The Stars are Aligned
With a newly installed windlass motor and all our projects complete, we identified a favorable weather window to make the crossing to Baja. This time, however, Ed and Finese were not only planning to accompany us to Caleta Catalina with their boat but also to buddy boat with us for the entire journey across. Words can’t describe our excitement! On January 3rd, we pulled away from the marina, hearts racing with anticipation.
We decided to stage in Caleta Catalina because our plan was to start the crossing at 11 p.m. after dark, a time when fishing boats around the marina often set out their nets. We’ve even had experiences where these fishermen would tie their fishing net lines to our boat during the night, a situation we definitely wanted to avoid.
Underway: Crossing the Sea of Cortez
We departed Catalina an hour before midnight, motor-sailing for nearly an hour before finally cutting the engine. With the wind on our beam and a mild swell just aft of the beam, we sailed through the night. The brisk cool air and smell of the sea together with our excitement filled the air. The boat rolled rhythmically, flexing and creaking in sync with the waves, occasionally accompanied by the startling slap of water against the hull. The rolling had a hypnotic effect, gently lulling me toward slumber, only for the abrupt thud of a wave to jar me awake repeatedly. Eventually, exhaustion won out, and I managed to sleep for a solid three hours before the soft light of dawn coaxed me awake.
As we neared our destination, the wind began to die down, and our speed dropped to a consistent 2.5 knots. Reluctantly, we turned the motor back on for the last hour. Just before sunset on January 4th, we reached Santo Domingo at the mouth of Bahia Concepcion and set our anchor. We spent the final hour of daylight basking in the glow of our accomplishment, celebrating the fact that we had finally made it across the Sea of Cortez.
Santo Domingo
Waking up anchored in a breathtaking bay was a surreal experience. Exhausted from our overnight passage, we slept for an incredible 11 hours before finally rising at dawn. Sipping coffee in the cockpit, we watched the sunrise paint the sky with hues of pink and gold. After checking the weather forecast, we decided to lower our dinghy and head to shore.
The aqua-blue water escorted us to a quiet, pristine beach where our friends from Good Day awaited us. The soft sand was scattered with seashells, and rocky outcroppings created tide pools that served as havens for small sea creatures. A trail along the beach invited us for a leisurely hike, offering stunning views of the shoreline.
Unfortunately, with a strong north wind predicted, we decided it was best to pull up anchor and head deeper into Bahia Concepcion to seek protection in Santispac. Although Tyler and I would have happily stayed longer to explore this beautiful spot, we had been warned about the severity of the northern winds at this time of year and felt it wise to heed that advice. The wind conditions were ideal for a sail using only the genoa, which propelled us smoothly to our next anchorage.
The journey was a blend of excitement, challenges, and breathtaking beauty—a perfect start to our Baja adventure.
