Coral Beach on Ixtapa Island is a small sand crescent popular with locals where you can spend the day sitting in a beach chair eating seafood, taking the occasional break to go out snorkeling. The coral and fish are just steps offshore.

Take a short ferry ride to Ixtapa Island from the Playa Linda pier near the crocodile reserve in Ixtapa. After disembarking, pick one of the similar restaurants lining the shore that all serve ceviche, fish tostadas and other Mexican fare with cold beers. Or order a coconut with a straw for your photo op in a lounge chair. All the restaurants offer snorkeling equipment to rent at reasonable prices. The coral is in relatively good shape considering the daily traffic, and you’re likely to see indigo wrasses, black puffer fish and other colorful varieties. A trail leads to another beach over the hill, climbing high enough to view the whole island plus your Ixtapa hotel across the water in the distance.