6 Awesome Things to Do on a Punta Mita Honeymoon

It would be easy for anyone to see why Punta Mita, Mexico—a gated resort community stretching over 1,500 acres along the postcard-perfect Riviera Nayarit—makes an ideal honeymoon destination. After all, it has all the ingredients for a perfectly relaxing escape for two. Miles and miles of soft, sandy beaches, check! Clear turquoise water that sparkles like your diamond in the afternoon sun, check! Tequila practically on tap, check! Infinity pools galore, check! Seductively delicious cuisine, check! (The atmospheric and impeccable Tuna Blanca, Aramara, and Sufi are absolute can’t-misses for honeymooners.) Five-star hotel suites and jaw-dropping villas, check! The list goes on.

But the palm-fringed peninsula, with its nine and a half miles of oceanfront, is more than a place to kick back, cuddle up, and relax—it’s a playground for those who seek slightly more active types of fun, too. So while it’s hard to imagine anything better than bedding down with your honey in the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita’s signature plush beds inside its newly refreshed, nature-inspired guest rooms, taking long walks on the beach, or spending an entire day in the stress-melting cocoon of its Apuane Spa, here are a few other exciting ways to make the most of where the sun shines 340 days a year.

1. Releasing Sea Turtles

You might think nothing can get your heart beating like your spouse—until you lay eyes on baby sea turtles heading for the ocean at sunset. As they hatch, generally from March through December, the Four Seasons’ cultural concierge arranges hands-on release experiences in which guests can help the turtles get to the water safely. Watching dozens of the teeny turtles making their way down the sand is pure magic, plain and simple.

2. Surfing

Virgin or practically pro, there are waves for every level of surfer—or wannabe—around Punta Mita’s coastline. Punta Mita Ocean Sports has a brand-new luxury Surf Taxi panga (boat) available to charter for custom surf trips around the Bay of Banderas, ensuring access to the best hard-to-reach breaks that are virtually empty along with certified guides, a variety of boards (SUP included), and refreshments. Hydrofoil lessons are even an option for those who want to fly above the surface. Total beginners can start out easy right in front of the Four Seasons with the expert instructors of Tropicsurf, and as couples progress they’ll step things up accordingly.

3. Spearfishing

A favorite activity for lovers of the ocean and excitement, not to mention seafood, is learning to spearfish. Spearmex offers eco-sustainable experiences in fishing and spearfishing in the brilliantly blue Banderas Bay, appropriate for those who’ve always wanted to take their snorkeling to the next level. Freediving lessons are also on offer, as are skill-testing adventures like kayak fishing, where you must paddle through the ocean and fish simultaneously. You’ll feel the full rewards of these exciting mermaid escapades at dinnertime when you savor exactly what you caught.

4. Golfing the Tail of the Whale

The Jack Nicklaus–designed Pacifico golf course claims the world’s only natural island green, just in front of the Four Seasons. Dubbed the Tail of the Whale, 3-b hole is only accessible at low tide when it’s possible to walk across the sometimes-submerged path to this bucket-list green. It’s worth booking ahead to experience this rare feature along with primo ocean and mountain views.

5. Snorkeling or Diving in the Marietas Islands

Scuba diving — Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico

Jacques Cousteau wasn’t the first to explore the uninhabited volcanic Marietas Islands—a protected national park—but his excursions there made them famous. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort offers eco-discovery tours allowing couples to follow in his footsteps, or flippers, and check out the surreal rock formations, caverns, tropical fish, and beaches that make the islas’ ecosystems so spectacular. Scuba divers can also swim through the exquisite El Morro and Los Anegados reefs, submerged caves, and rock formations for memories that won’t soon fade.

6. Go Riding

Horseback riding — Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico

You don’t need to be equestrians to enjoy the beauty of a slow, gentle horseback ride at sunset, while the waves lap at the sand beneath your horse’s feet. Mountain routes are also possible. For those seeking a bit more adrenaline, there are also ATV and Razer RZR tours by Rancho Vista Paraiso, scenic, speedier outings that cross country roads, rivers, and streams, the Higuera Blanca hills, jungle trails, and white sand beaches.