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So we were bound for Zihuatanejo for Christmas 2021….but decided to make the run more slowly than our buddy boats, peeling off to check out some of the lesser known or used anchorages along the way. Rather than doing a straight two day run between Manzanillo and Zihua…we decided to check out three different anchorages along the way, making it to Zihua in four days. We still made it with time to spare before Christmas. Here’s our story:
Not only did we not really want to do a straight two day run to Zihua, but we committed to buddy boating with another boat.
After a bit of a rolly night at anchor at Punta Cabeza Negra, we took off early to make the 35 mile trek to the next small anchorage along the coastline, Bahia de Maruata. We had never been this far down the Mexican coastline, so we really didn’t know what to expect….except for what we read out of the Pat Rains Guide and the Shawn and Heather Book. Also, along this coastline we were on high alert for nets and floating balls, floating plastic water jugs tied to traps and nets ect.
My logs say we had a nice glassy morning under way, with things settling down after 1000 when the sun warmed things up. We did 35 miles in about 6 hours and 20 minutes, getting into Maruata about 130pm. We anchored over sand in 16 feet of water with 100 feet of chain out and held fine. I stayed on the boat to watch thing and clean up as the afternoon wind came up, but we had plenty of swing room in the cove and Tulum stayed put. I also took the time to make water using our Rainman system right off an electrical outlet. Tulum didn’t have or need a generator because of our alternator/solar/wind system, so the water maker worked fine just running off our normal plugs.
The HelmsMistress was able to get off the boat and do some paddleboarding while I cleaned up from the day and prepped for the next day….and we were able to buy fresh lobster from a passing panga. Wow, the HelmsMistress was in heaven.
Here’s more info:
Ease of anchoring: We anchored close to or on MIC011 from page 182 of the Shawn and Heather book, Pacific Mexico with good holding. We found 16 feet of water over sand that held just fine.
Noise at anchor: No, just the swells against the shore and the wind.
Provisioning: Maybe, there’s a small town here here.
Cellular reception at anchor: Nope, but possibly by now?
Wifi in the anchorage: Nope.
Water Clarity: Nope.
Protection: Protection from the north if you can tuck in enough. None from the south or west.
Bugs: None.
Beach: Yes, but the swells are pretty massive to get there.
Would We Go Back: Yes, if we had to.
Overall, this was a pretty good day to move down the coast and we were running well. We were still moving with our buddy boat, so we stayed with them. I think just being with other boats boosts confidence. We would take off the next morning for another short run, then be in Zihua on the fourth day.
Other posts from the Mexican Gold Coast:
Places We’ve Been: Bahia Tenacatita, Jalisco MX
Places We’ve Been: La Manzanilla, Jalisco MX
Places We’ve Been: Cuastecomate & Melaque, Jalisco MX
Places We’ve Been: Barra De Navidad Lagoon, Jalisco MX by
Places We’ve Been: Ensenada Carrizal, Colima MX