On February 19, 2015, we maneuvered out of that nice slip at Marina Puerto de Navidad and rounded the corner into the very first part of the entrance to the Barra Lagoon, where the fuel dock was located. It is a deceptive turn with a long, shallow sand bar located exactly where no one wants it to be. Cruising boats run aground all the time approaching or leaving the fuel dock, especially when the boats try to get to the fuel dock from the Lagoon side. It's a little bit easier approaching the fuel dock from the marina side; but in all cases boats must approach and then stay close to the shoreline on the marina side to avoid the shoal area.
At least, that's what it was like in 2015. Three years of tropical storms + hurricanes = YMMV. If you visit here, first be sure to get local knowledge that is CURRENT.
Anyway, we fueled up without incident and then headed to the next nearby anchorage, the very popular cruisers' destination of Tenacatita. It was a very uneventful light-air motor of 15 miles in 2 hours 45 minutes. The breeze shifted between WSW and S.
Critter count: About 2 miles from the Tenacatita anchorage, we saw 2 whales. Could have been grays; could have been humpbacks; could have been one of each. It would be helpful if they carried ID that could be seen through binoculars.
Hoping to spend a few days here, we anchored in about 32' depth among 15 other boats, only one with a familiar name…
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