Cholla Bay, Mexico: A Local Owner's Guide to Rocky Point's Quiet Side
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Cholla Bay (Bahía la Choya, often shortened to La Choya) is a beach community on the northwest edge of Puerto Peñasco, about 15 minutes from downtown Rocky Point. It is known for dramatic tides that drain the bay to reveal tide pools, calm water at high tide, big sunsets, and a relaxed, residential feel that has drawn Arizona families for generations. Our house, Cholla Bay Vista, is in the Laguna Shores area of Cholla Bay, and this guide covers what we tell every guest.
Find Cholla Bay and Get There
Cholla Bay sits northwest of town, past the Sandy Beach resort strip, on its own bay off the Sea of Cortez.
- From downtown Rocky Point: about 15 minutes by car
- From Sandy Beach: about 10 minutes
- From the Lukeville border: about 1 hour 15 minutes
See how Cholla Bay fits with Sandy Beach, downtown, and Highway 8 in our Rocky Point map and neighborhood guide.
Road note: parts of the roads in and around Cholla Bay are sandy and unpaved. Drive slowly, watch for speed bumps, people, and dogs, and take extra care after dark.
Compare Cholla Bay with Downtown Rocky Point
| Cholla Bay | Downtown and Sandy Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Quiet, residential, casual | Busy, resort and tourist focused |
| Lodging | Mostly houses | Resort towers, hotels, condos |
| Beach | Bay with huge tides and tide pools | Open beach, better for swimming |
| Nightlife | Local cantinas | Bars, clubs, the Malecón |
| Best for | Families, groups, pets, boaters, slow mornings | Couples, resort lovers, nightlife |
Do These Things in Cholla Bay
Explore Tide Pools at Low Tide
When the tide goes out, Cholla Bay drains across wide flats and leaves pools full of sea snails, hermit crabs, small fish, and sometimes octopus. Go within an hour or two of a low or minus tide, wear water shoes, and look without taking. Check the tide chart for your dates.
Kayak and Paddleboard at High Tide
High tide fills the bay with calm, shallow water that is ideal for kayaks, paddleboards, and floating. Launch a couple of hours before high tide for the longest window.
Watch the Sunset
Cholla Bay faces west across the water, which makes it one of the best sunset spots in Rocky Point. Watch from the beach, from JJ's Cantina, or from the rooftop patio at Cholla Bay Vista.
Fish and Clam Responsibly
Shore fishing and clamming are popular, but Mexico requires a fishing license for recreational fishing. Follow posted rules and bag limits. See our fishing guide.
Eat and Shop in Cholla Bay
- JJ's Cantina: the best-known spot in Cholla Bay, right across the street from Cholla Bay Vista. It started decades ago as a fishing club, became JJ's Cantina in 1984, and its long-standing motto is "No Sniveling." Expect fish tacos, cold drinks, and sunsets on the water. At very low tides, the beach in front of JJ's can stretch half a mile or more; at very high tides the water comes almost to the patio.
- Wrecked at the Reef: a beach bar and restaurant on Sandy Beach, near the road to Cholla Bay, where you can eat with your toes in the sand.
For everything else, including groceries, head into town, about 15 to 20 minutes away.
For everything else, see our Puerto Peñasco restaurant guide.
Follow Cholla Bay Etiquette and Practical Tips
- Drive slowly. Kids, dogs, and dust share the roads.
- Never park or drive on the tidal flats. The incoming tide moves fast, and every year vehicles parked on the beach at low tide end up in the water.
- Pack out your trash from the beach and tide pools.
- Respect quiet hours. Many neighbors are full-time residents.
- Bring cash for small vendors.
- Launch boats with the tide. Launching near low tide in Cholla Bay can mean a long, muddy walk.
Stay in Cholla Bay
Cholla Bay Vista is a 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in the Laguna Shores area of Cholla Bay that sleeps 10. It has a rooftop patio with ocean and desert views, A/C in every room, an RV garage, and pets are welcome. It is about 100 feet from the water, and JJ's Cantina is across the street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Cholla Bay, Mexico?
Cholla Bay sits on the northwest edge of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) in Sonora, Mexico, about 15 minutes from downtown. It faces the Sea of Cortez and is known for tide pools and sunsets.
What is La Choya?
La Choya is the Spanish name for Cholla Bay (Bahía la Choya). It refers to the beach community and the bay on the northwest side of Puerto Peñasco.
What is there to do in Cholla Bay?
Tidepooling at low tide, kayaking and paddleboarding at high tide, fishing, beachcombing, and watching sunsets over the bay. Sandy Beach and downtown Rocky Point are a short drive away.
Is Cholla Bay part of Rocky Point?
Yes. Cholla Bay is a neighborhood of Puerto Peñasco, the town most Arizona visitors call Rocky Point.