Huatulco bays boat tour: La India beach & snorkeling

Six bays, two beach stops, dolphins and reefs in one morning and afternoon

A shared boat tour of Huatulco's bays departs from the port and visits La India beach (1.5 hours for swimming and snorkeling) and El Maguey beach (2 hours with a seafood lunch option), passing Cacaluta Bay, Chachacual Bay and other protected waters where dolphins, turtles and manta rays appear. A bilingual guide, soft drinks and water come with the tour. Snorkel equipment can be rented for cash at checkout. The boat holds around 30 travelers and maneuvers close to shore to show the natural formations, reefs and marine life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Tour bays and visit two beaches

• Begin tour at Santa Cruz Bay
• Observe Huatulco pier and Santa Cruz beach
• Pass by La Entrega beach
• Admire Cacaluta Bay's heart shape
• View Chachacual Bay and surrounding nature
• Stop at La India Beach for swimming and snorkeling
• Stop at El Maguey Beach for swimming and seafood

The experience

You board at Huatulco's main port and spend the morning moving between bays, each one visible from the boat. Santa Cruz Bay opens the route: the pier where cruise ships dock, then the calm waters of La Entrega beach and Yerbabuena. The boat then heads to Cacaluta, the heart-shaped bay inside Huatulco National Park, bordered by white sand and tropical jungle, then to Chachacual Bay, a sea-only bay where the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples once fished. The vessel stays maneuverable enough to get close to the water and the stone face, a natural rock formation carved into the cliffs.

La India beach is your first stop: 1.5 hours to swim, snorkel the reefs and watch fish, or simply walk the sand. The beach sits inside Chachacual Bay and was named for a local legend of a young woman who sought refuge here. It remains protected because boats are the only way in. Local vendors sell refreshing drinks like piña colada and micheladas. El Maguey beach, the second stop, gives you 2 hours in what locals call Huatulco's giant natural pool. The water stays calm and agave-green, and a wood-fired restaurant on the beach serves grilled fish, pineapple stuffed with seafood and other specialties. The tour also passes El Órgano, a small certified sustainable beach with Blue Flag status, where you see the Mixtec face rock formation from the water.

The full day runs 7 hours. A certified bilingual guide (English and Spanish) stays with the group, and the boat is air-conditioned. Soft drinks and bottled water are included. Snorkel equipment rental is available for cash if you want to explore the reefs at La India. The tour does not include meals or entrance to Huatulco National Park (paid separately in cash), and tipping the crew is optional if the service pleased you.

What’s included

• Certified bilingual guide in English and Spanish.
• soft drinks and bottled water.
• air-conditioned boat.
• port tax.

Options for this experience

2 options

Bahías Experience including a stop at La India BeachGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Snorkel equipment is not part of this option: it is optional, and only if the activity takes place, you can rent snorkeling gear at the pier, paying in cash. Pickup is included

Tour with snorkeling equipmentGuide in English or Spanish · 09:30Snorkel gear included: the equipment is for use during the tour only, and the traveler returns it at the end of the tour. Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Child (3 to 9 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 30

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 17.04

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Huitzil Tours And Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this shared boat tour if you want to see six bays and two beaches in one day with a group of about 30 travelers. Add snorkel gear if you plan to explore the reefs at La India rather than just swim and wade.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 9 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What can I actually see in the water on this tour?

Dolphins, turtles and manta rays appear during the boat ride, though sightings are not guaranteed. At La India beach, snorkeling shows the reefs and fish up close. The tour also passes natural formations like the stone face and the heart-shaped view of Cacaluta Bay, visible from the boat as you move through the water.

How much time do I get to swim and snorkel at each beach?

La India beach gives you 1.5 hours to swim, snorkel or rest on the sand. El Maguey beach offers 2 hours, where you can swim and eat at the beachside restaurant or relax on the golden sand.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear or can I rent it?

Snorkel equipment is available to rent for cash at checkout. If you don't rent, you can still swim and wade at both beaches without gear.

Is lunch included, or do I need to bring food?

Lunch is not included in the tour price. At El Maguey beach, a wood-fired restaurant serves grilled fish, seafood specialties and other dishes you can order and pay for separately. Soft drinks and bottled water come with the tour.

What's the group size on this boat?

The tour runs as a shared service with an average group of around 30 travelers on one boat.

How does the tour start? Do I arrange my own way to the port?

Pickup is included in at least one option at checkout. Confirm your hotel location and pickup time when you book to arrange the details.