Zihuatanejo is a traditional fishing village on a calm, enclosed Pacific bay in Guerrero state that has resisted the full resort transformation of its neighbouring planned development Ixtapa (5 km away). The town retains its working-port character — fishing pangas share the beach with tourist boats, the municipal market fills daily with Pacific catch, and the streets between the pier and Playa La Ropa are more local than any equivalent stretch on the Riviera Nayarit. The bay’s protected water is ideal for beginners, while the open Pacific beyond delivers serious offshore fishing and surf.
For the full city guide, see our Zihuatanejo travel guide.
Top Zihuatanejo Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Price (approx.) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Fishing Charter — Offshore | 5–8 hrs | from $120 USD | Anglers |
| Bay Snorkelling & Beach Hopping Tour | 4 hrs | from $35 USD | Snorkellers, families |
| Whale Watching (Dec–Mar) | 3 hrs | from $60 USD | Wildlife seekers |
| Sunset Sailing Cruise | 2 hrs | from $50 USD | Couples, groups |
| Kayak Tour — Playa La Ropa to Manzanillo Beach | 3 hrs | from $40 USD | Active travellers |
| Zihuatanejo Market & Fishing Village Walking Tour | 2 hrs | from $20 USD | Culture, food |
| Ixtapa Isla Grande Day Trip | 5 hrs | from $45 USD | Snorkelling, beaches |
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For Anglers
Sport Fishing — Offshore and Inshore
Zihuatanejo’s position on the Pacific coast with deep water accessible close to shore makes it one of the better sport fishing bases on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Offshore species include Pacific sailfish, marlin (blue and striped), dorado (mahi-mahi), and yellowfin tuna. Inshore and reef species include roosterfish, jack crevalle, and Pacific bonito.
Offshore fishing (full day): Private boat charters for 2–4 anglers targeting sailfish and marlin run approximately $400–700 USD per day as of 2025, including captain, crew, tackle, bait, and ice. The most productive season for sailfish is November through March; marlin peak July through September; dorado are year-round.
Half-day inshore fishing: Panga charters (small open fishing boats) for 2–4 people cost approximately $100–200 USD per half day as of 2025. Inshore trips work the reef and rock structure within the bay and along the headlands.
The pier area has multiple captain cooperatives (including Cooperativa de Servicios Turísticos) where trips can be booked directly, often at lower prices than hotel concierge rates.
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For Snorkelling and Marine Life
Bay Snorkelling — Playa Las Gatas and Ixtapa Isla Grande
Playa Las Gatas is the primary snorkelling beach within Zihuatanejo Bay, reachable only by water taxi from the pier (approximately $3–4 USD each way as of 2025, 10 minutes). A natural rock reef built in the pre-Columbian period creates a protected zone with calm water and fish populations. Snorkel rental on the beach costs approximately $5–8 USD.
Ixtapa Isla Grande (Isla Ixtapa), 20 minutes by boat from Zihuatanejo, has four distinct beaches with varying reef quality. Playa Varadero on the island’s northwest side consistently has the best visibility and fish diversity. Island day trips including boat transfer and a simple lunch cost approximately $40–55 USD per person as of 2025.
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Scuba Diving — Los Morros and El Yunque
The rock formations at Los Morros (off Playa La Ropa) and El Yunque (off Playa Las Gatas headland) are the two main dive sites accessible from the bay. Los Morros reaches 18 metres and has moray eels, giant grouper, and Pacific sea turtles. El Yunque goes to 25 metres and encounters manta rays from July through October. Two-tank dives from Zihuatanejo cost approximately $70–100 USD per person as of 2025.
For Wildlife Encounters
Humpback Whale Watching (December–March)
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) use the warm water offshore from Zihuatanejo as a wintering and breeding ground, with calving activity reported as close as 5 km from the bay entrance. Tours run December through March from local operators at the pier.
Three-hour morning tours cost approximately $55–75 USD per person as of 2025. January and February typically produce the most active behaviour — breaching, spy-hopping, and calf-mother interactions. The enclosed bay sometimes allows whales to be spotted from shore near the pier in peak season.
Sea Turtle Nesting — Playa Larga and Playa Blanca
Olive ridley turtles nest on Playa Larga (south of the town, accessible on foot or by taxi) and Playa Blanca from June through November. The local conservation group Patronato Pro-Zihuatanejo organises nightly turtle patrol and release events during nesting season. Participation costs approximately $10–20 USD per person as of 2025.
For Sailing and Sunset Experiences
Sunset Sailing Cruise
Several small catamaran and traditional ketch operators run sunset sails from the Zihuatanejo pier. The bay’s enclosed shape creates calm evening water with the headlands silhouetted against Pacific sunsets. Two-hour sunset cruises cost approximately $45–65 USD per person as of 2025, typically including drinks and light snacks.
Private charters (6–12 people) for sunset sails cost approximately $300–500 USD as of 2025.
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For Cultural Exploration
Municipal Market and Fishing Village Walking Tour
The mercado municipal on Calle Benito Juárez is the centre of local commercial life — a working market with Pacific seafood, produce, and artisan goods oriented toward residents rather than tourists. The fish section in the morning hours (5–8 am) shows the catch from the overnight fishing fleet.
Cultural walking tours of Zihuatanejo cover the pier, the market, the Museo de Arqueología de la Costa Grande (small museum with pre-Columbian coastal artefacts), and the older barrio streets above the waterfront. Tours cost approximately $15–25 USD per person for 2 hours as of 2025.
Day Trip to Petatlán
Petatlán, 45 minutes from Zihuatanejo, is a working agricultural town famous for its silver religious icon — the Cristo de Petatlán — which draws pilgrims from across Guerrero. For non-religious visitors, the town’s traditional crafts and artisan market represent a quieter version of coastal Guerrero culture. Tours cost approximately $30–40 USD per person as of 2025 including transport.
Practical Tips for Booking Zihuatanejo Tours
Fishing booking: Book sport fishing charters at least 3–5 days in advance for peak season (December–April) and November–March for billfish. Walk-in bookings are often possible in low season (June–September) but the best captains fill quickly on weekends.
Water taxi logistics: The water taxi from the pier to Playa Las Gatas runs approximately every 30 minutes from 9 am to 6 pm. The last return departure is typically 5:30 pm — confirm times with the operator before staying later.
Getting between Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa: Taxis cost approximately $4–6 USD. Local combis (shared minivans) run the route for approximately $0.50 USD — ask at the pier for the current pickup point.
High season: December through April is peak season and the best fishing, whale watching, and weather window. The rainy season (June–October) brings bigger surf, river runoff into the bay (reducing visibility), and occasional tropical storms.