Mayan Riviera

[Extemporaneous]

I've recently learned that my Niece will be getting Married in Mexico in Feb. of 2011.
I want to Sail down there (from Ontario, Canada) and anchor out in front of the Resort. I don't have the exact location yet but my sister figures it's an hour south of Cancun down the coast. So I figure just north of Tulum. I will be getting the location in the next week or so.
Anyway, when I start to look at this coast line, there does not look like much for protection and there seam to be very few Marina's.
I don't have any charts or cruising guides yet so have no ideas about depths.

Any insights or advice?
That would be besides get out the Lake Ontario before it freezes .

Thanks,
Extemp.

[skipmac]

Anchoring off the Yucatan coast would not be prudent. You are in the trade winds belt and majority of the time will be subject to (occasionally strong) east winds and accompanying waves.

If you don't have to be right at the resort you could try anchoring at Isla Mujeres.

[Ziggy]

There's a marina at Puerto Aventuras: Puerto Aventuras :: Marina :: Riviera Maya. I have no first hand knowledge of it, however.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Anchoring off the Yucatan coast would not be prudent. You are in the trade winds belt and majority of the time will be subject to (occasionally strong) east winds and accompanying waves.

If you don't have to be right at the resort you could try anchoring at Isla Mujeres.

Ya, it's a bit silly guessing where this resort is, but I think it's much further south then Isla Mujeres.
And so far as your first statement, that sounds right to me. It sure is a long coast with very few hideouts.

Originally Posted by Ziggy

There's a marina at Puerto Aventuras: Puerto Aventuras :: Marina :: Riviera Maya. I have no first hand knowledge of it, however.

Thanks Ziggy, I had also come across that Marina but thanks regardless. Boy there sure aren't many.
I guess I can only hope that Puerto Aventuras is where they are getting Married.

If anything else comes to mind, please let me know.

Thanks,
Extemp.

[GordMay]

Cancun has several marinas, from which, weather permitting, you might daysail to the wedding.

Ie ➥ Cancun Marina - La Amada Marina

[skipmac]

Another option, you might consider keeping the boat at the marina in Cancun and rent a car or take taxi or bus down to the resort for the wedding. The coastal roads aren't bad and distances reasonably short.

[Jack and Jill]

Cozumel isn't too far east of where you're talking about.

[teneicm]

The marina at Puerto Aventuras is very nice and modern. Pretty much the first real marina north of Belize. Did not price out transient accomodations, but heard that they were very reasonable. Lots of restaurants in the marina. The marina and several large resorts are all within a gated community that has 24/7 security at the front gate, so very safe as well. Marina also shares space with the Dolphin encounter business, so lots to look at as there are dolphins, manatees and sea lions. I think that the resorts that are within the community are the Catalonia Riviera Maya and the Dreams resort. May also be a couple of others. Can rent cars at any of the resorts and probably the marina as well. This location put you about 15 miles south of Playa del Carmen and about 20 miles north of Tulum. Did not stay there on a boat, but was at one of the resorts in December and spent quite some time wandering around the marina as the kids loved to see the dolphins....

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by teneicm

The marina at Puerto Aventuras is very nice and modern...
... This location put you about 15 miles south of Playa del Carmen and about 20 miles north of Tulum ...

Puerto Aventuras Marina
➥ Puerto Aventuras :: Marina :: Riviera Maya

[Extemporaneous]

Excellent!
Thanks everyone for your help.
It really does surprise me how few Marines there are down that coast. I been there a couple of times (pre-sailing days) and it is sooo beautiful.
Beyond Marinas and Anchoring, any comments/suggestions/cautions regarding the sailing, or anything else for that matter?

Of course I'd be very interested.

Regards,
Extemp.

[Extemporaneous]

Well, pretty lucky so far.
Look like the Wedding is at Barcelo Maya Resort, only one resort south of the Marina (Puerto Aventuras).
Very Cool!

Extemp.

[Fullmoon]

I highly recommend Progreso, Yucatan. Google it. The capital is worth visiting.

[Cptn Happy]

Extemp-A few years ago I helped a buddy take his boat to Belize from Isla. We stopped in two marinas on the way-Puerto Adventures and another, smaller but new marina somewhere along that coast in Mexico. Puerto Adventures was first class and reasonable. Lots of shops, resturants, etc. Very nice. The other was outside a small resort town, the name of which I don't remember. I'm sure there are those on this board who can give u a lot of local knowledge info.

[Extemporaneous]

Originally Posted by Cptn Happy

Extemp-A few years ago I helped a buddy take his boat to Belize from Isla. We stopped in two marinas on the way-Puerto Adventures and another, smaller but new marina somewhere along that coast in Mexico. Puerto Adventures was first class and reasonable. Lots of shops, resturants, etc. Very nice. The other was outside a small resort town, the name of which I don't remember. I'm sure there are those on this board who can give u a lot of local knowledge info.

Okay, Great stuff everyone.
I think Puerto Aventuras is my mark.
Can anyone share how the sailing is in the area?
Is there a lot of corral and/or shallow area's?
Tides? Currents?
Any other cautions?
Recommended Guides or Port Guides?

Any and all insights would be Greatly appreciated.

Extemp.

[Butler]

I too enjoyed Progreso... Nice beach... if you go look for the local kitemaker... we found his dirt floored shop on a sidestreet and it was an amazing place with walls covered in kites he was building for the season. Wonderful... he makes them from split bamboo, string, glue and bits of old comic/coloring books and posters. Rented a palatial beach "shack" up the road from town and spent the days around Thanksgiving flying kites. I hear that by building it's huge pier Progreso had hoped to attract cruiseships but it never happened
Merida is a charming, easy going city with a wonderful food market, jewlery makers and tailors who do very nice work. Wouldn't have minded living there for a bit.
We rented a car and/or took busses and were able to get around easily.