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Guayabitos Cares: New Beach Improvements
Tara A. Spears
Guayabitos beach stands out from the 7,338 kilometers of Mexican coast on the Pacific for its calm waters, natural beauty and mellow lifestyle. For many Mexican and international visitors who live in landlocked states the beaches of Los Ayala, Guayabitos and La Penita are their first experience with the Pacific Ocean. In the last ten years, the hotel occupancy has steadily increased as more people come to this destination to spend their vacations. While this popularity has exerted pressure on the environment, it’s the dedication of the residents, tourism groups and local government that are what keeps the balance between visitor comfort and protecting wildlife. This year, 2026, is raising the bar on stiving to help nature and keep visitors safe at the same time through the installation of a floating dock, rapid removal of harmless microalgae, and the sinking of a ship to promote reef growth near Isla Coral.
The addition of a pedestrian dock in south Guayabitos beach is a fabulous idea. Since the majority of visitors want to visit the unique island in the bay and the only way there is by boat, it was difficult to load and unload pangas fighting the waves and avoiding the swimmers at the same time. Funded by the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat), the Municipal Directorate of the City of Compostela, acquired and installed two floating docks that fulfill the function of embarking families on the boats and avoid accidents that may happen in the practice of water sports.
In addition, for the first time during the semana santa holiday period the municipality had lifeguards, also from the resources of the Zofemat program. When the beach is elbow to elbow with sunbathers, childred, and walkers, having lifeguard towers provide greater visibility of the tourists in the sea therefore greater safety.
Due to a combination of several elements: ocean tides, wave motion caused by an earthquake, the direction of wind, a huge quantity of Hypera microalgae was dumped onto the shore of Jaltemba Bay. Nearly FIVE TONS were removed in a matter of days. It was impressive how the community came together to fix this temporary problem before it interfered with sea turtle nesting or beach use.
The island that you see from shore that is in the center of the bay opening is Coral Island. It’s famous for its white sand beaches, crystal clear shallow waters and incredible views. The island was first developed in the early 1970’s as a part of the Bahía de Banderas Trust project which developed tourism along the Pacific coast.
This island is home to a variety of sea bird species. The entire island is a wildlife refuge that is protected by law from being developed or from hunting or fishing. However, the snorkeling in the clear, shallow waters off its beach is perfect for viewing sealife and birdwatching.
To visit the island, it’s necessary to go to the mainland beach and make reservations with the tourist providers to get a boat trip. During the tour you will be shown the different beaches of the bay, as well as the Island of the Crabs, named for the number of crustaceans that live in that small stone island.
Once you arrive at the island you will disembark at a small pier, walk on a path to reach the stunning white sand beach. Even standing in the water you can see a variety of exotic fish. The island has shade options for rent or simply toss your towel down on the sand. There are snacks and beverages available for sale, as well as a small restaurant with a Mexican menu.
Lastly, providing more habitat in the waters of Isla Coral is a excellent proactive move to encourage stability of the marine life near the natural coral reef. Artificial reefs work because ocean ecosystems are built on hard surfaces. Natural reefs take centuries or millennia to form, but marine life doesn’t wait around for geology. Drop a structure with the right characteristics – surface complexity, stable materials, strategic placement – and colonization begins within hours.
The science behind successful artificial reefs centers on understanding what marine organisms need. Research shows that surface texture matters as much as size. Barnacles, algae, and coral polyps need rough surfaces to attach. Small fish need crevices for protection. Larger predators need open water nearby for hunting. It’s architectural design for a non-human clientele. Isla Coral a perfect location for an artificial reef.
Beyond supporting fisheries and biodiversity, artificial reefs provide coastal protection benefits which are increasingly valuable as climate change accelerates. Well-designed structures can reduce wave energy by 30-70%, protecting shorelines from erosion while creating marine habitat.
No matter what nature throws at the bay, the community takes its stewardship of the environment serviously. The people are dedicated to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and providing interesting and safe activities for visitors.
Visiting this pristine wildlife sanctuary provides the opportunity to watch the colorful tropical birds that call the island home, including the majestic frigate. Savoring the beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and Nayarit nature are highlights of any vacation. There’s no better way to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of coastal Mexico. Guayabitos Cares!
