Interactive Tour of Riviera Nayarit’s Marietas Islands
Islas Marietas National Park is an archipelago located on the north coast of Banderas Bay, 8 km from Punta de Mita. It is composed of two islands, 900 meters from each other, which date back some 60,000 years and resulted from volcanic activity.
Isla Redonda (where Playa del Amor is located) is about 1,000 meters long and 500 meters at its widest point. Isla Larga is about 900 meters long and 400 meters wide. There are also two islets and other minor mounds.The area was named Islas Marietas National Park in April 2005 and, three years later, was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. It has also been internationally recognized as a Ramsar Site, which means that it is a privileged place to visit and a place that must be respected.
Among the wildlife that can be seen around the islands are tropical fish, giant manta rays, thornback rays, hammerhead sharks, silky sharks and bull sharks. It is also an important site for the reproduction of the humpback whale and other species of cetaceans, as well as a dozen species of marine birds.
In addition to virtually visiting the Hidden Beach and observing the native flora and fauna of the Marietas Islands, viewers can also explore La Nopalera beach, el Puente de Piedra (the stone bridge), El Leon, Los Morros, and the Mictlan cave, to mention a few of the area’s alluring attractions.
The virtual reality experience was developed through a collaboration between the Riviera Nayarit CVB, the Bahia de Banderas government, Jebus Media, Mictlan Surf School and photographers Andrea Fanni, Francisco Valdez, and Samuel Resendiz.
Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVB), shared that the purpose of the virtual tour is to promote the destination and its natural attractions, and to make them available to everyone, “especially during this time of global pandemic that has particularly affected the travel industry, which has made it necessary to use new and innovative strategies to attract more visitors.”
The interactive Isla Marietas tour can be found at RivieraNayarit.com.
If the virtual tour inspires you to experience the islands in person, you should know that the Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments are following all the health protocols established by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Health and are operating at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance.
Sources: Riviera Nayarit CVB, Luxury Travel Magazine