Mazatlan Beach Guide - Info about the best beaches in Mazatlan including Playas Olas Altas, Los Pinos, Marlin, Norte, Camaron, Gaviotas, Sabalos, Bruja, Cerritos, Stone Island, Deer Island and Las Labradas beaches. Enjoy surfing, snorkeling, parasailing and just sun-tanning in The Pearl of The Pacific!
Mazatlán Beach Information Finding the best Mazatlan beach on your vacation
CITY BEACHES Playa Olas Altas|Los Pinos|Playa Marlin|Playa Norte Playa Camaron & Playa Gaviotas|Playa Sabalos|Playa Cerritos & Playa Bruja
OUT-OF-TOWN BEACHES Stone Island|Deer Island|Las Labradas|Playa El Caimanero Whether in-town or beaches slightly further afield like those of our islands, Las Labradas or Playa El Caimanero, Mazatlan beaches offer relaxation and tranquility -- as well as surfing, water sports, and recreation for everyone!
Our city has one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted urban beach in Mexico. At low tide you can walk far from the shore at many of our best beaches, and the water temperature tends to stay moderate-to-warm all year.
Mazatlan beaches are renowned worldwide. While there's plenty of space and opportuniity for privacy, many of our best beaches are vibrant with activity, watersports, and vendors selling hand-made Sinaloa crafts and offering refreshing beverages.
At our beaches parasails float on soft sea breezes; surfers enjoy the waves, and sunbathers of all ages enjoy the warm Tropic of Cancer sun and frolic in the ocean.
Surfers love the beaches in The Pearl of The Pacific and, of course, the waves! Whether a beginning surfer, intermediate surfer, or more advanced wave rider the Mazatlan surf scene will entertain you all day long. Surfers and other lovers of high waves are particularly drawn to Playa Olas Altas, Playa Los Pinos, and Playa Bruja and Playa Cerritos. If your idea of what a Best Beach should be is where you can relax while listening to the peaceful sound of waves, experience Playa Sabalos at the north end of the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada or Playa Cerritos, at the very north end of Nuevo Mazatlan.
If your best beach has a party atmosphere try Playa Las Gaviotas and Playa Camaron -- some of the oldest and most renowned beaches that span the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada; Playa Bruja when surf's up; or the beaches of Stone Island on the weekends. Video of drum jam party and juggling on the beach at Stone Island
The Mazatlan Beach Guide has organized our information from south to north: from the historic Olas Altas beach adjacent to the Centro Historico (where our beach scene really began) to the northern tip of Playa Cerritos -- the perfect place to enjoy the things that make our beaches famous: unbroken stretches of golden sand, the warm blue Pacific ocean, and gentle breezes. At the bottom of the page you will find Beach Guide information about our hidden treasures: the pristine and secluded beaches on the islands off our coast. Deer Island (Isla de Venados), in particular, has a superb view of the city.
Or visit Stone Island (Isla de la Piedra) and experience the long, clean, and palm-lined Stone Island beach and the many delightful small restaurants and watersport activities found there.
Or take a little drive and enjoy and beautiful beach locations outside the city like Las Labradas and Playa Caimanero!
Our beaches are perfect for you and your family. Wouldn't you rather be on a Mazatlan Mexico Beach? Playa Olas Altas Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports Playa Olas Altas means "Beach of Big Waves", and Playa Olas Altas is one of the most popular beaches for surfers during the summer. Situated at the southern end of of the Malecon -- just steps from the heart of the Centro Historico -- Playa Olas Altas has been drawing tourists to Mazatlan from around the world for decades.
Playa Olas Altas was the first of our tourist beaches -- it was discovered by tourists immediately after WWII -- and has remained a favorite beach for both Mazatlecos and visitors ever since. This beach offers lovely views of our islands, is especially beautiful at sunset, and offers ideal opportunities to take a break and relax at one of the Malecon cafes while surfers entertain you!
Now lined with delightful Malecon restaurants like El Shrimp Bucket, Olas Altas beach attracts surfers and tourists from around the globe.
For those who would like to stay right at Olas Altas beach there are classic hotels right on the Malecon, notably including the La Siesta and the Posada Freeman.
Occasionally not ideal for swimming because of waves -- usually during Summer rainy season -- Playa Olas Altas remains one of the best beaches in Mazatlan Mexico. For those who want to get wet safely on rough days -- or who have children they'd rather see in an enclosed setting -- there is a very cool sea pool located at the northern end of Olas Altas beach. Playa Los Pinos Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports
One of the less-visited Mazatlan beaches, the small wave-tossed Playa Los Pinos is located just north of the Ciencias del Mar (Marine Sciences) college, between that facility and the Fisherman's Monument -- right in Centro!
The temperature of the water at Playa Los Pinos in Mazatlan varies between warm and delightfully cool.
