Baja

Baja North — Baja surf is everywhere, but most places don't have an anchorage nearby. These spots do. Before you go to Baja by boat, get the cruising guide by Jack Williams. It has good photos as well as information about the area. A typical Baja spot is a point break that wraps into a cove. For anchoring in this situation, You need to have your boat facing into the swell. But the wind will be blowing from the northwest and your boat will be facing northwest, but the wrapping swell will come from the west. You will roll in these anchorages unless you use a bridle to keep the bow into the swell or use a bow and stern anchor. The bridle is best. Run a line from the cockpit or stern to the center of the boat. Anchor the boat normally, then attach the chain on the anchor to the end of the bridle. Now you bow will face into the swell. The water is cold until you reach Bahia Santa Maria. Remember that the nautical charts are not perfectly accurate.

Todos Santos is the home of the famous big wave. There are three little coves on the leeward side of the big island. You have to anchor here and dinghy over to the lineup, which is on the northwest part of the small island. This place is not for the timid. I gets twenty feet here. It is serious and can hurt you. We anchored at 31 deg. 47.87 min N, 116 deg. 47.45 min. W. Colnett is pretty protected but don't go in too far because the breakers can fool you. We dropped the hook at 30 deg. 57.36 min N, 116 deg. 16.42 min W. This is a beach break with more than one peak.

San Quintin also shoals rapidly so anchor offshore to give yourself room. The town of San Quintin is a few miles away, but offers supplies and services. Not a very attractive town.

Baja Central — Bahia San Carlos is a famous windsurfing spot and it blows. Of course it's offshore or sideshore but it is strong. When we were there, the waves were 8 feet with 20 or more waves in each set. We didn't even paddle out. Neither did anyone else. There is a small airstrip here for surfers with planes. Punta Pequena is a favorite of many Baja lovers so can get crowded. It's a right point as are most the other points in Baja. Anchor close to 26 deg. 14.16 min. N, 112 deg. 26.46 min W.

Baja South — Bahia Santa Maria is where the water and air start to warm up. It's a big open bay with room for hundreds of boats. You might want to anchor as close to the surf as is safe and comfortable. Coming down the coast, give the point a wide berth before heading into the anchorage. 24 deg. 45.96 min N, 112 deg 14.81 min. W