Isla Ixtapa

Isla Ixtapa lies a few kilometers offshore from Playa Linda, reached by a roughly 25 to 30 minute drive or taxi ride from Zihuatanejo to the Playa Linda pier, followed by a short 5 to 10 minute passenger boat crossing to the island; shared boats run frequently through the day, roughly 8am to 6pm, without advance booking. The island holds three main beaches - Playa Coral, Playa Varadero, and Playa Cuachalalate - each offering a different mix of calm swimming water, snorkeling over shallow reefs, and beachfront palapa restaurants serving fresh seafood. A day trip typically starts by catching one of the earlier morning boats from Playa Linda to beat the midday crowds, landing at Playa Cuachalalate or Playa Varadero for snorkeling gear rental and a swim over the coral formations, then moving to Playa Coral in the early afternoon for calmer water better suited to families. Palapa restaurants on each beach serve grilled fish, shrimp, and octopus for a relaxed lunch stop between snorkeling sessions, and rental snorkel gear and beach chairs are available on the island itself. Because the last boats back to Playa Linda run into the early evening, visitors should track the return schedule rather than staying past dusk. The dry season from November through April brings the clearest water for snorkeling and the calmest conditions for the short boat crossing, while the rainy season from June through October can bring choppier water and occasional afternoon showers that shorten the visit.