Click images to see more on each area. Mexico Maps shows the geographical layout.
Late November, 2010 - Feeling the north wind bearing down on Cabo San Lucas, we decided to
cross 330 miles of open ocean at the mouth of the Sea of Cortez to get to mainland Mexico's Costa
Algre ("Happy Coast") in the tropics. It was a scary, bumpy ride, but once we put the anchor down in
Chamela we quickly began to relax and unwind. Once very popular and set up for endless beach
parties, the bay was a ghost town due to bad press about Mexico north of the border.
Early December, 2010 - Just 55 miles south of Chamela, we discovered the lovely anchorage in front
of the Las Hadas ("The Fairies) Resort. Living in bathing suits all day, we felt that we had finally
arrived. Whitewashed Moorish style buildings cascade down the hills to the beach, surrounding the
anchorage with a Mediterranean flair. The movie "10" was filmed here, so a hunt for signs of Bo
Derek was on. Meanwhile, schools of rays leaped out of the water around our boat, doing flips and
acrobatics worthy of the Olympics.
Early December, 2010 - We enjoyed the picturesque anchorage off Las Hadas Resort so mcuh that
we stayed 10 days. Between languid afternoons by the pool and strolls amid the fantasy architecture,
we caught up on much needed chores. Laundry, propane and diesel acquisition each presented a
unique challenge that took a full day apiece. We finally left Las Hadas and headed south to our first
stop on the Costa Grande, Isla Ixtapa ("Isla Grande").
Late January, 2011 - After a month in Zihuatanejo, we returned to the Manzanillo area, stopping first
at Santiago Bay. The anchorage is tucked into the far corner of an expansive four mile long beach,
where we found wildlife, a tuba player and a perfect birthday afternoon. Enjoying clear turquoise
water at last, we swam off the back of the boat with my soon-to-be-81-year-old mom, and strolled
ashore in one of the most serene resorts we have found yet.
Early February, 2011 - We had spent a lot of time anchored off the Las Hadas Resort on our way south
and found it worthy of more time now that we were headed north. Walking the hilly point gave us
gorgeous views of the bay, and new land-based friends showed us some good spots to visit by kayak. A
trip in town revealed the grittier side of Manzanillo's downtown, and we marveled at a megayacht that
shoehorned into the tiny marina basin.
Mid-February, 2011 - We left Manzanillo Bay and traveled 25 miles north to the quirky gringo hangout
Barra de Navidad. Here we found a serene anchorage filled to overflowing with fellow cruisers; a
French Baker who delivered yummy baked goods right to our boat each morning; a cute town filled
with funky cheap eats; an imposing and elegant resort aptly called the Grand Bay Resort; and a quiet
lagoon that was bursting with bird songs during every sunset.
Early March, 2011 - Stopping at Cuastecomate, once known as the "Secret Anchorage," we were
boarded by the Mexican Navy for a routine inspection. Moving a few miles further north to the once
paradisiacal Tenacatita Bay, we discovered the richest run of red tide to date and rode the magic
carpet of a huge jellyfish bloom. An exotic "jungle tour" up a mangrove ladened estuary brought us
face to face with special flora and fauna, and a dinghy raft-up among the cruisers showed us how
special Tenacatita could be another year.
Mid-March, 2011 - After a good bit of socializing with fellow cruisers in Tenacatita, a record
earthquake in Japan created a tsunami that sent us and most of the Mexican cruising fleet to safer
water out at sea. Getting two fish strikes back to back as we waited for the waves to pass, at day's
end we were in Chamela Bay once again where we discovered a hidden island paradise among the
bay's islands.
Mid-December, 2011 - We left Paradise Village and sailed overnight to Manzanillo Bay where we
spent a delightful week anchored first in Santiago off of Playa La Boquita and then in the small cove in
front of Las Hadas Resort. It was a trip down memory lane as we had enjoyed this area so much last
year. Upon leaving our alternator died, leading us into a fantastic adventure that introduced us to
Ismael, a modern-day Horatio Alger, and Chebio, an extraordinary mechanic.