Pacific Mexico Anchorages

Bahia Algodones is a great bay to hang out for a few days with great bars/restaurants, lots of local history, and a beautiful sandy beach too.

The bay of the dunes is an excellent southern anchorage on the north side of Punta Willard on the south west edge of Isla Tiburon. Protection from southerly weather is excellent, and snorkeling is good along the various reefs and rocks in and around the bay. Watch out for jejenes though.

One of my favorite anchorages on the Sonoran coast, Bahia San Pedro is only 8 or so miles from San Carlos, but it feels a world away.

Chacala is a large bay with good northerly protection, although it is unprotected from the south, and well tends to wrap around from the north, so a stern anchor is almost always a must.

In the right conditions Isla Isabel is a delightful side trip on the way between San Blas and Mazatlan, or during a crossing between Baja and the Mexican main land. Pick your timing carefully as there is minimal protection from the northwest and it is unprotected from the south.

Kino is a large open roadstead, with minimal protection from the north, but it does have stores, a bank, and everything you need to provision.

Lalo Cove is a sweet little bay tucked in under the peaks of tetakawi. The bay is only big enough for one or two boats, and offers good protection from prevailing northerly winds, but is wide open from anything from the west.

Matanchen bay is a large bay just south of San Blas, it offers decent protection from the north, loads of restaurants, and handy provisioning options. For provisioning you can pick up baked goods in Matanchen itself, or take a collectivo into San Blas.

Monument bay is a large bay providing northerly protection on the south east end of Isla Tiburon. There is a wide pebble beach, and good views south over to Isla Turner.

Punta de Mita is a large open roadstead with some protection from the north, although the swell invariably wraps around, or in southerly weather comes right in. Theft can be an issue here.

Miramar is a small village on the south side of Matanchen bay, it has cell service, some protection from the south, and south east, some restaurants and a small store.

Shangri La is a cute little cove just outside the main bay of San Carlos, it's great alternative to the bay proper in the right weather. Compared to San Carlos, it's a lot quieter and more intimate a setting, tucked into the surrounding cliffs.