The Park is made up of a pair of small uninhabited islands, Isla Larga and Isla Redonda, along with a couple of islets located a few miles off the coast of the state of Nayarit.

These islands shelter amazing biodiversity and are referred as “the Galapagos of Mexico”. The cliffs, recesses, and caves of the islands provide nesting areas to many species of birds like brown and blue footed boobies. In fact, are home to over 80 different bird species

The islands are surrounded by a marine sanctuary with a multitude of tropical fish, sea turtles, giant manta rays, bottlenose dolphins and olive ridley turtles among many other species. It is possibly the best spot in western Mexico for scuba diving and snorkeling. Below the surface, you can see volcanic formations with arches, spires, tunnels, and caves, as well as several different species of coral, and abundant sea life.

This place has become famous all over the world for the beautiful “Hidden Beach” located within a crater on the northern end of Isla Redonda. Photos of the sun shining through an open crater illuminating a sandy beach with clear blue water are very popular in Instagram.

The access to the beach is strictly limited to 116 visitors per day and is also dependent on the tide, wind, and waves. There are a number of challenges to accessing the beach, you have to jump off the boat and swim through a 15 m (50 ft) tunnel through the rock. You have to wear a life jacket and a helmetto avoid hitting your head on the roof of the tunnel and no fins are allowed to avoid damaging the coral. Once you access the beach, your time there is restricted. You have to reserve your tour with a reputable company and well in advance to enjoy this unique experience.

Between November and March, humpback whales visit Banderas Bay so during this time of year, spotting whales may be an added bonus of your trip.

If you want to experience an unforgettable hiking, there are tours that will take you to an interpretive trail at the northwestern end of Isla Larga, starting at Playa La Nopalera. Walking this short but interesting 300 m (1,000-ft) trail offers the opportunity to see nesting seabirds, various species of reptiles such as green iguanas and Mexican spiny-tailed iguanas, as well as a few different kinds of snakes and interesting endemic plant life. 

You can practice kayaking, snorkeling and stand up paddle in La Nopalera and Hidden Beach.