Roqueta Island, Acapulco: How to Get There & Prices
How to get to Roqueta Island in Acapulco, boat prices, schedules and what to do (lighthouse, beaches, snorkeling). Updated 2026 guide.
Quick answer: you can only reach Roqueta Island (Isla La Roqueta) by boat. With Yates Dinka you ride a glass-bottom boat from the Parque de la Reina dock, next to the Fort of San Diego and the cruise terminal, for $210 MXN online. Boats leave every hour (11:00 am–3:00 pm on weekdays, from 10:00 am Friday to Sunday), and the roughly one-hour ride passes the submerged Virgin statue, the celebrity homes and a high dive. On the island you can swim at the main beach, snorkel, hike up to the lighthouse (115 m) or walk to Palmitas beach. Start early: the last Dinka boat back leaves the island at 5:00 pm.
What is Roqueta Island and where is it?
Roqueta is a volcanic island in the southwest of Acapulco Bay, about 800 m from Caleta and Caletilla beaches, across the Boca Chica channel. It’s about 1.8 km (1.1 mi) long and rises to 115 m (377 ft), where the lighthouse stands. The Mexican Navy has managed and protected it since 1981 (Wikipedia).
It’s one of the most biodiverse spots in Acapulco. Around 713 land and marine species have been recorded there, including white-throated magpie-jays, ospreys, frigatebirds, coatis, black iguanas and dozens of fish species (Wikipedia).
How to get to Roqueta Island: 2026 prices
| Tour | From | Price | Includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional glass-bottom boat tour | Parque de la Reina dock | $210 MXN online ($300 at the booth) | ~1 h tour: submerged Virgin, celebrity homes, high dive, fish; optional island stay | yatesdinka.com |
| Traditional Tour + Snorkel | Parque de la Reina dock | $400 MXN online ($550 at the booth) | All of the above + 45 min guided snorkeling with gear | yatesdinka.com |
| Kids aged 0–3 | — | Free on the Traditional Tour | Up to 2 per paying adult | FAQ |
| Parking | Parque de la Reina | $50 MXN all day | Municipal lot | llms.txt |
On the island you pay separately for whatever you use: food, chairs, umbrellas or beach activities.
Save up to 33%: the website price already includes the discount. Book your trip to Roqueta →
Roqueta Island boat tour from Parque de la Reina
With Dinka, the ride is part of the fun. You leave from the Parque de la Reina dock, across from the Fort of San Diego history museum and next to the Cruise Ship Terminal, on Costera Miguel Alemán. On the way you’ll see the traditional bay, the celebrity homes, the Punta Elefante divers and the submerged Virgin of Guadalupe through the glass floor.
Getting to the dock:
- Taxi: ask for “Parque de la Reina, near the Fuerte de San Diego.”
- Bus: take any bus heading downtown (“Centro”) and get off at the Fuerte de San Diego stop.
- Car: the municipal parking lot at Parque de la Reina costs $50 MXN for the whole day.
- Cruise ship: the dock is next to the terminal, so you can walk.
Departure times: Monday to Thursday at 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00 and 3:00; Friday to Sunday also at 10:00 am. The last snorkel departure is at 2:00 pm (FAQ).
How long does it take? About 1 hour to the island, because the boat doesn’t go straight there: it passes the celebrity homes, Punta Elefante and the submerged Virgin first. If you stay, plan 2 to 4 hours for the beach, lunch and the lighthouse before the last boat back at 5:00 pm.
Things to do on Roqueta Island
1. Swim at the main beach
It’s a 200 m stretch of fine sand, sheltered from the open sea, with gentle waves. Seafood restaurants rent out chairs and umbrellas (Wikipedia).
2. Snorkel with colorful fish
The waters around the island are among the calmest in the bay. Yates Dinka’s Traditional Tour + Snorkel gives you 45 guided minutes with gear included, and you don’t need to know how to swim. Details in our Roqueta Island snorkeling guide.
