Anchorage· Bahía de los Ángeles· Mexico

Bahía de los Ángeles Village Anchorage

28° 57.3′ N · 113° 33.0′ W

A dusty, lovable sportfishing village that has sheltered cruisers through tropical storm season for decades — the only real reprovisioning north of Santa Rosalía, with whale sharks cruising the bay in summer.

Practical

Three areas: off the waterfront north of the launch ramp (quick town access, protection from rare fierce westerlies, 15-20 ft); tucked behind the Punta Arena sand spit (quieter, better in the common SE breeze); or the middle ground (20-35 ft). Sand with bars and holes, good holding. Protected N, E, W; open S/SE. Approach from the east channel either side of Los Gemelitos or just north of Isla Cabeza de Caballo; stay clear of the south side of Isla La Ventana. From the north, sandy shoals and rock bands extend at least 1/4 nm east along the whole spit. The lighthouse is about 200 yd north of the spit's tip, not on it. Do not go near the north shore unless very shallow-draft — 10+ ft tides. Plan dinghy landings around the tide: Guillermo's beach north of the launch ramp or the long beach by Isla Market. Slow down for whale sharks. Club Cruceros: anchor between the sand spit and the piers, but not too close to shore; give the lighthouse point a wide berth, especially at low tide around the full moon. During an elefante (west wind off the Baja mountains) one crew saw 17 rising to about 35 kn here; being close to the western shore keeps the fetch short (Online Cruising Guide blog). Fuel: Pemex road stations at the north entrance of town, jerry-can only (see Bahía de los Ángeles Pemex).

Best for

Summer base, provisions and storm-season community

Season

Jun–Nov summer base; open S/SE

Nearby

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