Seasonal· Isla Mujeres· Mexico
Northers (Nortes) on the Yucatán Coast
21° 15.0′ N · 86° 45.0′ W · approximate
From October into spring, cold fronts sweep down the Gulf and bring 'nortes' - a day or more of strong north to northwest winds and steep seas that pour straight into the Isla Mujeres anchorage and shut the ports to small craft.
Practical
Coordinate is a representative point at the Isla Mujeres anchorage. Por Esto: the first strong front of the 2023-24 season (October 15, 2023) brought NW-NE gusts to 55 km/h (about 30 kn) and the Capitanía closed the port to small craft; Frente Frío No. 16 (December 2023) gusted to 52 km/h, closed the port to all but ferries and cargo, tore out 400 m of swimming-buoy line and stripped sand from Playa Norte, and a sailboat was reported missing off the south of the island. Fronts are numbered through the season. Semar port notices often close Isla Mujeres and Puerto Juárez to vessels under 40 ft. Before a front: re-set with lots of scope or move into a marina, and do not plan Cuba or Contoy runs.
Best for
Planning around winter weather
Season
Oct–Apr
Nearby
- Isla Mujeres Harbor Anchorage0.2 NM away
- El Farito Reef and Virgin Statue (Isla Mujeres)0.3 NM away
- Drunken Mermaid (Isla Mujeres)0.4 NM away
- Enrique's Dock Marina (Isla Mujeres)0.4 NM away
- Isla Contoy Visitor Permit0.4 NM away
- Isla Mujeres Golf-Cart Island Tour0.4 NM away
- Javi's Cantina (Isla Mujeres)0.4 NM away
- Jax Bar (Isla Mujeres)0.4 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).