Playa Caleta is located outside Bahia Acapulco on the south side of Peninsula Las Playas. The anchorage is usually full of local boats on moorings but you may get lucky and find a spot to tuck in where the water is not too deep. This small cove is sheltered from north and south but is open to the swell that wraps around Punta Lorenz from the northwest or around Isla la Roqueta from the southeast.

Approaches

Playa Caleta can be approached from east or west keeping mid-channel and avoiding the numerous pleasure boats crossing to Isla Roqueta.

Anchorage

Tuck in to the bay and 10-20m on sand. Land the dinghy ashore at one of the beaches on the north side of the bay.

Facilities

For provisioning a bank and a well stocked supermarket are located over the hill opposite La Marina de Acapulco. To enjoy great cocktails, wonderful sunsets and a little faded Hollywood glamour stroll or take a taxi to the Flamingo Hotel, a favorite hideaway of Cary Grant, John Wayne and Johnny Weissmuller.

This rocky cove on the northwest side of Isla la Roqueta is surprisingly remote given it’s location just 3NM from Acapulco. The steep wooded slopes of the island protect the bay from south and east but it is open to weather and swell from the north and west. Punta Coyuca at the west end of the island breaks up most of the swell from the south.

Approaches

Stay mid-channel when approaching Isla Roqueta from east or west. The channel is often busy with fishing boats and pleasure craft.

Anchorage

Anchor anywhere in the bay depending upon the swell in about 5m on a sandy bottom. Dinghy ashore to the tiny beach on the east side of the cove.

Facilities

None. Explore the walking trails on the island for terrific views of the coastline and the city.

The shallow water and wooded hills of Isla la Roqueta provide a welcome respite from the noise and bustle of Acapulco. Located on the west side of the entrance to Bahia Acapulco the island is a nature reserve and has almost on development. The cove on the northeast side of the island is sheltered from the wind but open to swell wrapping around into the channel from east and west. The anchorage is occasionally disturbed by the wake of passing boats, particularly at weekends when city folks come to enjoy the island.

Approaches

Give the rock shoreline of Isla Roqueta a wide berth, particularly Isla la Yerbabuena which lies 0.4NM east of the island.

Anchorage

A few moorings for tour boats lie close to the beach but there is plenty of space to anchor in 7.3m on sand with good holding.

Facilities

The island boasts a few restaurants, a zoo and great city views. . Good snorkeling can be had on the reefs at the east side of the cove and numerous hiking trails criss-cross the island.

Located on the south side of Punta Papanoa in the cove to the east of Playa Escondido this anchorage is rolly in almost all sea states except from the north and east. The beach is beautifully empty and stretches for miles.

Approaches

The entrance into the anchorage is straight forward.

Anchorage

Anchor at the west end of the beach in 3.5m on sand. Take care landing a dinghy in the surf, better still take a kayak or SUP to get ashore as you are likely to get wet anyway.

Facilities

None.

On the chart Acapulco could be just another idyllic crescent shaped bay indented into the long straight coastline on the Pacific side of Central Mexico. However this deep water bay, protected at the western end by Peninsula Las Playas, attracted the Spanish galleons and soon became the eastern hub of trade route to Manila, Philippines. In the mid twentieth century it was discovered by Hollywood and mass tourism, gangsters and drugs eagerly followed.

Tucked in behind Las Playas at the west side the bay great protection can be found from almost all wind and swell although occasionally a nasty surge enters the bay. Two marinas offer security for your boat, moorings are available or anchorage can be taken at the east and west sides of the bay.

Many cruisers avoid Acapulco has a bad reputation for drug wars, murder on the streets and theft in the anchorage. However exploring the history and faded glory of this tantalizing city makes a great break in the long haul up or down the coast.

Approaches

Passage can be taken between Isla Roqueta and the Las Playas peninsula but the channel can be very busy with sports and leisure boats. Entrance into Acapulco Bay is straight forward but again be aware of boat traffic.

Anchorage

The west side of the bay is full of moorings pushing the anchorage into the deeper water areas. Anchor in 13.5m on sand. On entering the bay local boats will approach you offering the use of moorings, they also provide a water taxi ashore, help with water, fuel and garbage and are great guides to the city. Vicente and Roberto have helped many cruisers enjoy Acapulco with the knowledge that their yacht is being watched over whilst they are ashore.

Facilities

Acapulco has everything to offer: historic forts, legendary bars, swanky hotels, mega stores and huge margaritas. The west side of the bay is the “traditional” old town and exploring the colonial buildings and small shops around the Candalaria area is fascinating. The Nuesta Senora de la Soledad with it’s slightly peculiar arches and towers was originally constructed as a movie set but later converted to a cathedral.

The anchorage it is close to the marinas and a very well stocked supermarket can be found opposite La Marina de Acapulco. For other shopping ask the advice of Vicente and Roberto who will drive and guide you around the city.

It is short walk from the anchorage to Quebrada to watch the clavidistas (high divers). Go along at sunset and for 40 pesos you can watch six or seven dives. The divers swim across a gully then climb up the cliff face to take their places; the youngest divers near the base of the cliff and they progress upwards as they gain experience. The divers wait intently for the right wave, cross themselves then launch into the narrow inlet surging with swell. It is an amazing sight.

Bahia Zihuatanejo is the one of the most popular anchorages on the Mexican Pacific coast. The fabulous weather and beautiful beaches attract tourists from Europe and America as well as local visitors while cruisers are attracted by the variety of anchoring options as well as the picture postcard scenery.

The  anchorage off Playa Madera in the north of the bay is protected during the winter months although swell from the northwest still manages to find its way into the bay. At the southern end of the bay Playa la Ropa is the preferred anchorage in the summer time.

The northern anchorage can accommodate about twenty yachts comfortably at anchor and is a popular stop for cruisers who are heading further south or as the departure point for sailors bound for Galapagos or the Marquesas.

Approaches

If approaching from the south look out for the charted Roca Negra which lies 1.5NM southwest of Punta Garrobo.

Anchorage

The bay is busy with tour boats, pangas and other cruisers and it can sometimes be difficult to find a sheltered spot on the west side behind Cerro Almacen. Anchor in 5m on shelly mud and use a stern anchor or flopper stopper if the swell is bothersome. Taking the dinghy ashore is likely to be a surf landing in all but calm conditions. Local boats pull up on the beach just east of the municipal pier but the beach just east of the pangas has been designated for cruisers use. Local lads will meet your dinghy and offer assistance with almost anything you can think of.

Facilities

Zihuatanejo is a town of two parts: the shops and restaurants in the manicured streets near Playa Madera and the pier cater to cruise ship visitors, but it is just a short walk to the central market area where the locals shop. It is an easy taxi ride to the Mega Soriana supermarket for serious provisioning.

Visiting the central market is an adventure in itself, a real rabbit warren of colourful stalls selling fruit and vegetables, baskets and hardware, as well as fishmongers and butchers with strings of chorizo and strips of dried beef dangling above the slabs of red meat.

Cruisers tend to hang out at Sunset bar just beside the beach. The local cruiser's net on VHF 22A begins at 08:30. For potable water and fuel delivery, propane, laundry and many other things call Hilda and Ismael on VHF65.