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National park · Punta de Mita, Nayarit
Islas Marietas
Uninhabited volcanic islands at the entrance to Bahía de Banderas, a national park and biosphere reserve, home to seabirds and the Hidden Beach.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Islas Marietas
The Islas Marietas are a small uninhabited volcanic archipelago about 8 km from the tip of Punta de Mita. They were used as a target for military tests in the 20th century until a campaign by researchers led to their protection. Today they are a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
The islands are breeding grounds for seabirds such as the blue-footed booby, the rabo-de-palha and frigatebirds, and the surrounding sea has rocky reefs with fish, turtles and rays. In winter, humpback whales are often seen on the way.
The best-known attraction is the Hidden Beach, or Playa del Amor, a sandy beach at the bottom of a crater open to the sky, reached by swimming through a tunnel in the rock, with a life vest and a guide. To protect the site, access is limited by the number of visitors per day and only allowed with authorized operators, and the beach is closed on some days of the week.
The most common tours include snorkeling around the islands without landing. Those who want to enter the Hidden Beach must book in advance with an operator that has that permission.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Three to five hours of tour.
Best time
In the morning, when the sea is calmer. Whales usually appear from December to March. Access to the Hidden Beach follows the park schedule; confirm when booking.
How to get there
By boat with authorized operators: from Punta de Mita (about 15 minutes), from Nuevo Vallarta or from Puerto Vallarta (one hour or more).
Tip
If you want to enter the Hidden Beach, book an operator with that authorization: most tours only snorkel around the islands.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Islas Marietas
How to visit the Hidden Beach of the Islas Marietas?
Only with authorized operators, with a limited number of visitors per day. Access is by swimming through a tunnel in the rock, with a life vest and a guide. The beach is closed some days of the week; confirm when booking.
What animals are seen on the Islas Marietas?
Blue-footed boobies and other seabirds, reef fish, turtles and, in winter, humpback whales en route.
Are the Islas Marietas protected?
Yes, they are a national park and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, with visitor rules and limits on numbers.