Tag: Baja California

Up the Sea 3.4. Santa Rosalía to Puerto Peñasco.

Up the Sea 3.4. Santa Rosalía to Puerto Peñasco.

When we left Santa Rosalía in the afternoon for Ísla Salsipuedes, we calculated to have favorable winds after the sunset for this overnight passage. First it was flat calm, no wind, no waves, so we were motoring along, used the last bit of cell service, 

In The Sea 3.3. Around Santa Rosalía.

In The Sea 3.3. Around Santa Rosalía.

We left Santa Rosalia with the forecast of winds in the afternoon. That suited us well, we would get through the narrow Craig Channel without too much turbulence and in the afternoon sail down the Bahía Santa Inez.  And sail we did. It was a 

Down the Sea 3.2. Bahía de los Ángeles to Santa Rosalía.

Down the Sea 3.2. Bahía de los Ángeles to Santa Rosalía.

We love Bahía de los Ángeles. It’s so remote in its outpostness, but there is plenty going on. Daily motorcyclists arrive in town. A small group of dirt bikers on a trip across the Baja’s mountain ranges climb off their dusty bikes walking like cowboy’s 

Down the Sea 3.1. Puerto Peñasco to Bahía de los Ángeles., sailin g

Down the Sea 3.1. Puerto Peñasco to Bahía de los Ángeles., sailin g

The boat splashed, we turned the engine on and motored away. Not too far, just from Cabrales Boatyard across the harbor to Fonatur Marina. I looked back to see that everyone had come out: the New Zealand/Canadian couple getting their colossal catamaran painted for their 

Up the Sea 2.6. Santa Rosalía to Puerto Peñasco

Up the Sea 2.6. Santa Rosalía to Puerto Peñasco

It was nice to be in Santa Rosalía again. Visiting places several times gives a sense of familiarity to our unpredictable life. Santa Rosalía is a thriving mining town and on Father’s Day Sunday the men of the city were dined at restaurants all over 

Up the Sea 2.5. Puerto Escondido to Santa Rosalia

Up the Sea 2.5. Puerto Escondido to Santa Rosalia

Puerto Escondido’s natural harbor was beautiful as ever. Sunrises are especially serene there; the morning sky rises framed by two windows formed by hills enclosing the bay. The marina changed owners; a private company bought the land and harbor from Fonatur, a state-run network of marinas. 

Up the Sea 2.4. La Paz to Puerto Escondido

Up the Sea 2.4. La Paz to Puerto Escondido

We had a nice long stay in La Paz this time, we even afforded ourselves the luxury of staying in a marina for a month. From our slip we had a view of Bahia La Paz, the malecon and the town. At night the town 

Out of the Sea 2.3. La Paz to Yelapa and Bahía Banderas

Out of the Sea 2.3. La Paz to Yelapa and Bahía Banderas

La Paz lies behind an inlet and a large sandbank. Boats anchored in the bay are protected from swell unless it travels exactly the direction of the channel. The channel also funnels the tides and current, which makes the boats swing at anchor and not, 

Sailing Tips 2.3. Sea of Cortez traveling South from La Paz to Bahía Banderas Pacific Mexico JAN/FEB 2017

Sailing Tips 2.3. Sea of Cortez traveling South from La Paz to Bahía Banderas Pacific Mexico JAN/FEB 2017

Playa La Bonanza/ Ísla Espirito Santo Very large scenic bay with long white sand beach and turquoise water. Snorkeling reefs on both ends of the bay. Good protection of N winds and swell at N side of bay. We came in against 16 knots of 

Sailing Tips. The Sea of Cortez. A Summary. JULY 2017

Sailing Tips. The Sea of Cortez. A Summary. JULY 2017

We entered the Sea of Cortez at Cabo San Lucas in April 2016 after sailing down the Pacific side of Baja California. Leaving the big ocean behind, it got instantly warm. We spent the next two summers in the Sea and were loving it! Called ‘aquarium 

Sailing  Tips 2.2. Sea of Cortez traveling South from Santa Rosalia to La Paz  DEC 2016/JAN 2017

Sailing Tips 2.2. Sea of Cortez traveling South from Santa Rosalia to La Paz DEC 2016/JAN 2017

Santa Rosalia Fuel dock. There is space to anchor in the port at the far side. We heard that there is a lot of debris on the harbor bottom and anchor retrieval might be difficult. There is also a protected bay outside the port. We 

Down the Sea 2.2. Santa Rosalía to La Paz

Down the Sea 2.2. Santa Rosalía to La Paz

We left Santa Rosalia early after a short night sleep, because I was editing, formatting and uploading pictures and finally posting the last posts around midnight. Radu was preparing the boat, checking systems. On any passage we have a berth prepared for sleeping including a 

Sailing  Tips 2.1. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling South + East  from Puerto Refugio to Bahía Kino + Ísla San Esteban NOV/DEC 2016

Sailing Tips 2.1. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling South + East from Puerto Refugio to Bahía Kino + Ísla San Esteban NOV/DEC 2016

We left Puerto Penasco for Puerto Refugio, a passage of 106 nmiles, an overnighter, big sea with about 6-8 foot waves in 10-15 kn of NW winds for the first 8 hours. Puerto Refugio  We were here before in south west wind and had anchored 

