
The Center for Technological Sea Studies and Aqua Culture is an aquarium exhibit that gives you an up close look at native species from the inter-tidal zone and the northern Gulf Coast of the Sea of Cortez. You can watch sea turtles, octopus, shrimp, sea horses and other various fish species, and sea lions. You are allowed to feed the sea turtles and sea lions. Food is provided for each type of animal at a small price. CET-MAR is located along the Las Conchas Road, just before you enter the guard gate. Schools, families, individuals and groups are welcome.

CEDO is a natural history museum with an emphasis on the Sea of Cortez. It is found in the beachfront community of Las Conchas, and can be identified by the giant fin whale skeleton on the hill above it. It is a field station for researchers and classes, an education center with a library and laboratories, a bookstore and gift shop. It is an intercultural experience.
Website: www.cedointercultural.org

There are many opportunities to off-road on ATV’s, sand rails 4X4’s or in dune buggies. Although it is illegal to ride any vehicles on the beach, you can do it inland in many areas behind the Sandy Beach Resort area. ATV rentals are available almost anywhere. Make sure you inquire “where in town you can ride them,” and the rules that apply to in town and street driving. Please, WEAR A HELMET! It really does save lives.

There are many different opportunities for the shopping enthusiast in this town. A seasoned veteran of the craft can find cultural novelty trinkets to fine leather goods, customized pottery, glassware and baskets to high-end tequila. There are several popular locations to walk among the open-air shops. One location with several accepted names is the Cholla Mall, (aka Shacks Fifth Avenue, or Rodeo Drive). Another popular area where you can find the shops amongst restaurants, bars and nightclubs is the “Old Port,” or Malecon.

If you are a certified diver you can get up close and personal with the flora and fauna of the Sea of Cortez. If you are not, you can arrange to get certified while down here. Take a tour to the famous Bird Island where you can see large sea lions, rock fish, octopus, eels, and so much more. Get your open water dives completed and explore Puerto Penasco’s deep blue sea.

Fly up to 800 feet in the air and enjoy all of Penasco’s beautiful scenery. While on the beach you will see the parasail boats cruising all along the coast with flyers of all ages.

RRocky Point is known for its variety of Sunset Cruises. You can take a Pirate Cruise on the Rey Del Mar. You can cruise on one of the original charters offered in Puerto Penasco, aboard the Intrepid or other large boats. Most offer free beer and margaritas. Bon voyage!

Sea Kayaking is a wonderful way to escape and just enjoy the beautiful scenery. You are likely to see Dolphins, which are common in the waters of Rocky Point. Bring your water camera just in case. Kayakers enjoy the open waters off shore, as well as in the calmer waters within the estuaries like Estero Morua.

Rocky Point has a lot of fun places to snorkel. Recommended places are wherever there are reefs or rocks off shore. These include: the Reef near Cholla Bay, off shore by Manny’s Beach Club and the Pitahaya Bar, Tucson Beach in Cholla Bay, and in the Old Port at the base of the Vina Del Mar hotel during high tide.

Fishing charters go out every day in Rocky Point. If you have an itch to catch a big one then make plans to take a fishing charter on your next visit to Rocky Point. Prices will vary according to the amount of time or how many hours you want to go fishing. The morning or shorter trips will usually result in a lot of Triggerfish, Rock Bass and a few other various species. If you want to try for a big fish, you will need a longer trip and a larger boat than a Panga (modest sized, open top, outboard driven boat). 500-pound Grouper and Black Sea Bass are not unheard of in these waters.

Ultra lights are a wonderful way to see the town in a whole new way… from above! Take a ride with experienced pilots as they show you just as much thrill as you desire. Take a smooth flight or ask them to make it more adventurous for you. It is truly a wonderful experience. The ultra light tours can be found on the road to Cholla Bay just west of the Vacation Resort condo high rises on Sandy beach. Bring your camera.

