready to jump in at the protected beach. Flip-flops or water shoes with a grip work better than bare feet on a wet deck.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to visit Islas Marietas?
Yes, every visitor needs a permit issued by the Mexican government. Most tour operators include the permit in the price and handle the paperwork for you, but confirm this when you book.
Can I visit Islas Marietas without a tour?
You can hire a private boat or water taxi, but you still need a park permit and must follow the rules set by the marine park authority. Independent visits are possible only if your boat captain arranges the permit in advance.
How long is the boat ride from Puerto Vallarta?
From Puerto Vallarta’s maritime terminal, the ride usually takes 60 to 90 minutes depending on sea conditions. Boats leaving from Punta de Mita reach the islands in about 45 minutes.
Are there restrooms on the boats?
Larger tour catamarans often have a small restroom on board. Smaller pangas and water taxis typically do not, so use the facilities at the departure pier before you leave.