aja is in the midst of a boardsailing
boom, and for good reason, for there is everything anyone could want, ranging
from mill ponds to rolling ocean swells, from gentle zephyrs to boom-bending
blasts, and vast areas that never see more than a board or two at a time. The
orientation of both coasts is roughly northwest/southeast, and since prevailing
winds are northwest along the Pacific coast and north in the Cortez, fine,
reliable side-shore conditions are frequently encountered.
long the Pacific coast, El Portal is
an old favorite with boardsailors. Bahías San Quintín, Magdalena, and it
southerly extension Bahía Almejas provide long rides in good winds, with no
ocean swells. Bahía Santa María near San Quintín sometimes has
a refracted swell and there are ocean swells at the point, but the winds are good
and there are fine sand beaches. Bahía Santa Rosalillita, also a favorite
with surfers, often has strong, reliable winds, giving it a reputation as
something of a "jock" area. One boardsailor recently spent six weeks there, and
was skunked only two days. Waves range from the calm of the bay to perfect sets
of big waves off the point, providing a fine place for intermediate sailors
making the transition to waves. Bahía Tortugas is not often visited by
boardsailors, but it is free of ocean swell and frequently has heavy winds, and
you can't get carried too far if you have trouble with waterstarts and tacking.
Punta Abreojos is very windy, and the heavy June thermals that are the bane of
local fishermen are a joy to boardsailors. El Conejo, too, is a favorite with
heavy-weather sailors. There are, of course, many "secret" locations, small bays
and coves offering fine sailing, but by and large most other Pacific coast
locations are for experts only, due to large swells, tidal currents, and fog.
Sailboarding off East Cape Photo by Lou Perez
t Cabo San Lucas, Playa el
Médano and the small coves to the east attract novice and intermediate
boardsailors. Cabo San Lucas is generally out of the area affected by the heavy
north winds that funnel down the Cortez in winter, but southern fronts provide
fine onshore and cross-onshore conditions in summer. With a large body of warm
water and a major land area to the east, a ocean to the south, and mountains and
an ocean to the west, East Cape gets brisk, dependable winds between mid-November
and mid-March, making it the most popular boardsailing location in Baja, Cabo
Pulmo and Bahía las Palmas in the East Cape area being favorite places.
There are also fine beaches and good boardsailing around Cabo Frailes, Punta
Arena Sur, and Punta Colorada, but the Canal de Cerralvo offshore of the last
beach is largely for experts, with heavy currents that change direction and
velocity with the tides. During the warm months, a strong afternoon breeze of
almost clock-like regularity blows at La Paz, providing fine conditions.
oreto has good winds and general
side-shore conditions, February being the big wind month. Placid Bahía
Concepción is the ideal spot for beginners, for the wind often funnels down
the bay, resulting in side-shore conditions in many locations. The shape and
orientation of the sand spit and island at El Requesón allow novices to
find good side-shore conditions no matter which way the wind is blowing.
Santispac is fun and compact, but the surrounding hills keep the winds down. At
the north end of the bay, Punta Arena often has the heaviest winds, since the
surrounding land is low. Low Punta Chivato, north of Mulegé, sticks out
well into the Cortez, freeing it from the influence of the higher topography to
the west, and providing the best in speed sailing conditions during the prime
months of December, January, and February.
aja is in the midst of a boardsailing
boom, and for good reason, for there is everything anyone could want, ranging
from mill ponds to rolling ocean swells, from gentle zephyrs to boom-bending
blasts, and vast areas that never see more than a board or two at a time. The
orientation of both coasts is roughly northwest/southeast, and since prevailing
winds are northwest along the Pacific coast and north in the Cortez, fine,
reliable side-shore conditions are frequently encountered. 
long the Pacific coast, El Portal is
an old favorite with boardsailors. Bahías San Quintín, Magdalena, and it
southerly extension Bahía Almejas provide long rides in good winds, with no
ocean swells. Bahía Santa María near San Quintín sometimes has
a refracted swell and there are ocean swells at the point, but the winds are good
and there are fine sand beaches. Bahía Santa Rosalillita, also a favorite
with surfers, often has strong, reliable winds, giving it a reputation as
something of a "jock" area. One boardsailor recently spent six weeks there, and
was skunked only two days. Waves range from the calm of the bay to perfect sets
of big waves off the point, providing a fine place for intermediate sailors
making the transition to waves. Bahía Tortugas is not often visited by
boardsailors, but it is free of ocean swell and frequently has heavy winds, and
you can't get carried too far if you have trouble with waterstarts and tacking.
Punta Abreojos is very windy, and the heavy June thermals that are the bane of
local fishermen are a joy to boardsailors. El Conejo, too, is a favorite with
heavy-weather sailors. There are, of course, many "secret" locations, small bays
and coves offering fine sailing, but by and large most other Pacific coast
locations are for experts only, due to large swells, tidal currents, and fog.
oreto has good winds and general
side-shore conditions, February being the big wind month. Placid 
