Isla de la Piedra, or Stone Island, is technically a peninsula reached by a short water-taxi crossing from the Gabriel Leyva dock in Mazatlán. Its main draw is a long, uncrowded stretch of golden-sand beach lined with palm-thatched palapa restaurants serving fresh seafood, coconut water, and grilled fish, along with horseback riding and banana-boat rides along the shore. Coconut palm groves back much of the beach, and a small fishing village sits inland from the water-taxi landing. A half-day visit allows time for the crossing, a beach afternoon, and a seafood lunch at one of the palapas; some visitors extend the trip into evening to watch the sunset over the Pacific from the sand. The beach is calmest on weekday mornings before the water taxis fill with day-trippers, while weekends and holiday periods bring larger crowds of local families. The crossing itself, a roughly 10-minute boat ride, offers views back toward Mazatlán's harbor and Cerro del Crestón.
Good to know
- Hours
- Water taxis generally run daily approx 7:00AM-6:00PM
- Best time
- Weekday mornings for a quieter beach
Location
Muelle Gabriel Leyva, Av. Emilio Barragán esq. Miguel Hidalgo, 82000 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
23.1963, -106.4013 View on map
Highlights
- Long, less-crowded beach compared to Mazatlán's hotel-zone beaches
- Palapa restaurants serving fresh grilled seafood on the sand
- Coconut palm groves and a small fishing village
- Horseback riding and banana-boat rides along the shoreline
Tips for visiting
- Negotiate the water-taxi fare before boarding if a price is not posted
- Bring cash, as most palapa restaurants and vendors do not accept cards
- Arrive by mid-morning to secure a palapa table and beach chairs
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen and reapply, as there is little natural shade on the open beach
- Confirm the last return water-taxi time before settling in for the afternoon
When to visit
Weekday mornings for a quieter beach; the water taxis run roughly 7:00AM to 6:00PM.
Accessibility
The water taxi requires stepping down into a small open boat, which is difficult for wheelchair users; the beach itself is soft sand without paved paths, limiting mobility-device access.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors plan a half day, roughly 4 to 6 hours, including the water-taxi crossing and time on the beach.
Is it worth it for kids?
Yes, the calm, shallow water and horseback and banana-boat rides make it a popular family outing.
Is photography allowed?
Photography is unrestricted on the public beach and during the water-taxi crossing.