Love Beach feels like a secret. This full-day trip to Marietas Islands National Park is built around time on the water, with included gear and optional access to the famed sand pocket called Love Beach.

I like how the tour mixes food and drinks with real activity: you get an open bar on board and a solid day of kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding. I also like that the basics are included—snorkeling gear and life vest, along with kayaks and paddle boards—so you’re not hunting down rentals on arrival.

One big thing to plan for: Love Beach access is optional and not included, and it depends on park rules and how your request is handled. If Love Beach is your top priority, I’d treat it like a must-confirm add-on.

Key highlights at a glance

• 8-hour Marietas Islands National Park cruise departing at 9:00 am from Terminal Maritima
• Open bar on board, with alcohol available only after water activities
• All the fun gear is included: snorkeling setup with life vest, kayaks, and paddle boards
• Love Beach is request-only and controlled by the marine park (and can require extra fees)
• You may pay extra onboard fees, including port tax and a conservation fee not included in the tour price
• Large capacity, big-day energy: the boat can have up to 280 travelers

Marietas Islands National Park: what you’re really buying with this day trip

This is a classic Puerto Vallarta style day out: you trade some sit-down sightseeing for an active cruise to Marietas Islands National Park. The value isn’t just that you’ll see the islands—it’s that your day is structured around several water activities with gear included. For many people, that means fewer add-on costs once you’re on the boat.

I also like that the day is food-and-drinks friendly. You start with an American breakfast (eggs, pancakes, orange juice, coffee, fruit), then you get lunch later (a baguette with cheese, ham, and salami, plus homemade potatoes and tropical salad). On top of that, there’s an open bar on board, but alcohol comes only after you’ve done the water activities. It’s a small rule that actually helps keep the day feeling safer and more sensible.

Where this trip can feel less like a smooth cruise and more like a logistics puzzle is the Love Beach piece. Love Beach access is handled under marine park limits, and it’s described as optional and on request. If you want that exact experience, you need to be organized about your request and the fees involved.

Getting there: the 9:00 am marina start and how to avoid a time-waste day

The meeting point is Terminal Maritima, on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, in Las Glorias (Puerto Vallarta). The start time is 9:00 am, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. That “return to where you started” detail matters because it makes the day easier to plan—no mysterious transfers at the end.

Transport to and from the marina is not included, so you’ll want to handle that part yourself. If you’re staying in Puerto Vallarta, plan to get there early rather than rolling in right at check-in time. One of the most painful ways this tour can go wrong is downtime after check-in, and early arrival reduces your odds of being rushed or misrouted when staff are sorting a large crowd (this activity has a maximum of 280 travelers).

Another practical point: you’ll want good weather, because the tour requires it. If conditions are poor, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. So keep your schedule flexible if you can.

Breakfast, lunch, and open bar: how the food and drinks fit the day

This tour is set up so you’re not constantly thinking about meals. Your included American breakfast covers a full mix: eggs and pancakes, plus fruit and drinks like coffee and orange juice. Then lunch is included as well, with a practical sandwich-style meal plus potatoes and tropical salad. It’s the kind of lunch that’s easy to digest if you’re still planning to snorkel and swim later.

The open bar is a highlight for a lot of people, but pay attention to the timing rule: alcoholic drinks are served after water activities. That keeps the pace from getting sloppy. You can still enjoy the social side of the cruise, but you’re not starting the day with alcohol in your system before gear goes on.

Now for the reality check: on-day delays can happen, and when the day gets stretched, meal timing can feel late. One of the complaints tied to this trip involved lunch not being served until mid-afternoon. If you’re the kind of person who needs food on a predictable schedule, I’d treat the plan as food-included but not guaranteed to land at a perfect clock time.

Kayak, snorkeling, and paddle boards: what’s included and what to watch for

This is an activity-first tour. You get snorkeling gear and life vest, plus kayaks and paddle boards. You’re not paying extra for rentals in the typical way, and that matters because water sports add up fast if you try to book them separately.

That said, go in knowing how snorkeling usually works on a group boat. One negative experience mentioned staff being very directive about pace, and another pointed out an issue with life vest fit and the lack of fins when they were expected. So here’s my practical advice:

• When life vests go on, ask staff to adjust the fit before you get in the water.
• If you’re used to snorkeling with fins, don’t assume they’ll be provided—ask what’s available for your session.
• If you’re a strong swimmer, still remember group snorkeling can be more structured than a free swim.

The positive side is that the core activities are there, and people consistently focus on the water time itself—kayak and snorkel being the main reason they booked. If you want a day that stays physical and playful rather than mostly photo stops, this is aligned with that goal.

You might even catch wildlife depending on the season. One person’s top moment was spotting whales, which isn’t something you can count on, but it’s a reminder that the route can be exciting beyond the islands.

