Punta Mita Golf Club: Pacifico

The Pacifico Golf Course at Punta Mita is one of four Jack Nicklaus designs in the Puerto Vallarta region and has 19 holes—the renowned Tail of the Whale is an optional par-3 third. It features an actual island green set in the ocean and requires a carry of at least 170 yards. The green is accessible only via an amphibious vehicle, surf permitting. Too choppy, you play the landlocked third. Nicklaus described the location for his Punta Mita Pacifico Course as some of the prettiest he had ever seen for golf when it made its debut in 1999. The back nine at the Pacifico course showcases those aesthetics with the seaside closing stretch, featuring the beachside green on the par-3 17th as well as the oceanside 18th with water and sharp rocks running the entire right side of the hole.