Mazatlans' Playa Los Pinos is gently inclined and the sand is dark beige. Although the narrow strand of the Playa Los Pinos is more suitable for wading than swimming, the rocks provide good casting spots, and the swells challenge both beginning and intermediate surfers. Low tide at Playa Los Pinos exposes a remarkable profusion of sea life within the puddles on the rocks. One of the Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended best beaches in the Pearl of The Pacific, we encourage visitors to drop by -- if for no other reason that the delightful tide pools! It's not exactly insider-information that fishermen sell their daily catch at Playa Los Pinos, and you can often get fish-on-a-stick, one of our more delicious street foods. Video of Playa Los Pinos, Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico
Playa Marlin Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports
Mazatlans' Playa Marlin beach fronts the malecon along Avenida del Mar. A tunnel connects this beach with the Hotel Hacienda. Lined with beachfront restaurants, lots of tourists have found that a perfect street food meal in Mazatlan can be had at Playa Marlin. A really great way to spend an afternoon is to cruise the restaurants eating fresh shrimp, mahi mahi and coconut juice...or maybe some beer and / or tequila shots? Playa Norte Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports
Beginning where Paseo Claussen becomes Avenida del Mar -- at the Fisherman's Monument -- Playa Norte is a remarkably clean strip of sand that stretches north uninterrupted for about 3 miles toward the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada and making Playa Norte one of the longest city beaches in Mexico. The water at Playa Norte is usually warm and the waves of moderate size most days.
One of the Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Mazatlan beaches, Playa Norte is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood within the shady palapa restaurants scattered along Playa Norte facing the ocean.
Playa Norte is one of the most popular of our beaches, but because of its vast size is usually uncrowded except for holidays. Up at the far north end of Playa Norte, nearing the beginning of the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada and approaching the beginning of Playa Camaron just around the point at Valentino's, is one place where begining and intermediate surfers hang-out. Fishermen find that the rocks on the point provide good spots for some of the best beach fishing in The Pearl of The Pacific. Simply, Playa Norte is one of the best beaches in Mazatlan Mexico.
Playa Norte is also the location of a skate park, so if you're a skateboarder Playa Norte is the place to be! Video of the skate park at Playa Norte in Mazatlan
Playas Camaron & Gaviotas Beach guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports
No listing of Mazatlan beach information can overlook the spectacular beaches Playa Camaron and Playa Gaviotas. The row of successful hotels in the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada testify to the beauty of Playa Camaron and Playa Gaviotas. Although these beaches are often described as being parts of one larger beach, they are really quite different.
Long considered one of the best beaches in The Pearl of The Pacific, the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada's more southerly Playa Camaron is relatively narrow, particularly at high tide. Waves at Playa Camaron often break suddenly and recede strongly. At such times, bodysurfing on Playa Camaron is thrilling!
Despite the popularity of Playa Camaron, exotic sea shells and other natural fruits of the ocean can often be found in large numbers. Video of Playas Camaron and Gaviotas in Mazatlan
About 500 yards north of the point -- near the Las Flores Hotel -- Playa Camaron becomes Playa Gaviotas. There, the beach changes to Playa Gaviotas' silky smooth sand, deeper depth and gentle slope.
Waves usually roll in softly at Playa Gaviotas, and this beach is almost always favored by a gentle sea breeze. Arguably the most popular beach in Mazatlan, the Mazatlan Beach Guide encourages every visitor to take a stroll on Playa Gaviotas, one of our best beaches! Playa Sabalos Mazatlan Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports Playa Sabalos begins at the north end of the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada, and has long been considered one of the best beaches in Mazatlan. Sheltered from the open ocean by our beautiful islands, the water at Playa Sabalos is usually calm, making Playa Sabalos ideal for swimming and watersports. Sailing excursions, water skiing, parasailing, and banana-boat rides are all offered on Playa Sabalos.
Directions
Just take a bus or taxi to the north end of the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada and walk north to Playa Sabalos -- you won't be sorry!
Playa Cerritos & Playa Bruja Beach Guide recommended Information about the best beaches, surfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and watersports
The Mazatlan beaches of Playa Cerritos and Playa Bruja are at the north end of the Cerritos district. Playa Bruja, named for female witch doctors who used to perform their rituals there is one of the most beautiful of our beaches, and often largely empty -- many recommend it as the best place for a private beach picnic!
