Leg 8: La Paz to Barra de Navidad — Arrival

The crossing from La Paz to the Mexican mainland is a commitment. You leave the protected waters of the Sea of Cortez, cross a 200-mile fetch of open water, and arrive on the Pacific coast of Mexico proper. There's no going back without doing it again.

We left La Paz on January 27th with a light northerly and a clear forecast. The crossing took two days — the Sea of Cortez was kind, 3–4 ft swell, wind 10–15 knots — and we made Mazatlán in the early morning of January 28th, anchoring in the old harbor as the city came to life.

From Mazatlán it was a series of day sails and short overnighters down the Riviera Nayarit. San Blas — a river town, mangrove channels, crocodiles, and the best shrimp of the trip. Puerto Vallarta and the wide arc of Banderas Bay. Then south past Punta Mita and down to Barra de Navidad.

We entered the lagoon at Barra de Navidad on March 1st, 2026. 2,964 nautical miles from our mooring in the Salish Sea. 197 days elapsed. 25 days of actual sailing. One broken injection pump, two suspect impellers, and zero masts over the side.

We're staying a while.

Total voyage: 2,964 nm · Elapsed: 197 days · Days underway: 25

End: Barra de Navidad Lagoon · 19.20°N, 104.68°W