Home Search by budget Destinations Beaches Interactive map Services Booking Collections Ratings VIP Club
Find flights Book transfer
Home / Beaches / Playa Holbox

Playa Holbox

Пляж Хольбокс
Mexico · Beach · Holbox
crystal
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet holidays: shallow, warm and clear water, almost no waves, and bioluminescence can be observed in the evenings. Suitable for couples and naturalists. Not suitable for party lovers and active nightlife.

Best month

January

Water
+27.0°C
Length
5 200 m
Playa Holbox is the main beach on the island with white sand and turquoise water. It features a calm atmosphere and scenic views, popular for swimming, kayaking and sunset watching. Beach bars and hotels are located here.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
Playa Holbox is the main beach on the island with white sand and turquoise water. It features a calm atmosphere and scenic views, popular for swimming, kayaking and sunset watching. Beach bars and hotels are located here.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • Soft white sand
  • Warm shallow water
  • Gentle entry
  • Bioluminescence
  • Flamingo watching
  • Eco-friendly island
  • Car-free

Cons

  • Sargassum seaweed in some seasons
  • Mosquitoes and sandflies
  • Limited roads
  • No large shopping malls
  • Hot and humid climate
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet holidays: shallow, warm and clear water, almost no waves, and bioluminescence can be observed in the evenings. Suitable for couples and naturalists. Not suitable for party lovers and active nightlife.
Features
What makes this beach unique
Playa Holbox is known for its unique bioluminescence phenomenon: on certain nights the water glows electric blue. The island is also a sanctuary for pink flamingos, manatees and over 150 bird species.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
powdery
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
50 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
5 200 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
crystal
Underwater Visibility
15.0 m
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+28.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.1 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
November
Season end
May
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
none
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
5.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats.
Insurance & Connectivity
Get travel insurance and mobile internet before your trip
Travel insurance
EKTA — international coverage
Get insured
Visitor insurance
VisitorsCoverage — for travelers
Get insured
Flight compensation
AirHelp — claim for delayed flights
Claim
Flight compensation
Compensair — EU flight claims
Claim
eSIM for travel
Airalo — mobile internet worldwide
Connect
eSIM without roaming
Yesim — 190+ countries
Connect
eSIM for travelers
Saily — affordable data abroad
Connect
Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
Yes
First Aid
Yes
Parking
No
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
No
Sports Ground
No
Restaurants Nearby
30 pcs
Best restaurants

Restaurante Milpa

Mexican

Popular Mexican restaurant with local dishes and fresh seafood.

Casa Nostra

Italian

Italian restaurant with pasta, pizza and seafood.

El Sabor de las Olas

Seafood

Restaurant with fresh seafood and sea views.

Nearby cuisines

Mexican

Mexican cuisine with seafood and local products.

Must try: Ceviche, tiquis, fish tacos

Seafood

Fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico.

Must try: Lobster, shrimp, grilled fish
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
calm
Crowd Level
moderate
Silence Level
quiet
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
little
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
No
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Cash Insect repellent
Best Time to Swim
Best time for swimming is from November to May when the water is warm and the sea is calm. In the evening — bioluminescence.
Local Rules
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Do not disturb flamingos and other animals.
Getting there & Car rental
Flights, transfers and car rental to reach the beach
Flights
Find the best flight deals
Find flights
Airport transfer
Meet & greet, fixed price, 24/7
Book transfer
International transfer
GetTransfer — worldwide transfers
Book
Transfers worldwide
intui.travel — group & private
Book
Car rental
DiscoverCars — rent worldwide
Rent a car
Car rental
QEEQ — compare rental prices
Rent a car
Car rental
GetRentacar — 100+ countries
Rent a car
Car rental
Economybookings — low-cost rental
Rent a car
Car rental in Europe
AutoEurope — EU & UK
Rent a car
Bikes & scooters
BikesBooking — rent motorbikes
Rent
Local car rental
Localrent — direct from local providers
Rent a car
Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Playa Holbox: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity crystal, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +28.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Playa Holbox: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.1 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Playa Holbox: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 50 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Playa Holbox: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — powdery. Beach length — 5 200 metres.
Playa Holbox: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in November. It ends in May. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Playa Holbox: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. There are no rip currents — swimming is safe. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Playa Holbox: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, Wi-Fi. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Playa Holbox: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
Lifeguards are on duty on the beach — an important safety factor. A first aid station is available.
Playa Holbox: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Restaurante Milpa, Casa Nostra, El Sabor de las Olas. Cuisines available: Mexican, Seafood. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Playa Holbox: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Cash, Insect repellent.
Playa Holbox: when is the best time to swim?
Best time for swimming is from November to May when the water is warm and the sea is calm. In the evening — bioluminescence.
Playa Holbox: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Keep the beach clean, do not make noise. Do not disturb flamingos and other animals.
Playa Holbox: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Playa Holbox: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children and lovers of quiet holidays: shallow, warm and clear water, almost no waves, and bioluminescence can be observed in the evenings. Suitable for couples and naturalists. Not suitable for party lovers and active nightlife.
Playa Holbox: what makes this beach unique?
Playa Holbox is known for its unique bioluminescence phenomenon: on certain nights the water glows electric blue. The island is also a sanctuary for pink flamingos, manatees and over 150 bird species.
Playa Holbox: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: Soft white sand, Warm shallow water, Gentle entry, Bioluminescence, Flamingo watching, Eco-friendly island, Car-free. Cons: Sargassum seaweed in some seasons, Mosquitoes and sandflies, Limited roads, No large shopping malls, Hot and humid climate.
Playa Holbox: how do I get to the city of Holbox?
The beach is located near the city of Holbox. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Holbox.

City

Holbox

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.

Best month

January

Useful information

Country: Mexico
Type: Beach
Coordinates: 21.516700, -87.383300

Other beaches in Holbox