The Best Beaches in Huatulco: Complete Guide to the 9 Bays and 36 Beaches
When people talk about "the beaches of Huatulco," they almost always think of five or six: La Entrega, Maguey, Santa Cruz, Tangolunda, Cacaluta. But the truth is that Huatulco is a system of 9 bays that hold 36 official beaches, many of them virgin coves only reachable by boat or through jungle trails.
This guide is the complete inventory. If you've already read our Huatulco Travel Guide and want to drill into the technical details —which beach is best for snorkeling, which are accessible by road, which are the most hidden, what activity fits each one— this is where you find it.
The 9 bays and their 36 beaches
Huatulco is made up of 9 bays that together contain 36 beaches, each offering unique characteristics and different types of access. Conejos Bay features 4 beaches (Conejos, Punta Arenas, Arena, and Tejoncito), accessible by road and a short walk, known for their wild and photogenic appeal. Tangolunda Bay includes 5 beaches (Ventura, Manzanillo, Tornillo, Tangolunda, and Rincón Sabroso), easily accessible through the hotel zone and recognized for its luxury resorts. Chahué Bay has 3 beaches (Chahué, Esperanza, and El Tejón), offering a more social and urban atmosphere. Santa Cruz Bay is one of the most diverse with 7 beaches (Santa Cruz, La Entrega, Yerbabuena, El Amor, Punta Santa Cruz, Pescadores, and Playita del Paraíso), accessible by road or boat, and known for its lively, tourist-friendly vibe. Órgano Bay has 1 beach, reachable by boat or hiking trail, perfect for those seeking natural isolation. Maguey Bay also has 1 beach, accessible by road or boat, popular for its family-friendly environment and full services. Cacaluta Bay features 2 beaches (Cacaluta and Arroyo), accessible only by boat, offering a pristine and cinematic landscape. Chachacual Bay includes 2 beaches (Chachacual and La India), also only accessible by boat, known for their remote and untouched beauty. Finally, San Agustín Bay has the largest number with 11 beaches (including San Agustín, Riscalillo, El Jicaral, El Arenal, El Coyote, Cacalutilla, El Magueyito, El Gato, La Puntilla, plus two smaller coves), accessible by dirt road and boat, and famous for its reefs and excellent snorkeling.
Note: The Bay of San Agustín is the most extensive in the system and contains several small coves that officially add up to 11 beaches, though some are small inlets along the same stretch of coast.
Activity matrix: what to do at each beach
Use this table to pick your beach based on what you want to do. ✅ = excellent · ⚪ = good · ❌ = not recommended.
Beaches by type of access
Accessible by paved road
Santa Cruz, La Entrega (short dirt road), Chahué, Esperanza, El Tejón, Tangolunda (all 5), Conejos, Punta Arenas, Arrocito, Maguey.
Ideal if: you're traveling with small children, older adults, or don't want to depend on boat tours.
Accessible by dirt road or trail
Órgano (~15 min trail from Maguey), San Agustín (dirt road, ~45 min from La Crucecita), El Jicaral (walking distance from San Agustín).
Ideal if: you're up for moderate adventure and want to skip the boat tour.
Only accessible by boat
Cacaluta, Playa Arroyo, Chachacual, La India, and most of the coves in San Agustín (El Coyote, Cacalutilla, El Magueyito, El Gato, La Puntilla).
Ideal if: you're after virgin beaches, have a full day free, and want to hit 3-4 bays in one trip.
Lesser-known beaches (hidden gems)
If you've been to Huatulco before and already know the "famous" beaches, these are the ones few tourists ever find:
Playa Yerbabuena (Santa Cruz Bay) — Small cove between La Entrega and Punta Santa Cruz. Reachable by walking over the rocks at low tide.
Playa El Tejón (Chahué Bay) — At the eastern end of Chahué, much quieter than the main beach.
Playa Esperanza (Chahué Bay) — The least visited beach in Chahué, ideal for morning walks.
Playa Tejoncito (Conejos Bay) — A tiny cove with stunning rock formations.
Playa Rincón Sabroso (Tangolunda Bay) — The most private end of Tangolunda, tucked between resorts.
Playita del Paraíso (Santa Cruz Bay) — Almost unknown to tourists, a tiny strip of sand with tricky access.
Playa El Gato and Playa La Puntilla (San Agustín Bay) — Virgin coves only reachable by boat.
Playa Riscalillo (San Agustín Bay) — Sometimes considered an independent bay. Exceptional snorkeling.
How to plan your perfect beach day
Plan A — One day, low effort: Maguey in the morning (snorkel + lunch) → Santa Cruz in the afternoon (boardwalk and sunset).
Plan B — Classic bay boat tour: Leaves from the Santa Cruz marina. Hits La Entrega → San Agustín → Maguey. Around 6 hours.
Plan C — Virgin bays tour: Santa Cruz marina → Cacaluta → Chachacual → La India. Bring your own food and water. 7-8 hours.
Plan D — Land adventure: Drive to Maguey, hike the trail to Órgano, come back for lunch at Maguey.
Stay close to the beaches that matter most to you
Where you base yourself shapes which bays feel like "home" during your trip:
If you want to wake up on the sand: Loft Arrocito (Arrocito Beach).
If you're traveling with a large group and want privacy + access to every bay: Casa Forza (Sector N).
If you prefer to be downtown with quick access to Santa Cruz and Chahué: Casa Ixtapa (La Crucecita).
See all vacation rentals in the Bays of Huatulco →