Water Sports

There’s plenty to do on and off the beach around here! Both Zihuatanejo Bay and Playa el Palmar in Ixtapa have a huge range of beach activities and water sports for the visitor to engage in.

Parasailing, Banana Boats, Sand Castles, Water Skiing, Beach Volleyball and just plain swimming are all part of fun along the beach

Swimming, wave jumping and beach surf boogie and skim boarding are generally safe and easy in front of any of the many good restaurants along the shore within Zihuatanejo  Bay. There are floats and tubes of all shapes and sizes available for rent from sites along the beach.

If you’re in Ixtapa, beware that it is open ocean with powerful surf and undertow. Take heed of the water condition flags and if you are not a strong swimmer, it’s recommendable to stay out of the deeper surf and content yourself with one of the hotel swimming pools.

There’ve been a few groups of sand castle builders on Playa la Ropa. Some have taken this sport very seriously, and they’re not armed with only plastic pails and shovels! Unfortunately, all their efforts don’t last and always get washed away at the next high tide…

The more adventurous can always find parasail renters willing to provide a special point of view both on Zihuatanejo Bay and along Playa el Palmar in Ixtapa.  If you can stand the height, a thrilling parasail ride will give you a bird’s-eye perspective of life on the shores of Zihuatanejo Bay and all the way into town, or along Ixtapa’s hotel row and Marina area.

Beach volleyball is very often set up in front of La Perla Restaurant about half-way down La Ropa. It’s a good way to work up an appetite and the desire for a cold one!

Banana boats, those bobbing, slippery, slinky inventions, can also be found at almost any point along the beach, and are well taken advantage of by groups of all ages.

Hobie Cats are available for hire from in front of the Hotel Sotavento and at The Tides on Playa la Ropa in Zihuatanejo.

Wave Runners, Jet Skis and Water skiing

Wave runners and jet skis are easy to hire by the half hour or more, and water skiing is a popular pastime along Playa la Ropa. Partakers in both these sports are asked to please watch out for the swimmers and keep your more daring antics for moments when you are not close to shore and are well on the outside of the swimming markers that can be see along the stretches of swimming beach. Wave runners, motor boats and jet skis should not be within the confines of those markers unless under slowest speed when coming into beach the craft or initially making your way out to open water. Your craft rental agent should point out the areas where these machines can be safely taken out and brought back in without disturbing regular swimmers or snorkelers.