Mexico boasts endless stretches of spectacular coastlines. With rugged mountain views, vast beaches, and sparkling clear blue waters are teeming with unique species of aquatic life. Mexico’s west coast, in particular, offers unique opportunities to sail, surf, fish, or dive. Or you can just “cruise,” traveling by boat without a set schedule or itinerary.
It doesn’t matter whether you own a yacht, choose to charter your next holiday, or are looking for sailing lessons. There are several marinas you should be familiar with along Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Northern Mexico’s West Coast
Maybe you own a yacht designed for open ocean sailing, and it’s parked in the west coast of Canada and the US. Then, you’ll need to traverse the Pacific side of the Baja Peninsula. Then you will reach the premier Mexican destinations worthy of topping your bucket list.
With a little planning, the journey can be pleasant, with stunning desert views. However, there are unpredictable wind, cold water currents, and foggy conditions. Therefore, most sailors consider this stretch more inconvenient to push through than a destination.
CruisePort Village in Ensenada provides custom clearance. If you’re arriving on Mexico’s west coast via the sea, this is the ideal place to check-in and complete your paperwork.
Cabo San Lucas
At the tip of Baja California Sur, Cabo San Lucas welcomes lovers of the sea with Mexico’s largest marina, Marina Cabo San Lucas. The marina has a variety of first-class restaurants, shops, and entertainment to choose from. The marina bills itself as a world-class destination for yachts and super yachts, with all the amenities and services a boat owner could desire. Casual visitors can choose from dozens of options for day trips and sunset cruises.
Sea of Cortez
Cruising the Sea of Cortez, with pristine waters in riotous shades of blue and bursting with fish, dolphins, whales, sharks, turtles, and corals fulfills the deepest desires of many a sailor and motor boat cruiser. This is one of the premier spots in the world for snorkeling and diving. Jaques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez “the aquarium of the world,” with good reason.
At the southern edge of the Sea of Cortez, El Cid Marina within the luxurious El Cid Mega Resort of Mazatlan has it all. Besides resort access, the marina has a market, chandlery for boat supplies and accessories, and a fuel dock. The dive shop provides charters and equipment for snorkeling, surfing, and diving. Sandy beaches stretch miles to the north and south, and an inland estuary is a haven for thousands of shore birds.
From La Paz, Nautilus Sailing School offers all-inclusive, live-aboard catamaran and monohull weeklong courses in sailing. While learning about docking, anchoring, and sail theory, enjoy an itinerary that visits several islands on the way north to Puerto Escondido. There are plenty of amazing things to discover, including quiet coves and cactus forests. Courses are certified by the ASA (American Sailing Association) and feature award-winning instructors.
Central West Coast
Marina Vallarta in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, provides an excellent charter destination for international travelers. The marina is minutes from the airport and downtown Puerto Vallarta. Charter companies offer day, sunset, and overnight tours. They have features such as humpback whale watching, islands with underwater caves and tunnels, and beaches hidden within caverns such as Playa del Amor on the Marietas Islands.
Suppose you want to buy a home in Puerto Vallarta and you already own a yacht. Then, the Marina Vallarta zone includes a championship golf course, a large shopping complex, and tennis facilities. Also, there is a nightclub and a bowling alley.
The busiest port in Mexico is the charming, tranquil resort marina of Las Hadas, North of Manzanillo. This marina is tucked along a picturesque peninsula covered in lush tropical gardens beneath the quaint architecture of the Grand Bay Hotel. In January, the nearby town of Barra de la Navidad is a haven for surfers with reliable reef-rocky waves.
Southern West Coast
Although Southern Mexico’s west coast has fewer opportunities for lessons and charters. Still, many boat owners adore the warm waters that allow for swimming through winter, the pleasant, predictable weather, wildlife above and below the surface of the sea, and the friendly, laid-back fishing villages dotting the land’s edge as they meander through the region.
The cobblestoned and colorful city of Zihuatanejo attracts many tourists. Thus, its marina is a fun place to gather with other cruisers, make friends, explore the city, and trade stories on your next anchorage, such as the turtle sanctuary in Maruata or the excellent deep-sea fishing spot near Cabeza Negra.
Finally, if you choose to live further south, you can buy a property in Huatulco. There is the recently renovated Marina Chahue and opened it up to the public. Huatulco has an outstanding dive center, with PADI training for beginners through divemaster internships. This harbor is well-regulated and secure as the gateway for boats traveling to and from countries to the south.