Or, if you've left the picnic basket at home, this northern tip of the new Mazatlan not only has a number of inexpensive traditional Mexican seafood palapa restaurants, but has become a hotbed of new restaurants like Roy's, The Last Drop, and Looney Bean Coffee, the traditionally popular Mr. Lionso and the Asian-Fusion Karma Kitchen. On wavy days these beaches are very popular with surfers and body boarders! Video of Body Boarding & Surfing at Playa Bruja in Mazatlan
At the very end of the boulevard a rocky tidepool shelf juts out into the waves, forming a protected cove. It is widely believed that this is the best shore fishing spot in The Pearl of The Pacific. That information is accurate -- half a dozen lanchas are usually pulled up on the rocky beach, while just off shore divers hunt for oysters in the clear, calm sheltered waters. Playa Bruja even offers horseback riding with Gingers Bilingual Horses! Video of Playa Cerritos and Playa Bruja
Directions
Take any Cerritos bus north from the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada and enjoy Playa Bruja and Playa Cerritos, two of the most beautiful and isolated Mazatlan beaches. Stone Island Isla de la Piedra Mazatlan Island Beach
No guide to the best Mazatlan beaches can overlook Stone Island -- many believe that Isla de la Piedra has some of the nicest beaches in Mazatlan.
The 5 minute boat trip is enough to keep some of travellers away, allowing a less crowded environment for those who take the few minutes to visit these beautiful Mazatlan beaches.
Because of its sheltered orientation, the beaches of Isla de la Piedra are usually calm, and the water is often warmer than at most of the beaches within The Pearl of The Pacific. When you reach Stone Island you will find open air restaurants and miles and miles of pristine beach.
Enjoy a variety of activities, snorkeling, and other watersports, or walk barefoot without seeing another human being -- all the while enjoying the company of majestic tropical palm trees for as far as the eye can see.
With about 4,000 residents, Stone Island day trips from Mazatlan have just the right combination of amenities and tranquility. Palapa restaurants line the Stone Island beach where you land. Populated by vendors and, sometimes, mariachis, these breezy and shady Stone Island restaurants are make a lovely gateway to the island and a great place to cool off in the shade and enjoy the ocean view.
Most Stone Island restaurants also offer umbrella-shaded areas with lounging chairs and hammocks if you'd just like to kick back on your Mazatlan day trip and and enjoy a margarita, fresh limeade, or an ice-cold Pacifico beer.
Many Stone Island restaurants and small businesses rent out ATVs, catamarans, banana boats, snorkeling equipment, and horses to those on Mazatlan day trips. Showers and volleyball courts are sometimes available from other Stone Island businesses -- sometimes free of charge -- making Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island beaches inexpensive and stress-free. A few of the long-time Stone Island restaurant favorites that have been drawing Mazatlan beach goers for years are:
Carmelita's / Stone Island Restaurant
Carmelita's on Stone Island was founded in 1938 by Senor Rodrigo Aguirre and Señora Maria del Carmen Ruvalcaba. Like all Stone Island seafood restaurants, Carmelita's fresh fish is caught daily. Carmelita's on Stone Island also serves excellent hamburgers and fresh tangy ceviche. Carmelita's offers Mazatlan day trippers consistently excellent service, a terrific relaxed atmosphere, and delicious food. Carmelita's is within the Hotel Stone Island Gardens, an excellent lower priced Mazatlan hotel.
Estrella del Mar / Stone Island Restaurant
Estrella del Mar restaurant on Stone Island offers those on Mazatlan day trips a casual atmosphere and seafood, seafood, seafood -- accompanied by special coconut treats. An excellent Stone Island restaurant, Estrella del Mar is a lovely place to get a bite to eat. Estrella del Mar is open every day, 9am to 6pm.
Lety's / Stone Island Restaurant
Lety Aguirre was the founder of Lety's restaurtant on Stone Island, a family-run palapa restaurant located right on the beach. Lety was a native of Stone Island, and took great pride in her restaurant.
Recently deceased, her tradition of only using fresh and delicious ingredients continues. Chicken, soup, quesadillas, or combination plates are all offered, along with great seafood.
Visitors to Stone Island appreciate that showers with changing rooms are available at Lety's on Stone Island -- which makes this a great place to cool off after hours playing beach volleyball or body surfing. Take a day trip to Stone Island, visit Lety's, enjoy a home-made limeade, and nap the afternoon away in a hammock!
Restaurant Cardon / Stone Island Restaurant
Restaurant Cardon on Stone Island offers a full bar and entertains visitors on Mazatlan day trips with banana boat rides, horseback rides, ATVs, and stalls selling jewelry and clothes.
Victor's / Stone Island Restaurant
Lunch at Victor's restaurant on Stone Island is a great Stone Island day trip decision! At Victor's restaurant on Stone Island you can relax in the sun or shade, and there are hammocks to swing in. Victor's is inexpensive, and the portions ample. The garlic shrimp, for example, has 10 jumbo shrimp, and comes with onion rings, rice, vegetable, cole slaw and fruit! Those on Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island appreciate that beach chairs, boogie boards and and other fun beach stuff is free at Victor's, and the chips and home made salsa are delicious. Victor's is also a bar, and is one of the few places on Stone Island where Margarita's are served. Video of Stone Island and Beaches
Directions
Getting to Isla de la Piedra couldn't be easier! Drive (or take a taxi) to the Playa Sur Embarcadero near the ferry terminal -- you'll see signs for various lancha operators. The ride is short, the lancha's leave about every 20 minutes, and they cost only 20p! Deer Island Isla de Venados Mazatlan Island Beach
Often overlooked in Mazatlan beach information, Deer Island is a true gem.
