Seasonal· Baja California Pacific coast (Ensenada to Cabo Falso)· Mexico

Baja Bash Northbound Weather Windows

24° 39.1′ N · 112° 7.2′ W · approximate

The 'Baja Bash' - Capt. Jim Elfers' name for the 750 nm slog from Cabo north to Ensenada against the cold California Current and prevailing northwesterlies, with scant shelter and no boatyard along the way.

Practical

Pin placed at Man of War Cove, Mag Bay - the first real shelter, about 170 nm north-west of Cabo. Strategy (The Log): wait in Los Cabos, fueled and ready, for a forecast lull in the NW wind long enough to cover the whole 170 nm leg to Mag Bay; then hop shelter to shelter (Mag Bay, Bahía San Juanico, Punta Abreojos, Bahía Asunción, Turtle Bay, Cedros, Fondeadero San Carlos, Isla San Martín, Ensenada), often running in the calmer night and early-morning hours. July usually brings lighter northwesterlies and sometimes light southerlies, but that is hurricane season - watch every tropical system. The Log urges deciding summer plans in April and migrating in May-June, before hurricane danger builds. Fuel: Cabo San Lucas, Turtle Bay pier (cash), Bahía Asunción (Pemex via Campo Sirena), Ensenada; carry reserves - Cabo to Turtle Bay is about 410-420 nm. Clear out of Mexico at Cabo San Lucas or Ensenada (Ensenada offers temporary moorings to clear out). Elfers' book 'The Baja Bash' is still published by Point Loma Publishing.

Best for

Timing the trip home

Season

Best Mar-Jun; avoid hurricane season

Nearby