The Complete List of Bays in Mexico

Mexico’s coastlines are legendary, famed for their sun-drenched beaches, vibrant marine life, and breathtaking natural beauty. From the gentle currents of the Caribbean to the powerful Pacific swells, these shores offer a diverse tapestry of experiences for every traveler seeking adventure or tranquility.

Among these coastal wonders are the many spectacular natural harbors that dot the country’s shores. This guide provides a comprehensive look at 39 Bays in Mexico, exploring everything from the vast, wildlife-rich Bahía Magdalena on the Pacific side to the picturesque, palm-fringed Bahías de Huatulco in Oaxaca. For each, you’ll find below organized details on its `State`, `Coast`, `Main Features`, and `Popular Activities`, helping you discover your next ideal Mexican escape.

Which coast of Mexico is home to the most significant bays?

Mexico’s Pacific coast is particularly renowned for its abundant and geologically diverse bays. States like Baja California Sur, Guerrero, and Oaxaca feature numerous natural indentations, many of which are deep-water harbors or protected coves formed by dramatic volcanic activity or ancient river deltas. While the Caribbean coast boasts stunning turquoise waters, its geological formation results in fewer classic, deep-set bays compared to the rugged and varied Pacific shoreline.

What makes Mexico’s bays ideal for different types of activities?

The sheer variety in Mexico’s bays contributes to their versatility for tourism. Some bays are characterized by calm, shallow waters, perfect for families, swimming, and snorkeling, often teeming with colorful fish. Others offer deeper, more exposed waters that are excellent for sailing, deep-sea fishing, or surfing, attracting a more adventurous crowd. Their unique features, from surrounding ecosystems to cultural significance, ensure that whether you’re seeking quiet relaxation, thrilling water sports, or marine wildlife encounters, there’s a Mexican bay to suit your desire.

Bays in Mexico

Images and Descriptions

Bahía de La Paz

La Paz’s broad bay offers calm, clear waters and nearby islands. Renowned for snorkeling with sea life, diving, and seasonal whale watching, it’s a relaxed gateway to marine reserves and coastal towns with eco-tourism and small-boat excursions.

Bahía de Concepción

A string of pristine beaches and sheltered coves framed by desert hills, Bahía de Concepción is prized for beach camping, calm swimming, kayaking and solitude. Its fine sand and warm water attract nature lovers and boaters seeking quiet coastal scenery.

Bahía de Loreto

Loreto Bay is anchored to the marine park of the same name, with dramatic islands, clear water and abundant marine life. It’s ideal for snorkeling, diving, sportfishing and exploring historic colonial Loreto’s cultural and ecological attractions.

Bahía de los Ángeles

A remote, wild bay dotted with granite islands, Bahía de los Ángeles is famous for rich marine biodiversity and clear water. Visitors come for scuba diving, sportfishing, kayaking and seasonal whale watching in a rugged, low‑impact coastal setting.

Bahía de Kino

Kino Bay features wide sandy beaches, nearby mangroves and shallow, calm waters. Popular with families and anglers, it offers fishing, boating and birdwatching, plus easy access to seafood towns and Gulf of California marine species.

Bahía de San Carlos

San Carlos is a scenic bay framed by striking granite peaks and clear water. Known for diving, snorkeling and sportfishing, it’s close to foothill trails and resorts, popular for day trips and water-based recreation.

Bahía Magdalena

Magdalena Bay is a large Pacific bay famed as a gray whale nursery and a productive fisheries zone. Visitors join whale-watching tours, observe shorebirds and enjoy rustic coastal scenery and small fishing communities with strong maritime traditions.

Bahía de Todos Santos

Todos Santos Bay offers rugged coastline and reliable surf breaks, popular with surfers and photographers. The scenic bay and nearby artsy town make it attractive for coastal hikes, sportfishing and watching vivid Pacific sunsets.

Bahía de Mulegé

Mulegé Bay lies at a river mouth with estuarine mangroves and a sheltered anchorage. It attracts boaters, kayakers and anglers, and serves as a cultural stop with colonial-era mission sites and riverside palm oases.

Bahía de Pichilingue

Pichilingue is a natural bay and ferry terminal near La Paz, with sheltered waters and sandy pockets. It combines practical port access with recreational boating, swimming and local fishing activities in a protected coastal setting.

Bahía de Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas Bay is famed for its iconic rock arch and dramatic shoreline where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. Known for world-class sportfishing, snorkeling, boat tours and lively waterfront towns, it draws international visitors year‑round.

Bahía de Banderas

One of Mexico’s largest and most famous bays, Bahía de Banderas hosts Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Its deep waters and islands support whale watching, snorkeling, sailing and vibrant seaside tourism with diverse dining and nightlife.

Bahía de San Blas

San Blas Bay mixes mangrove estuaries with a historic port town and protected coastal habitats. It’s popular for birdwatching, sportfishing, sailing and exploring colonial-era sites, offering a more tranquil Pacific coast experience.

Bahía de Acapulco

Acapulco Bay is a classic resort bay with a deep, sheltered harbor, high cliffs and busy urban beaches. Famous for cliff diving, vibrant nightlife and water sports, it remains a major Pacific tourist destination despite modern development pressures.

Bahía de Zihuatanejo

Zihuatanejo’s bay is a sheltered, charming harbor with calm water and a traditional fishing-town atmosphere. Visitors enjoy swimming, snorkeling, local seafood, boat trips and nearby beaches that balance relaxation with authentic coastal culture.

