Isla Ixtapa

A small island just north of Ixtapa with 4 beaches: Varadero, Coral, Cuachalalate, and Carey. Cuachalalate is the most visited one and, therefore, usually crowded with people with coloured bracelets from the all-inclusive resorts on a day trip, Mexican tourists from the interior (especially during the Semana Santa holiday), or cruise ship excursionists. We always walk along this beach on our way to the better ones in the centre of the island. All of the beaches offer all types of water sport activities. The best one to visit for snorkelling is Coral Beach. You can plunk yourself down at a beachside table under a palapa, take a look at the fresh seafood that the waiter will try to entice you to purchase, and settle down for the day. Our favourite restaurant at this beach is 'El Indio'. We have simply ordered lunch and drinks over the course of the day (cold beer in a bucket, enchiladas, totopos and salsa, etc.) and gone for a dip in the coral reef out front to observe all sorts of colourful fish. You can bring your own snorkelling gear or can rent on the island. Take some leftover tortillas, tear them into smaller pieces, and you can feed the fish underwater from your hand. Watch some of the bigger ones as their teeth are sharp.

Take a short walk behind Coral beach through 'El Indio' restaurant and you come upon Varadero beach. Not a coral beach but one with a sandy bottom. There are some cool eel-like fish that stick out of the sand. Have seen interesting things like rays and an octopus here. This beach is the quietest of the developed beaches.

Also, on the northern part of the island is a place called Morro Colorado and is reputed to be an outstanding place for snorkelling - we've never walked along the beach to this rocky area for sightseeing - yet.

Sailing, windsurfing, jet-skiing, and water-skiing are popular in front of Varadero Beach and Cuachalalate Beach. Carey which is the only beach without restaurants is frequented for the sole purpose of sunbathing with ultimate tranquility - but it is small. Because of the coral reef, there are no motorized water craft at Playa Coral. One year when we were there a turtle hatch was taking place and dozens of baby sea turtles were making their way into the ocean, being protected by the waiters of the beach's restaurants. It is a fragile ecosystem here so some respect is required when it comes to limiting contact with the live coral (i.e. don't walk on it).

The ten-minute boat ride to Ixtapa Island leaves from Playa Linda just north of Ixtapa (get to this beach using the small white buses from Zihua's Colegio Militar Street or a cab if you want to spend a bit more money). In 2014 the boat trip cost NP$35.00 per person round-trip. Don't lose your ticket as it is your proof needed to get back to the mainland. I was snorkelling once and noticed my ticket had floated out of my pocket and was suspended in water in front of my mask. The boat captain still accepted it with a puzzled look on his face.

There is also an option to take a boat right from the municipal pier of Zihuatanejo, which will take about 30 minutes. This tour includes food and beverages and will cost approximately NP$250.00, depending on what is included in the trip. Both routes offer frequent departures starting from 10 am, with the last return at 5 pm. You can even incorporate the trip to Isla Ixtapa with a small gamefishing trip where they will cook your catch at a restaurant on the island - your boat captain will organize all of this.