KAYAKING
In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo you can do kayaking outings along the calm waters off the coast. If you’d like to see some of the best sights, you can hire a guide to lead you on a kayaking excursion.
Playa Linda. Located 7 km (4 mi) west of Ixtapa, off Highway 200. From here you can paddle to Ixtapa Island, which takes about 15 minutes by kayak.
Barra del Potosi. Located 25 km (15 mi) east of Zihuatanejo. This area consists of a group of beaches from which you can do a kayaking trip to Los Morros de Potosi, an island group surrounded by mangroves.
FISHING
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is considered an important fishing port due to its abundance of species. In these waters you can catch grouper, sierra, barracuda, yellowtail and bonito. You also can participate in world-class fishing tournaments like the Zihuatanejo Annual International Sailfish Tournament. In these tournaments fishermen compete to hook the biggest sailfish, marlin or mahi mahi.
SCUBA DIVING
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has more 30 spots where you can go scuba diving among coral reefs, underwater canyons, shoals and sunken ships that serve as artificial reefs. In these waters you can see a wide variety of animal species, including dolphins, manta rays, octopuses, moray eels and frogfish.
Punta Ixtapa. Located 12 km (7 mi) north of Zihuatanejo, off Highway 200. Here you can go free diving at Playa Triste, which has calm waters with depths ranging from 10 to 15 meters (33 to 50 feet).
Bajo de la Tintorera. Located 8 km (5 mi) west of Ixtapa, off Highway 200. Here you can go scuba diving at a depth of 50 meters (165 feet) and explore beautiful coral banks.
Cueva de la Gata. Located 30 minutes by boat from Playa Don Rodrigo. This is one of the best spots for scuba diving. It has depths of 15 to 20 meters (50 to 66 feet), where occasionally you’ll see catsharks.
Fandango. Located 10 minutes by boat from Playa La Ropa, in Zihuatanejo. Here you can go scuba diving at a depth of 10 meters (33 feet) inside the remains of a sunken ship covered with coral.
SURFING
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is the perfect place for surfing and windsurfing, as the waves are generally pretty big. If you’ve never surfed or windsurfed before, you can take lessons on the beach.
Las Escolleras – Located at the end of Playa El Palmar, off Blvd. Ixtapa. This is one of Ixtapa’s best surfing spots thanks to its big waves. The Karma Surf Tournament is held here.
Playa La Ropa – Located southeast of Playa Municipal, on Av. Paseo de la Bahia, in Zihuatanejo. The waves here are mild, yet the beach gets strong winds, making it the ideal place for windsurfing.
ECOTOURISM
In Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo you’ll find a great beach for doing ecotourism activities, such as participating in a wildlife conservation program to introduce endangered turtle and reptile species to nature.
Playa La Ropa – Located southeast of Playa Municipal, on Av. Paseo de la Bahia, in Zihuatanejo. Here you can observe crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, birds and other species that inhabit its estuaries and mangroves.
Playa La Ropa – Located southeast of Playa Municipal, on Av. Paseo de la Bahia, in Zihuatanejo. Here you can observe crocodiles, turtles, iguanas, birds and other species that inhabit its estuaries and mangroves.