Top 3: water sports in Nuevo Vallarta

It is widely known that Nuevo Vallarta is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Mexico and offers a wide variety of tours and activities to do. Whatever activity you choose, you can get in touch with nature on land or sea. The most favorite ones are whale watching, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding through the jungle and releasing baby turtles. But for those who prefer adrenaline, they can enjoy the top 3 water sports in Nuevo Vallarta.  

One of the most popular water sports in Nuevo Vallarta is snorkeling. Thanks to the crystal clear waters of the Banderas Bay. To go on a snorkeling tour you usually take a bay cruise or a small boat and you are taken to stunning spots to discover the tropical ecosystem as it is widely known as a sanctuary for sea life. The Marietas Islands is one the places near Nuevo Vallarta to witness all this. The islands are a group of inhabited island which are inhabited and are protected by the federal government and no one can set foot on them. Still tourist can explore the surroundings and see exotic tropical fishes, giant manta rays, sea turtles. Besides, the temperature of the water is always warm during the summer months (approximately 85° F).

 A further popular water sport to practise in the idyllic beaches is surfing. The ideal conditions (warm water and waves from 4 to 8 feet high) provided by the waters of the Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean makes Nuevo Vallarta a paradise for surfing fans. Moreover, both beginners and advanced surfers have a vast array of options to choose from. The nearest surfing zones are Burros, Destilladeros, Pool and Veneros. To the northern part of the coast, surfers will find the best spots that offer rolling tubes especially for beginners and intermediate boarders like Sayulita). If you continue to the north, you will find more challenging waves in San Pancho, Chacala and Santa Cruz. Even though there are warm temperatures year round in Nuevo Vallarta, the best season to enjoy surfing is during the rainy summer months because the waves are larger and more consistent. 

Finally, another fun water activity perfectly designed for a place like Nuevo Vallarta is deep sea fishing. Deep sea fishing takes places in an ocean or sea at a depth of at least 100 feet (30 meters). People who love this kind of hobby do it not only for the challenge but also for fun and as a source of food. The goal of deep sea fishing is to sail as far as possible from land to get access to species that only live in deep waters. And in Nuevo Vallarta you will find the best spots for this activity. There, you will be able to catch big fishes like 1,200 lb marlin, 800 lb tuna, sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi and many others. After enjoying some fishing, you can take your catch to a local restaurant and have it cooked for you.  

 All in all, Nuevo Vallarta is one of the meccas of water sports. Lovers of water activities recognize that it is an important destination since the crystal clear waters of the Pacific Ocean and the gorgeous landscapes are so attractive. 

Romina Nieto

Image: Flickr (M. Silver Associates)