Category: Destinations

Season Finale at Puerto Penasco

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Puerto Penasco is our final destination of our 2017 season. We spend a few days exploring town, enjoy some awesome chicken and get the boat ready for haul out.

It’s gotten too hot for our taste and we feel tired and lazy in the constant high 90’s during the day and 80’s at night.

Hands On while securing the slings.

Our 40 foot boat looks tiny while on the lift that’s designed to haul out large shrimping boat.

The boat on blocks. Yard workers remove bottom paint to the fiberglass, she will receive brand new moisture barrier layers and environment friendly anti fouling coats.

Old paint is removed with special planers, today’s safest method (for workers and the environment) to remove toxic bottom paint. Although moisture levels were already low, she will have more than 2 months to further dry out.

La Paz – A Cruisers Hangout

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La Paz is a great town for cruisers. It provides several marinas along with spacious anchoring options. The bay of La Paz is very shallow and many areas are unsuitable for most sailboats. Careful charting and planning needs to be done to navigate safely.

Once in town, a beautiful malecon with restaurants welcomes locals and visitors alike.

 

It’s romantic and warm atmosphere make us very comfortable, and we’re sure that we’ll spend some time here.

 

 

A Few Days at Tenacatita

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On our return trip from Manzanillo we stopped by Tenacatita for a few days, a beautiful bay just a few miles across from La Manzanilla. In this bay we were often greeted by jumping stingrays and dolphins looking for dinner. The nearby rocky coastline offers terrific snorkeling and diving opportunities.

 

Dolphins in the anchorage
Angel watching the dolphins

Barra de Navidad to Manzanillo

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We just didn’t want to leave Barra de Navidad. The first class marina which is part of a 5 star resort and therefore affording us nice pools, great eats and a clean, quiet atmosphere made us feel at home.

Marina at Isla de la Navidad Resort

And fresh baguettes and croissants delivered by the french baker did not make moving on easier. But we wanted to see more and so we have to get up and leave toward or next destination – Manzanillo.

French baker delivering fresh bread to boats in the marina

 

Puerto Vallarta to Barra de Navidad

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Puerto Vallarta was a nice, comfortable stay. But the dominant presence of american retirees made us feel like being in the US rather than Mexico. So we were in need of some authentic Mexican culture and food. And so it was good bye to PV.

Leaving Puerto Vallarta

Just as we left the port, a huge whale was swimming literally under and across our boat, come up for air and dive under. It was a bit nerve racking, but an amazing experience. The photos don’t to the experience any justice.

Whale crossing under the boat
Coming up for air
And right back down

We stayed one night at Ipala, a small fishing town just beyond Corrientes. Just us and other sailboat as we headed out in the morning.

Leaving Ipala in the morning

It was a nice day sail along the coast, nicknamed “Mexican Cote d’Azur” as the countless mansions along the coastline proof.

Mansions along the coastline
Blue castle
Arriving at Baja Chamela

Towards Puerto Vallarta Via Isla Isabella

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We had to leave Mazatlan to meet Angel’s sister, Anna and Vanessa, Angel’s sister in Puerto Vallarta. We split two overnight sails with a short stay at Isla Isabella and get a few hours of rest.

It’s a wonderful island home to many wildlife with a crater at its center. We had loved to land on it and do some hiking and sightseeing, but due to high winds it was just not safe.

Ocean Crossing To Mazatlan

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Spending two days in Cabo San Lucas was enough. Jet skis, cruise ships, para sailors and beach partying was enough and we couldn’t wait to leave Cabo and cross the Sea of Cortes towards Mazatlan.

Wind was on and off and we motored a good portion of the stretch. The sunset was breathtaking and we can across several sea turtles, each in it’s own and alone in the midst of the ocean.

We approached Mazatlan the next day in the evening. It was already dark but fortunately the harbor entrance was clearly marked and we dropped anchor without much hassle.

 

Heading For Cabo San Lucas

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After two days in high winds at Bahia Santa Maria, we were overdue for a departure. Another overnighter to Cabo San Lucas should bring our long sought tropical weather.

At about 5am, I spotted a light that got bigger and bigger far out in the horizon. An hour later a mini-town appeared about a mile to our port side. We caught up with the Carnival Cruise ship the next day in Cabo San Lucas.

Cruise ship heading to Cabo San Lucas at 5 am.
El Arco de Cabo San Lucas from the pacific side
Finally, Internet access as we approach Cabo.

Turtle Bay To Bahia Santa Maria

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After spending two days in Turtle Bay, and celebrating New Years Eve, we are eager to head south with hope for warmer weather.

Spending New Years Eve in Turtle Bay

I mean, Turtle Bay is a gorgeous, big bay with calm water, there is just not too much to do. In January it’s just not warm enough to swim and hang around.

Turtle Bay is just beautiful
Whales heading south toward warmer climate

Ensenada To Turtle Bay

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With the paperwork behind us, we leave Ensenada knowing that we were faced with our first overnight sail. The temperatures were supposed to be in the high 40’s low 50’s, and that’s not too bad considering it’s December.

Angel navigating out of Ensenada harbor

Well underway, we caught our first fish. A Bonito is not considered the best quality, but makes for yummy fish tacos nonetheless.

Bonitos are easy catch
Delicious fish tacos
Life is wonderful