“Go sailing now my friend,
it is later than you think”
Mazatlan to La Paz is 224 miles. A couple days passage.
On the Way. . .
Topolobamp is a cruise-ship port with a daily car ferry across the Gulf of California to La Paz. It is on the northern side of the entrance to the Bahia de Chuira.
The marina here is reported to be well protected and the town very friendly. Cruisers recommend this as a good place to leave the boat and take the train from Los Mochis, about ten miles away, to the Copper Canyon area (a major scenic mountain region).
The marina is located on the north side of the dock/shipping complex, not where the ferry comes in. They monitor VHF channel 68, though they are reported to be not very responsive. The marina here is operated by Marina Palmira who also have a marina in La Paz.
The main shipping channel is well buoyed and the lights work at the time of writing. The entire 12 mile channel to the marina has lighted buoys. This is a side channel to the NE and then SE, however there is a relatively long gap in the buoys from nos. 20-21 to the start of the buoys to the new marina. Deep draft boats need to stay to starboard going in and not cut the last green buoy to avoid the shoal area to the north in the main channel.
Copper Canyon (Barranca del Cobre) is a region in Northwest Mexico providing some of the most spectacular scenery in all of Mexico. The Copper Canyon area is a series of 20 canyons, formed over the years by six rivers. The Copper Canyon area is sometimes compared to Arizona's Grand Canyon, although the Copper Canyon region is at least seven times the size, and has different topography than the Grand Canyon. Mexico established the Parque Nacional Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon National Park) to showcase this remote area. The canyon is the traditional home of the indigenous Raramuri (Tarahumara) people and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The majestic Copper Canyon nature park in the state of Chihuahua, spans more than 600 km (372 mi) in length and 250 km (155 mi) in width. The Copper Canyon system can be explored by the Chihuahua al Pacífico railroad, known by the nickname "Chepe." It is both an important transportation system for locals and a draw for tourists. The Copper Canyon railway is a stunning piece of engineering achievement. Opened after decades of construction in 1961. Described as the most dramatic train ride in the Western Hemisphere, this 400 mile train ride traverses 37 bridges and 86 tunnels.
Marina Palmira Topolobampo
Tel:(668) 862 1544 ,VHF Channel 72
contacto_topolobampo@marinapalmira.com
Opened Spring 2010. 150 berths up to 150ft, depth 15ft. Hotel, Restaurant-Bar, Mini-market and Hardware store, Gas and Diesel at Fuel Station, 24-hour Security via CCTV and patrol guards.
La Paz
Is a mix of laid-back, old-world beauty and chi-chi upscale trend. It’s surprisingly international – you’re as likely to hear French, Portuguese or Italian here as English or Spanish. Its quirky history includes American occupation and even being temporarily declared its own republic. Hernán Cortés established Baja’s first European outpost near La Paz, but permanent settlement waited until 1811. Its rich pearl industry disappeared during the revolution of 1910–20.
Gateway into the charms of the Sea of Cortez. Steven has spent may winters on Baja and the Gulf of California by land and sea.
Tamarindo Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
