Historic Feat in Vallarta · Nayarit: Mariel Hawley Swims Across the Banderas Bay

Mariel Hawley, the renowned Mexican swimmer, successfully crossed the Banderas Bay, from Punta de Mita peninsula, in Riviera Nayarit to Cabo Chimo, south of Puerto Vallarta.

After nine hours and 14 minutes of night swimming and 33.9 kilometers, the expert open water swimmer and Triple Crown of Swimming made her way through the Banderas Bay, in an act never attempted.

This extraordinary crossing with a cause is called “Corazón de Mar” (Heart of Sea), which will benefit the Puerto Vallarta’s Corazón de Niña shelter.

Hawley began her swim in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle on Friday, October 23rd, 2020 at 7:00pm and then she swam to Punta de Mita, where the starting signal was given. During the cross, Hawley was accompanied by a tourist boat and had only 30 seconds to hydrate and receive instructions, to continue swimming without stopping until the end point. She arrived in Cabo Chimo on Saturday, October 24th, 2020 at 4:00am.

In addition, Mariel Hawley is the 15th person in the world to complete the Seven Seas challenge, which includes the English Channel (33 km), Catalina Channel (34 km), Strait of Gibraltar (18 km), Molokai Channel (46 km), North Channel (35 km), Tsugaru Strait (30 km) and Cook Strait (28 km).

This historic feat would not have been possible without the support of the Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta, Vallarta Adventures, the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, Tropical Incentives DMC, the Public Trust for the Promotion and Tourist Advertising of Puerto Vallarta and W Punta de Mita.