Reprinted with Permission from the Panama Posse

Eastern Pacific hurricane season approaching

Cruisers have already started to discuss their hurricane strategies and where they want their vessel and crew to be, come hurricane season.  Some vessels are heading up the coast from Panama and parts in between towards Mexico.  Others are heading south along the coast to Pacific Costa Rica and Panama.  While others still are on the Caribbean side of the route making their way to their ‘spot’ in Colombia – north to Rio Dulce and further north – or sail to Grenada / ABCs. We are going to discuss the Pacific in this segment.

Pacific Hurricane Strategies

There are a number of options for cruisers to consider.

Pacific hurricane strategies run the gamut with some general markers for cruisers to ponder.

On the Pacific Coast of Mexico and other central American countries, there are many options for the hurricane season.  For each location, there are different pros and cons to consider.  In general, between June and November, the further south or north you go there is less to no chance of a hurricane.  However, lightening becomes more of a real risk the further south you go.

SOUTHERN  ZONE

ECUADOR

• Puerto Amistad Marina, Puerto Amistad (Bahía de Caráquez)

PANAMA on the Pacific side:

• Vista Mar Marina, San Carlos
• Buenaventura Marina, Balboa
• Boca Chica ( near working dock ), Puerto de Boca Chica
• La Playita Marina, Balboa
• Flamenco Marina, Balboa
  (no hurricanes, yes lightning strikes except for Buenaventura Marina and Red Frog Marina no strikes )

COSTA RICA

• Golfito Marina Village, Golfito
• Banana Bay Marina, Golfito
• Marina Pez Vela, Quepos
• Marina Papagayo
  *customs issues can be ameliorated with a bond
  (no hurricanes, yes lightning strikes except for Marina Papagayo no strikes )

NICARAGUA

• Marina Puesta del Sol
  (no hurricanes, yes lightning strikes)

EL SALVADOR

• Bill & Jean’s Moorings, Bahia del Sol
• Marina Bahia del Sol, Bahia del Sol
  (no hurricanes, yes lightning strikes)

CENTRAL  ZONE

• Tehuntapec, Mexico is where the hurricanes usually originate from, on their path north.

Southern Mexico

• Marina Chiapas, Puerto Chiapas (no hurricanes, no recent strikes)

NORTHERN ZONE

Central to Northern Pacific Mexico & Sea of Cortez

All Mexican marinas on the Pacific Side except for Ensaenda and Puerto Peñasco in the Sea of Cortez are in the bona-fide Hurricane Zone and vessels also occasionally suffer from lightning strikes.

Storm Names 2024

These are the names for 2024 storms from NOAA’s National Hurricane Centre:

• Alberto
• Beryl
• Chris
• Debby
• Ernesto
• Francine
• Gordon
• Helene
• Isaac
• Joyce
• Kirk
• Leslie
• Milton
• Nadine
• Oscar
• Patty
• Rafael
• Sara
• Tony
• Valerie
• William

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About the Panama Posse

The Panama Posse is a seasonal sailing rally without a set schedule that covers 5,500 nautical miles from the US East Coast to California via the Panama Canal. This rally offers a unique blend of adventure, cultural exploration, and the safety and camaraderie of sailing. Participants enjoy pre-negotiated discounts in over 75 marinas across 17 countries and share valuable information on more than 550 anchorages and must-see sights.

With hundreds of yachts from 27 different countries, the Panama Posse is one of the largest sailing rallies in the world, navigating through destinations like The Yucatan Peninsula and Barrier Reefs of Belize, Pacific Mexico, Rio Dulce Guatemala, the San Blas Archipelago in Panama, the Bay of Islands Honduras, the jungle-lined coast of Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Jamaica and many more. It’s an opportunity to create lasting friendships, explore diverse cultures, and experience one of the most memorable adventures at sea.

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Related Links:

• Panama Posse
• National Hurricane Center 2024 Season

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The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the view of Noonsite.com or World Cruising Club.

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