The dive sites at Isla Ixtapa are well known for their exciting caves and swim-throughs as well as the spectacular marine life including white tip reef sharks, turtles and rays. Superb diving and snorkeling as well as great seafood bring tour boats from far and wide to the remote and beautiful beaches of the island.

The anchorage lies on the east side of the island off Playa Cuachalalate but anchoring off Playa Varadero is also a possibility. Both have gorgeous beaches, plenty of tourists and are busy during the day with pangas and tour boats. Luckily the carnival leaves in the afternoon and the bay is remote and empty again by sundown. The anchorage is exposed to wind and swell from all direction but west and is best in calm weather.

Approaches

Approaching from the north be aware of Bajo Tintorera, an isolated rock charted 0.6NM north of Isla Ixtapa. The red light marking the rock is not always working. Passage can be taken either side of the rock after which the route in to the anchorage is straight forward.

The passage to the southeast of Isla Ixtapa is full of isolated and uncharted rocks and reefs and should  not be attempted without local knowledge.

Anchorage

Anchor off the beach in 5.5m on sand. Dinghy ashore taking care if waves are breaking on the beach.

Facilities

There are a couple of restaurants and a natural history museum on the island.

Great foraging for bananas - water is not clear so best not to snorkel - town nearby has lovely market and artisan carvings - take the dingy across to the jetty and walk into town

Connor Jackson This was in Baie Hanatefau, the anchorage right next to the town of Hapatoni. 09 57.71 S, 139 07.1 W. If memory serves correctly, about 25 ft of water, though we anchored right on the edge of the coral shelf. The south side of the cove was the best diving we saw in the Marquesas actually.