The Oaxacan Riviera is home to many magical, off-the-beaten-path gems. Estacahuite Beach is one of them.
On most days the bay here is very quiet, with very few tourists and zero annoying banana boats.
Perfect for snorkeling
Inexperienced ocean swimmers have a tough time snorkeling in areas where the waves and currents can knock you around, but the sea at Estacahuite is usually very calm. The sheltered cove is separated into three different areas by rock formations, and the water here is crystal clear for great visibility.
Renting gear is cheap and you pay by the hour. No need to pay for a tour, you just walk into into water from the beach and the reef is right there. Rentals include flippers, mask and a life jacket. For beginners, the life jacket is a nice touch as floating on the surface makes it easier to keep your snorkel tube above water, plus you get the added bonus of not burning your back.
One hour of snorkeling is more than enough time to explore all of the small coral reefs running alongside the rocks. They’re teeming with brightly colored tropical fish, and it’s truly an awesome experience if you’ve never done it before…and even if you have!
Return your gear and grab a beer!
The view from the beach is absolutely spectacular and the cerveza is ice cold, so stuff a lime into your Corona and park yourself in the shade.
When you get hungry there’s fresh seafood available at extremely reasonable prices.
Be sure to check out Iguana Rock (La Roca de la Iguana) as there are always an iguana or two soaking up the sun and enjoying the vista.
This is the kind of stuff that paradise is made of.
Make a day of it
Puerto Angel is located near other attractions, so it’s easy to fill up a day’s worth of activities if you’re coming from Puerto Escondido or Huatulco. Start the morning off with a boat tour through the mangrove lagoon at La Ventanilla, visit the National Turtle Center in Mazunte, and then continue along the coast to Puerto Angel.
Puerto Angel has it’s own unique charm as a sleepy little fishing town with very little tourism. You can spend an hour or so wandering around to get an authentic feel for coastal life in Mexico.
The road to the beach is located on your right, about 200 meters from the bottom of the hill as you head up the highway from Puerto Angel towards Pochutla. It would be around a 20 minute walk from the wharf, but for two bucks you’d be better off taking a taxi. Just tell the driver Estacahuite.
If you’re staying with us at Gecko Rock Resort, we can help you to arrange transportation. If you’re coming from the highway, catch a taxi or colectivo at the Pochutla crossroad (Crucero de Pochutla) to Puerto Angel.
