Service· Puerto Vallarta· Mexico
Banderas Bay Security Notes
20° 39.0′ N · 105° 22.9′ W · approximate
The bay is a very popular, generally relaxed cruising base, but dinghy and petty theft from anchored boats is a recurring report, and February 2026 showed cartel unrest can briefly shut down the region.
Practical
Coordinate is the Banderas Bay point (approx). Thefts from anchored boats reported at Punta de Mita (night boarding April 2024; dinghy taken 2012) and La Cruz (dinghy and outboard 2013; 2024 reports): lock dinghy and outboard with chain, hoist at night, lock hatches. On February 22, 2026, after the killing of the CJNG leader 'El Mencho', vehicles and buses were burned around Puerto Vallarta, roads and schools closed, ports closed for a day and at least one carjacking was reported; calm returned within about a day and no marina damage was reported. Follow local news (Banderas News) and the VHF 22A morning net.
Best for
Keeping the dinghy and crew safe
Nearby
- Banderas Bay SportfishingRight here
- Humpback Whale Season (Banderas Bay)Right here
- Hurricane Season and Lidia Damage Notes (Banderas Bay)Right here
- Afternoon Sea Breeze (Banderas Bay)3 NM away
- Paradise Village / Nuevo Vallarta Outside Anchorage4.8 NM away
- Paradise Village Marina (Nuevo Vallarta)5.2 NM away
- Vallarta Cup, WesMex and MEXORC (Banderas Bay Racing Season)5.5 NM away
- Banderas Bay Regatta5.6 NM away