Beaches, Islands and Surf in Mexico: A Pacific Coast Guide

Key takeaways

• Islas Marietas: Playa del Amor, the Hidden Beach, has been limited to 116 visitors a day, with permitted operators only.

• Surf: the Riviera Nayarit coast is surfable all year, with north swells in winter and south swells in summer.

• Puerto Escondido: Zicatela is an expert-only wave; La Punta nearby is gentler.

• Safety: beach flags are set locally, and red generally means don't swim.

• Caribbean: sargassum usually builds from spring and peaks between May and August.

Beaches around Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita

Banderas Bay has town beaches, coves and long open stretches within an hour of each other. Conchas Chinas, south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, has been listed among the city's Blue Flag beaches. On the Punta Mita peninsula and the coast just north, El Anclote and Destiladeras are the best-known public beaches, and the Bahía de Banderas tourism office has a page on visiting the nearby Islas Marietas.

Visiting the Islas Marietas

The Islas Marietas are a national park off Punta Mita, run by Mexico's protected-areas commission, CONANP. Playa del Amor closed in May 2016 after crowds damaged the coral and reopened with strict limits: 116 people a day, groups of up to 15, a buoyed entry lane used at low tide, and life jackets required. Diving is banned, and rules on snorkel gear for the swim in have varied, so check with your operator. CONANP's park page lists opening days and the fee, which are worth checking before you book.

Where and when to surf

Sayulita's main beach is a well-known beginner wave. When Sayulita is flat, the breaks around Punta Mita, including La Lancha, often pick up swell. On this stretch of coast, winter brings north swells and summer brings south swells, so there's usually somewhere to surf.

Further south, Zicatela in Puerto Escondido is a powerful beach break for experienced surfers, at its biggest during the summer south swells. La Punta, at the end of the same bay, suits intermediate surfers.

For winter conditions in more detail, see our Sayulita surf guide.

Beach safety and sargassum

Each state or town sets its own beach flags, so check local signs. Green usually means safe, yellow means caution and red means don't swim, while some beaches use purple for jellyfish or other marine hazards. If a rip current pulls you out, NOAA advises swimming parallel to the shore rather than against the current, or floating and signaling for help.

On the Caribbean side, sargassum seaweed usually starts arriving in spring, peaks between May and August and eases by October. Late autumn and winter are usually lighter, though in 2026 arrivals started rising in November, and Quintana Roo's sargassum monitoring network posts daily beach reports.

Frequently asked questions

Can you still visit the Hidden Beach at the Islas Marietas?

Yes, through permitted tour operators. Access is limited to 116 people a day, in small groups, and depends on the tide.

Is Sayulita good for beginner surfers?

Sayulita's main beach is a common place to learn, and the nearby Punta Mita breaks offer other options when it's flat.

What do beach flag colors mean in Mexico?

Flags are set locally. Green generally means safe, yellow means caution, red means don't swim, and purple can signal jellyfish or other marine life.

When is sargassum season in Cancún?

Sargassum usually builds from spring and peaks between May and August. Late autumn and winter are usually lighter, though that isn't guaranteed.