Zihuatanejo Sailfest 25 — Fun With Philanthropy
The Pacific Coast town of Zihuatanejo, Mexico, offered a jam-packed schedule of sailing events, musical entertainment, cultural celebrations and educational programs during an almost two-week run, February 15–28. The event, begun 25 years ago by Latitude 38 founder Richard Spindler, attracts cruisers from around the world to participate with locals and tourists to benefit local schoolchildren through the event’s nonprofit charity, Por Los Niños.
Many tourists in Zihuatanejo plan their vacations around the Sailfest dates in order to participate in the various waterborne events: the Sail Parade to Ixtapa, Rally Round the Rock Regatta, and sunset music cruises. Ashore, there are school visits, walk-run fitness events, a chili cook-off, a live auction, beachside pig roast, gala dinner and a host of other activities. It’s no wonder that some boats return year after year: It’s a terrific opportunity for cruisers to give back some of that famous Mexican hospitality to the community by offering short sailing adventures to local residents, and to landlubbers escaping the winter cold.
As always, the event kicks off with the annual Sail Parade between Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa. For a modest donation, guests are welcomed aboard a yacht of their choice to enjoy a beautiful cruise between the two neighboring harbors as spectators cheer from the beaches and waterfront condominiums onshore. Many boats opt to extend the cruise with an excursion to beautiful Isla Ixtapa, a private island with swimming and snorkeling opportunities and fabulous waterfront restaurants.
Throughout the week, captains and their crews also welcome guests aboard for sunset cruises — many featuring top local or international musicians. Zihuatanejo has a vibrant music scene, and the choices include classical guitar, Latin rhythm, reggaeton, old-time rock ‘n’ roll, and blues. Cruises sell out quickly, and all proceeds go toward the school-building program, nutrition services and scholarships for deserving students.
Sailfest started out as a local celebration, but word spread quickly, and boats with flags from all over started showing up. One circumnavigator described hearing about Zihuatanejo Sailfest in multiple ports of call around the world, and was repeatedly told not to miss it. We — my husband Peter and I aboard our Tayana 47 Peregrina — showed up for our first Sailfest in 2018 and have been coming back ever since. This year was our ninth! Canadian cruisers Charlene and Kirk Wagner, aboard the Beneteau 393 Freedom Kirkland, met in Zihuatanejo during Sailfest in 2012. They married on the beach there in 2016 and have also been coming back every year since.
