Live marine data

Beach Conditions

Puerto Vallarta · Riviera Nayarit · Current conditions, wave height, and water temperature.

Updated: Sep 15, 11:15 AM PV

🌊

0.3m @10s

Swell · W

🌡

31.9°C

Water Temp

☀️

34°C

Air Temp · feels 39°

💨

4 g18

Wind km/h · SW

🕶

UV Index · Moderate

🌧

Rain chance

4-Day Forecast

09/15

⛈

35° / 26°

🌧 66% · 2mm

UV 3 · 💨 14/33

Swell 0.4m@13s

☀ 06:48–19:03

09/16

🌧

35° / 26°

🌧 53%

UV 8 · 💨 18/40

Swell 0.4m@13s

☀ 06:48–19:02

09/17

🌧

34° / 26°

🌧 29%

UV 8 · 💨 20/42

Swell 0.4m@11s

☀ 06:48–19:01

09/18

⛈

34° / 26°

🌧 71% · 7mm

UV 8 · 💨 11/32

Swell 0.4m@11s

☀ 06:49–19:00

Puerto Vallarta beaches — common questions

Can you swim at the beaches in Puerto Vallarta right now?

Based on the latest marine model (Sep 15, 11:15 AM PV), conditions are generally calm enough for swimming today, though model data can't see rip currents — always check the flag on the sand. The calmest water is in the sheltered south-shore coves (Las Ánimas, Colomitos, Playa Mismaloya); the town and Hotel-Zone beaches face the open bay and pick up more surf.

What is the water temperature in Puerto Vallarta?

The sea surface is about 32°C (89°F) right now. It typically runs 26–32°C (79–90°F), warmest August–October, coolest January–March.

Which Puerto Vallarta beach is best for families and easy swimming?

Playa Los Muertos in the Zona Romántica has the most services and gentle-to-moderate surf; for the calmest, clearest water take a boat or the coastal trail to Las Ánimas, Quimixto or Yelapa on the roadless south shore.

Is there a lifeguard on Puerto Vallarta beaches?

Main beaches (Los Muertos, Camarones, the Hotel Zone) have municipal lifeguards and a coloured-flag system in daylight. Green = calm, yellow = caution, red = no swimming, black = closed. The flag on the sand always overrides any forecast.

Get on the water

Snorkel, dive, or find the whales — booked through the operator.

All tours →

Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental & Lesson

Playa Los Muertos Water Sports

1-hour SUP lesson and 1-hour rental on Playa Los Muertos. Calm bay water, perfect for beginners.

$34USD Book now →

Sea Turtle Release

Eco Tours Vallarta

Sunset release of newly-hatched sea turtles with a marine biologist, on a protected beach. August–December on…

$35USD Book now →

Glass-Bottom Boat — Los Arcos

Ocean Friendly Expeditions

See the Los Arcos reef without getting in — a glass-bottom panga over the marine park, with time to snorkel i…

$40USD Book now →

Hand-picked, not paid placements. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you — it never changes what we list.

One bay, many beaches

From city sand to
boat-only coves.

Los Muertos has lifeguards and beach clubs. Twenty minutes south, Las Ánimas and Yelapa are reachable only by panga from Boca de Tomatlán. Each one reads the swell differently — the profile below is a starting point, not today's flag.

What the flags mean ↓

Beaches by Zone

Usually calm

Playa Los Muertos

The main social beach of Zona Romántica. Lifeguards, beach clubs, volleyball, restaurants on the sand.

lifeguardsbeach clubsrestaurantparty

Best for: Everyone

Usually calm

Playa Camarones

Quieter hotel-zone beach between Los Muertos and the main strip. Calmer, fewer vendors.

calmhotelsless crowded

Best for: Families

Shore break

Playa Olas Altas

Powerful shore break — bodyboarders and surfers love it. Not for casual swimming on swell days.

surfbodyboardwaves

Best for: Surfers

Usually calm

Playa Las Glorias

Hotel Zone beach, long and wide. Calm surf, big resorts on the shore. Popular with families.

calmhotelswidefamilies

Best for: Families

Usually calm

Playa Las Palmas

Open stretch north of Hotel Zone near shopping malls. Good for long walks.

openwalkinglocal

Best for: Walkers

Usually calm

Playa Conchas Chinas

Rocky coves with clear turquoise water. Good snorkeling. Access via stairs — worth it.

