The beautiful white-sand beach of El Anclote (Playa El Anclote) blends surfing and ecotourism with waterfront dining and chic accommodations. El Anclote skirts the shores of the Punta Mita peninsula and looks out across the glistening water of Banderas Bay. It is Punta Mita’s most accessible beach and a favorite spot among families, watersports enthusiasts and beachgoers who like to bask in the sun.
El Anclote’s narrow strip of sand slopes down into the deep-blue water of Banderas Bay. Sit beneath the shade of a palm tree or enhance your tan under the hot sun. Cool off with a swim in the shallow waters. Restaurants, which range from unassuming shacks to refined establishments, frame the beach and provide the perfect location for viewing sunsets.
Learn to surf in the clean, calm waves that crash gently onto the shore. Rent boards and arrange classes at the surf schools on the town’s main street. Kayaking, snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding are other popular water-based activities available here.
Join an excursion to the Marieta Islands, two pristine islands formed by underwater volcanic eruptions. See hundreds of exotic birds and fish. Swim through a tunnel to the secluded Hidden Beach. Look for humpback whales, which arrive in the bay from December to March tours depart from the marina. Go deep-sea fishing and have your catch cooked for you at the beachfront restaurants.
Explore the rocky coastline that runs around Banderas Bay. Mingle with the rich and famous at the private Porta Fortuna Beach. Golfers can challenge their driving and putting skills at two nearby golf courses, both designed by illustrious U.S. golfer Jack Nicklaus.
El Anclote is about a 25-minute drive from Bucerías and a 1-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Getting here is easiest via rented car, although public buses travel to and from Puerto Vallarta. Parking is available on the streets of Punta Mita. Stay overnight at affordable condominiums and hotels or enjoy a night of luxury at an upscale resort.
