Review for "Deer Island Snorkling and Beach BBQ" Tour. This tour is boring AF, and costs $90 CDN ($65 USD) - AVOID!!!! Total rip-off!!!
The catamaran takes you to some islands to see birds ("bird poop island") and sea lions, and then takes you to Deer Island where there is nothing to do but sit on the beach and drink. Cuz you can't do that anywhere else. Don't waste your time snorkelling, the small reef is long dead and there's only a few brown fish hanging around. We brought our own gear, I certainly wouldn't trust the cleanliness of their gear based on the condition of the catamaran.
The catamaran (the Kolonahe) is poorly maintained, the men's toilet didn't flush, and one of two struts for the top structure of the catamaran (you know, where people walk and sit) was completely rusted out and broken off. For the price they're charging, that boat should be impeccably maintained.
There's little to no guide interpretation (in english anyhow) as you sit on the catamaran listening to much loathed 1990s classics like Céline Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". Nothing says good times on a boat like the Titanic Soundtrack. Of the 25 people on board, 4 were Mexican, and two of them spoke english fluently, yet with my limited spanish I overheard the "guide" speaking to them at length about the Mazatlán coastline while ignoring the rest of the guests. The beach BBQ is a sad showing of the worst food the El Cid resort has to offer, runny refried beans, chicken skewers, salad. Why would anyone pay $90 for this, especially as all the guests were staying at all-inclusives anyhow (telltale wristbands). To top it off, I overheard the "guides" talking to the El Cid food server and laughing at the guests and calling them gordas (fatties).
To add further insult, we waited over an hour at the dock (El Cid Marina) for the catamaran to be ready, and then again for 45 minutes for the shuttle (one 8 seater van for everyone) to take us back to the hotel. Total waste of a vacation day.
An older couple said the Stone Island tour was much better, like the guides actually talked to them in english and told them about some of the area history.
Personally based on my experience, I would avoid anything the Aries Fleet has to offer, they're just ripping off tourists as far as I can tell. You can rent a sea kayak and paddle yourself over to Deer Island in probably 20 minutes if you really want to check it out. read more