snorkelingrockyclear watersecluded

Best for: Snorkelers

Usually calm

Playa Mismaloya

Calm bay 15km south. Famous for Night of the Iguana filming location. Los Arcos snorkeling nearby.

snorkelinglos arcosboat tourscalm

Best for: Snorkelers & History

Shore break

Playa Boca de Tomatán

Village beach at river mouth. Water taxi hub to Yelapa, Las Ánimas, and Quimixto.

water taxivillagelocal

Best for: Day-trippers

Usually calm

Playa Las Ánimas

Remote beach village accessible only by boat from Boca de Tomatlán. Seafood restaurants on sand.

boat onlyseafoodremotepristine

Best for: Adventure seekers

Usually calm

Playa Quimixto

Tiny jungle beach with a waterfall hike. Very quiet. Boat-access only.

boat onlywaterfalljungleremote

Best for: Hikers

Usually calm

Playa Yelapa

Car-free village 45 min by water taxi from Boca de Tomatlán. Waterfall, pie ladies, hammocks.

boat onlywaterfallpiehammock

Best for: Day trip or overnight

Usually calm

Playa Garza Blanca

Hidden cove with white sand south of Conchas Chinas. Hotel Garza Blanca fronts it.

hiddenwhite sandluxuryhotel

Best for: Luxury & privacy

Usually calm

Playa Nuevo Vallarta

Long flat beach just across the Nayarit border. Calmer surf, all-inclusive resorts, fewer vendors.

all-inclusivecalmwidefamilies

Best for: Resort guests

Usually calm

Playa Bucerias

Long beach in a real fishing town. Local seafood restaurants on sand. Artisan market on Sundays.

fishing villageseafoodmarketlocal

Best for: Foodies & locals

Usually calm

Playa La Cruz

Fishing village with a marina. Good spot to arrange day trips to Marietas Islands.

marinafishingmarietasvillage

Best for: Boaters

Usually calm

Playa Punta de Mita

Upscale surf town at the tip of the bay. Several breaks, luxury hotels, Four Seasons nearby.

surfluxuryfour seasonspoint break

Best for: Surfers & luxury

Usually calm

Playa El Anclote

Busy local beach in Punta de Mita village. Fishing boats, seafood restaurants, party vibe.

localseafoodfishingparty

Best for: Locals & budget travelers

Shore break

Playa Sayulita

Iconic surf town beach. Colorful, bohemian, backpacker meets boutique. Surf lessons everywhere.

surfbohemiansurf lessonscolorful

Best for: Surfers & party

Shore break

Playa San Pancho

Wide beach in mellow San Francisco village. No hotels on the beach. Powerful shore break.

mellowlocalpowerful surfbodysurfing

Best for: Quiet alternative to Sayulita

Usually calm

Playa Lo de Marcos

Calm, family-friendly village beach north of Sayulita. Wide, flat, shallow for kids.

calmfamilyshallowvillage

Best for: Families with kids

🚩 Beach Flag Guide — What the flags mean

🟢

Green — Safe

Calm conditions. Normal swimming.

All swimmers. Lifeguards may be on duty.

🟡

Yellow — Caution

Moderate waves or current.

Confident swimmers only. Children must be supervised.

🔴

Red — Dangerous

Strong current or high surf.

Strong swimmers only at your own risk. Most should stay out.

⚫

Black — Closed

Extreme hazard or pollution.

Do not enter. No exceptions.

🟣

Purple — Marine Life

Dangerous sea life present.

Watch for jellyfish, stingrays, or other hazards.

🌞 Beach Tips

UV is extreme June–October. SPF 50+ and a hat are not optional.
Most PV city beaches have flag systems — look for them before entering.
Playa Los Muertos has year-round lifeguards. Most other beaches do not.
Remote beaches (Yelapa, Las Ánimas, Quimixto) are boat-access only from Boca de Tomatlán.
Sayulita and San Pancho have consistent shore break — not beginner swimming conditions.
Rip currents: swim parallel to shore if caught, never fight against them directly.
Jellyfish season peaks July–September. Urine is a myth — use white vinegar if available.

Marine and weather data: Open-Meteo (free, no API key). Swim-safety assessments are automated estimates — always verify on-site and respect posted flags.

Beach Conditions

Puerto Vallarta beaches — common questions

From city sand toboat-only coves.

From city sand to
boat-only coves.