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Discover Scuba Diving at the Marietas Islands from Sayulita, Nayarit - Book Your Trip
Experience why Riviera Nayarit is one of Mexico’s top scuba diving destinations when you explore the crystal-clear waters of Banderas Bay; you’ll find visibility and ideal water temperature that appeal to both beginners and expert divers, and you can center your trip around a visit to the protected Las Marietas Islands, located at the mouth of the bay and reachable about 30 minutes from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, where volcanic-formed islands serve as a national bird sanctuary and shelter for abundant marine life-perfect for planning diving, sightseeing, or nature-focused Events and stays that connect your accommodation with the experiences that matter.
About this activity in Sayulita
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Highlights
- Explore world-class scuba diving in Banderas Bay - clear visibility and warm waters make the Bay of Banderas a top dive destination in Riviera Nayarit.
- Dive around the protected Las Marietas Islands, a volcanic archipelago and national bird sanctuary that shelters abundant marine life.
- Enjoy two guided immersions suited to both beginners and experienced divers, with local guides who know the best reefs and marine habitats.
- Short boat rides from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle place you minutes from the islands, so you spend more time underwater and less time traveling.
Important Information
- Bring your dive certification if you plan to join a certified dive; all divers will complete a health questionnaire before diving and should avoid flying within 48 hours after diving.
- This activity requires a moderate level of fitness and is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with serious cardiovascular or certain medical conditions.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult and infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; group bookings require a minimum of two people.
- Public transportation options are available nearby; gratuities and souvenir photos are not included and can be purchased separately.
Meeting Point
Meet at the Marina Vallarta/La Cruz de Huanacaxtle main dock-look for the dive operator’s desk near the boat launch. Please arrive 30 minutes before departure so you can check in, complete any required forms, and board comfortably; the boat ride to Las Marietas takes about 30 minutes.
Includes
- Boat transport from the Sayulita, Nayarit coast is included, so you’ll arrive to the dive site without extra transfers.
- A professional guide accompanies every outing to help you explore the local marine spots safely.
- Bottled water is provided to keep you hydrated between immersions.
- Two immersions are included so you can make the most of diving in the region’s waters.
- Full use of dive equipment is supplied, allowing you to travel light and dive ready.
Excludes
- Gratuities are not included; you can tip your guide or crew at your discretion.
- Souvenir photos are available to purchase separately and are not included in the tour price.
Other
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with poor cardiovascular health; your safety is a priority.
- You’ll be required to complete a health questionnaire prior to diving; some pre-existing conditions (e.g., asthma, heart conditions) may prevent participation.
- Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive.
- Important: do not dive within 48 hours of flying; follow this guideline to protect your health after diving in the area.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to enjoy the experience.
- Children must be accompanied by an adult and infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap for safety.
- Public transportation options are available nearby if you’re staying elsewhere in Sayulita or the surrounding region.
- The tour may be operated by a multi-lingual guide to accommodate diverse visitors.
- A minimum of two people per booking is required to confirm the tour.
- For the safety of all guests, the operator reserves the right to refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated or show signs of intoxication; if your tour is canceled for this reason, you will not be entitled to a refund.
Customer Reviews
9/10
Based on 10 Reviews
Summary:
My diving the Marietas Islands experience with Oceano Adventures was excellent. Casper did an exceptional job of presenting our dive plans. I have new to diving but have a number of dives under my belt. I find that I get a bit nervous each time I show up to dive when it has been months since my prior dives. Casper covered the dive plan in detail including all of those things that I tend to wonder if I will remember. He really put me at ease prior to our jumping in. In leading our dives, he did a great job of reading the group, and provided enough space to thoroughly enjoy our own, individual experience, but did regular check-ins and made it a point to point out cool finds like moray eels and other easy to miss wildlife. The drift and wall dives both provided lots of cool things to see and wonderfully clear and warm water to enjoy it in. An added surprise was getting to swim through a small tunnel towards the end of our second dive. Additionally, I was pleasantly surprised that a sandwich and water were both provided on the boat.
Even though this is set up as a 1/2 day excursion, I recommend planning it to consume most of the day. If leaving from Sayulita, you end up with about a 45 minute van ride each direction in conjunction with a similar amount of time on the water to get to and from the Marietas. Also, my previous dives with other organizations, have averaged 60 minutes. I was a bit surprised that these dives were only 45 minutes each, limited by the National Park rules if I remember correctly.
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Summary:
Excellent service from Casper, Jonathon, and Osealdo during our two dive trip. Safe, careful preparation by the crew and looking out for our safety throughout the trip. One of our best diving excursions! Thank you!
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Summary:
I just got back from the combo tour to the Marietas Islands and Hidden Beach, and it was absolutely a highlight of my trip! The entire crew (Laura, Casper, Jonathan, and Oswaldo) was fantastic, professional, and so much fun.
I did my discover dive with Casper, and he made me feel completely safe and confident underwater. Even though the visibility wasn't perfect, he did his best to capture some awesome footage of my adventure. Jonathan was our guide for the swim to the Hidden Beach, which was a little more strenuous than I had anticipated. His encouragement and patience made all the difference! He was also incredibly knowledgeable during the snorkeling portion, explaining so much about the local wildlife.
I highly recommend this tour! It's the perfect combination of adventure and stunning natural beauty, run by a truly amazing team. If you're thinking about it, just book it!
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Know more about Sayulita
You’ll find that the beauty and depth of Banderas Bay, paired with excellent visibility and ideal water temperature, make Riviera Nayarit a top scuba diving destination in Mexico. Those conditions attract both expert and beginner divers to the bay’s waters.
Your booking includes boat transport, a professional guide, bottled water, two immersions, and use of dive equipment-so you can focus on exploring the bay’s clear waters without worrying about logistics.
Families can participate, but children must be accompanied by an adult and infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness to take part.
Located about 30 minutes from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle at the mouth of Banderas Bay, the Las Marietas Islands were formed by volcanic activity and are a nationally protected bird sanctuary that also provides shelter for countless marine species-making the islands a compelling spot for underwater exploration and wildlife viewing.
Yes. Evidence of dive certification is required from all divers wishing to participate in a certified dive, and all participants must complete a health questionnaire prior to diving. Diving within 48 hours of flying is not recommended, and some pre-existing medical conditions (for example asthma or heart conditions) may prevent you from diving.
A minimum of two people per booking is required. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Note that the operator may refuse service to passengers who are intoxicated; if your tour is canceled for that reason, you will not be entitled to a refund.
