A Full Menu of Cruiser Events

If you think living the cruiser lifestyle in Mexico is all about solitude in uninhabited anchorages, think again. While this cruiser-friendly country certainly has a wealth of tranquil bays where one could easily escape from the wider world, most cruisers find that social interaction between like-minded sailors is one of the most rewarding aspects of the cruising life. And the coming months are ‘prime time’ for socializing at a boatload of fun-filled events:

• Banderas Bay Regatta will run March 16-20, hosted by the Vallarta YC at the Paradise Village Resort and Marina in Nuevo Vallarta. This is ‘cruiser racing’ in ideal conditions with big discounts on berthing, so we highly recommend it. About 45 boats are currently signed up.

• Sea of Cortez Sailing Week is slated for April 1-6. It’s super casual, and designed for cruisers who really love to sail. Activities start and end in La Paz, but most of the time is spent at Caleta Partida and Isla San Francisco. About 30 boats participate.

• La Paz Bay Fest will be held April 8-11, hosted by the Club Cruceros de La Paz. It’s heavy on social events with one day of sailing near the end. Hundreds of people attend.

• Loreto Fest will take plae April 30-May 2 this year. This always-popular event is put on by the Hidden Port YC, and is considered to be the big daddy of organized events in the Sea. You’ll see hundreds of folks at this fundraiser.

And after all these events, there’s spring and early summer cruising in the Sea of Cortez. Over the years, we’ve interviewed many circumnavigators who tell us that cruising the Sea is as good as it gets — in its own unique way — compared to any cruising grounds in the world.