Tentacatita
Much has been shared about this place. It is one of the “essential” stops along the Pacific coast of Mexico during winter months. It is often one of the highlights for folk. It is large, well-protected from the prevailing northerly swell in winter months, and is most special because of the people you spend time with.
Views of the “kid” beach and entrance to mangroves in Tenacatita
For us, the most special part was the community that formed. Surrounded by kid boats - the name for boats that have kids on board - it was our most social time on the whole trip. From beach potlucks, to community surf sessions, sailing races, and trips up the mangroves there wasn’t ever a day when the kids didn’t hang out in various groups. They would roam on dinks and paddle boards, call each other on the VHF, and meet up on each other’s boats.
The parents also hung out. On board dinner parties, music jam sessions, and just random get togethers made for a busy social calendar. The boats were from all over the West Coast - and generally the itineraries divided into one of two groups. There were boats preparing to make the big Jump - to French Polynesia - and those doing something different. Everyone talked about their plans, dreams, fears, and in general connected in ways often hard to do ashore. It’s not often that you get adults together from many different places and different backgrounds that share a common interest - and have the time to talk about it. Time is truly different here. There are no commutes, competing demands, or other people to hang out with. It creates an environment where people can just talk, at their own pace, and conversations can develop over days.
One of many shoreside gatherings that often went late into the night
And we just found ways to have lots of fun. From surfing on the small break near the kid’s beach, to navigating through the long mangrove channel to the next beach, to snorkeling - after school there were plenty of activities to get out and stretch you legs with. There was even a day of sailboat racing where many of the boats raised anchor and did a course around the outer bay.
Rope swing setup on the bow - most kids took advantage of it. It stayed up for days.
Snorkeling just outside of the protected inner bay often had better visibility and more fish
Sailing on our friend’s boat during the day of racing
Learning how to gather coconuts and harvest their water and meat
It’s a special place, not because of some dramatic scenery, but because of the people you find and the friendships you forge.
A full moon rising over Tenacatita