Las Islitas Beach: San Blas' Calm-Water Bay

Las Islitas Beach sits 7 km south of San Blas inside the Bahía de Matanchén, where rock outcrops break the shoreline into three small coves of knee-deep water. Adults can wade out 50 meters and still stand waist-deep, which is why local families treat it as a giant saltwater pool rather than an ocean beach.

The name comes from those rock clusters — at high tide they become separate islets, cutting the beach into pockets of still water. Most of the year the bay stays flat. When a south swell arrives between May and October, the same geography produces one of the longest rideable waves ever recorded in Mexico, once measured at roughly 2,250 meters and listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. Two very different beaches share one stretch of sand, and which one you get depends entirely on the calendar.

Getting There and Setting Up Your Day

Driving and taxi options from San Blas

The beach lies just off the coastal road toward Santa Cruz de Miramar. From downtown San Blas the drive takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how many slow trucks you catch on the highway. Taxis run a fixed fare of roughly 50 to 200 pesos each way, and there is no bus route linking the town center to the beaches — a rental car or a hired taxi is the practical choice. If you drive, the paved access road passes through Matanchén village before turning south along the shore.

Boat visitors anchor in the bay and head for the large green building on the sand as a landmark; pangas from San Blas also make the run in about 15 minutes.

Parking, palapas, and what things cost

Entry to the beach is free, 24 hours a day. You pay only for what you consume. The palapa restaurants generally open around 9:00 and close near 18:00, and a full seafood meal with drinks runs 150 to 400 pesos per person. Bring cash — these are family-run operations and card machines are unreliable at best.

Two clusters of enramadas serve the beach. Mysis III is the name locals mention first, largely for its camarones a la momia — shrimp wrapped and fried in a crisp shell.

What to Do in and around the Water

Swimming with children in the coves

This is the safest family swimming on the San Blas coast. The rock barriers kill the surf, the sand shelves gently, and the water stays warm well into November. Toddlers can play at the edge unsupervised for minutes at a stretch, which is rare on this stretch of Pacific shoreline. The one rule worth respecting: keep away from the rocks themselves, since wet stone is slick and the tidal pools hide urchins.

Longboarding the Matanchén wave

The surf side of Las Islitas is a long, soft right-hand point that suits beginners and longboarders far better than shortboarders. It works on south swell with northeast offshore winds and low to mid tide. September is the peak month; May through October is the reliable window, with water between 24 and 30°C. Weekends bring crowds of local and visiting loggers, so weekday mornings give you the cleanest run. The wave is not what it was before the jetties went in — the legendary 2 km ride now needs a big swell — but on a good day it still peels for hundreds of meters.

Eating and nearby detours

The food alone justifies the drive. Pescado zarandeado — a butterflied snook grilled over wood and brushed with a chile-soy marinade — is the regional benchmark, and the beach restaurants do it well. Shrimp ceviche and empanadas de camarón are the other standards. If you want to extend the day, the La Tovara mangrove springs and crocodile sanctuary lie on the road back toward San Blas and take a couple of hours by lancha.

When to Go and What to Watch Out For

The jejenes problem

Small biting midges, called jejenes locally, come out of the surrounding mangrove and bite hard from late afternoon. They leave marks that itch for weeks. The practical fix: arrive after 10:00 and leave before 16:00, or sit at a table well inland near a restaurant kitchen rather than at the waterline. Repellent helps; timing helps more. This single detail shapes the rhythm of a good day here more than the tide chart does.

Seasons and crowds

January and February bring the most comfortable daytime temperatures, hovering around 27°C, and the calmest water for swimming. Holy Week and July–August are the busiest periods, when parking fills and palapa service slows to a crawl. November still sees highs near 30°C with warm nights around 24°C. My own preference is a weekday in late spring: flat water for the kids, no wait for a table, and enough swell left for an hour on the board.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an entrance fee for Las Islitas Beach?

No. Access is free around the clock. You pay only for food, drinks, umbrellas, or boat rides, with palapa meals typically costing 150 to 400 pesos per person. Rates change, so confirm prices on site before ordering.

How far is Las Islitas from San Blas and how do I get there?

It is about 7 km south of town, a 10 to 20 minute drive on the coastal road. Taxis charge roughly 50 to 200 pesos each way, and there is no public bus service to the beach, so plan on a taxi or rental car.

Can beginners surf at Las Islitas?

Yes — it is one of the better beginner and longboard spots in Nayarit. The wave is soft and slow-rolling on south swell, best from May through October with September as the peak month. Low to mid tide with northeast winds gives the cleanest ride.

What time of day should I visit to avoid the bugs?

Arrive after 10:00 and plan to leave by 16:00. Jejenes emerge from the mangrove in late afternoon and their bites linger for weeks, so an early start is the single most effective precaution.

Is the water safe for small children?

Yes. The rock coves hold water that stays shallow for 50 meters or more, with almost no surf most of the year. Keep children away from the wet rocks themselves, where footing is slippery and tidal pools conceal urchins.