Summer Camp for Adults: Cruising Tenacatita & Barra de Navidad,Mexico

Date: December 22, 2023

Starting Location: Chamela

Ending Location: Barra De Navidad

Conditions: Sunny and some wind

Miles Sailed: 47 NM

Crew Status: Salty

We finally made it to Tenacatita Bay—aka “summer camp for adults.” After hearing

about this cruiser hotspot the whole way down Mexico’s Pacific coast, we were excited

to see what all the hype was about. Spoiler alert: it did not disappoint.

Sailing South from Chamela - and our Hangovers

We left our anchorage the morning after a lively carnival celebration—slightly hungover but eager to sail. A nine-hour, 30-mile trip south sounded like the perfect hangover cure.

With calm seas and a gentle breeze pushing us along at 4 knots, the day unfolded

quietly. Sunshine, smooth sailing, and no drama. Just how we like it.

Heading into Tenacatita

Arrival in Tenacatita Bay

Late that afternoon, we rounded the corner into Tenacatita Bay and were stunned to

see about 20 boats anchored—more than we’d seen in one place since Cabo San

Lucas. It was a little overwhelming, but we motored around and found a good spot to

drop anchor.

Excited and curious, we were ready to experience what so many cruisers had been

raving about.

Cruiser Community Vibes

The next morning kicked off early with the daily “cruiser’s net”—a VHF radio check-in

with local updates, boat arrivals, and community announcements.

As I sipped coffee in the cockpit, I spotted surfers paddling toward a small break

known as the “kid’s wave.” I threw on a swimsuit and headed over to check it out.

Before long, we were “surfing”—and by surfing, I mean wiping out—with a laughing

mix of kids and adults. It really did feel like summer camp for grownups: surfing,

sunshine, and spontaneous beach meetups.

Afterward, we headed to the only restaurant on the beach, where the community of

cruisers welcomed us like old friends. It was immediately clear—this place was special.

Surfing from the boat - yes please!

Groundhog Day, Cruiser Style

The next few days followed a blissful pattern:

• Morning surf sessions

• Lazy beach hours

• Cold beers under the palapa restaurant

• Sunset dinghy rides

We could’ve stayed forever, but we had Christmas plans in Barra de Navidad just down the coast.

Christmas in Barra de Navidad

On Christmas Eve, we pulled anchor and headed south for the short, three-hour trip to Barra. We timed our arrival for high tide—Barra’s lagoon entrance is notoriously

shallow. We motored in cautiously with chartplotter waypoints and local advice.

Everything was going smoothly until we veered slightly to avoid a panga. The boat touched bottom — but Mark quickly gunned the engine, and we popped back into deeper water. Crisis averted!

Lagoon Life and Holiday Celebrations

Barra de Navidad turned out to be a gem. We found a great tienda for groceries and

heard about a weekly market perfect for stocking up on fresh produce. We also signed up for surf lessons and quickly fell in love with the town’s laid-back vibe and easy access from the lagoon.

Christmas Day was anything but traditional—we joined friends for a tequila tasting and a festive Mexican-style dinner. The week flew by with parties with friends, fireworks and fish tacos.

Barra felt almost like a big city compared to the sleepy coastal towns we’d visited

since leaving Cabo.

Back to Tenacatita

With the holiday buzz fading, we knew where we wanted to be—back in Tenacatita

Bay. We weren’t planning to sail any farther south this season, so we’d be bouncing

between these two beautiful anchorages until we began the journey north in late

February.

Final Thoughts

Between the tight-knit cruising community, stunning beaches, and festive atmosphere, Tenacatita and Barra de Navidad gave us exactly what we needed—fun, connection, and the perfect taste of coastal Mexico cruising life.