We planned on heading as far south as Manzanillo, Mexico for this season before heading up to the “Sea of Cortez”. Cabo Corrientes, “The Cape of Currents” was our first landmark heading south toward Ipala. Cabo Corrientes, Banderas Bay, Mexico
Ipala is a small Mexican fishing village where “Aqua Culture” pens for growing oysters are found. These were the mountains just south of Ipala as we arrived mid morning. Ipala, Mexico
The local pangas go out and fish and are also used to tend the aqua culture pens. We were told there was room in this small cove for 2-3 boats. We were the 4th of an eventual 9!.. Ipala, Mexico
You can see the aqua culture gear off our left side. Scott got to unplug the toilet plumbing while in this lovely cove….Ah the joys of cruising. Ipala, Mexico
Cindy and I went ashore for some exploration to join the impromtu cruisers beach party. Here again, the dinghy wheels came into their own. Without them, we could not get the 250lb boat/motor, up the beach Ipala, Mexico
Here we met the crew of “Shambala” out of Austrailia and old friends Emmy and Eric who we had first met 1500 miles to the north at Santa Rosa Island, California Ipala, Mexico
Infrastructure is being built in this off the beaten path little village. Puerto Vallarta by car is 3 1/2 hours north over some pretty nasty dirt roads. Ipala, Mexico
This was a fairly large facility, but we found no one there. Apparently they had students and were off on a long hike themselves. Ipala, Mexico
Ipala, Mexico
Ipala, Mexico
Ipala, Mexico
Mayito Beach Ipala, Mexico
Ipala is a small Mexican fishing village where “Aqua Culture” pens for growing oysters are found. These were the mountains just south of Ipala as we arrived mid morning. Ipala, Mexico
Cindy and I went ashore for some exploration to join the impromtu cruisers beach party. Here again, the dinghy wheels came into their own. Without them, we could not get the 250lb boat/motor, up the beach Ipala, Mexico
Here we met the crew of “Shambala” out of Austrailia and old friends Emmy and Eric who we had first met 1500 miles to the north at Santa Rosa Island, California Ipala, Mexico
We walked for about an hour to an area we were told there was a turtle reserve. There is also two sort of “condos” for rent by some local folks and a small out of the way beach hotel with very few guests….Tres Excusive! Ipala, Mexico
This hotel had very few guests, and would truely be a “gettaway” Ipala, Mexico
As beautiful as it was, the beach was too rough for swimming…. Ipala, Mexico
The view from up high Ipala, Mexico
These little stores are called “Tiendas”. They are very common throughout Mexico. Think of them as the smallest stores imaginable that cater to mostly basic staples. Ipala, Mexico
This was the first turtle we had seen in the wild. We were motoring all day from Ipala to Chamela. We saw about 6 different turtles this day. Chamela, Mexico (en route)
These guys were really funny. If there heads were underwater, they ignored us no matter how close we got. But the second they “saw” us, they took off like a shot. Chamela, Mexico (en route)
Chamela, Mexico (en route)
There were about 20 boats in this huge bay and about 20 restaurants too. The water was cold and the visibility poor. We kept hearing over and over again that, “It’s not usually like this down here”….. Chamela, Mexico
This was Kiel, Kathryn, Karl and Tara aboard the steel hulled “Shambala” out of Austrailia. A lazy sail under spinnaker en route to Tenacatita Bay Tenacatita, Mexico
We tried to see if we could get into the small cove at Careyes, but the swell running was too big and we pressed on toward “Ten Bay”. En route, we were told to watch for this piece of modern art on the point at Punta Faralon. You can see the waves were running pretty large. Punta Farallon, Mexico
Punta Farallon, Mexico
Here in “Ten Bay”, we were with almost 40 boats. Including lots of old friends. When we had sailed across the “southern crossing” (from Baja to Puerta Vallarta), we had come within hailing distance of “Just Us Two’ out of Portland, OR. They were here too; but it wasn’t “Just Us Two”! Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
A bit reminiscent of the “Disneyland” Jungle Cruise. This approximately 2 mile long saltwater estuary has abundant wildlife along it’s entire route. The entrance is right at the shoreline where the dinghies land. This is the most famous amongst cruisers of the various Mexican Jungle Cruises. We hope to do the one in San Blas when we head toward “The Sea”. It is reputed to be the most inteesting with large crocodiles amongst the mangroves. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
As you can see, this is popular tour amongst the cruising boats here. However, don’t confuse this with the San Diego Freeway!… Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Great Heron on the Jungle Cruise Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
The “road” narrows…… Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
After about 25 minutes….we escaped….”The Jungle Cruise”….:) Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
We had to get outside of this stuff with our dinghy….It was no problem, as long as we were patient!!! Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
The heart of darkness?…..not! But watch out for those trees! Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
At the end of the cruise we watched this guy repairing his gill net. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This local well known swimming beach got Cindys attention. The water was a bit warmer and despite the slightly improved visability, it still wasn’t very good. “It’s not usually like this down here”….. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
These were the rocks just too the west. Not a place to play….. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Cindy got in her swim Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Opposite The Aquarium was another beach. The swell was running high. Cindy thought she’d just have a look Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This anchorage is mentioned in the cruising guides. But as it was, “not usually like this down here”, it was quite bumpy and uncomfortable. Few ventured it. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
You see palapas (the palm frond roofed structures) at any Mexican beach. This was the first time we saw one in the making Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
The main anchorage wasn’t too comfortable either. We actually saw over 6 foot swells rolling through. The local “Blue Bay Hote” was warning all their guests to stay out of the surfline Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This series of photos gives you an idea of what we sometimes have to deal with just to get to the beach. Three dinghies miss timed the waves this day and were completely dumped. It can be dangerous. We just use patience and wait! Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
As you can see…..Timing is/was everything in this adventure Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
We had to get outside of this stuff with our dinghy….It was no problem, as long as we were patient!!! Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Here we were being directed where to go…..in a nice way Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Here we were being directed where to go…..in a nice way Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Cindy and I arriving at the dinghy pot luck Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This was our “parking space” Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
We are swapped stories of our adventures. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
This young guy was onboard “Phoenix”. He had lost his boat the year before in a fire in La Paz. The cruising community came together to buy him a very used version of the same boat that he had, a Pearson Trident 28 (no engine). He rebuilt and resurected her under the new name s/v “Phoenix”….Very appropriate. Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
We really like our Hobie “pedal kayak”. It pedals faster than it paddles. We went for a little boat to boat harbor cruise Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
Time to say goodbye to “Ten Bay” (for the moment) and press on to Barra de Navidad. (Keep Roca Centro to your right when leaving)……There’s an underwater rock that a few boats have hit by cutting the corner Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
The entrance to Ten Bay with The Aquarium on the North side…… Tenacatita Bay, Mexico
