Wind Sport Conditions

The wind is steady, the water warm, and there are no crowds! The typical windsurfing and kitesurfing season streches from mid November through mid April. To see a wind log from a typical season click here.

Wind

• Thermal wind
  From November through April the thermal winds normally supply us with a seasonal average of 5 sailable days per week.
• Side shore wind

• Wind blows late morning till early evening
  Mornings and evenings are usually calm with the wind building around 11:00am and typically blowing 15-25 throughout the afternoon.
• Steady wind = One sail/kite size all day!
  The area is well known for its consistent winds, which normally allow for one sail/kite size all day.
• 4.2 – 6.0/9 – 14 Normal windsurfing sail/kite range
  Sail sizes for an average size male (180 lbs.) are usually in the 4.2 – 6.0 meter range. Kite sail sizes for an average size male are usually in the 9 to 14 meter range. There are typically a few windier days and a few alternate activity days. The average windsurfing board size will range from 8’2” to 8’8”.
• Earlier wind, more wind, longer sailing window
  Due to the northern location of Mokie’s, the wind builds at our site earlier, we are typically on a smaller sail size, and we experience wind longer than the southern private and public launches which account for 90% of launches in La Ventana Bay.
• El Norte Days = Bigger wind, bigger swell
  Northerly fronts called El Nortes blow in cycles of five days on and 3 days off with an average sail size of 4.2 to 4.7 meter. Large swell push up during these times offering great ramps for jibing and jumping. El Nortes are scattered throughout the season and winds can pick up to 30 plus knots.
• Beginner to expert sailing sites available
  There are also a variety of sailing sites well suited to anyone from beginning water-starters to expert sailors. On big days experts can sail the outside channel with its larger swell and great wave spots on the reefs. Beginners can remain on the inside areas of the bay, especially at spots around the southern campground.

Wind forcasts for the La Ventana area are listed on iwindsurf and ikitesurf.

Wind in Baja, like everywhere else, is not predictable. But, if it isn't windy, there are many other alternative sports to keep you busy! Remember, Mokie's, it's not just wind!

WATER

• Winter water temp of 70 to 80 degrees
• “Flater” to rolling 4’ swell to 10’ swell
• Ocean swell vary in size depending on:
  • Weather system north of the bay.
  • Where you are sailing - in the outside channel or on the inside areas of the bay.
  • Northerly fronts (El Nortes, which have been known to bring mast high swell in some sailing locations!).

LAUNCH

• Uncrowded sailing conditions
  Our launch is private and north of most public and private launches providing for uncrowded sailing conditions.
• Always come back to shore
  La Ventana Bay is a huge bay that wraps around down wind of our launch, providing for a comfortable sailing environment with the current bringing you back toward shore.

• Great location for down winders
  Our northern location provides for close to 4 miles of downwind sailing/kiting before landing at the last public launch site.
• Beachfront sail loft
  Our private beachfront sail loft is available for your rigged sails and kites. The sail loft is only 30 feet from the water

• Intermediate launch
  Our private launch is considered intermediate, there are some rocks in the water and booties are recommended. The shore break is very manageable (my wife learned to water start in Baja) with larger shore break on El Norte days.
• Beginners launches also available
  There are also a variety of sailing sites well suited to anyone from beginning water starters to expert sailors. Our private launch is an intermediate launch, but there are other sandy launches such as the southern campground, where beginners may feel more comfortable.
• Bootie buoys available
  We keep several private buoys located just off our beach for your use. Each buoy is has a mesh sack attached to store your booties in while you sail.

GEAR

• Bring your own or rent
  You are welcome to bring your own gear or can rent gear locally. If you bring your own you can store your rigged sails and gear in our beachside sail loft. Packages for windsurfing, kite sailing and all around sports packages (mountain bikes, kayaks, snorkeling) are available at nearby outfitters.
• Nearby gear rental
  The nearest equipment outfitter is located only a short walk (1/2 mile) from our launch. This outfitter is competitive in their pricing and also offers sports packages with include mountain bikes, kayaks, snorkel equipment, and use of a Hobie Cat sailing boat. There are also several other rental outfitters within a 4 Mile radius. Average windsurfing or kite sailing gear prices are $40 day, $25 per hour or $275 per week.
• We can book your gear package with your house rental
  For one stop shopping, we can also book your gear equipment packages when you book at Mokie’s.
• Beachfront sail loft
  Our private beachfront sail loft is available for your rigged sails and gear and is only 30 feet from the water.

LESSONS/INSTRUCTION

Beginner through advanced Windsurfing and Kite boarding lessons are available at several local outfitters. The nearest instructor is located just a short walk (1/2 mile) from our launch.

For more information on kite boarding instruction please visit new wind kite boarding.

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Alternate Activities

Don’t sail? Wind taking a short break? No problem. Remember Mokie’s is not just wind!

Baja is the ultimate outdoor playground and there are many alternative activities including sea kayaking, snorkeling, diving, sport fishing, mountain biking, dirt biking, hiking, beach combing, shopping, site seeing…or just plain relaxing on the beach!