A designated Nature Reserve, Isla de Venados is one of the more pristine beaches that can be accessed from the city. The central of the three islands visible off Olas Altas beach (Isla de Chivos / Island of Goats: Left; Isla de Venados / Deer Island: Middle; Isla de Pajaros / Island of Birds: Right), its warm calm clear waters are ideal for snorkeling -- and relaxing!
Deer Island is a place of truly unspoiled beauty just off the bustling beaches of The Pearl of The Pacific. Check out this video: can you believe a major city is so close to this unspoiled paradise? 360 degree panoramic video from the top of Deer Island Mazatlan
Directions
Most tourists get to Deer Island with one of our tour operators. The boat ride to Deer Island is short, and many tour operators provide activities, such as snorkeling, beach volleyball, Banana Boat rides, food and beverages. Most tours to Deer Island last from 4-6 hours. Las Labradas Beach north of Mazatlan / 45 miles each way Click .pdf icon for map and directions to the Las Labradas Beach
Las Labradas is one of the least discovered of out-of-town Mazatlan beaches.
Located little more than an hour north of Mazatlan on the Sinaloa coast near the fishing village of Barras de Piaxtla, a trip to Las Labradas will put you on a fantastically beautiful beach with black rocks which contain petroglyphs -- stones with ancient symbolic carvings.
The beach at Las Labradas stretches endlessly in both directions, and it is very common for beach goers to have hundreds of yards of space -- or more! -- to themselves.
There really are no amenities at Las Labradas, so remember to bring what you want to eat and drink. There is a small display of archaeological information and historical photographs in a palapa-style structure at the entrance to the beach.
This little museum makes for a nice break on beach trips to Las Labradas, and offers refreshing shade! The charge is just a few pesos, and donations are welcome. Occasionally they have soft drinks and water for sale, but don't count on it.
The petroglyphs at Las Labradas are amazing! Of Toltec origin, they are beautiful ancient artistic expressions of the pre-Hispanic people of Sinaloa, as well as a gateway into their spiritual lives. Video about the petroglyphs at Las Labradas, Sinaloa, Mexico beach with history narrated by Robert Howes
Something truly different among our beach day trips around Mazatlan, at Las Labradas you can combine a visit to a pristine beach with an art tour of pre-Hispanic Sinaloa!
Directions
To begin Mazatlan day trips to Las Labradas head northwest on Highway 15. Little more than 4 miles north of town Highway 20 will split off to your left. Follow Highway 20 North for about 40 miles (before you arrive at a town called Dimas) and you will see a dirt road that splits off to your left -- directly toward the beach. Take the dirt road (passable with normal vehicles) to the beach and you will be at Las Labradas! DOWNLOAD LAS LABRADAS DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Playa Caimanero Beach south of Mazatlan / 41 miles each way Click .pdf icon for map and directions to the Playa El Caimanero Beach
The Sinaloa beach at Playa El Caimanero is a hidden gem -- a beautiful unspoiled public beach just an hour south of Mazatlan!
Little more than 40 miles southeast of Mazatlan, these beaches are rustic, spectacularly tranquil, and a great destination for a day trip!
The El Caimanero public beaches are primarily visited by Mexican families.
El Caimanero beaches draw a fair number of people on weekends and during holiday periods, like the week of Semana Santa and the August school holidays.
Other than at those times, visitors can expect a wide open beach with very few other people.
Human-provided amenities are few -- we suggest that you bring what you want to eat and drink -- but nature's amenities of warm water, gentle sea breezes, and sunshine are available in abundance! Caimanero Beach in Sinaloa Mexico by Matt Mawson
Directions
There are two routes to get to Playa Caimanero, and both have advantages and disadvantages.
The Shorter Route is more scenic and involves driving south on Highway 15 (toward Tepic) and cutting south to the coast on local roads at Villa Union. Total mileage for this route is about 41 miles, the majority of which are on local roads beyond Villa Union.
The Longer Route involves staying on the Big Road -- Highway 15 -- to El Rosario, and then turning back southwest on local roads. This route adds about 20 miles to the drive, but somewhat shortens the mileage on local roads.
Make it a two-fer day trip? The entire loop that uses both ways to get to and from the Playa Caimanero beach (both routes are shown on our map) is just 102 miles, so a visit to the beach and a visit to El Rosario can be accomplished in one day.
Beaches
