Activities to Do

On the water

The Sea of Cortez in front of the resort is calm and sheltered from strong winds and currents, and a natural estuary winds through the wetlands just west of the property.

• Kayaking — paddle the estuary's winding waterways at high tide for birdwatching, or head out into the Sea of Cortez, where dolphins, schools of fish, rays and the occasional sea lion are common sights.
• Paddleboarding — boards and paddles are checked out at the towel room; watersports equipment is released only at high tide, for safety.
• Swimming and snorkeling — four pools including a crystal-clear infinity pool, a jacuzzi and a swim-up palapa pool bar, plus open-water swimming and snorkeling when the tide is in.
• Beachcombing and tide pools — low tide uncovers tide pools, shells and clams along the resort's beach; collecting equipment is available at the towel room.
• Birding in the estuary — Great Blue Herons and dozens of other species use the wetlands, and the resort's lending library stocks field guides and binoculars.
• Fishing — shore fishing requires no license in Mexico, while charter boats require one for everyone aboard, whether they fish or not.

Plan your day around the tides

Puerto Peñasco has one of the largest tidal fluctuations in the world — roughly the third-largest, swinging up to 27 feet at extreme high tide — and the tide comes in and goes out at least twice a day. That single fact shapes the day here. High tide is for swimming, snorkeling and kayaking the estuary; low tide is for beachcombing, tide pools and long walks across newly exposed sand. Tides run highest around the full and new moon. Check the tide chart before you plan your day.

On the grounds

Courts, courses and the games room are all within walking distance of every building, and nothing needs a reservation.

• Pickleball — paddles and balls are available at the towel room.
• Beach volleyball, basketball, badminton, horseshoes, bocce ball, tetherball and sandbag toss across the resort grounds.
• Mini-golf, putting greens and frisbee golf.
• Bike rentals — ride the property, the beach or the Coastal Highway. A valid ID and a $10.00 USD deposit are required at the towel room, and both are returned when you bring the bike back.
• Games room — billiards, foosball, ping-pong and board games.
• Fitness center — free for owners and guests, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with views over the resort.

Spa, pool and table

After the beach, the spa offers massages, facials, manicures and pedicures; book at reception or the towel room. Infusion del Golfo, the on-site restaurant, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner built around fresh local seafood, with a wine cellar and ocean views. The Laguna Mini Stop convenience store carries snacks, beverages, toiletries and beach gear, so a forgotten essential never costs you a trip into town.

How to check out equipment

All activity equipment is checked out at the towel room, open 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Leave a valid photo ID, which is returned when you bring the equipment back; bike rentals also require a refundable $10.00 USD deposit. Paddleboards, kayaks and other watersports gear are released only during high tide, for safety. The concierge at the front desk can arrange off-property tours, charters and transportation.

Day trips around Puerto Peñasco

Downtown Puerto Peñasco is about 15 minutes away, and the wider region rewards a full day out.

• El Pinacate y Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO World Heritage Site of volcanic craters, lava tubes and pumice fields spanning more than 600 square miles, with roughly 400 cinder cones. Start at the Visitor's Center and carry plenty of water; there is none inside the reserve. U.S. astronauts trained here for a moon landing mission.
• Old Port (Puerto Antiguo) and the Malecon — shrimp tacos, seafood market stalls, galleries and souvenir shopping along the waterfront.
• Sport fishing on the Sea of Cortez — shore fishing at Pelican Point on the tip of Cholla Bay, or a charter for marlin, yellowtail, red snapper and sierra. August and September are strong months.
• Sandy Beach and Cholla Bay — Sandy Beach is the busy resort-and-restaurant stretch; Cholla Bay is a traditional fishing community with a quieter, more local feel.
• Boat tours and sunset cruises — dolphin sightings are near-certain, and gray whale migration peaks in January and February.
• Bird Island (Isla San Jorge) — snorkeling and swimming with sea lions.
• CEDO — see the fin whale skeleton and browse the gift shop.
• Sand dunes, ATV riding and the estuary birdwatching corridor around Puerto Peñasco.

Ask the concierge at the front desk for help arranging tours, charters and transportation.