The Marieta Islands

The Marieta Islands (Spanish: Islas Marietas) are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of Nayarit, Mexico. They are very popular tourist destinations because of the abundant marine life populations due to the islands being protected from fishing and hunting by the Mexican government.

The Marieta Islands were originally formed many thousands of years ago by volcanic activity, and are completely uninhabited. The islands are about an hour long boat ride west-northwest from the coast of Puerto Vallarta and are visited daily by hundreds of tourists, yet no one can legally set foot on the islands. In the early 1900s the Mexican government began conducting military testing on the islands because no one lived there. Many bombings and large explosions took place on the islands causing amazing caves and rock formations to be created. After a massive international outcry, started by scientist Jacques Cousteau in the late 1960s, the government eventually decided to label the islands a national park and therefore protected against any fishing, hunting or human activity.

Tourism
Protection by the government has created an environment conducive to the development of the marine ecosystem, and is a popular location for snorkeling and scuba diving. People often report seeing sea turtles, manta rays, octopus, wild dolphins, humpback whales and thousands of species of tropical fish around the islands. The islands are also home to a few thousand birds, with species such as the Blue-footed Booby. Currently, the Mexican government allows only a few companies to go to the islands for public tours because of conservationist efforts.

You should visit the Marieta Islands at least once in your life, to know, admire and feel a natural and beautiful paradise that is unique in the world.

The Marieta Islands or "Islas Tres Marietas" are a group of three small uninhabited islands a few miles west of the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, in the Pacific Ocean.

The Marieta Islands were made famous by the world known oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. They were declared a biosphere reserve by the UNESCO.

You will find crystal clear waters and golden sandy beaches in Marieta Islands. They are home to many birds such as the nice and peculiar blue-footed booby, marine mammals, a large variety of fish, and of course, whales that stay here during the winter season.

What to do and See on the Marieta Islands?

Admire the shape of the islands, which is related to ancient volcanic activity in the ocean in that area.

Observe large colonies of resident and migratory birds, both continental and marine like Frigate birds, gulls, pelicans, blue-footed booby, brown booby, and many others.

Watch dolphins (all year round) and humpback whales (mid-December to late March).

Diving and snorkeling in coral reefs where you can admire underwater landscapes of great beauty and color, inhabited by the Giant Manta, blue and yellow damsels and many other colorful fish.

Practice the kayak and paddle board.

Explore the many caves and other rock formations on the islands´ coast.

Visit and relax in the beautiful little and cozy beaches such as the Hidden Beach, also known as ‘Playa del Amor’ located on the Round Island, the Dead Beach or ‘Playa del Muerto’ and the ‘La Nopalera’ beach in the Long Island or ‘La Isla Larga’.

Marieta Islands