Places
The Magical Marietas Islands
Hidden Beaches in Mexico
Located off the coast of western Mexico in Banderas Bay, the Marietas Islands are a group of unspoiled islands famous for their untouched natural beauty and rich wildlife. Visitors to this stunning archipelago are treated to unforgettable scenery and encounters with some of Mexico’s most fascinating marine life.
Geography and Climate
The Marietas Islands archipelago consists of five small volcanic islands — Maria Madre, Maria Magdalena, Las Lavanderas, San Juanito, and Estanque. The tallest peak is on Maria Madre, reaching 480 feet above sea level.
The islands experience a warm, tropical climate year-round with average temperatures between 70–80 degrees Fahrenheit. Being surrounded by the warm waters of the Gulf of California, the ocean temperatures rarely drop below 70 degrees even in winter months. Rainfall is moderate with most precipitation occurring between June and October.
Untouched Beauty
What makes the Marietas Islands so spectacular is that they have remained virtually untouched by development. No permanent residents live on the islands, which have been protected as a national park since 1946.
Visitors will find pristine sandy beaches, lush tropical vegetation, towering rock formations carved by the ocean, and scenic coastal views.
Hiking trails wind through dense forests and along coastal cliffs, treating hikers to panoramic vistas of the sparkling sea. With no artificial light pollution, dark night skies filled with millions of stars can be enjoyed.
Abundant Wildlife
Being uninhabited, the Marietas Islands offer a rare glimpse of coastal ecosystems untouched by human impacts on wildlife. The islands serve as an important nesting site and refuge for a wide diversity of seabirds and marine life.
Spotting sea lions, gray whales, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, and even occasional orcas is not uncommon in the surrounding waters.
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in the archipelago, including magnificent frigatebirds soaring overhead, great blue herons stalking the shorelines, and nesting colonies of brown pelicans, blue-footed boobies, and brown boobies visible up close.
Endemic wildlife found nowhere else like the Marietas fruit-eating bat also call these islands home. Underwater, clear turquoise waters harbor sea turtles, tropical fish, sharks, rays, and more.
Adventure Activities
While having designated protected status limits development, the Marietas Islands offer plenty of opportunities for fun outdoor adventures and up-close wildlife encounters.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling — With calm, warm waters and abundant marine life, the islands are a top scuba diving and snorkeling destination.
Popular sites include “El Aquarium”, home to schools of tropical fish, and the unique “Christ of the Abyss” statue further offshore. Multi-colored corals, sea turtles, moray eels, and occasional manta rays and whale sharks are commonly spotted.
Boat Tours — Several boat operators offer daily tours from nearby Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta to the islands. Visitors can explore secluded beaches, climb rocky headlands, and hopefully view passing whales and dolphins up close to the boat. Many tours include snorkel or scuba gear to enjoy the underwater world.
Hiking — A network of trails wind through tropical vegetation and along scenic coastal cliffs. Hiking is one of the best ways to spot nesting seabirds and glimpse island landscapes. Popular trails lead to landmarks like Las Sierras (The Mountains) headland with panoramic ocean views.
Camping — Primitive camping is permitted on some of the islands’ beaches and inland areas. Visitors must bring all necessary camping gear and supplies as no facilities exist. This allows immersing oneself in the natural beauty and experiencing tranquil island sunsets.
How to Visit
Most visitors arrive at the Marietas Islands on organized boat tours that depart daily from Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta during peak season from October to July. Tours typically last 6–8 hours with time spent snorkeling, hiking or just relaxing at scenic beaches.
Day trips can also be booked from Sayulita or San Pancho. Independent travel is possible by private boat but reservations are required to land on the islands due to protected status. Camping permits must also be obtained in advance.
Overall, a visit to these pristine Mexican islands offers breathtaking natural scenery and close encounters with native wildlife.
A Rich History
While uninhabited today, the Marietas Islands have a fascinating human history stretching back over a thousand years. Archaeological evidence indicates the islands were visited as early as 300 BC by indigenous peoples for fishing, gathering resources, and pilgrimages.
Later, in the 16th century after the Spanish conquest of Mexico, the islands appeared on European maps and became a strategic lookout post against possible invaders. Some early Spanish missionaries even built small chapels here.
In the late 19th century, the Marietas gained notoriety when a boat overloaded with Mexican revolutionaries and politicians from the Reform War shipwrecked and stranded everyone ashore for weeks. Only a handful survived by eating shellfish and drinking rainwater in a dramatic ordeal reported worldwide.
This helped raise awareness for officially establishing these tiny islands as a protected reserve in 1946. Their natural beauty and rich history continue to evoke a sense of mystery to this day for curious visitors.
Cultural Connections
While uninhabited now, the Marietas Islands still hold cultural connections and traditional knowledge passed down through generations. For certain coastal indigenous communities such as the Cora and Huichol peoples, the islands hold deep spiritual significance.
Oral histories tell of ancestors who visited the islands as sacred pilgrimage sites for performing rituals, collecting medicinal and ceremonial plants unique to the archipelago, and giving offerings to island deities said to control rains, winds, and bountiful fisheries.
Traditional crafts like intricately woven palm hats and intricate beadwork said to depict island landscapes are still made by tribes in homage to their island ancestry and coastal roots. For both native peoples and modern-day visitors alike, the Marietas islands embody a timeless sense of natural beauty, history, and wonder in a protected part of Mexico.
………………
