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Places To Sail
We kept a diary of the places sailed and the sail sizes we used.
LOS BARRILES: early March. 5.2/4.7/4.1 in
north to NE winds. Outside swell was up to shoulder high, and there was a lot
of cross chop. The wind is a little stronger and more consistent at North Beach
(about a mile north). Hot showers, groceries and anything else you might want.
Martin Verdugos campground is a good place to stay. Good food and beer at Tio
Pablos.
LA VENTANA: mid March. 4.7/4.1/3.7 in N to NE wind.
The swell here is smaller than at Los Barriles (waist high), but there is a
sandbar 100 meters off shore which makes for great jumping. There is a small
bay about 400 meters to the north of the launch with a nice rideable swell. The
winds seem to blow a sail size smaller here than at Los Barriles (which is
about 30 miles to the South). We really liked this place. No toilets or
showers, and a short drive for water and food. There was actually a stand of
trees here which provided some shade. (Rumour has it that it is much more
developed now, complete with water and toilets).
CABO PULMO: mid March. We only spent 4
days here and sailed 2 (5.2/4.7). The wind one day was south, and the other was
N. There is a shallow (exposed) reef here with an unsailable break, but it has
great snorkeling when there is no wind. This is the only living reef on the
West coast of both American continents! Swell here is bigger than Los Barriles
in a N wind, and more rideable, but there does not seem to be a good wave
sailing break (relative to the west coast). Pit toilets, no showers, or food,
but water within walking distance.
TODO SANTOS: late March. Stayed here one
day in a campground south of town. Supposed to be a legendary surfing spot. No
wind while we were there. Nice facilities - beach palapas, cold showers.
PUNTA CHIVATO: early April. No wind while
we were there, but looks to have great potential. Blows here during the same
season as Los Barriles, but is more exposed. Supposedly the best wave spot on
the Sea of Cortez. Water, cold showers, pit toilets, and a nice
hotel/restaurant (a little pricey, though).
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LORETO: early April. Sailed here one day
while passing through (4.1). The beach is north of town and the wind is fairly
onshore. We've heard its consistent in the winter through March. Big town with
all amenities.
PUNTA ABREOJOS: mid April. 4.7/4.1/3.7 This is on the
West Coast. The point to sail is the one a mile or so east of town. Great wave
sailing breaks here but its a fairly advanced spot with lots of rocks near the
launch. Boyd, Kalama, and Meyers show up here every summer (or at least they
used to). Waves are long but break about a mast length from the reef, so
falling can be hard on you and your equipment. The surfers called the 2 main
breaks "Razors" and Hamburger", which was sufficiently intimidating to keep us
from venturing too close (there were no other windsurfers there). We sailed 5
out of 6 days is very consistent thermals off a SE facing beach just east of
the point. Watch for stingrays and whales. No toilets, water, or showers, but
the town has everything you might need, including a small restaurant (look for
grafitti on the walls by surfing and windsurfing legends). Also, the kids in
town are always asking for windsurfing or surfing stickers or decals.
PUNTA SAN CARLOS: mid April. 5.2 - 3.2. This is a now
legendary (and not-so-secret) wavesailing spot. We got 4 out of 7 days, but
could have sailed at least one more. Waves were up to 5 foot over mast high and
ridiculously long. My best was 7 bottom turns on a single wave, but it is
theoretically rideable for over a mile if the conditions are right. The break
is fairly forgiving in most spots so you can usually hold onto your equipement
if you blow an inside jump or jibe. This makes it a good place to learn to wave
sail if its not too big. The launch is a sand beach at the base of a bluff with
no appreciable shore break. The one drawback is the tough road in and the
total lack of any food or water. Plan on a 5 hour round trip to reprovision.
We happened to be there over Easter weekend and during that time there were as
many as 20 sailors on the water. We have heard that it is much more crowded now
than it was a few years ago and there is considerable controvery and animosity
concerning recent commercialization of the point.
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