Isla La Roqueta – Acapulco Island
Although the name Isla la Roqueta may not be familiar to many, this is in fact the place where almost all snorkelling and scuba diving tours from Acapulco will end up. Arriving by short boat ride – usually from the beaches of Playa Caleta or Playa Caletilla in Acapulco old town, many of boats have glass bottoms making the short trip an event itself and costing from just $5! – you will find this beautiful and tranquil paradise just 10 minutes from the hectic tourist spots of Acapulco.
This is where the Mexicans actually spend their weekends and holidays and is still something of an undiscovered secret on the tourist trail.
The island is a nature reserve so is protected from the developers building frenzy which is affecting much of the areas around Acapulco, Cancun and Cozumel . There are two great beaches, Playa Roqueta beach (where the boats arrive) and Playa Marin beach ( much more secluded!). There are three restaurants with bar service and even a small zoo.
The nearest hotel to the island is the Mayan Sea Garden Acapulco Resort. Set on one of the best beaches in Acapulco, this picturesque resort hotel gives you easy access to a number of excursions and activities in addition to Isla la Roqueta. There is an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course, Tennis Club, kayaking on the resort’s lake and a refreshing pool with its own waterfall. All rooms are finished to a high standard and come with air conditioning, satellite TV and direct dial telephones. In addition to trips to Isla la Roqueta take advantage of their cliff diving excursion to La Quebrada ! prices start from around $50 per night.
An unusual feature on the island are the beer-drinking burros, these wild mules are the only full time inhabitants of the island and can sometimes behave outrageously to the delight of tourists after sinking a few cold beers!
The main attraction of the island is snorkelling and diving however, the crystal clear waters (up to 30ft deep) are home to an incredible range of marine life which are well used to divers and it is not unusual to find yourself swimming through vast shoals of fish! The surf is mild and of course the water is warm, basking in the Caribbean sunshine almost all year round. There are many snorkelling and diving excursions to the island which can be booked from most of the hotels in Acapulco. These trips include cost of return boat trip, diving gear hire and even barbecues on the beach. However, if you are on a budget, there is nothing to stop you taking your own gear (or hiring it cheaply from one of many shops) then just hopping on a boat to the island.
One Response to “Isla La Roqueta – Acapulco Island”
Great Post! This might be a little off topic but has anyone ever been to an island Boracay? Its like that movie The Beach with Leonardo Dicaprio!
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