Anchorage· Yelapa· Mexico
Yelapa Mooring Field
20° 29.7′ N · 105° 26.8′ W · approximate
The steep-to cove off the roadless village of Yelapa in the southern corner of the bay, where local operators rent moorings. It is spectacular but deep and rolly, and has a long history of failed moorings, so treat it with caution.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: an open-water point in the cove about 0.3 km north-northwest of the Yelapa pier (OSM), not a surveyed mooring. Noforeignland reviews: most moorings are 500 pesos a night, with stern ties an extra 300 pesos; rolly, especially in calm weather when boats lie beam-on to the swell. Latitude 38 (January 2016): the bottom is very steep and deep (one boat dropped a dragging mooring in about 500 ft); three boats broke moorings free in one night of swell; moorings are unregulated and sometimes inadequate blocks, and more than one person may try to charge you for the same one. Strong offshore winds can blow down from the mountains at night. In 1958 the 82 ft yacht Windward was lost on the beach here after her anchor chain parted in a swell. Use a stout pennant, check the ground tackle if you can, set a drag alarm and keep an anchor ready. Landing on the beach or at the pier.
Best for
An overnight stop to walk to the waterfall, in settled weather only
Season
Nov–May in settled weather; leave if a big swell is forecast
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).