Anchorage· La Cruz de Huanacaxtle· Mexico
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Anchorage
20° 44.8′ N · 105° 22.2′ W · approximate
The big, sociable cruiser anchorage just east of the La Cruz marina breakwater, home base for much of the Banderas Bay fleet each winter. Sand-mud holding, a short dinghy ride to the marina dock, the Sunday market and the fish market.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: a point about 0.3 nm southeast of the marina entrance (Noonsite gives the entrance as 20 44.92'N, 105 22.50'W and puts the anchoring area east of the marina). Good holding in sand-mud in 20 to 30 ft (Noonsite, December 2019). Keep clear of the marina channel and of the breakwater and shoal area at the centre of the beach. The afternoon thermal sea breeze makes it rolly and boarding difficult; Punta de Mita is calmer in the afternoons. Debris on the bottom includes a large 6 ft four-blade propeller on a 10 ft shaft that has fouled many anchors; buoy your anchor. Dinghy dock: Dock 1 by the marina office; fee 80 pesos a day (2019), 100 pesos a day (April 2024), includes garbage and the small marina pool, showers extra; no fee if just visiting the Port Captain. Yachts at anchor hail the Port Captain on VHF 16 on arrival. SECURITY: thefts from anchored boats reported (2013, 2024); chain the dinghy and outboard. Banderas Bay cruisers' net 8:30am Monday to Saturday on VHF 22A.
Best for
Long-stay cruiser anchorage with full services ashore
Season
Nov–May; rolly in afternoon thermal; hurricane season Jun–Nov
Nearby
- Banderas Bay Cruisers Net (VHF 22)0.3 NM away
- Marina La Cruz Poolside Deli0.3 NM away
- Marina Riviera Nayarit (La Cruz)0.3 NM away
- Propane (LPG) Refill (Banderas Bay)0.3 NM away
- La Cruz Fish Market (Mercado del Mar)0.4 NM away
- La Cruz Fuel Dock0.4 NM away
- La Cruz Sunday Market0.4 NM away
- La Cruz Laundry (Lavandería Yanet)0.5 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).