Punta de Mita rewards both the active and the unhurried. You can chase marlin at dawn, play a Jack Nicklaus course by mid-morning, and be back on your own beach by sunset — or do nothing at all but watch the whales go by. Here are the essentials.
Surfing
The point is a genuine surf destination with waves for every level. La Lancha, reached by a short walk through the jungle, is one of the friendliest point breaks on the coast and a favorite of surf schools and first-timers. More experienced surfers head to Burros and Anclote near the town, or make the twenty-five-minute drive to Sayulita for a livelier scene. Boards and lessons are easy to arrange.
The Marietas Islands
A short boat ride offshore, the Marietas Islands are a protected national park and the area’s signature excursion. The uninhabited islands are a haven for marine life and seabirds — including the blue-footed booby — with clear water for snorkeling and diving. The islands are best known for the famous Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor), a sandy cove tucked inside a collapsed cavern and reached by swimming through a short sea tunnel. Visitor numbers are strictly limited to protect the reef, so go with a permitted operator and book ahead.
Golf
Punta Mita is one of Mexico’s great golf addresses. The gated community is home to two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses — Pacífico and Bahía — laid out along the ocean. Pacífico’s “Tail of the Whale” is one of the most photographed holes in the world: an optional par-3 played to a green on a natural island, reachable by an amphibious golf cart at low tide. A little farther south, Vidanta Vallarta hosts the PGA Tour’s Mexico Open, putting a championship-caliber course within easy reach.
Deep-sea fishing
The waters off Punta de Mita are among the richest on the Pacific coast. Guided full-day charters run out from the marina in search of sailfish, blue and black marlin, dorado (mahi-mahi), yellowfin tuna, and roosterfish. Summer and fall are prime billfish months, though something is biting year-round. Crews handle everything — tackle, bait, and know-how — so it’s an easy, memorable day for seasoned anglers and first-timers alike.
Whale watching
From roughly December through March, humpback whales migrate into the warm, sheltered Bay of Banderas to breed and calve. They are often visible breaching offshore — sometimes right from the beach — and licensed boat tours bring you closer for one of the coast’s great natural spectacles.
Beaches & beach clubs
The peninsula is ringed with calm, swimmable coves. For a full day out, the area’s beach clubs set you up with loungers and umbrellas, food and cocktails brought to the sand, and easy access to the water — a relaxed way to spend an afternoon between adventures.
On the water & beyond
Beyond surf and fishing, there’s paddleboarding and kayaking in the coves, sailing and sunset cruises on the bay, and long walks on quiet sand. Inland and up the coast, the towns of Sayulita and San Pancho offer galleries, cafes, and a bohemian afternoon — both an easy day trip.
Where to stay
The easiest way to enjoy all of it is from a base that handles the logistics for you. Casa Tres Reinas is a directly oceanfront, fully staffed villa in Paradise Coves — five suites, a heated infinity pool, and a private cove — with a concierge who arranges the charters, tee times, and island trips, and a chef for the days you’d rather stay in. Check availability or send us your dates.