Bahía Maguey is the bay many visitors picture when they imagine Huatulco: a gently curved beach of pale sand, a calm and shallow shoreline and a row of palm-thatched restaurants where you can order grilled fish and a cold drink with your toes in the sand. It is one of the nine bays listed by the state tourism board, which counts 36 sand beaches along a 35 kilometre strip of coast. Unlike many of the wilder bays, Maguey can be reached by road, so you can come by taxi or on a bays boat tour, and the shelter of the bay keeps the water gentle on most days. That makes it popular with families, with small children and with anyone who is nervous in the sea. The rocky edges of the bay hold fish and coral that suit casual snorkelling, and kayaks and paddle boards are usually available to rent from the beach stands. It gets lively at weekends and in the high season, but even then there is room to find a quiet corner at the edges. A free day here, with a long lunch and a few swims, is one of the most relaxing ways to spend a day in Huatulco.
What it is like
The beach is lined with simple restaurants that rent loungers and umbrellas if you eat or drink with them, which is how most people use the bay. Menus focus on fresh fish, shrimp, ceviche and grilled dishes, and servers will often bring your food to your lounger. The water is clear on calm days, and a mask and snorkel will show small reef fish near the rocks at either end. Some of the bay is part of the protected coast, so keep to marked areas and avoid touching the coral.
Getting there and timing
A taxi from Santa Cruz or La Crucecita is the easiest way, and you can agree a return time with the driver. Bays boat tours often stop here for a swim and a meal. Mornings are quieter, and the light is best before the afternoon wind. Midweek outside the holidays you may have much of the beach to yourself. Weekends and the Christmas and Easter periods are much busier, so arrive early to claim a good spot.
How to get the most from it: bring cash in pesos, because small restaurants do not always accept cards, along with reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and a towel. Check the flags and ask staff about conditions before swimming, especially with children. Order a drink or a meal at your chosen restaurant before settling into their loungers, since that is the usual arrangement.
If you want more seclusion than Maguey offers, combine it with a short walk toward neighbouring coves, or visit Cacaluta on another day. Maguey pairs well with Playa La Entrega for a two-beach itinerary using a taxi and a boat.
Other things to know
Toilets and showers are usually available at the larger restaurants for customers, and some stands offer paddle boards, kayaks and snorkel gear by the hour. If you are travelling with a group, agree on a meeting time and a place before anyone wanders off along the sand.
Sellers walk the beach offering crafts and snacks, and a polite refusal is normally enough. In the late afternoon the light softens, the crowds thin out and the bay is at its most photogenic, so consider staying on for the last hour before heading back.
What to expect
The experience
A sheltered beach with calm shallow water, thatched seafood restaurants, loungers, snorkelling and kayak or paddleboard rental.
Best time
Mornings and weekdays outside the holidays, when the beach is quiet and the water is calmest.
How long
Three to five hours for swimming, a long lunch and a snorkel.
Tips
Carry pesos, order food or drink to use the loungers, bring reef-safe sunscreen and check the flags.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and relaxed beach days with food on the sand.
- Families
- One of the calmest, most child-friendly swimming spots on the coast.
- Couples
- A slow lunch of grilled fish and a swim in sheltered water.
- Pair with
- Playa La Entrega, or a bays boat tour that stops here.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Is Maguey Bay free to visit?+
Yes, the beach is open to the public. Restaurants usually let you use their loungers if you order food or drinks.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, the bay is sheltered and the water is shallow and gentle on most days. Still check the flags and keep a close eye on small swimmers.
Can I snorkel there?+
Yes, casual snorkelling is possible near the rocks at the edges of the bay. Bring your own gear or rent it on the beach, and keep clear of coral.
How do I get to Maguey Bay?+
By taxi from Santa Cruz or La Crucecita, or on a bays boat tour that stops here. Agree a return time or fare with your driver.
Do the restaurants take cards?+
Not always. Carry pesos, since small beach restaurants often prefer cash.
