Jan 17, 2023
Amazing hidden beach - Amazing experience. Got to swim to the hidden beach which was beautiful and hopped on the eco tour where you can see birds and sea caves of the Marietas Island.
I couldn't find a babysitter at the hotel for our two year old and after inquiring, Grupo Naviero was the only tour company who was flexible to let us bring her on the trip.
Fortunately there were enough ppl going to the hidden beach so my sister and I could take turns. They really try to accommodate your needs, including letting us pay via ATM after getting back because we forgot to bring enough cash on us.
Would have preferred if they let you know ahead of time to bring more cash because didn't know the eco tours was separate (200 pesos/person but very worth it), tips, and conservation fee.
Would have also preferred if they didn't use styrofoam cups and plates because it's the most non-environmental option.
Lastly would have preferred if the music wasn't as loud because it was very jarring for our two year old and ourselves who wanted to enjoy the outdoors. One option was to have the music downstairs but not for the upstairs deck, so ppl had the option to party or not.
Depending on the conditions, it can be quite difficult swimming to the hidden beach. My sister said it was one of the most difficult swims of her life. Current is strong, can get scratched up by the rocks, and water can go up to the top of the cave. The guides are really strong swimmers and can help you through but it's still very scary for those who aren't strong swimmers or decided to go by themselves, like my sister.
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Mar 18, 2021
A fabulous way to spend the day - Just had the most amazing experience! Spent the day on a boat snorkeling, laying on the beach, paddleboarding, and meeting so many amazing people. We even saw three whales! JC and his crew brought life to every part of the experience. JCs charisma is electric!!! The customer service deserves an extra 5 stars.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 8, 2021
Great Eco Tour to the Marietas with Bahia Alegre and Shamballah - Bahia Alegre and Shamballah offer great trips to the Marietas for very affordable prices! The trip was fun, on time and informative, and full of good food and drink! The Shamballah staff provided excellent customer service! Bonus was the whales and dolphins spotted on the way out and way back! I booked the trip through Chon's Tours across the street from Puerto Magico (by the gas station) and Dario was extremely helpful.
All staff take extra steps to make sure passengers are safe at all times. There's plenty of options -- snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboard and going to the hidden beach once the boat arrives at the Marietas. The islands are really fascinating and the crew shares a lot of good information. The bar opens once the island activities are over, along with lunch which is excellent, by the way, and the trip back to port is leisurely and very relaxing. I would recommend this trip to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 21, 2022
Snorkeling, fun in the sun! - Was a bit nervous about selecting this tour after reading split reviews. All in all, we had a great time on this all day excursion. The crew took great care of us. Breakfast and lunch were served as well as open bar on the way back. Food was good. We did the snorkeling and were happy to see the masks and snorkels were new. Limited number of fins available, I am assuming those were perhaps offered to less strong swimmers. We had decent visibility, Were able to see some fish. We also signed up for the hidden beach. We were taken by a small dingy and had to swim about 300' from the boat to the hidden beach.
Hadn't seen anything like this before. Only downside was when we returned to the boat, there wasn't much time remaining for kayaking.
We did have the opportunity to see whales and also dolphins off the bow of our boat. Definitely would do this tour again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 24, 2021
Not what we signed up for! - This excursion was not what we expected and many others felt frustrated as well. We thought we were going on a booze cruise to an island to drink, swim, sun, and snorkel and kayak. First, it took two hours by boat to get to the island and no alcohol was served. Then they cautioned that there may be jellyfish in the area and that the water was freezing. Then they informed us that we had to get off the boat into a smaller one to get close to the island and could take nothing with us—no towels to lay on, no camera, etc—because we had to jump out of the boat and swim to sure in about 6 feet of water! I’m a good swimmer and it was rough surf with a strong under tow. After all that, we only had 15 minutes on the island to see it but there was nothing to see but a few Little Rock caves. We were allowed to swim but surf was too strong and water too cold. So swim back to boat and climb back on big boat and sit for an hour doing nothing. Speakers won’t working on our deck so no music. Kayakers were only allowed to kayak in a circle around the boat—couldn’t explore around island. We weren’t allowed to collect shells because island is protected. Lunch was decent. Then open bar for 90 minutes but by then we were frustrated, burnt and tired. Also there were extra charges totaling about $20 for port and preservation fees and then they were trying to get us to buy pictures and other stuff as well. I wouldn’t recommend this especially for elderly, handicapped, or people wanting a fun party and relaxing day at the beach. I feel I wasted a day of my vacation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 7, 2024
The worst experience of my life - It's my worst experience 15 minutes of snorkeling don't teach you or explain anything , only interested in taking photos to sell you , hence yelpa food included very little and drinks you have to pay , if you want the waterfall you have to pay four-wheel or compulsory horse if you don't go and it costs 600 mxm from there they bring you back not arrive at 5 we arrive at 9 at night I'm not interested in the money spent but my lost day along with photos and also the agency that sold me that was not responsible
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 11, 2023
DO NOT TAKE THIS TOUr if you do not speak english. - Literally a scam. they said we would stop at Mismaloya and see waterfalls but that did not happen. the food was legit inedible and i'm convinced the food is made to get you more sick so you have to buy the motion pills they're selling. they said we wouldn't need to bring anything with us on this boat tour , but the we suddenly needed towels, new snorkeling gear, nausea pills, paying extra for food at the restaurant which had terrible service. the waiters at Fannys were rude, and inattentive. we waited an hour to get our food after getting to Yelapa. On our way back one of the engines completely broke down and we did not return until 8 pm. Ridiculous. not family friendly at all.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 28, 2022
Scambala - I would leave no stars if possible, this is the worst “island” and tour I have ever been on. Waste of a day. It is NOT an open bar, you can not get off the boat and they wait forever to feed you. Completely mismanaged and disorganized. So so terrible. Biggest regret.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 9, 2022
Horrible experience - AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!! I never leave reviews but we have taken many trips and this was a terrible trip! First you arrive terribly early in the morning only to wait to be hearded on to a boat like cattle. The you get to sit on plastic chairs so close together you can't move for about a 2 hour ride to Marietas. During the 2 hour ride you find out they want to upsell you for each different activity. You get to snorkel in a large group for about 20 minutes and the rest of the time is spent on the boat waiting for all the other activities that people paid for to finish. Then there is a more than 2 hour ride back to the Marina - the trip is long, boaring and the food was disgusting. I wish I could get back that day of my vaction
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 30, 2021
Terrible management - This boat ride was a total bust. We were basically stuck on there for 10 hrs. It took 2 hrs to get to island, they give small breakfast at around 930 or 10. On the way there they do not serve booze. But they sell you an "eco tour" for an extra 200 pesos each. They take you on the small side boat around the island pointing out birds and what's what. You can not get off. Well they booked about 6 boat rides but their boat broke down. They finally fixed it and instead of canceling these "tours" they kept everyone there hungry until they finished their tours. It was past 3pm when I complained we were hungry. And even then I had to say I wasn't moving until they started lunch and gave us our food. After arguing with various crew members including JC and the captain, they finally started warming up lunch. They did however make a killing on these "eco tours" and the snacks they sell you because we were all hungry. The burger was not great and the shrimp was lacking flavor, but what can you do at this point. Wasted my whole day, do not take this tour! There's others that looked better.
Review provided by Tripadvisor