The Marietas stop: time on the islands and how long it lasts

The itinerary includes a stop at the Marietas Islands National Park with about 2 hours listed at the stop itself. That’s enough time to do the core water activities and get your bearings around the area, especially since the day is already packed with kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding on the cruise.

What this means for you: you shouldn’t plan on having this as a long, slow wander. Think of it as a focused window for the island experience, while most of your total time comes from time on the water and on board.

If you’re hoping for a very unstructured experience—your own pace, no schedule—this probably won’t feel like that. It’s a tour day with a timetable, and the ship life includes groups, gear moments, and staff calls. The good part is you’re busy in a fun way.

Love Beach (hidden beach) access: request it early and budget the extra fees

Love Beach—sometimes referred to as the hidden beach—is the big special draw here. Access is available on request, and it’s controlled by the marine park. That one sentence carries a lot of weight.

First, Love Beach is not included in the base tour. There are also extra costs tied to conservation and access. The info you’re given says the Marietas Island Conservation Fee is MX$100 per person, and it also lists port tax of MX$29 per person not included. Depending on how the Love Beach add-on is handled, you should expect that the total could be higher than the advertised tour price.

Second, the request process matters. One of the roughest experiences tied to this tour involved a Love Beach request that wasn’t properly found at check-in, and the person ended up excluded and stuck on the boat for a full day, with lunch much later than expected. I can’t promise the same will happen to you, but it does highlight what you should do: confirm your Love Beach request before the day arrives, and make sure it shows up on the paperwork you have at check-in.

Third, if you want the photo upgrade, it’s described as an optional add-on that includes souvenir photos. You’ll want to decide that on the day based on what’s available and what’s been scheduled for your group.

If Love Beach is your top goal, treat this like a priority reservation, not a maybe.

Price and value: does $99 cover enough to feel worth it?

At $99 per person, this is positioned as an economical way to get to Marietas with a full day of included activities. What makes the price feel fair is the combination: breakfast, lunch, open bar, and water gear are all included in the tour package.

Where your budget can shift is the list of extras that are not included:

• Port tax: MX$29 per person
• Marietas Island Conservation Fee: MX$100 per person
• Transportation to and from the marina
• Tips
• Photo session / souvenir photos (if you choose the upgrade)
• Love Beach access (optional and under request)

So the value math depends on your personal must-dos. If you mainly want kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, food, and the cruise vibe, the base price plus the listed fees can still feel like a good deal. If you’re set on Love Beach, your total cost will likely rise, and the real cost becomes time and confidence in your request being handled correctly.

A good way to judge it: ask yourself what you’d do if Love Beach access isn’t available. If you’d still enjoy the water sports and the island stop, this tour fits. If Love Beach is your one non-negotiable, you’ll want to plan more carefully.

Who should book Sea Mi Amor Marietas, and who should skip it

You’ll probably enjoy this tour if you’re:

• An active traveler who likes kayaking, snorkeling, and paddle boarding
• Someone who values included gear and built-in meals
• Interested in an open bar cruise atmosphere (with alcohol served after water time)

It might not be your best match if you:

• Need perfectly predictable timing for meals
• Are very sensitive to strict group instructions while snorkeling
• Are counting on Love Beach access as guaranteed

Also consider age needs. The info notes that kids between 3 and 5 years old are free for the tour, but meals cost MX$100 per person. If you’re traveling with little ones, you’ll want to plan around meal needs and the fact that the day is still active and water-focused.

Bottom line: this feels like a fun, value-leaning day out for people who want activity and food included, and who can handle the fact that Love Beach is governed by marine park rules.

Should you book this tour?

If you want a full-day Marietas experience with included snorkeling gear, kayaks, and paddle boards, plus breakfast, lunch, and an open bar, Sea Mi Amor Marietas is worth a close look for the price.

My only hesitation for you is Love Beach. If that’s your top goal, book with confidence only after you’ve double-checked that your request is confirmed and understood, since access depends on the park and mistakes can ruin a day fast. If you go in ready for an active cruise first—and treat Love Beach as an important bonus—you’re more likely to leave happy.

FAQ

How long is the Sea Mi Amor Marietas tour?

It runs for about 8 hours (approx.).

What’s included in the tour price?

The tour includes an open bar on board (alcoholic drinks only after water activities), American breakfast, lunch, and the equipment for kayaking, snorkeling (with life vest), and paddle boards.

Is Love Beach included?

No. Love Beach access is available on request and is controlled by the marine park, so it’s not part of the base package.

What extra fees might I need to pay?

Port tax (MX$29 per person) is not included, and there is a Marietas Island conservation fee (MX$100 per person) not included. Transportation to and from the marina, tips, and photo options are also not included.

Where does the tour start and when?

It starts at Terminal Maritima on Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio, Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico, with a start time of 9:00 am. It ends back at the same meeting point.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.