Bahía de Manzanillo

Manzanillo Bay blends a natural deep-water harbor with significant port infrastructure. It’s renowned for sportfishing, offshore excursions and scenic volcanic and beach landscapes, serving both tourism and maritime commerce on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Bahía de Tenacatita

Tenacatita Bay is a protected cove with mangroves, clear waters and nearby turtle-nesting sites. It’s popular for snorkeling, kayaking and eco-friendly beach stays, attracting nature-minded travelers and small-boat excursions.

Bahía de Chamela

Chamela Bay features small islands, rocky headlands and clear water ideal for snorkeling and diving. Its sheltered coves and marine life make it a quieter alternative for sailing and fishing along Mexico’s Costalegre coast.

Bahía de Navidad

Bahía de Navidad is a versatile bay with long sandy beaches, estuarine zones and mixed surf conditions. Visitors enjoy surfing, boating, birding and local seafood, often combining beach time with visits to nearby coastal villages.

Bahías de Huatulco

The Huatulco bays (Bahías de Huatulco) are a set of nine natural bays with varied beaches and coral fringing. Ideal for snorkeling, diving and peaceful beach-hopping, the area emphasizes sustainable tourism and protected marine areas.

Bahía de San Quintín

San Quintín Bay features extensive tidal flats and rich birdlife along a rugged Pacific coastline. It’s known for shellfishing, sportfishing and nature tours, offering a quieter, rural coastal experience with important wetlands.

Bahía de Campeche

The Bay of Campeche is a wide, shallow gulf area with productive fisheries and offshore industry. Coastal towns and wetlands support birding and fishing; its scale and ecological importance define much of Mexico’s southern Gulf shoreline.

Bahía de Chetumal

Chetumal Bay sits on the southern Quintana Roo coast with sheltered, shallow turquoise waters and mangroves. It’s a gateway to Belize and Mayan culture, offering calm boating, fishing, paddleboarding and coastal community visits.

Bahía de Akumal

Akumal Bay is famed for sea turtle foraging in clear Caribbean waters over seagrass beds. Snorkeling with turtles, guided eco-tours and responsible wildlife viewing are the main draws near this small coastal community.

Bahía de Mahahual

Mahahual Bay fronts rich Mesoamerican Reef areas and a laid-back coastal village. It’s popular for snorkeling, diving and relaxed beach days, with reef tours to colorful coral and marine life just offshore.

Bahía de Xcalak

Xcalak Bay is a remote, low‑development coral bay on the southern Riviera Maya, prized by divers and anglers. Its pristine reef sections and calm waters offer world-class scuba, snorkeling and peaceful eco-adventures away from crowds.

Bahía de Sisal

Sisal Bay is a Yucatán Gulf bay with mangroves, flamingo and shorebird habitats and a historic port village. Eco‑tourism and birdwatching dominate alongside fishing and relaxed beach walks, with close ties to regional biodiversity and culture.

Bahía de Veracruz

Veracruz Bay centers the historic port city of Veracruz with a lively malecón, cultural sites and maritime activities. While heavily used for shipping, parts of the bay offer swimming, boat tours and vibrant coastal festivals.

Bahía de Alvarado

Alvarado Bay is an estuarine system with islands, mangroves and productive fisheries. Accessible by boat, it attracts birdwatchers, anglers and eco-tourists interested in coastal wetlands, local fishing communities and seafood cuisine.

Bahía de Tampico

Tampico Bay is an estuarine bay fed by major rivers with urban access and industrial activity but also recreational uses. Visitors find sportfishing, boating and waterfront promenades alongside regional cultural attractions.

Bahía de Champotón

Champotón Bay combines mangrove fringes and shallow waters with a historic coastal town. It’s suited to fishing, birdwatching and cultural visits, offering a quieter Gulf experience with regional culinary traditions.

Bahía de Topolobampo

Topolobampo Bay is a strategic deep natural harbor on the Gulf of California near Los Mochis, offering ferry connections, sportfishing and scenic island views. Its maritime character combines commerce with recreational boating and wildlife observation.

Bahía de Mazatlán

Mazatlán Bay fronts a major resort city with long beaches and nearby islands. Its mix of urban amenities, surf spots, sportfishing and cruise visits make it a popular Pacific destination with cultural and beach attractions.

Bahía de Lázaro Cárdenas

Lázaro Cárdenas Bay is a naturally deep harbor supporting a major industrial port set against volcanic highlands. While commercial, it also offers coastal sightseeing, sportfishing and local culinary stops along a dramatic Pacific shoreline.

Bahía de San José del Cabo

San José del Cabo’s bay features sheltered coves and calm waters framed by desert hills. It’s popular for gentle water sports, beach walks and proximity to charming town squares and art galleries, offering a quieter complement to nearby Cabo San Lucas.

Bahía de Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido Bay is famous for powerful surf breaks and a dynamic coastline. Surfing draws international visitors while calmer beaches and local fishing traditions offer diverse coastal activities and authentic Oaxacan seaside culture.

Bahía San Ignacio

San Ignacio Bay is a shallow Pacific lagoon recognized as a seasonal gray whale nursery. Visitors take guided whale-watching tours, kayak among mangroves and enjoy intimate wildlife encounters in a remote, conservation-minded setting.

Bahía de Santiago

Santiago Bay near Colima offers a sheltered cove beneath volcanic scenery and a small fishing-community vibe. It’s suitable for boating, fishing and relaxed snorkeling, appealing to travelers seeking low-key beaches and authentic coastal life.

Bahía de Altata

Altata Bay is a shallow coastal bay with sandbars and traditional seafood villages. Known regionally for day trips, boat rides and fresh seafood, it provides relaxed beach experiences and simple coastal recreation along Sinaloa’s shoreline.