Guest Hook Travel Guides Mexico's Zihuatanejo | Page 6

ZIHUA'S BEST SPORTING ACTIVITIES... ON DRY LAND ON (OR UNDER) THE WATER Scuba Diving. The coral reefs around Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo are some of the richest in biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean and there are several endemic species. There are more than 30 different spots worth diving, so you will probably run out of vacation time before places to dive! Some of the best places are Morro de Potosí, Piedra Solitaria, Sacramento, Bajo de Jaime, Bajo de Chato, Bajo del Borracho and Manzanillo. You will find a variety of beautiful species including sea horses, octopus, eels, stingrays, turtles, the occasional whale shark and all kinds of fish. Average water temperature is 79°F (26°C), visibility in the summer averages 100ft (30 m) and the currents here are minimal meaning you can enjoy a nice, warm and peaceful dive. This really is a great place to dive, even for beginners, but always remember to use certified instructors. Sports Fishing. Mexico's Pacific Coast has long been famed for fabulous sport fishing but without a doubt Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has the best. Close to the shore, there is an abundance of high-flying roosterfish, hard-fighting grouper, Spanish mackerel, wahoo, bonito, snapper, yellowtail jacks and barracuda. Go five to ten miles offshore and you’ll find large schools of yellow knife tuna, dorado, Pacific sailfish, blue & black marlin, fierce barracuda and wahoo. The best time for fishing is from December through March, but you can find great fishing the whole year round. If you are interested in sports fishing tournaments, then don’t miss the world-class tournaments at Zihuatanejo, such as “The International Sailfish Tournament” in May. Come and catch the big ones! Golf. Ten minutes away from Zihuatanejo, at Ixtapa, there are two world-class, 18-hole courses that make this tropical destination heaven for golf enthusiasts. Playing golf on the beach is a completely different experience than playing anywhere else, the ocean views are priceless and balls fly a little differently under beach weather. The Marina Ixtapa Golf Course was designed by renowned golf course designer Robert Von Hagge and is characterized by attractive landscaping and natural canals. Palma Real Golf Course is ranked as one of Mexico's finest and was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. It boasts spectacular scenery and wildlife; you will be golfing on the edge of the sea where you can see and hear a variety of exotic birds such as parrots, macaws, cardinals and a rare and peculiar species of eagle called the pescador (“fisherman”). Cycling. Ixtapa Zihuatanejo has a beautiful bicycle trail (