Holiday Ayo - The Marieta Islands are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of the state of Nayarit, Mexico, located in federal waters approximately 7.9 kilometers (4.9 mi) southwest of the peninsula known as Punta de Mita, in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas.

The islands are a popular tourist destination because of the abundant marine life populations due to the islands being protected from fishing and hunting by the Mexican government.

The ocean water depth around the islands is between 70 and 110 feet. The islands are home to 44 species of plants and wildlife.

This has led to the inclusion of the national park as a Ramsar site and it was designated as a UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve.

Many species of seabirds use the location as feeding and breeding grounds, these include blue-footed boobies as well as the red-billed tropicbirds.

It also has many different varieties of coral, which, in turn, is home to a large variety of reef fish species.

The island ecosystem is also home to dolphins, manta rays, and a number of tropical fish.

Eels and many species of sea turtles are also found in the reefs and the many caves that dot the site.

During the winter months, humpback whales arrive at the islands and can be observed all through winter.

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.

Not even during whale watching tours, 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 and allows the landing of passengers onto one secluded beach with the necessary permit from SEMARNAT.