For two afternoons this week, Puerto Vallarta residents can step aboard the ferries bound for the Islas Marías—no ticket required. ASIPONA will open Pier 1 at Puerto Mágico for guided walk-throughs and Q&A with TURIIMAR, the state-majority company developing trips to the former island prison turned nature destination. If you’ve heard the buzz but still wonder what a trip really looks like—costs, lodging, logistics—this is the moment to get answers directly from the source.
On Wednesday, August 27, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Thursday, August 28, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Puerto Vallarta National Port System (ASIPONA) will host a free public exhibition of the ferries slated to connect the city with the Islas Marías. Visitors will be welcomed at the cruise passenger center in Puerto Mágico’s Pier 1 and, after a brief security screening, allowed to board the vessels. ASIPONA says entry is free and, notably, without age restrictions.
The goal is simple: let locals and travelers see—and feel—what the new maritime link will be like before regular trips begin. Reps from TURIIMAR (Turística Integral Islas Marías, S.A. de C.V.) will be on site to explain packages, including transportation, lodging, meals, and activities on María Madre Island. The event also channels months of behind-the-scenes coordination between ASIPONA and TURIIMAR to open a Puerto Vallarta route.
Puerto Vallarta Islas Marías ferry
For now, regular departures to the archipelago operate from San Blas, Nayarit, and Mazatlán, Sinaloa, with the Puerto Vallarta route in advanced preparation. The official booking portal lays out current packages and sample itineraries, and notes typical sailing times of about four to four-and-a-half hours, depending on the port. Expect the Puerto Vallarta product to mirror those components once operations begin.
The phone number above is the same contact used by the Islas Marías program for bookings and inquiries, and the website is the official sales channel. If you’re weighing dates or room categories, that’s where availability and any promotions are published first.
Why this route matters
A Puerto Vallarta departure would make one of Mexico’s most singular places more accessible to the Bay of Banderas region. The islands are a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, long protected for their terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The federal government closed the penal colony in 2019 and, in late 2022, reopened the archipelago to controlled, small-scale tourism with a history-and-nature focus.
That mix—wild coastline, strict conservation rules, and a heavy past—demands careful management. TURIIMAR, a majority state-owned company coordinated with the Navy and Tourism Ministry, has been formalized to run the program under sustainability agreements and national branding initiatives. Recent federal announcements and a June 2025 convenio with SECTUR underscore that shift to a structured, conservation-first model.
How the Puerto Vallarta link is taking shape
On August 4, senior TURIIMAR executives visited ASIPONA Puerto Vallarta for site inspections and operational planning. ASIPONA confirmed the terminal meets service and security standards for the projected route, and local outlets report ongoing drills and coordination ahead of the formal launch. The announcement of the open days is the clearest public sign yet that the route is nearing the finish line.
Two things will signal the route’s start: the first published sailings from Puerto Vallarta on the official booking platform, and a formal launch by ASIPONA and TURIIMAR. Until then, the free walk-throughs this Wednesday and Thursday are the best way to understand the product, meet the operators, and decide if an island stay fits your budget and comfort. If you go, bring curiosity and questions—this is your chance to kick the tires before buying the ticket.
