Good Nautical: Puerto Refugio

in the Northern Sea of Cortez, Mexico

29° 32.3883′ N  113° 33.5799′ W

Many say that in the Sea of Cortez you can be where the desert meets the sea.  This is truly the case in Puerto Refugio.

Puerto Refugio is a small cove within the wide bay at the northern tip of Isla Angel de la Guarda. Isla Granito, the 1km long skinny island lying at the entrance to the bay, blocks some of the northerly swell but the anchorage is still very rolly when a norther is blowing. The western cove is very well protected from all other directions.  In the summer months this bay is a calm place to anchor and spend time exploring.  There is a sea lion rookery and a pelican rookery in different parts of the bay.  Many people will visit this bay as their last stop on the way to Puerto Penasco.

Anchorage

Rocks extend from the western point towards the boney finger of rock that juts out from the south side of the cove. Anchor in the northwest corner of the bay in 4.5m on a sandy bottom. The southern part of the bay is scattered with rocks and islets and a lookout on the bow is recommended if trying to enter this part of the cove. Dinghy ashore to the beach and be careful when landing if waves are breaking.

Photos taken in July and contributed by SV ARROW and crew

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