Tenacatita and Barra de Navidad

March 9 – 18, 2023

Tenacatita is a popular stop for cruisers. It is a large, well protected anchorage known for good snorkeling, surfing, an estuary, and a tasty beach-side palapa. There were many boats in the anchorage, several of which we have seen repeatedly along our trip down the Pacific Coast of Mexico. We met up with Adam, Jessica and Foxy from SV Volare and had a great lasagna dinner with them. As March 10th is my birthday, I got to choose the activities for the day. Our friends from Erin Skye and One World joined us on an estuary adventure complete with crocodiles. At the end of the estuary there is a lagoon where we left the dinghies for a short walk to the beach. This beach has a spot known as “the aquarium” with a cool reef and good snorkeling. It also has several palapa restaurants where we spent the rest of the day.

Later that evening we had birthday cocktails and cupcakes on board Tasi with Erin Skye, One World and Volare. All in all a great birthday. The rest of our time in Tenacatita was spent surfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling and socializing.

We left Tenacatita on March 12th for the long 14 mile sail to our next stop, Barra de Navidad, aka Barra. There was light wind to start which soon fizzled out to no wind at all. It was a motor sail most of the way. Barra de Navidad is a small beach town with a good surf break along the jetty and many cool, laid back restaurants and bars. We were lucky enough to get a slip in the marina which is located in a resort hotel. We enjoyed the resort amenities including a great pool and a water taxi between the marina and town. Each morning the “French Baker” would make rounds on his boat with fresh baked pastries for sale. Our friends from Volare spent several months in Barra during COVID and know the town very well. They took us out and showed us around their favorite places including the walking margarita bar.

In the 1990’s a tanker ship got caught in a storm and wrecked on shore just south of Barra. The remains are still there and Volare took us on a great hike from the marina to the top of a hill overlooking the wreck below. It was great to get out for some exercise out of the water.

The rest of our time was spent exploring Barra, paddling with Jason from One World on his double outrigger canoe, and relaxing at the pool. Unfortunately during our stay in Barra, Shelly had to suddenly return to Minnesota for a family medical emergency. While she’s away, I’ll be sailing Tasi solo. Luckily I’m here with good friends and we will be leaving soon to head north towards Puerto Vallarta where I hope to re-unite with Shelly in the near future.