Ensenada to Cabo

7 December, 2025

I have to keep reminding myself: we have sailed just over 1,400 nautical miles (about 2,650km) so far, and Cabo is half that distance again. After a month in Ensenada we definitely felt as though we were behind schedule, and so we now figured we should skip some stops down the Mexican Pacific coast and try to make it Cabo in around 1 week. It had taken us over 3 months to cover the first 1,400 miles, so we were now definitely picking up the pace!

Chewing over the PredictWind forecasts, we set our sights on Bahia Ascuncion – some 350miles to the south. This was to be our longest journey yet (2.5 days and 2 nights) so we were very happy to do this trip with our new buddies Alan and Alison (both ex-pilots, in a 38′ Seawind catamaran). The forecast was for light winds initially, building to stronger (+20Kt) easterlies once we arrived in Ascuncion.

Weather was calm as predicted on day one, with light and variable winds so we mostly motored and enjoyed the sunshine and the wildlife – seals, whales, and lots of dolphins. Motoring into the night, we started hitting large patches of seaweed – Alan our buddy had to hop in the water at night to free their prop, while we managed to clear ours several times by reversing for a few metres to untangle ourselves. Although the winds were light, the ever present Pacific swells made for a rolly ride, and we were happy when the winds picked up enough to unfurl the Genoa for some lazy broad reaching.

The rest of the trip consisted of a series of small naps throughout the day and night – despite best intentions we did not work a strict shift schedule, but winged it – trying to make sure we each got enough sleep. It worked – kind of – but those early hours of the morning are truly miserable when nothing much is going on. I guess that’s still better than an action packed night with gale force winds!

Bahia Ascuncion looked like a nice little fishing village – we didn’t go ashore as the strong winds made for a tricky beach landing in the dinghy. We waited out the strong winds, refueld (thanks Lerry) and had a few drinks/snacks with our new friends on Fly Aweigh II. The dogs were now into their on-board peeing and pooping routines, so didnt miss the trip to the beach too badly. Our plan to pass the more obvious anchorage of Turtle Bay proved to be wise, as they got hit hard with very strong easterly winds and little protection – just as predicted! We patted ourselves on the back for that one – a rare win in the weather forecasting world.

Setting sail for Magdalena Bay a day later, we motored, motor-sailed and then sailed on a lovely downwind run for most of the night. Winds overnight were strong and we made good time, with average speeds over 7Kts.

After fish tacos and beers at the restaurant onshore (with the cute doggy with a plastic water bottle as his toy) we had an early night and set off the next morning for our last leg to Cabo. We had an uneventful day with some sail changes when the wind changed direction. Andy decided to throw a lure out to see what we could catch! Well ….. a bloody great big yellow fin tuna with a seal chasing it, hoping for a cheap meal. We were sailing and I had no idea on how to slow the boat down, now panic stations! I went below to get the gaff and the gin! (After hearing a story of a sailor who lost his leg after gaffing his leg instead of the fish – it going septic and had his leg amputated) filled me with dread! Anyway after about 45 minutes the line got tangled around the Hamish the hydrovane and we lost the fish and the lure! Andy had to have a lie down and ordered a rod holder off Amazon so he wouldn’t have the rod between his legs next time! It was December the 13th and I think Oupa Fish was having a laugh at our expense!

As usual we had a superb sunset and we settled down for another overnight passage. And happy to see the beautiful sunrise the next day! I’m still not a fan of overnight passages. Sailing or motoring down the coast towards Cabo we saw loads of humpback whales and fishing boats! I wonder if they caught a tuna with a great big rapala in its mouth? We turned the corner into a busy Cabo with lots of weekend boats and anchored outside of the beach hotels that pump out music all hours of the day! That night we had a front row seat for the Christmas boat parade with flashing lights and fireworks.

A trip to Walmart to reprovision and up early to refuel on the 16th to get ourselves into the Sea of Cortez….. well that’s for the next blog!