What Are the Beaches Like in Huatulco (and is the Water Warm Enough to Swim)?

Best known for its glorious beaches, Huatulco has a strip of sand for every type of beach lover. Huatulco boasts 36 pristine golden sand beaches with lots of opportunities for watersports such as surfing, snorkeling and scuba-diving. Moreover, the seawater in Huatulco is warm enough to comfortably swim year-round.
What Are the Beaches Like in Huatulco
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The sands on the beaches along the Pacific Coast of Mexico where Huatulco is located are coarser with steeper slopes to the water than those on the country’s Caribbean coast. Moreover, Huatulco’s beaches are generally more private and less crowded than in other Mexican resort areas. Typically wide and spacious, the beaches of Huatulco also do not experience erosion problems.

Read on for the ultimate guide to the beaches of Huatulco.

How Many Beaches Are in Huatulco?

There are 36 beaches in Huatulco. These are:

  1. Playa Cuatunalco
  2. Playa Boca Vieja
  3. Playa Ixtapa
  4. Playa Coyote
  5. Playa San Augustin
  6. Playa Cacalutilla
  7. Playa Chachacual
  8. Playa La India
  9. Playa Jicaral
  10. Playa Riscalillo
  11. Playa Cacaluta
  12. Playa Maguey
  13. Playa Organo
  14. Playa Violin
  15. Playa La Entrega
  16. Playa Yerbabuena
  17. Playa Santa Cruz
  18. Playa Chahue
  19. Playa Esperanza
  20. Playa El Tejón
  21. Playa Consuelo
  22. Playa El Arrocito
  23. Playa Ventura
  24. Playa La Manzanillo
  25. Playa Tornillo
  26. Playa Tangolunda
  27. Playa Rincón Sabroso
  28. Playa La Mixteca
  29. Playa Tejoncito
  30. Playa Arena
  31. Playa Punta Arena
  32. Playa Conejos
  33. Playa La Bocana
  34. Barra de la Cruz
  35. Playa Mojon
  36. Playa Secreto

What is the Best Beach in Huatulco?

Here is a list of the 9 best beaches in Huatulco:

  • Playa Maguey: The only beach found on Bahia Maguey, Playa Maguey is a tiny cove that offers calm waters ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There are many restaurants where you can enjoy some fresh seafood, as well as rentals for jet skis and banana boats. The beach is a local favorite because it is generally quieter than most other beaches that you can reach by car.
  • Playa La Entrega: Popular among local families, La Entrega is the most family-friendly beach in Huatulco. A hive of activity, La Entrega has many restaurants, taxis and a large parking lot, all of which give it a distinct theme-park vibe. To really enjoy this beautiful cove, visit at around 3pm and stay until just before sunset, or go in the early morning hours before the tour buses arrive.
  • Playa Conejos: Situated at the mouth of the Rio Copalita River, the beautiful crescent-shaped Conejos Bay is one of Huatulco’s most picturesque beaches. Although it has spectacular views, the beach at Conejos Bay is not suitable for swimming. This is because drop-offs can be steep and the water is usually rough. Still, Bahia Conejos is worth visiting for the great ocean views.
  • Playa Tangolunda: If you are a confident swimmer and enjoy having the beach to yourself, then look no further than Playa Tangolunda. At the far left end of the beach, there are a couple of resorts, but other than that this public beach is mostly empty. There are no restaurants or vendors at Playa Tangolunda beach, so be sure to bring all the food and drink you will need.
  • Playa Santa Cruz: This is the first beach you’ll spot in Huatulco if arriving via cruise ship. Situated on the Santa Cruz marina, this small beach has golden sands and calm waters that are ideal for families with children. You can often see little fish swimming in the shallow waters which are surprisingly clean and clear, despite the Bahia de Santa Cruz beach being so popular.
  • Playa Chahue: A popular evening hangout for locals who come to jog, swim, play volleyball or simply enjoy the nice atmosphere, this beach boasts some of most beautiful sunsets in Huatulco. If you plan to go for happy hour after sunbathing, a short leisurely stroll from Bahia Chahue will lead you to the picturesque La Crucecita, the photogenic cultural hub of Huatulco.
  • Playa San Agustin: Thanks to its clear waters and gentle waves, this beach is an excellent spot for diving. Stretching about a mile long, the large beach offers plenty of space for bathers to carve out for themselves. Mostly busy on weekends, the beach has a few restaurants that serve fresh seafood. To experience Bahia de San Agustin beach at its most peaceful, come on week days.
  • Playa Cacaluta: The incredible beauty of Cacaluta Bay is evident in the fact that it has been used as a setting for many Mexican TV shows and films. One of Huatulco’s best beaches, Playa Cacaluta boasts sugar soft sands, frothy blue waves and breathtaking ocean views. The waters teem with tropical marine life, as well as many aquatic birds from the lagoon nearby.
  • Playa El Arrocito: One of Huatulco’s best kept secrets, Playa Arrocito is a small beach hidden inside a tiny cove. The waters here are calm enough for most swimming abilities. While there are some small waves, the waters are so shallow that you can go far out and still touch the ocean floor. Visitors can rent jet skis, go out on boat rides or eat fresh seafood at the restaurant.

