Anchorage· Bahía de los Ángeles· Mexico
Puerto Don Juan Hurricane Hole
28° 56.5′ N · 113° 26.9′ W
The famous northern Gulf hurricane hole: a nearly landlocked basin where the summer fleet gathers when a tropical storm heads up Baja — followed, always, by a survivors' party.
Practical
Room for 25+ boats in a storm. Deep in the middle (45 ft+), extremely shallow on the SE side toward the low saddle, moderate 18-25 ft around the outside; good holding in firm sand/shell. Entry is via the channel on the NE side — the only wave-exposed angle. From the south, round the blunt Don Juan points (Quemado, El Pescador) giving off-lying rocks room. Often hot and still; bees can be a nuisance. Trails over the SE saddle to Quemado and El Pescador. Club Cruceros recommends driving through once in calm weather to learn the layout before you need it. When a storm threatens, Club Cruceros advises arriving early, putting a float on your anchor, and expecting boats to let out 250-300 ft or more of chain. Practical Sailor (2024 summer guide) gives a position of 28.942142, -113.450615, notes the narrow entrance and no town or services, and warns that coyotes patrol the shoreline and bees swarm fresh water, especially early morning.
Best for
Sitting out a chubasco or tropical storm
Season
Jun–Nov storm refuge
Nearby
- Northern Gulf Summer Hurricane StrategyRight here
- Ensenada El Quemado Anchorage1.9 NM away
- El Pescador Anchorage (Bahía de los Ángeles)3.5 NM away
- El Pescador Island Rocks Snorkel3.5 NM away
- Bahía de los Ángeles Whale Sharks4.7 NM away
- Ensenada El Alacrán and Isla El Racito Sea Lions4.7 NM away
- Isla La Ventana–Cerraja Snorkel Loop4.8 NM away
- Isla La Ventana Anchorage4.9 NM away