A Taste of Cruising Mexico
| Vessel Name: | Journey |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Passport 40 |
| Hailing Port: | Ventura, Ca |
| Crew: | Jeff and Dori Beller |
| About: | We're home ported out of Ventura, California. Jeff is a software engineer and Dori is a special ed teacher. We're both on sabbatical from our carreers or early retirement. We're not too sure which and don't really care. Cruising fits us real well right now. |
| Extra: | This is our third extended cruise to Mexico. I guess we like it there! We hope you enjoy reading this journal of our cruise. |
19 March 2020 | Ventura, CA
Another Taste of Mexico
This is a photo from back in 2008, the first time Journey went cruising to Mexico. The boat was full and overflowing with guests come to wish us Bon Voyage before we set off on our travels. It is a memory we still cherish.
12 July 2012 | Ventura, CA
Home Sweet Home
Journey has been home for just over a week, after sailing into Ventura harbor on the Fourth of July.
20 June 2012 | San Diego, CA
Survivors of the Un-Bash
It seems there is no rest for the weary. (OK, after resting four days, I guess being weary isn't an excuse anymore.) Anyway, we've received a few 'gentle' hints from some impatient readers. They've noticed that our position reports show we've reached San Diego, but our blog hasn't been updated to reflect [...]
12 June 2012 | Turtle Bay
A Night at Anabel's
Last night we debated whether or not to leave Turtle Bay early this morning, but one day's rest just didn't put a dent in the sense of exhaustion we were feeling after this last week. So we put off our departure until tomorrow. Our reward for making that decision was spending this evening at Anabel's. There [...]
11 June 2012 | Turtle Bay
The Half Way Point
Arriving at Turtle Bay is a milestone because it means you've reached the half-way point in your trip up or down the Baja. Several of the boats who left Cabo with us had a little celebration by having a scrumptious potluck lunch hosted by Mary and Jack on S.V. Oriana. We also attended to mundane details [...]
04 June 2012 | Bahia San Juanico
The 'Un-bash'
With one-third of the trip north completed, the good news is that we haven't really been 'bashed' much at all. The closest we've came was the passage around Cabo Falso early Saturday AM which Jeff described in his last post. As he mentioned, once that was behind us, it was all motoring in calm seas [...]
Exploring New Territory
One place we've never visited during either of our trips to Mexico is Islas Marietas, three islands that lie about eight miles away from Punta de Mita. So yesterday morning we set off in the company of John and Barb on their Passport 40, Naida to explore that area. The islands are a protected nature reserve and we'd heard a lot of interesting things about the place.
We motor-sailed over, arriving by about 10:30. In most cases this spot is only used as a daytime anchorage. One reason is the bottom is very rocky and makes for poor holding. We had to try twice before we could get the anchor to set, and even then it was a very sketchy situation. Lots of surge around to make things even less tempting for an over-night stay.
The islands were just as beautiful as we'd been told. Rugged cliffs and wind-blown bluffs were scattered with just a few hidden beaches. It reminded Jeff and I a lot of some of the anchorages on Channel Islands--pristine and untouched. There were lots of birds--pelicans, frigates, gulls and boobies. Unfortunately, the beaches were awash with some pretty impressive breakers, and we just weren't comfortable trying to land the dinghy. We did anchor in one of the little coves for some snorkeling. The water wasn't real clear, but there were tons of fish.
For such an out-of-the-way spot, the island was crawling with people. Adventure cruises from places like Puerto Vallarta brought boat- loads of tourists out. Their panga's powered them up onto the beach and they off-loaded big groups of kayakers, snorkelers and divers.
By about 4:00 in the afternoon we were ready to return to Punta de Mita. The wind had built to about 13-14 knots with flat seas, and we had a perfect sail back. It was fun to watch another Passport 40 romping along with us. A perfect ending to the day.
Today we are doing some last minute preparations and we plan to leave out for Chacala tomorrow morning.
Dori
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We've posted our favorite photos from this year's cruising in the Sea of Cortez
46 Photos
Created 8 July 2012
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Four glorious days of surfing "the longest wave" at Matanchen Bay in warm water, tropical surroundings, and no crowds.
11 Photos
Created 13 April 2012
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Dori shot these photos of a morning surf session at Barra de Navidad. She was standing on the breakwater which adjacent to the surf break, giving great access for pictures.
15 Photos
Created 22 February 2012
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This is a morning spent touring the estuary and river above Matanchen up to Tovara springs.
28 Photos
Created 27 January 2012
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Yelapa is a unique little hidden away village on the south side of Banderas Bay. No roads reach it and the only way to get there is by water.
14 Photos
Created 15 March 2011
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