The beaches of Puerto Vallarta and the Bay of Banderas have many characteristics in common, and many unique attributes. Located inside of a protected bay, the beaches do not have high crashing surf.
Surfers have to go outside the bay to enjoy their sport.
A benefit of low surf is that children can play in the water with relative safety, and there are no steep dropoffs, holes, or strong riptides to endanger swimmers. The bay is fed by numerous rivers which brings granite particles down from the mountains during rainy season. As a result, the sand on the beaches is an off-white color. There are parasail operators along most popular stretches of beach from mid-morning until late afternoon The Hotel Zone beaches are mostly fronted by hotels. You can walk on the beach from most hotels all the way to downtown Puerto Vallarta.