Banana Boat Rides are a kid’s favorite. Most rides last about 10 – 15 minutes depending on the demand waiting on the shore. It is a great adventure for the little ones that they will not soon forget. The boat drivers will go as fast (or slow) as you desire, especially for the children. Take the whole family to the beach, find your banana boat, and have some fun. Safety flotation vests are provided to all riders.
Jet Skis and Wave Runners are often seen just off the coast of the Sea of Cortez. If you have your own and want to bring them, remember to have a title or registration. If you want to rent one while you’re in town, watch the shoreline, they’ll come to you.
If you want to take a memorable ride along Sandy Beach, look for the horse rentals that are usually between Las Gaviota’s condos and the Playa Bonita Hotel. There are other locations, and you will see them occasionally passing by on the beach. Prices may vary.
Rocky Point has a wide variety of restaurants to impress the most discriminating tastes. There are many restaurants that offer exceptional Seafood, and traditional Mexican cuisine, but you can also enjoy Italian, German, American, and Pizza. There are sports bars, beachfront patio establishments, mountain-top sunset locations, and on and on and on… So whether you want a romantic hideaway, an authentic taco stand or anything in between, you’ll find it here. And you can drink the water… In any restaurant that you would consider walking into, the water is bottled. Also remember, Rocky Point is famous for its amazing shrimp and seafood.
Rocky Point has several fresh Oyster Farms. If you are an oyster lover, you owe it to yourself to take a short drive to the Oyster Farms just outside of Las Conchas in Estero Morua. The closest one to town is located on the same road that takes you out of town towards one of the many beachfront single family neighborhoods and or the Mayan Palace. About 10 minutes on this road after passing the entrance to Las Conchas, you will see a sign on the right that directs you into the desert towards the estuary. It is not quite 7 minutes off the paved road to the first oyster farm. Enjoy!

If you are looking for a beautiful romantic place to have your Wedding, consider Rocky Point, Mexico. Located on the northern shores of the Sea of Cortez, you’ll find amazing sandy beaches, fantastic weather, and sunsets that any wedding planner would be proud of. Whether you want a beachfront wedding, or a resort backdrop, Rocky Point is the perfect location for the Wedding of your Dreams! If you are ready to plan your wedding, contact Soledad Mendez www.siido.com. Group lodging is available at one of the Premier Vacation Rental Condos on Sandy Beach. Call 602-404-2986 or visit seasidemexico.com for complete lodging information.

Thinking about exploring some Tide Pools on the beach with the kids? It’s a great way to learn about the wonderful ocean creatures, and spend time bonding the whole family. Great tide pool spots can be found in specific areas where ancient lava flows meet the beaches. Locations like in front of the Hotel Granada Del Mar next to the Pitahaya Bar, in front of Manny’s Beach Club, or by the Reef Club and RV Park near Cholla Bay. They also offer Tide Pool Exploration at CEDO in Las Conchas. Visit www.cedointercultural.org for more information.

Rocky Point has 3 Golf courses, ready and waiting for you!! The Links of Las Palomas is a unique course highlighted with the dunes and tides of the Mar de Cortez. Prestigious golf course architects Forrest Richardson and Arthur Jack Snyder designed the course. The Links at Las Palomas is a world-class 18-hole, par 72, championship golf course offering an authentic links-style golf experience. PGA Champion Jack Nicklaus designed the beautiful Laguna Del Mar Golf Course. It is currently a 9-hole links course with beautiful ocean front holes and windswept fairways featuring lots of water with enhanced holes sculpted into the dunes. Mayan Palace Golf course is also a Jack Nicklaus Designed 18 hole Par 72. You will be mesmerized by the desert and mountain scenery found in the dunes of the Mar de Cortes. The ocean can be seen alongside a number of its fairways. The Peninsula course is an amazing links-style course, enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually.

This exciting annual event seems to get bigger and better every year. They have had close to 10,000 riders and spectators in past years. Discovery Channel filmed an episode of Biker Build-Off at one event, and Easy Rider Magazine, wrote about the Discovery Channels involvement. It is a great time of year with warm weather in the daytime, allowing everyone to enjoy T-shirts instead of long sleeves and leather jackets. This event is a worthy event for anyone, whether they want to ride down with a club, or want to come down as a family. Yes, it has been a family friendly event for the most part, since its origin. If you want to look into group rates call Sea Side Reservations in Phoenix at 602-404-2982 or look check out our website at seasidemexico.com.