Down the Sea 2.1. Puerto Peñasco to Bahía Kino and Santa Rosalía

Down the Sea 2.1. Puerto Peñasco to Bahía Kino and Santa Rosalía

11/18-12/12/2016 We left Puerto Peñasco around noon for our about 20 hour crossing of the upper Sea of Cortez to Puerto Refugio, an anchorage at the northern shore of Ísla Ángel de la Guardia. We had spent several nice days in July there and had 

Sailing Tips 1.6. for Puerto Peñasco/Sonora/Mexico

Sailing Tips 1.6. for Puerto Peñasco/Sonora/Mexico

We arrived in Puerto Peñasco after a night passage from Puerto Refugio on the North of Angel de la Guarda early in the morning at low tide. We tried to reach the harbor master and Fonatur Marina per VHF, but nobody answered our call, which 

Up the Sea 1.4. Bahía de los Ángeles to Puerto Refugio.

Up the Sea 1.4. Bahía de los Ángeles to Puerto Refugio.

We skipped Puerto Don Juan, which fooled us not to be a seductive anchorage, instead it looked barren and hot. This bay has only a narrow entrance from the sea and is the best hurricane shelter in the area, so we wanted to check it 

Sailing Tips 1.5. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling North from Bahía de los Ángeles to Puerto Peñasco JULY 2016

Sailing Tips 1.5. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling North from Bahía de los Ángeles to Puerto Peñasco JULY 2016

Bahía de los Ángeles Two good anchorages in sand behind Punta Arena point with light and beach and in front of the 3 village piers on sand at 15-30′. The one in front of the town is open roadstead, but has surprisingly little swell. Check 

Sailing Tips 1.4. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling North from Santa Rosalia to Bahía de los Ángeles JUNE 2016

Sailing Tips 1.4. Upper Sea of Cortez traveling North from Santa Rosalia to Bahía de los Ángeles JUNE 2016

Santa Rosalia Fuel dock. There is space to anchor in the port at the far side, but we heard that there is a lot of debris on the harbor bottom and anchor retrieval might be difficult. The is also a protected bay outside the port. 

Up the Sea 1.3. Santa Rosalía to Bahía de los Ángeles

Up the Sea 1.3. Santa Rosalía to Bahía de los Ángeles

Santa Rosalía is a lovely town. It was build around a large copper mine and about two thirds of the population of this small town of 12.000 is employed by the mine. There is virtually no unemployment and the town conveys a strong sense of community. The 

Up the Sea 1.2. Puerto Escondido to Santa Rosalía

Up the Sea 1.2. Puerto Escondido to Santa Rosalía

We arrived at Puerto Escondido after a wonderful short sail and ride from Bahía Aqua Verde. The port is very hidden, as it’s name described and opened to a large landlocked bay. It is arguably the best protected hurricane hole on all of Baja and 

Sailing Tips 1.3. Sea of Cortez traveling North from Puerto Escondido to Bahia Conception MAY/JUNE 2016

Sailing Tips 1.3. Sea of Cortez traveling North from Puerto Escondido to Bahia Conception MAY/JUNE 2016

Puerto Escondido Mooring balls inside the inner bay, anchoring outside the bay, might want to ask the Fonatur office for all anchoring spots. Fuel dock. Portable water from the mountains at the fuel dock end tie of the marina next to dinghy dock. Marina Puerto 

Sailing Tips 1.2. Sea of Cortez traveling North from La Paz to Loreto APRIL/MAY 2016

Sailing Tips 1.2. Sea of Cortez traveling North from La Paz to Loreto APRIL/MAY 2016

Isla del Espirito Santo and Isla la Partida No cell service and no wifi in the whole park. If you don’t have a park permit, you can buy it from park rangers in speed boats or on land in La Paz at an office next 

Up the Sea 1.1. La Paz to Bahía Aqua Verde

Up the Sea 1.1. La Paz to Bahía Aqua Verde

First bay out from La Paz. Left at midday after running the watermaker one more time for two more hours per Bill’s request. Checked out of the port at the marina office with those nice ladies, Cyntia and Martha, got diesel at Costa Baja, looked 

Peaceful La Paz.

Peaceful La Paz.

They say sailing and cruising will slow you down. So far we have been racing down Baja to La Paz to get North of the 25° latitude, because our insurance wants us there. We want to be there too because officially hurricane season has started 

In the Land of the Avocado and the Tomato.

In the Land of the Avocado and the Tomato.

Before we left San Diego for Mexico, we provisioned. Bought a lot of food, as if we wouldn’t touch land for another six months. We didn’t know what to expect and wanted to be prepared. We had been eating great fruit and vegetables imported from 

Sailing Tips 1.1. Sea of Cortez traveling North from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz MAY 2016

Sailing Tips 1.1. Sea of Cortez traveling North from Cabo San Lucas to La Paz MAY 2016

Cabo San Lucas Skip Cabo unless you have tons of $$$, love lots of big hotels, party every day or are under 25. We heard that diesel is super expensive there and that they charge a fee just to tie up to the fuel dock. 

Sailing Tips 1.0. Pacific side of Baja California/Mexico traveling South from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas   APRIL 2016

Sailing Tips 1.0. Pacific side of Baja California/Mexico traveling South from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas APRIL 2016

Ensenada Cruiseport Marina helped with the entry docs and most we already prepared in the marina office. Make sure your papers all are made out to the exact same name, a couple of Americans had to have their coast guard docks changed to match their