Top Beaches in Mazatlan

From Playa Los Gaviotas to Playa Sabalo, here are the top beaches.

2 min read•Apr 26, 2018•By Lydia Schrandt

Travelers explore a small island in the Mazatlan area

Hi, I'm Lydia!

Lydia Schrandt is a writer, editor, and award-winning photographer currently based in Houston. She’s a contributor for USA TODAY 10Best and serves as the first chair of the Editors Council of the Society of American Travel Writers. Her work has appeared in Draft, Time Out Beijing, Travel+, USA TODAY, San Francisco Chronicle, and others.

Mazatlan's phenomenal beaches are one of its main draws, and with miles of Pacific coastline on either side of the Golden Zone, you’ll have no shortage of golden sand to choose from. Here's a breakdown of some of best beaches in this Mexican resort town.

Why you are seeing these recommendations

Playa Bruja

A sunny day at the beach. | Photo Credit: Playa Brujas / Tripadvisor

Playa Burja, or Witch Beach, attracts surfers to the northern end of Mazatlan. The beach ranks among the area’s most appealing, one that’s perfect for beach bums and surfers of all levels alike.

Stone Island

A boat at sandy Stone Island. | Photo Credit: Manuela Durson / Shutterstock

For a quieter escape, catch the 5-minute ferry to Stone Island, home to 4,000 residents. The beaches here aren’t lacking in amenities or equipment rentals, but crowds are still pleasantly sparse—it’s easy to spread out on the peninsula’s 10 miles (16 kilometers) of pristine sand.

Playa Los Gaviotas

Swimmers on the playa. | Photo Credit: Miguemex / Tripadvisor

For a lively scene complete with vendors, watersports kiosks, and plenty of food and drink options, head to Playa Los Gaviotas, the most popular beach in Mazatlan. While peace and quiet may be hard to come by, this is an excellent choice for people watching or partying.

Playa Sabalo

Sunny days at the beach. | Photo Credit: Miguemex / Tripadvisor

Quieter than Playa Los Gaviotas yet still lively, Playa Sabalo offers room to spread out and sunbathe, as well as protected waters ideal for swimming. Hotels and resorts backing the beach offer lounge chairs and umbrellas—if, that is, you’re willing to shell out for a bar tab.

Playa Olas Altas

Playa Olas Altas at sunset. | Photo Credit: ryanwcurleyphotography / Shutterstock

What Playa Olas Altas, or High Waves Beach, lacks in amenities—there are none—it makes up for in tranquility. While this largely empty stretch of sand appeals to surfers and boogie boarders, it’s also a good for walking and, of course, sunbathing in peace.