Mexican Rivera vs Carribean waters

[choclabby]

We are sailing the 7 day Mexican Rivera next March out of Los Angeles and would like to know if there is a difference in the ocean calmness/or lack of compared to the Gulf and Carribean? Thank you in advance for you input!

[skellis]

It depends on where you go. In general I find the Mexican waters to be rougher (higher and more waves) and colder than the Caribbean, but it depends on where you go. The snorkeling trip out of Cabo actually goes into the Gulf if California which is calmer but even stilll it is cooler. The waves at Lovers Beach (next to Los Arcos can be very dangerous and you should stay on the gulf side if you want to swim or snorkel.)

 

Puerta Vallarta and Mazatlan have nice beaches, are warmer and have less wave action. I recommend the sailing trip in PV as we saw whales and dolphins there many times.

 

In the Caribbean the water is warmer, the waves are less active, and the beaches seem to have softer sand. The snorkeling is better and you see a greater assortment of fish. It does, however, depend on what side of the island you are.

 

I love both and am returning to the Caribbean for the second time this year.

[Pam in CA]

In general, the Mexican Riviera will most likely be rougher and the water colder due to the California current that starts in the Gulf of Alaska and runs along the coast of California. It's a swift, cold current which means that the first day to day and a half of any cruise out of San Pedro will be choppy or rough. Same when returning.

 

To give you an example, the water temp today off Laguna Beach was 58-60 degrees. While the rest of the country has been sweltering, it's been in the low to mid-70s all summer. It was a little warmer today but it'll cool down tomorrow.