Mazatlan’s Beach Bonanza: 12 Unmissable Beaches to Visit
Mazatlan’s Beach Bonanza: 12 Unmissable Beaches to Visit
The Beaches of Mazatlan comprise one of the favorite vacation destinations in the Mexican Pacific.
The city boasts a 21-km-long boardwalk with an engaging environment, considered one of the longest in the world.
From there, you can see city highlights such as the Lighthouse, the Paseo Centenario, and the Avenida del Mar.
Also, you can admire the turquoise blue waters that give asylum to several quiet beaches, where you can relax on its white and smooth sand, in addition to surfing, windsurfing, diving, and kayaking.
Sport fishing and various ecotourism activities are the highlights of this destination: mountain biking trails, hiking in the surroundings, and nature observation are some options.
Where is Mazatlan?
Mazatlan is located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, in Sinaloa.
General Rafael Buelna International Airport is the nearest major airport, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city center.
There are several airlines that offer flights to Mazatlan from major cities in Mexico and the United States, including Aeromexico, Volaris, and Southwest Airlines.
You can also take a bus (Greyhound style) from major cities in Mexico to get to Mazatlan.
TOP 12 beaches in Mazatlan Mexico
1. Gaviotas Beach
Playa Gaviotas is easy to describe: pristine blue water with moderate waves and abundant golden sand makes it one of the most popular beaches in Mazatlan.
In addition to swimming, its waves are perfect for diving, fishing, and boat tours.
Although the beach has restaurants where you can taste the best gastronomy of the place, you can also bring your own food and have a picnic with the beautiful sunsets in the background.
Playa Gaviotas is located in the center of the Golden Zone, north of the port of Mazatlan.
2. Cerritos Beach
The intense blue of its water, the gentle waves, the fine sand, and the beautiful sunsets, among other attributes, make Cerritos Beach the perfect setting for unforgettable moments.
The beach is family-friendly and safe for both children and seniors. It is also one of the ideal beaches in Mazatlan to bring pets.
You may want to read: 24 Best Things to Do in Mazatlan Sinaloa
Despite the safety, there are times when jellyfish are seen, so it is best to check with the lifeguards and observe the flags in the sand.
The beach, 20 minutes from Mazatlan, has alternatives between hotels and inns for comfortable lodging.
3. Olas Altas Beach
This is where you’ll find the best waves in Mazatlan’s Golden Zone, perfect for surfers.
The sand of Olas Altas has a particularity because they change shape during several periods of the year; they “move.”
As for other entertainment, you can stroll along the boardwalk on foot or by bicycle and watch the beautiful sunsets on the beach.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
You will taste Sinaloa’s gastronomy in this beautiful Mexican paradise, in the restaurants surrounding the beach, and in which local dishes abound.
There are also supermarkets, bars, and stores. Playa Olas Altas is in the center of the port in Old Mazatlan, so getting there is very easy.
4. Playa Norte, one of the most popular beaches in Mazatlan
Many say this beach is the most important in Mazatlan, a family-friendly sandy beach with gentle waves so that children can swim safely under parental supervision.
The pelicans that visit it every morning give it a warmer and more beautiful atmosphere, perfect for photographs.
Walking along the boardwalk of this unique beach is another of the activities you can do.
Playa Norte is surrounded by restaurants serving delicious Sinaloan food. Try the shrimp aguachile, Mazatlan’s specialty.
If you like, you can also buy fresh fish while you find the ideal hotel for you and your family, of the many in the area.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
The beach is located to the west, 30 km from downtown Mazatlan.
5. Los Pinos Beach (Los Pinitos)
Playa Los Pinos is ideal for swimming and is equally perfect for surfing because of the offshore currents.
Among other attractions, it is home to the Faculty of Marine Sciences and La Casa del Marino.
Come and stay in any of its inns, hotels, and houses, most of them facing the sea.
Playa Los Pinos is in the Golden Zone, north of Mazatlan.
6. Las Brujas Beach
The strong waves of Playa Las Brujas are perfect for surfing and other sea sports, but be careful because its waves are treacherous.
Although it is a quiet beach, it is not as crowded as others in Mazatlan.
You will find restaurants that offer dishes of Sinaloan gastronomy, such as zarandeado fish, Sierra ceviche, and Sinaloan shrimp, among other recipes.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
There are also handicrafts for sale if you want to take home a souvenir of your visit to this beach in northern Mazatlan.
7. Isla de Venados
Beautiful beach with clear blue water and white sand. Isla de Venados is a World Heritage Site, so its conservation requires constant vigilance, especially regarding cleanliness.
You can snorkel, kayak, swim, and do other water activities or observe the beautiful scenery if you prefer to rest.
