Seasonal· Northern Sea of Cortez· Mexico

Large Tides of the Upper Gulf

29° 30.0′ N · 113° 0.0′ W · approximate

Tidal range grows dramatically northward: about 9+ ft at Bahía de los Ángeles, 10-12 ft at Puerto Refugio and up to 5 m (16 ft) at the head of the Gulf — enough to strand dinghies and turn anchorages into shoals overnight.

Practical

Coordinate is approximate (northern Gulf). Mixed semidiurnal tides. Use CICESE/SEMAR predictions; Marina San Carlos publishes live tide data. Anchor with the low-water depth in mind (Bahía de los Ángeles north shore, Cholla Bay, Mulegé estuary), carry the dinghy well above the tide line, and time channel transits (Ballenas, Salsipuedes, Infiernillo) with the stream — spring tides at full and new moon run hardest.

Best for

Tide-aware anchoring and passage timing

Season

Biggest at full and new moon

Nearby