“Go sailing now my friend,
it is later than you think”
Salina Cruz to Acapulco is 292 miles. A couple days passage.
On the Way. . .
Huatulco, La Crucecita (Bahias de Huatulco) is a resort town located at the southern end of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, south of Acapulco. It sits at the foot of the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains on a series of nine bays, surrounded by quiet, unspoiled tropical beauty.
It is a very useful location to wait out strong winds or to clear in or out of Mexico.
The marina also cannot assist with clearance out of the country. After obtaining proof that your marina bill is paid, you must go to the Port Captain in Santa Cruz, then to the bank, then to Immigration, then to Customs (with perhaps another bank visit). Customs makes arrangements to inspect your boat. You will need to start all this several days in advance of your anticipated weather window for the Tehuantepec if you are going south.
The Port Captain and Customs are only open 9-5 on weekdays. Immigration office closes at 13:00.
The town, has a supermarket, also hardware stores and some chandlery/fishing supplies.
Marina Chahue
Tel:(958)587 2652
Opening hours: 9-5 on weekdays and 9-2 on weekends
The entrance to the marina is extremely narrow and has several jogs; cruisers advise to stay in the exact centre. Power and water to all pontoons. Cold water outdoor showers. Surge and current in the marina makes safe manuevering very difficult for boats over 30ft long. For fuel, yachts must go to the commercial dock in town.
The current Harbour Master, Ezequiel Gutierrez Arechiga, speaks English.
Marina Resort
Tehuantepec 112
70987 Huatulco, Mexico
01 958 587 0094
There is a marina here which is reported to be expensive. It is about a 30 minute walk from the town centre. East of the cruise ship dock. If going into the town, if will be cheaper to walk a couple of blocks away from the cruise ship berths before picking up a taxi.
No mention of fuel.
Acapulco
Once the playground of the jet set Acapulco has seen hard times in the last 10 to 15 years. Not one of my favorite stops in Mexico, however, the Club de Yates de Acapulco remains one of my favorite yacht clubs (call club on ch.16 upon entering harbor). Very simple with med moorings available to a concrete dock. The office staff will do your clearance paperwork for a very small fee and fuel is available. Acapulco proper is a long cab ride from the yacht club but once in town you will find all of your shopping needs met. Sam’s Club, Walmart, Office Depot, Costco as well as Gigante and Commercial (Mexican grocery chain stores) are all in the downtown area.
The name of this city is probably well known to most people, and is famous for its beaches, night life and other holiday attractions.
Reports from cruisers state that the town is quite dangerous, however the marina is reported to be safe.
Clearance
Yachts can either anchor outside or arrange a berth in the yacht club marina. The yacht club facilities can be used by visitors and the yacht club can arrange clearance facilities for a fee. For those who prefer to do the formalities themselves, these can be very time-consuming as the offices are spread out all over town, and the distances are great.
Docking
The bay, around which the city stretches, is sheltered, but very busy with all types of water craft. There is a small marina tucked into a corner of the northern arm of the bay and another, larger one at Las Playas.
Club de Yates de Acapulco
Gran Via Tropical y Tambuco , Col. Las Playas , Acapulco, Guerrero 39300, Mexico
Tel:+52 744 482 3859 Fax:+52 744 482 2836 ,VHF Channel 16
250 berth marina (15 for visitors) with potable water, electricity, showers and toilets. Laundry, pumpout and fuel dock. Dry storage and 25 ton travelift. Mail/message sevice, restaurant, pool, tennis courts, and security.
La Marina Acapulco
Av. Costera Miguel Aleman #215 , Fracc. Las Playas , Acapulco, Gerrero 39390, Mexico
Tel:+52 74 83 7498 Fax:+52 74 83 7505 ,VHF Channel 16
Opening hours: Office 9-5
This small marina has water, electricity, toilets, showers, pump-out facility. There is 24 hr security, public phones and also a club with a bar, restaurant, swimming pool, tv room.
Tamarindo Surf Forecast and Surf Reports (Guanacaste, Costa Rica)
