Can you Swim at the Beaches of Riviera Nayarit?

Home to some of Mexico’s most coveted beaches, Riviera Nayarit is where you will find some of the safest places to travel in the country and postcard-perfect coastlines of turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and tropical lushness that are considered the best beaches for swimming in the region.

Extending over 300 kilometers of shoreline on Mexico’s west coast, Riviera Nayarit includes the coastal land between Nuevo Vallarta in the south and the port of San Blas in the north. But with such a long stretch of coastline, you might be wondering where exactly are the best beaches in Riviera Nayarit that have a swimmable beach? And can you swim today if you are in the Riviera Nayarit area?

Best Beaches in Riviera Nayarit

If you are seeking the best beaches for swimming in the Riviera Nayarit area, you don’t need to look farther than the southernmost towns of Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, and Punta Mita. Because Banderas Bay keeps the area protected from strong waves and currents, the waves are relatively small and make each of the swimmable beaches in these towns ideal for getting your feet sandy and your hair wet.

These wide sandy beaches are also some of the safest places to travel in Mexico and are excellent for other fun-filled activities you might want to try such as beach volleyball, snorkeling, jet skiing, or even parasailing.

Can you Swim Today if You’re Further North?

But you might be asking, can you swim today if you are in one of the more northern spots located along the coastlines of Riviera Nayarit. While a few specific locations of Riviera Nayarit are difficult to access or have larger waves that are more suitable for surfing, there are plenty of swimmable beaches in the north as well.

Both Chacala and Rincón de Guayabitos are local favorites for swimming and hanging out. With tranquil waves and picturesque coastlines, these sports are some of the most archetypal Riviera Nayarit beaches. There are also captains that you can hire from local guides to check beaches outnearby that are only accessible by boat.

Towns with the Best Riviera Nayarit Beaches

If you are looking for a swimmable beach where you can also check out local restaurants, bars, and shops and enjoy the colorful vibes of Mexican beach life, make sure you spend some time in Riviera Nayarit’s most attractive beach towns - Sayulita and San Pancho, or stay at one of the top all inclusive resorts in Nuevo Vallarta.

Sayulita, a smaller Mexican village known for its laid back surf culture, has one of the best beaches in Riviera Nayarit for swimming because of its smaller waves. San Pancho, just a stone’s throw north of Sayulita, is sometimes a less swimmable beach because of its larger surf, but it is smaller and less crowded than Sayulita with an equally friendly environment.

The best swimming, however, is without a doubt off the shores of Nuevo Vallarta. Here the shallow waters stretch far beyond the shore making the perfect playground for splashing in the gentle waves, swimming with little ones, and refreshing in a calm seaside paradise.

Safety at Riviera Nayarit Beaches

In general, Riviera Nayarit is one of the safest places to visit in Mexico. Like any travel destination, it is important to keep your valuables such as your passport in a secure location such as your locked hotel room, but overall you’ll find the best beaches for swimming here, which is a top concern for those looking for safe places to travel.

Some of the more popular beaches such as Sayulita will have lifeguards on duty, however most of the beaches throughout all of Mexico do not have lifeguards and you are responsible for your own safety. It is recommended to never swim alone, take weather conditions into consideration, and always supervise children even if they can swim. Check beaches’ safety regulations before getting into the water and the color of the flags that fly to let swimmers know of water conditions. These can usually be found on signs near entrances to the beach.

Occasionally, there might be an algae bloom offshore in which it is not recommended to swim, so be sure to check beaches’ local updates online or look for warning flags that signal a hazardous beach condition. Green flags typically signal that the water conditions are safe for swimming, yellow flags mean that you should use caution in the water, and red flags are warnings that dangerous conditions have made the water unsafe for swimming.