What Ocean is Huatulco on?

Huatulco is bordered by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Can You Swim in the Ocean in Huatulco?

Yes, you can swim in the ocean in Huatulco. That said, because sea conditions can vary – from calm waters on one day to rough waves and strong currents the next, the ocean in Huatulco will be swimmable depending on the tides and seasons. It is therefore important to always follow the instructions given by lifeguards and watch out for ocean safety flags.

Can You Swim in the Ocean at Secrets Huatulco?

Yes, you can swim in the ocean at Secrets Huatulco. Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa is situated within the semi-circular Conejos Bay, which boasts a gorgeous beach with amazingly clear waters that are swimmable.

Secrets Huatulco is located on the eastern side of Conejos Bay, whose waters are generally calm thanks to the presence of offshore rocks. Perfect for snorkeling, this eastern end is typically quiet and offers beautiful views of the resort from across the bay.

Generally more exposed, the western side of Conejos Bay faces the front of Secrets Huatulco, and is guarded and roped off with buoys. Although the waters on this western side are calm on most days, they can be steep and rough, depending on the seasons and tides.

Is the Water Warm in Huatulco?

The warmth of seawaters in Huatulco will vary depending on the time of year you visit. That said, the sea water in Huatulco is generally warm and comfortable to swim in throughout the year. The best month to swim in the sea in Huatulco is in May when the average water temperature is 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).

What is the Water Temperature in Huatulco?

Seawater temperatures will vary depending on what time of year you travel to Huatulco. Between May and November, the surface water temperature in Huatulco usually averages at between 28 – 32 degrees Celsius (82 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit). For the rest of the year the water temperature in Huatulco is closer to 23 degrees Celsius (73 degrees Fahrenheit).

Is There Good Snorkeling in Huatulco?

Yes, there is some good snorkeling in Huatulco. Bahia San Augustin is the best snorkeling spot in Huatulco. Situated near a beautiful coral reef, the bay boasts a rich biodiversity of extraordinary sea creatures, including sea turtles, stingrays, octopus, sea urchins, moray eels, sea horses, and brightly-colored fish such as starfish and puffer fish.

Where Can I Snorkel in Huatulco?

The 3 most interesting places to snorkel in Huatulco are at Bahia de San Augustin, Playa La Entrega and Isla de Cacaluta. These spots boast large plaques of coral as well as large quantities of marine life at depths of one to ten meters. Because the sites are well-protected from waves, their waters are very calm.

  • Bahia de San Agustin: San Agustin can be reached by land or sea, although the dirt road can be difficult to drive on during the rainy season.
  • Playa La Entrega: There are buoys in La Entrega to mark the snorkeling area, which prevents boats and aqua pots from bothering you. La Entrega can also be accessed by land or sea.
  • Isla de Cacaluta: Specifically at the inland area of the island, where turtles are regularly found – although you may find a slight current on the surface. The easiest way to get here is via boat.
  • Other good snorkeling bays and beaches in Huatulco are India, Violin, Maguey, Arrocito, as well as the inner part of La Montosa Island in Tangolunda Bay.

Can You Surf in Huatulco?

Yes, you can surf in Huatulco, which offers wonderful surfing conditions. Surfing in Huatulco is lots of fun as the waters are not crowded, the waves are long and consistent, and you can discover new and exciting surf spots. The Huatulco coastline is blessed with amazing breaks such as at Barra de la Cruz – thanks to powerful swells that arrive directly from the southern hemisphere between April and October.

Are There Sharks in Huatulco?

Yes, many species of sharks are present around Huatulco. Although most are the non-aggressive types that typically stay away from shallow waters. As such, there is no need to worry about sharks ruining your vacation, because cases of shark attacks are unheard of in Huatulco. In fact, no shark attack has occurred in Huatulco during the last 150 years.

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