This rocky bay is located behind Punta Godonia on the northside of the entrance to Bahia Zihuatanejo. Dirt tracks circle the cove but, as yet, only a couple of houses have intruded into the steep wooded hills and tiny beach surrounding Playa Contramar. The bay is open to the south and east but is well sheltered from most winds. Even during the winter months the anchorage can be rolly as the northwest swell wraps around the point.

Approaches

The entrance in to the bay is straight forward. If approaching from the south watch out for Roca Negra which lies 1.5NM southwest of Punta Garrobo and is purportedly marked with a white light.

Anchorage

Anchor on the west side of the bay behind Punta Godonia in 4.2m on sand but give the rocky shoreline a wide berth.

Facilities

None.

Bahia Potosi is the long arc of beach that lies 8NM southeast of Zihuatanejo. The bay is exposed to wind and swell from the north and west but is sheltered from the south by Punta Huamilule and is a good anchorage in the summer months.

Playa Larga, the stunning beach in the east side of the bay is backed by the busy international airport at Zihuatanejo. The protected Laguna de Potosi lies at the southern end of the bay behind the village.

Approaches

Passage can be taken either side of Rocas Potosi, the rocky islets located 2.3NM due west of Punta Huamilule.

Anchorage

Tuck in behind the towering Cerro Huamilule and anchor off the river mouth in 5.4m on sand. Local boats anchor inside the river mouth behind the village but be cautious crossing the bar in when the swell is running.

Facilities

Tourism has invaded Bahia Potosi and the entire length of Playa Larga is lined with hotels and restaurants. In addition the village of Barra Petosi has a small grocery store.

Playa la Ropa is open to the west and is exposed to wind and swell from that sector and the interaction of the two can make the anchorage rolly and uncomfortable. On the plus side the anchorage is less busy than at Playa Madera, the water is cleaner and the beautiful beach of Playa La Ropa is on the doorstep.

Approaches

The approach is straight forward. Look out of Roca Negra1.5NM southwest of Punta Garrobo if arriving from the south.

Anchorage

Anchor anywhere off the beach in 6m on sand with good holding. Landing the dinghy ashore can be hazardous when the swell is running. Alternatively tie up at the commercial pier east of Playa Las Gatas, a dinghy anchor is recommended to keep you off the dock.

Facilities

The development on the east side of Bahia Zihuatanejo is almost all beach front restaurants and hotels with an occasional small grocery store for basics. A 3.2km bus or taxi ride will take you into the centre of town for great provisioning a megastores, supermarkets of the fabulous Mercado Central.

Playa Las Gatas is quieter and has several palapa restaurants to enjoy. “El Rey de Reyes” which lies just off the beach is an incredible snorkeling spot where a 4m high underwater statue of Jesus stands on the coral reef.

Atoyac Break is a swampy, swelly roadstead anchorage located to the east of the major port of Lazaro Cardenas, 40NM from Zihuatanejo. The shoreline has no protection from wind or swell except from the northern sector. The town of Petacalco which lies 5.5km northeast along the beach has been developed to serve the port and has been bypassed by tourism.

Approaches

Beware of shoal areas and rough water off the river mouth.

Anchorage

Give the river mouth a wide berth as you enter the anchorage. Anchor on the east side in 2.7m on muddy sand. Be very cautious landing a dinghy on the beach in the swell.

Facilities

A couple of small supermarkets can be found in Petacalco.

Bahia de Puerto Marques is located 3NM east of the entrance to Bahia Acapulco and is a great shallow water alternative to the big city bay. Be aware that the overhead cable for the worlds longest zipline stretches across the bay, clearance is said to be 100’ (30m). The bay is very well protected from almost everything except persistent swell from the west may penetrate the narrow entrance to the bay.

Approaches

Enter the bay mid-channel steering clear of the isolated rocky islet 0.1NM off the northern point.

Anchorage

Anchor off the big hotel in the northern lobe of the bay in 5.5m on sand with excellent holding. The cove further to the east offers a quieter, more secluded anchorage but is exposed to slightly more swell. Dinghy ashore to the beach in front of the palapa restaurants.

Facilities

Palapa restaurants line the beach beside the hotel or dinghy across to the east side of the bay for and huge selection of seafood restaurants and a couple of grocery stores. Mega stores including Sam's Club and Walmart are a taxi ride away.