THE BEACHES
Beaches around Manzanillo
Serving the Manzanillo community
to stay in touch with the world
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Manzanillo has the beaches, and surf to suit all
Experience freedom
The large Bay of Manzanillo are divided into two by Punta
Santiago. The bay to the north of the Punta, is the Bay of
Santiago with several differently named beach areas and the Bay
of Manzanillo, which houses the port to the south, with many
more beaches, some of which are not generally considered safe
for swimming. Both bays are more
than five miles long and offer a variety of water sports
activities.
Melaque, Barra de Navidad and San
Patricio/Obregon share the same secluded and safe bay with gorgeous
beaches stretching for miles.
Santiago Bay
10km North of town
As you walk south, Bahia de Santiago takes on several other names for specific areas of beach. Miramar "View of the Sea", in front of Club Maeva, is marked by a pedestrian walkway over Highway 200. It is a good boogey boarding and surfing area, particularly at the Olas Altas section by Margaritas restaurant in front of the Hotel Vista Playa de Oro. Miramar has thatched-roof restaurants, beach umbrellas, boogie boards and inner tubes for rent, horseback riding and numerous open air markets (tianguis) selling all sorts of tourist treasures. Don't forget to bargain!
La Boquita
North end of Santiago Bay
A very safe area for families with children and accessed by going through the gates of Club Santiago. Once in Club Santiago the road bypasses the housing development disappearing into a jungle area that finally opens out to a row of Ramada (palapas) restaurants. This area is good for walking and has a gentle slope into the sea. There is also a good restaurant offering beach club facilities as well as fine dining here.
Miramar
in front of Club Maeva
Santiago Beach
Vida del Mar
Santiago Beach, one of the oldest tourist sections of Manzanillo, is at the southern end of the bay where there are several inexpensive hotels with restaurants that have reasonable prices. This area usually has very calm waters and is very popular with Mexican families.
Playa L'Recif
Vida Del Mar
To access this beach it is necessary to go through the private Vida del Mar complex which is not open to the general public except for diners at L’ Recife. It is a small, pebble-strewn beach where the wave action can be spectacular. When calm, the diving and snorkeling is great because of the huge coral reef just a few yards off shore but be aware of rapidly changing beach and ocean conditions. Incredible photos can be taken from neighboring hillsides or from the restaurant (which is open only Christmas until Easter).
Audiencia Beach
Punta Santiago at the end of Av. Audencia
Club des Yates
South Side of Santiago Bay
This very small cove has a black and white sand beach and is great snorkeling for beginners. A very good car park is at the end of the Club de Yates road with a boat ramp. There are no services here, just a couple of trees offering shade.
Manzanillo Bay
Beginning at Las Hadas and ending at the entrance to the Port of Manzanillo, this is Manzanillo's largest bay. At times (March or in the summer rainy season) the waves reach heights of more than 10 feet, crashing into protective sea walls lining the beach, and shaking the walls of beachfront homes. But often the waves are gentle and tranquil, quietly breaking on the shore. The best place to swim is the southernmost point of the bay nearer to the jetty that divides the harbor. Swimmers in the know, usually enter the water before noon, when the wind starts to rise and with it the height of the waves.
Playa Las Hadas
Las Hadas
This is a man-made beach at the top end of the Bay of Manzanillo and can only be accessed by Las Hadas guests, or guests of nearby hotels with Las Hadas privileges. The jetty of the yacht harbor helps make this a very calm beach most of the time. A "day pass" will give the visitor access to the Las Hadas Hotel and beach, and allow use the of chairs and cabaņas and also other Las Hadas services, such as food and beverages.
Playa del Tesoro
North end - Bay of Manzanillo
Just south of the Karmina Palace is Playa Salagua, where
the Salagua River meets the sea. It was here that
Spanish Galleons were repaired and outfitted for long
voyages across the ocean. The latest hotel in that area
is the Camino Real. Playa Salagua can be a very
treacherous beach with high waves and a strong undertow.
However, the river is often used by locals for bathing
and swimming. Often men and young boys fish with and
nets or lines in the surf, especially in the early
evening.
Manzanillo's small turtle sanctuary was once located
here on this beach and occasionally baby turtles still
hatch and are released at sundown.
Playa Las Brisas
Las Brisas
The Las Brisas Beach is considered one of the nicest in Manzanillo, because it's clean, safe and deserted most of the time. The two-mile stretch (also part of Manzanillo Bay) ends at the entrance to Manzanillo's harbor.
Today, Las Brisas is a dead-end peninsula
which now provides a certain amount of privacy, but at one time the road led directly to Manzanillo.
It is fast becoming a stage for hotels, condominiums,
and new upscale homes on the beach. The area has many small sidewalk cafes, and numerous businesses. At the end, near the jetty, scuba diving and snorkeling are perfect water sports. More laid-back tourists like to watch the ships come and go from the port. It is a rare day when you won't be able to see large ships anchored outside the port, or cruising to deliver their cargo.
Peņa Blanca
North of town
photo courtesy of Juanitos restaurant
photo courtesy of Juanito's restaurant
The beach at Oasis Beach Club in Club Santiago