World's Most Idyllic Bomb Site: Hidden Beach Daily Mail Reporter - Mail Online
go to original June 6, 2013

Hidden Beach on Marieta Islands, Riviera Nayarit (ExploraVallarta)

With crystal clear waters and sandy beaches, the origins of this idyllic paradise comes as a surprise - it is in fact the world's most picturesque bomb site.

This secluded strip of sand is believed to have been formed decades ago when it was used as target practice by the Mexican Government prior to the First World War in the early 1900s.

But where you might expect to find ruins and devastation, here there is a sensational, deserted beach on the Marieta Islands in Banderas Bay.

Located in a world of its own just a few miles off the coast of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, the islands were used to conduct military tests because they were uninhabited.
 
And now the Hidden Beach (Playa Escondida), officially called Playa de Amor, or the 'Beach of Love', has shot to fame after gaining a huge following across social media.

To reach the secluded marvel, visitors have to swim through a short tunnel which opens up into the spectacular beach, which is surrounded by rare wildlife.

Ventura Osorio, who provides tours to the Hidden Beach, said the islands were formed thousands of years ago by volcanic rock activity.

Ventura, 34, from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, explained: 'The beach itself was most likely formed prior to the First World War since the Mexican government had been using the islands as target practice. These controlled bombings have been said to have formed numerous caves and other unique rock formations on the Marietas Islands.

'It is believed that the Hidden Beach was created as a result of these factors combined with the erosion of the rocks surrounding it due to the local weather conditions.'

Spectacular wildlife including humpback whales, dolphins and manta rays are just some of the stunning marine life visitors get to enjoy when at the beach.

It has been discovered and became a popular destination to visit after going viral on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Mr Ventura added: 'Without social media, the hidden beach would just be another beach waiting to be discovered by the world. This beach became famous around the world through Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, you name it.

'Puerto Vallarta is a very popular tourist destination in Mexico and now that there is awareness, the amount of visitors the hidden beach receives had grown astronomically.'

The Marietas Islands are a Natural Reserve protected by the Mexican Government and in order to visit the hidden beach, visitors must have a permit.