The Sea of Cortez is a popular first stop for cruisers coming from the West Coast of the US (or you can buy a boat already there), while the Bahamas are popular with East Coast cruisers. Both are great and popular cruising grounds . . . and very different from one another.
I’ve cruised both and compare them in terms of weather, hurricane risk, sailing opportunities, snorkeling, hiking, towns, services and more.
Prefer to read? Take a look at Bahamas – Sea of Cortez Comparison.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Karen Belinda says
Congratulations on the new Podcast!
Jean Erwin says
Hi Carolyn – Big fan. Did you buy your first boat on the West Coast and then head to the Sea of Cortez or did you head out through the Panama Canal.
Thanks Jean
Carolyn Shearlock says
Hi Jean!
Neither one — we bought the boat in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We had been looking for a boat in Florida (with the idea of cruising the Caribbean) and one day on YachtWorld, I accidentally clicked “North America” instead of “US” and what looked like the perfect boat popped up. So we quickly researched cruising Pacific Mexico and decided it sounded great. The rest is history!
Jean Erwin says
Definitely, a you can’t control the wind but can adjust your sail story. Awesome