Lower Sea of Cortez Options for Summering Over

By: CAPT. PAT RAINS

Last issue we transited the tricky Gulf of Tehuantepec to reach safe summer harbors south of the hurricane-genesis zone.

This time, let’s explore some options for where to summering over in the lower Sea of Cortez. As prudent mariners, we incorporate local weather wisdom into our boating itineraries. And, hey, hurricane season is approaching. Check that your boat’s insurance covers it down here throughout hurricane season.

WHEN IS HURRICANE SEASON?

Good question. Before climate change became so obvious, we thought hurricane season always began on June 1 and ended on November 1. But we’re not in Kansas anymore. Warming oceans worldwide have boosted the strengths of many cyclonic storms. Tropical Depressions now sometimes bloom into Hurricanes earlier than June 1, or last beyond November 1.

The chilling effect of repeated La Nina cold-water up-wellings pushing north from near the Equator may have been shielding Mexico’s Pacific coast from early hurricanes, as boaters in previous years saw a couple Tropical Depressions (1006 mb) form off southern Mexico prior to May 15 – but then they peter out.

However, on April 13, Emily Becker of NOAA’s El Nino Tracking Office predict- ed for 2023: “There’s a 62% chance that El Nino (warm up-wellings) will develop during the May – June period, and more than 80% chance of El Nino by fall.”

The prudent mariner will make slip reservations early, because many of the so called “hurricane hole” marinas are already getting booked full. Ask for their discounted multi-month rate.

WHERE TO HIDE OUT?

From south to north, here are some suggestions for where to berth your boat over summer in the lower Sea of Cortez and down to Barra. (We’ll investigate upper Sea of Cortez options next time.)

Barra de Navidad, Jalisco: Historically, boats berthed within the enclosed yacht basin of Marina Puerto de la Navidad (200 slips) have suffered no hurricane damage despite that coast taking direct hits from a couple hurricanes. Why? That basin was excavated into the backside of massive Punta Graham which shields it from storm wind and seas. However flash-flood runoff scoured the adjacent lagoons, so don’t try to hide there.

Puerto Vallarta, Nayarit-Jalisco: Counter-clockwise spinning hurricanes get blocked by the Sierra de Cuale above Banderas Bay’s south coast. Try for a slip in any of the three yacht harbors along Banderas Bay’s north shore. They are at La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (Marina Riviera