Puerto Ballandra
We spent two nights in Puerto Ballandra, a beautiful, well protected from most wind directions anchorage with a terrific view back to Loreto and its mountain backdrop.
Looking out of P. Ballandra towards Loreto
The first day and night were very pleasant but a westerly kicked up on the second night which made for a very bumpy evening. Up early on the planned day of departure we were once again assured of northerly winds to push us south. This was good as the overnight westerly had the stern of Marathon way too close to the beach, at least from my perspective. We hauled up the anchor and motored out under mostly cloudy skies, planning to pass between the south end of Isla Carmen and the north end of Isla Danzante. The water was glassy smooth so we motored.
The northerly winds showed up mid-afternoon so we woke up Wanda the Wonder Vane, providing an opportunity for Vic to develop some experience sailing with a windvane. The wind continued for several hours but eventually died so Wanda was put back to sleep and the engine was fired up again.
Vic getting to know Wanda
Sunrise north of Isla Espirito Santo
We motored until about 6AM the following morning, just before the sun appeared on the horizon. A pleasant northerly came up and using the headsail only, we were able to reach Caleta Partida on a single tack from not too far south of Isla San Jose.
We travelled a total of 111 nautical miles in 25.5 hours and used the engine for 17 of those hours. Not the best sailing trip but a great boating trip!
Where we started and where we went.