from Port Ensenada to Panama…
Andreas Kreutzer Segelreisen Leg 1: Port Ensenada → Guatemala
The starting gun fires in lively Port Ensenada in northern Mexico – a classic starting point for major Pacific passages.
After clearing out and final preparations, it's time to cast off and set course south!
We sail along the wild Pacific coast of Baja California, where cool mornings, long swells and often moderate northwesterly winds set our rhythm. As we head further south, it becomes noticeably warmer, the nights milder and the ocean calmer.
This first major leg demands real offshore sailing: long passages, watch systems, navigation along a largely unprotected coast. Depending on our routing, we pass Cabo San Lucas and then set off on the longer passage towards the mainland.
Crew work & tactics:
Weather routing, currents and wind fields play a crucial role. Between thermal winds and large-scale weather systems, forward-thinking sailing is essential. Lotte runs steadily through the Pacific swell, offering safety and comfort even on longer passages.
Our destination: the green, tropical coast of Guatemala.
🌴 Leg 2: Guatemala – jungle meets Pacific
We reach Puerto Quetzal, the gateway to Guatemala. As soon as we berth, you feel the contrast: dense jungle, warm air and a fascinating blend of nature and culture.
Optional excursions inland are available – perhaps to colonial cities, volcanic landscapes or coffee plantations. At the same time, we enjoy the peace on board, prepare the boat for the next leg and absorb the impressions.
🌊 Leg 3: Guatemala → El Salvador → Honduras → Nicaragua
Now begins the most varied part of the trip: several shorter coastal legs through Central America.
El Salvador
A lightly sailed area with unspoilt character. Small fishing villages, powerful Pacific surf and authentic insights into life off the tourist trail.
Honduras (Pacific coast)
A rare port of call for sailors – peaceful, unspoilt and shaped by nature. Here we experience Central America in its most authentic form.
Nicaragua
Wide coastlines, little traffic and spectacular sunsets. Depending on our schedule, we anchor off deserted beaches or use sheltered bays.
Particularly exciting from a sailing perspective:
These legs are characterised by changing conditions: light winds in the morning, thermal breezes in the afternoon and occasionally strong offshore winds (Papagayo effects). Flexibility, timing and good planning are crucial.
Leg 4: Nicaragua → Costa Rica
As we approach Costa Rica, the sailing area becomes greener, livelier and more diverse. Dense rainforests reach down to the sea, and exotic wildlife accompanies us even at anchor.
We call at possible stops such as Papagayo Bay or sheltered anchorages along the coast. Here, relaxed sailing and nature experience combine in a special way.
Highlights:
Snorkelling, jungle backdrop, wildlife watching – and perfect anchorages time and again.
Leg 5: Costa Rica → Panama (Shelter Bay)
The final leg takes us along the Panamanian coast towards Shelter Bay Marina – the gateway to the Panama Canal.
Conditions are usually moderate, with warm temperatures and increasingly tropical climate. Once more we enjoy the expanse of the Pacific before entering the sheltered marina.
There we wind down the trip at leisure – surrounded by jungle, monkeys, parrots and international sailing flair.
A trip for explorers
This route is more than just a passage – it is a voyage along one of the most diverse coastlines in the world:
Challenging offshore sailing
Rarely sailed waters
Authentic Central America
Tropical nature & wildlife
Long distances and intense sailing experiences
Our focus: true blue-water sailing combined with a spirit of discovery and enjoyment.
We sail with Lotte, a Bavaria C51 from 2017. Lotte is a special vessel and is constructed without restrictions for ocean use and certified by the Berufsgenossenschaft. She sovereignly takes even high waves and delights with excellent seakeeping. Comfort and dynamics have been uncompromisingly combined, so that a cosy camaraderie on board and an intensive sailing experience await us.
Welcome on board, Willkommen an Bord, Grüezi mitenand ond willkomme a Bord !
Andreas Kreutzer
Map from OpenStreetMap. When the map is displayed, data is transmitted to the provider.
More InformationMap from OpenStreetMap. When the map is displayed, data is transmitted to the provider.
More InformationBavaria 51 C
51 feet
