Discover the Beaches of Riviera Maya

Just north of Puerto Morelos toward Cancun, Bahía Petempich is a calm, shallow bay sheltered by the reef. Its gentle water makes it one of the easiest places on this stretch of coast for an unhurried swim.

Because the reef keeps the surface so still, the bay is well suited to floating, wading, and long, easy swims close to shore. Much of the shoreline is lined with resorts and private beach clubs, so it is best enjoyed as a quiet stop rather than a full day out.

North of the main beach in Puerto Morelos, Punta Brava trades beach clubs for open-sea views, soft sand, and rocky outcrops.

With no services along the shore, it is one of the quietest stretches of coastline near Puerto Morelos, where the rocks and open horizon suit an early-morning or late-afternoon walk. Bring water and shade, and plan to have the sand largely to yourself.

In the heart of Puerto Morelos, a short walk from the town square, a long stretch of public white sand faces calm, shallow water, with the reef only a few hundred meters offshore. Playa del Faro sits beside the town’s leaning lighthouse, which has tilted toward the Caribbean since Hurricane Beulah washed away its foundations in 1967.

Snorkeling tours and fishing boats set out from the pier nearby to Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, and your Personal Concierge can help you plan time on the water.

Named for a freshwater spring that rises from the seabed, Ojo de Agua in Puerto Morelos pairs calm water with the reef close enough for an easy snorkel from shore.

Its beach clubs set out loungers and umbrellas along the sand, with food and water sports close at hand, so you can spend a full, unhurried day between the shade and the sea.

About 15 kilometers south of Puerto Morelos, on the way to Playa del Carmen, Playa del Secreto pairs soft white sand with clear turquoise water. A sea turtle sanctuary reached through the mangroves, it has few services and rewards a quieter day by the sea.

The calm water invites swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking, and the walk in through the mangroves is a chance to spot birds and other wildlife along the way. Bring water and shade for the day.

Farther south, about 19 kilometers from Puerto Morelos, Punta Maroma is known for its clear water, soft white sand, and coconut palms. Much of the shoreline is fronted by resorts.

The nearby reef draws snorkelers and divers, and catamaran outings sail along this stretch of coast, while the shade of the palms makes it an easy place to linger between swims.