Mazatlan's beaches can be enjoyed year round. In the summer time you can just walk into the ocean waters without having to adjust to the temperature since the waters are warmed by the summer's hot tropical climate (the heat index reaching above 100 degrees F). Mazatlan is really hot and humid in the summer, so bring plenty of drinking water and perhaps a beach umbrella for shade if you have it. Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen since the UV index is extreme. In the winter the ocean water is cooler but still comfortable enough to dip in (though most natives think it's too cold and stay out). The beaches are relatively uncrowded year round except for special holidays and festivals.
Playa Olas Altas is a popular beach among surfers. It's a small crescent shaped strip of beach located by Old Town Mazatlan.
Olas Altas means "tall waves" and, as the name would suggest, is not ideal and in fact can be dangerous for swimming. If dipping in, be sure not to wander out too far. You can, however, witness some stunning views of the waves, the three islands, and the surrounding cityscape, either from the comfort of the warm sand or from one of the various beachfront restaurants along the malecon ("ocean promenade"). If you show up on the southern end of the beach at around 10 am, on a cloudless day, with the sun being above and behind you, you can experience invigorating views of the ocean in the best light, with the water turning a rich, lively green-blue color - quite an amazing opportunity for some great photographs!Playa Norte is one of the most popular stretches of beach in Mazatlan. It runs about 3 miles between the fisherman's monument and the Fiestaland nightclub complex. The southern end of Playa Norte has some of the safest waters for swimming and you can wade quite a ways out before it gets too deep. At this end of the beach you'll find beachside bars vending fresh seafood dishes, drinks, and beer, with convenient seating right on the beach under palm umbrellas.
Musicians stroll around the beach looking to play traditional Mexican folk music for money. Beach vendors, selling everything from fruit cups, to jewelry, to hats frequent the Mazatlan beaches to make a living.Fiestaland is the beginning of the Golden Zone, the part of Mazatlan that caters the most to tourists and where you'll find most of the resort hotels. The beaches here are accessible through the hotels (there are certain access points from the main street to the beach). From Fiestaland to the Marina El Cid is an uninterrupted stretch of beach (about 2.5 miles) that begins with Playa Camaron, followed immediately by Playa Las Gaviotas.
The waters are a bit more turquoise here, and you'll find most of the water sports such as sailing, parasailing, and jet skiing being enjoyed. It's easy to setup one of these activities, just by walking around you'll easily find the operators of these activities. This is also where you'll find most of the beach vendors. Playa Sabalo is the third beach before arriving at the marina. Most of the biggest and tallest hotels are found along this stretch of beach.A few miles north of the Golden Zone you will find some of the more secluded beaches available in Mazatlan, which are also in the newest part of the city. Playa Bruja is a wonderful beach, quickly becoming popular with surfers because of the high waves. This beach is known to have some strong undercurrents and can be somewhat dangerous for swimming, so it's best to stay close to the beach. Although it is still somewhat secluded, there are a couple of palm-roof (palapa) restaurants in the area, and there are a couple of high-rise resort hotels being constructed nearby (RIU Emerald Bay being one of them). Playa Cerritos follows north of Playa Bruja, and is the northernmost "official" beach of Mazatlan. At night, you can experience a wondrous tranquility standing on the edge of this beach, watching the gentle waves lapping onto the sand and gazing up at the incredible night sky filled with stars, with no one around to make a sound, and the idyllic lights of the city in the distance.
Last, but not least, are the beaches at Isla de la Piedra. A motorboat ride is required to reach the tip of the peninsula that locals call an island. One can take a boat ride from the ferry terminal, and once arriving at the Isla a tractor-pulled cart takes a group of passengers on a short ride to the beach. The northernmost end of the beach that one first arrives at has several palapa open-air restaurants serving seafood, tacos, beer, and other foods. Some have dancing with live music on weekends and holidays. Here you can find volleyball, banana boat rides, horseback riding, or simply relaxing on the sand. There are no beachfront hotels or tall building on the Isla, and heading south you will run through 15 miles of isolated, wide sandy tropical beach with coconut-laden palm trees on completely undeveloped land. The 15 mile stretch of beach can be traveled by foot, horseback, or ATV. From the northernmost tip of the peninsula one can take a short walk along a jetty to Goat Island which has a hill to climb, a couple of palapa restaurants, and a nice beach to enjoy.
Mazatlan is well known for its beaches and you can find something to enjoy at each one of them. There is something immensely invigorating about standing on the sand, looking out at the wide open ocean and sky - it's mind expanding! Whether it's the many resort life beach activities or the seclusion of a tropical island you're looking for, you'll find it at one of Mazatlan's beaches.
