The breakwater on the east side of the Mazatlan Harbour entrance forms a sheltered bay between Isla Chivos and Isla de la Piedra, the peninsula on the mainland side. The anchorage is protected from the north and west but is open to the southeast and to the southern swell.

The bay is popular with day trippers coming from Mazatlan either by boat or ferry and can be noisy. Tucked away from the boat traffic of the inner harbour the bay is convenient for access to the old city however numerous dinghy thefts have been reported from this anchorage.

Approaches

No info.

Anchorage

Anchor in 4.5m on muddy sand. The beach on the north side of Isla Chivos is sheltered from most swell and is a good spot to land the dinghy ashore. 

Facilities

Benjis pizza joint on Isla Chivos is a must or there are several restaurants and bars on Isla de la Piedra on the north side of the bay. As well as excellent pizza, Benji also provides ice, garbage and water. A water taxi leaves from the west side of the breakwater near Stone Island to the Club Nautico Dock in the inner harbour from where it is a short walk into the city.

The city of La Paz lies on the southern shore of Bahia de La Paz and is protected from the swell by a broad sandspit. La Paz is a wonderful town to visit with ancient buildings oozing history, fantastic restaurants and a great market in the cobbled streets of the old town. The anchorage and several marinas lie on the malecon in the heart of town.

La Paz is a port of entry. It is great for provisioning, getting boat work done, picking up guests or crew and for meeting other cruisers. Club Cruceros is a social club set up for cruisers by cruisers. They have a radio net each morning and the club house at Marina La Paz is a very useful port of call when first arriving in La Paz.

Approaches

The channel behind the sand spit which drains a large lagoon has strong tidal flows and it is recommended to go in on a rising flood tide. It is well buoyed and regularly dredged but when the wind blows over 25kt waves break across the entrance making passage in to the anchorage dangerous. Then the harbour closes for departing traffic but vessels are still permitted to enter.

Anchorage

Anchor on either side of the main channel through the harbour, keeping a sharp lookout to avoid unmarked shoals in the waterway. The anchorage can be quite crowded with dozens of yachts swinging around as the tide ebbs and flows - known by the locals as the La Paz waltz.

Anchor in the town anchorage outside of the channel in 3-5m on a sandy bottom. The holding is moderate but boats often drag in the strong currents draining the lagoon. The sand spit, El Mogote, provides protection from the swell but the anchorage is exposed to the northerly wind.

The anchor across the channel on the El Mogote side of the bay at 3m in sand. This anchorage is better protected from northerly winds. Dinghy to shore to one of the dinghy docks in town or to the beach east of Marina Cortez. Dinghy to the beach at the east end of El Mogote for a meal at Paraiso del Mar or for a great walk  along the sand spit.

A nominal charge is made for anchoring and can be paid at the API office on the Malecon beside the commercial pier.

Facilities

La Paz has everything a cruiser needs: bulk stores, superstores and OXXO convenience stores, shops of all shapes and sizes, markets, medical services, banking services . . . and much more. The morning broadcast of the Club Cruceros radio net (VHF 22a) tells what’s happening in town, weather and tide information, as well as the low down on yoga classes and where to get your dinghy fixed and anything else you need to know.

Whale sharks are common in Bahia de La Paz during the dry season (October to April) and tours can be booked in La Paz.

La Paz is a port of entry and obtaining a Temporary Import Permit is reported to be straightforward. The Customs and immigration offices located in the Federal Building behind the municipal quay and the Port captain’s office is in Calle Francesco Madero north of the quay. When departing and heading to another Mexican port just call the Port Captain on VHF 16, it is not necessary to visit his office again. Although this sounds easier it can cause a problem in Bahia de Navidad where the port captain requires the paperwork.

The beautiful old town of Loreto was founded by the Jesuits in 1697 and was the first settlement on the Baja Peninsula. In 1767 the Jesuits were expelled by the Franciscans who were in turn forced out by the Dominicans in 1769. It was the capital of Spanish colonial rule on the west coast of the Americas until a mission was established in Monterrey, California in 1777. Loreto lies at the southern end of the Camino Real the ancient route linking the Spanish missions and ending in Sonoma, CA.

Unfortunately Loreto is very much a roadstead anchorage, protected from the west and wonderful in calm conditions. It is open to wind and swell from the north and south but it is only 9NM across to Isla Carmen if conditions deteriorate.

The Darsena (fishing harbour) is shoal with a maximum depth of 2.5m in the entrance channel and in the centre. It is a magnet for sports fishermen and is usually full of local boats.

Approaches

Stay at least 0.5NM off the shore to avoid garbage from the river mouth.

Anchorage

Anchor outside the breakwater of the Darsena in 5m mud with good holding. Dinghy ashore to the U-shaped dinghy dock opposite the harbour entrance or to the beach if conditions allow.

Facilities

Loreto is a great location to stop for provisioning and refueling before the cruising in the upper reaches of the Sea of Cortez. There are several supermarkets and a farmers market, hardware stores and marine supply shops, banks, laundries and a service station as well as numerous restaurants and hotels. There is a hospital on the outskirts of the town. Cruisers have recommended shopping in the mornings as the wind tends to pick up in the afternoon.

The city has been passed by by mainstream tourism and has managed to retain it’s Mexican soul and old world charm. Loreto and it’s environs are awash with churches, missions and other historic buildings, many of which house museums. Hike into the nearby Sierra de la Giganta to find cave paintings and fabulous views. Loreto has a well connected international airport and is a good place for meeting crew or friends.

Diesel and gasoline are available at the fuel dock in the Darsena.

The town of Santa Rosalia was founded by a French company in order to mine copper from the surrounding hills. The mine closed in 1954 but the facilities were never dismantled and plans to resurrect the mine are being considered. Despite it’s industrial heart Santa Rosalia boasts a French influence in it’s architecture, particularly the gothic-inspired Iglesia de Santa Barbara built of galvanized steel and designed by Gustave Eiffel.

Santa Rosalia is a roadstead anchorage but it is possible to anchor inside the harbour wall for protection from the swell. However the harbour is open to the south and during the summer months some swell can get in. Call the Port Captain to request permission to enter the harbour.

Approaches

No info

Anchorage

Anchor inside the harbour wall in 6m on a muddy bottom. Land the dinghy at the small beach northwest of the marina or go tie up at the floating dock at the marina.

Facilities

Santa Rosalia is a big town with plenty of options for provisioning and refueling. There are several grocery stores, banks, a hospital and numerous restaurants and hotels in the town. The Iglesia de Santa Barbara and the Mining Museum are interesting to visit and the El Boleo bakery cannot be missed.