It is best to bring your own food because the only restaurant is usually closed.
You can go to Isla de Venados by boat (panga) to any of these points: Playa Norte, near Hotel El Cid in front of the Holliday Inn Express Hotel and outside the Oyster.
8. Barra de Piaxtla, one of the best beaches near Mazatlan
Natural beauty will captivate you in the 14 km of calm, warm water and soft sand this Mazatlan beach offers.
One of its charms is the Punta Pietra cliff of rocks whose volcanic material dates back millions of years. The Aztecs also carve volcanic rocks in past centuries.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
The observation of pumas, coyotes, deer, jaguars, wild boars, and up to 43 species of birds, is part of the entertainment of this beach 50 km from the city of Mazatlan.
9. Isla de Los Chivos (goat island)
This beach has moderate currents due to two natural reefs that make it ideal for underwater sports lovers. You can dive up to 30 feet deep.
Swimming, shore fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling are also common activities.
Its reefs are home to puffer fish, snapper, barracuda, and other species you can see while diving.
Don’t worry if you don’t have the equipment. There are tour shops that provide it.
If you get hungry, you won’t have to leave, as several restaurants specializing in seafood dishes are in the area.
Playa Isla de Los Chivos is in front of Isla de Piedras. You can get there by boat or pangas that regularly charge around 50 Mexican pesos per person.
10. Isla de la Piedra Beach
Crystal-clear waters and perfect waves for swimming and water sports such as kayaking, jet skiing, and catamaran rides await you.
In Playa Isla de la Piedra, you will taste an exquisite seafood cocktail, the best-grilled fish, and an iced coconut in its numerous good restaurants.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
This semi-virgin sandy beach can be reached from Mazatlan by boats and sailboats that offer tours of the beaches, where you can observe sea lions and caves.
You can also access it through the navigation channel. The distance between Mazatlan and Isla de la Piedra is 25 km.
11. Sabalos Beach
Sabalos is a clean beach of natural beauty with a stretch of 2 km north of the Golden Zone.
Despite being in the open sea, its soft waves will allow you to swim with tranquility. The sand is fine and dark.
There are restaurants and street vendors. You decide what to eat and where to eat it. It has inns and hotels if you wish to stay.
You can take parachutes, banana and paragliding rides, sailboats, boats, and water skiing.
Playa Sábalo is north of the Golden Zone, 9 km from Mazatlán Bay.
12. Playa Camaron (shrimp beach)
Playa Camaron, with gentle waves and crystal clear water, is ideal for walking along the boardwalk, watching the scenery, and photographing unparalleled sunsets.
In addition to swimming, its waters are perfect for kayaking, snorkeling, and banana boat rides.
If you want a beach environment where you can relax, read, admire beautiful landscapes or get a tan, Playa Camaron is the ideal destination for you.
Its variety of fauna and flora make it a place to practice ecotourism.
You can taste the area’s exquisite food in its restaurants and rest in its hotels. Playa Camaron is located in the Hotel Zone, 35 km from downtown Mazatlan.
What are the most beautiful beaches in Mazatlan?
Although all the beaches on this list are lovely, some are more visited than others, especially those with deep blue waters.
Check for the best places to stay in Mazatlan
The following is a selection that I believe makes the most beautiful beaches in Mazatlan:
- Olas Altas
- Cerritos Beach
- Gaviotas Beach
- Barra de Piaxtla
- Sábalo Beach
- Isla de la Piedra
What can you do on Mazatlan’s beaches?
The things to do on Mazatlan’s beaches are extensive, for example:
- Camping
- Picnicking
- Strolling the boardwalks
- Watching sunsets
- Practice water sports
- fishing
- Taste the delights of gastronomy in the many restaurants of the Golden Zone
- Ride on sailboats, paragliders, and banana boats
- Visit all the attractions of Mazatlan’s Golden Zone (restaurants, bars, hotels, supermarkets, and stores, among other places)
- See up close volcanic rocks carved by the Aztecs in past centuries
Mazatlan’s turquoise-blue beaches
Many beaches in Mazatlan have beautiful blue waters.
Still, between June and July and due to the rainy season and ocean currents, the coasts gain for 30 days a turquoise hue that matches the waters of the Mexican Caribbean.
Is Mazatlan Sinaloa safe?
Yes. Mazatlan is very safe as long as you’re not looking for trouble.
Although the infamous Sinaloa cartel has given the state a bad name, it’s really not what most people think.
The locals are very welcoming and outgoing. Sinaloans have a natural “party” attitude, so it’s fun to be around them.
I hope you enjoyed this guide and visit this beautiful Mexican Pacific region.
Don’t forget to comment below and share this article with your friends so they can come and enjoy Mazatlan too. Vamonos!