3. Hike to the Roqueta lighthouse
The lighthouse sits at the island’s highest point, 115 m up, with views of Acapulco Bay and the Tres Palos and Coyuca lagoons. The trail runs under shady forest; bring water in a reusable bottle (Wikipedia). Next to the lighthouse, a small site museum covers the island’s history and wildlife.
4. Walk to Palmitas beach
It’s on the western tip, about a 10-minute walk from the main beach. This small, very photogenic beach has been used for films and commercials.
5. Banana boat rides and water sports
Banana boat rides are offered at the main beach (Yates Dinka FAQ).
6. Discover its history
- Mexico’s archaeology institute (INAH) has found Olmec and Toltec remains on the island.
- In 1813, Morelos’ insurgents seized the island to cut off supplies to the Fort of San Diego.
- Orson Welles filmed scenes of The Lady from Shanghai (1947) here (Wikipedia).
The submerged Virgin: the highlight of the ride
Off the island, next to La Yerbabuena islet, lies the Virgin of Guadalupe, “Queen of the Seas”, a bronze statue about 2 m tall. It was lowered into the sea on December 12, 1958, after a procession from Acapulco’s cathedral (Maratón Acapulco, Archivo Tomás Montero). A replica replaced it in 2002, and the restored original now stands on the islet’s rocks (Wikipedia). From a glass-bottom boat, you can see it without getting wet.
Suggested day on Roqueta Island
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 9:40 am | Arrive at the Parque de la Reina dock (20 min before departure) |
| 10:00 am | Sail with Yates Dinka (Fri–Sun; Mon–Thu from 11:00 am) |
| ~11:00 am | Get off on the island: beach and snorkeling |
| 12:30 pm | Hike to the lighthouse or walk to Palmitas |
| 2:00 pm | Grilled fish (pescado a la talla) at the main beach |
| Before 5:00 pm | Boat back to the dock (last Dinka return: 5:00 pm) |
Tips for visiting Roqueta Island
- Go early. It’s cooler, and you’ll have more time on the island.
- Bring cash for the restaurants and rentals.
- Leave glass and styrofoam behind, and don’t leave any trash. The island is a protected area.
- Pets: according to public information about the island, they aren’t allowed on the beaches (Wikipedia).
- Ground swells (mar de fondo) sometimes lead the Port Authority to suspend boat traffic. With Dinka, weather cancellations are rescheduled for free.
FAQ: Roqueta Island
How much does it cost to go to Roqueta Island?
With Yates Dinka, the Traditional glass-bottom boat tour costs $210 MXN online ($300 at the booth), or $400 MXN online ($550 at the booth) with snorkeling. Add $50 MXN for parking if you drive, plus whatever you spend on the island.
How long does it take to get to Roqueta Island?
From Parque de la Reina, Dinka’s Traditional Tour lasts about 1 hour, because it includes the bay tour before reaching the island.
Can I stay on the island and come back later?
Yes. Dinka’s tour includes an optional stay on the island, and the last boat back is at 5:00 pm. Confirm your return with the crew when you get off.
Is Roqueta Island good for kids?
Yes. On the Traditional Tour, kids 0–3 ride free (max. 2 per paying passenger), and life jackets are provided for all ages. Snorkeling starts at age 7.
What’s the best day to go?
Weekdays are less crowded. On weekends, departures start at 10:00 am. Avoid days with ground-swell warnings.
Reach Roqueta the best way: a glass-bottom boat, the submerged Virgin and the cliff divers, for $210 MXN online. Traditional Tour · Tour + Snorkel · FAQ · Arriving by ship? Read our shore excursions guide. · WhatsApp +52 744 402 5050 · Calls +52 744 187 3434 / +52 744 506 0608
Sources (October 2026): yatesdinka.com · Wikipedia (ES): Isla de la Roqueta · Maratón Internacional Acapulco · Archivo Tomás Montero