No Gear you say? No Problem. We can book sports packages for you with a local outfitter to supply you with mountain bikes, sea kayaks and snorkeling gear. The nearest local sports package outfitter is just a ½ mile from Mokie’s. Gear packages average $275 per week.

Local outfitters can be hired to accompany you on a sport fishing adventure. Expedition outfitters located in nearby La Paz can take you on an eco-adventure filled with snorkeling, kayaking, diving or whale watching. Snorkel or dive with the sea lion colony off Bay of La Paz, visit the spots known for their hammerhead sharks, moray eels, pacific mantas ray, shipwrecks, turtles and seahorses!

• Sport Fishing
  The southern Sea of Cortez is world renown for it’s sport fishing. In these waters you can catch the “Big 7” which includes blue marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, tuna, dorado, wahoo and roosterfish!

  Cerralvo Island is about 17 miles long and 4 miles wide and is located approximately 9 miles off the beach. The channel between the shore and the island is 1000 – 2000 feet deep, and the waters outside the island are 6000 feet deep. The underwater canyons cause an upwelling of cool nutrient filled waters to support the fish food chain and lure these migrating fish. The fish come very close to shore due to the deep water within a mile or two of the beach. The primary migratory runs are 6 weeks in length and centered on late May and October, although there are some of the Big 7 and many middleweights that can be caught all year long.

  Some of the expected catches include;
  Shallow water – leopard grouper, cabrilla, ladyfish, triggerfish, pargo, roosterfish
  Deep water – skipjack, sierra, dorado, agujon, yellowfin, sailfish, marlin

  • Bring your own boat or take a charter.
    There are several public launches in the area where you can launch your boat. You can also launch a small boat directly off our beach. It is common to see people fishing successfully from their kayaks also.
    
    Several charter operations are also available for hire. This option typically involves launching at 7:00 am and fishing until 3:00 in the afternoon. The package includes the boat, driver, gas and bait. The local drivers will know what fish are running at that time and where to find the fish. Several outfitters include:
    • Kuko – located at Yo-Yo’s Camground in La Ventana. His cost is $100 American dollars for the day.
    • Flypper sportfishing and diving – located on the main road in La Ventana. His cost is $200 American dollars for the day.
  • Some tips on where to find the fish
    Starting from the Lighthouse on the southern tip of La Ventana Bay
    Roosterfish and giant needle fish near the lighthouse.
    • Yellowtail snapper and grouper north of the lighthouse, past the campgrounds.
    • Tuna, roosterfish needlefish, snapper, skipjack and dorado, cabrilla, leopard grouper and cornet fish between the lighthouse and the island.
    • Leopard grouper, ladyfish, triggerfish, barred pargo, and snapper in front of el sargento.
    • Large seabasses (50-100lbs), sierra, skipjack, dorado, marlin, tuna and wahoo off the southern tip of the island.

A good source of information on fishing the Bay of La Ventana and surrounding areas is The Baja Catch by Neil Kelly and Gene Kira.

• Surfing
  Several surfing spots are within an hour or two drive from Mokie’s. Todos Santos on the Pacific side, south to Cabo San Lucas offers numerous breaks. Playa San Pedrito and Playa Los Cerritos are well-known spots. South of Cabo Pulmo there are also surfing spots.
• Sea Kayaking
  Kayak out to the dolphin pods that can often be seen right off our shore, explore the crystal clear bay and it’s miles of beautiful, undeveloped white-sand beaches. You can bring your own, rent from a local outfitter or take an expedition out of La Paz.

  Expeditions in La Paz will paddle you under high volcanic cliffs, along white-sand beaches and past barking sea lion colonies.

• Snorkeling
  The waters here are a crystal clear natural aquarium. Launch off our beach and view the many fish over the reefs and rocks or drive several miles to Bahia Los Suenos (Bay of Dreams) and snorkel the shoreline rock formations where starfish cling to the walls and angel fish abound. Snorkeling expeditions can also be taken out of La Paz where you can visit Espiritu Santo Island and swim with a California Sea Lion Colony.
• Mountain Biking and Dirt Biking
  Baja is a biking paradise, explore and conquer the local trails on your own dirt bike or mountain bike or rent a one of the full suspension mountain bikes available at a local outfitter. Our area has endless miles of dirt roads and dry river beds (arroyos) waiting for you.
• Diving
  Several outfitters out of La Paz can assist you in a diving expedition. You can visit El Baja Seamount, a cluster of pinnacles 60 feet below the sea surface which is known for hammerhead sharks, mantas ray and moray eels. Another diving option is La Reyna, which has several shipwrecks and is know for mantas ray, turtles and sea horses

Activities abound! Additional suggestions include:

Get a Massage – there are several local massage therapists to help you relax after a hard day at play!

Visit the local natural hot springs – pull some rocks away on the edge of the surf, or just hop in one of the “tubs” already cleared and relax as the tide mixes with the hot water bubbling from the ground! With your eyes at sea level in the tub, the hot spring soak provides for a “negative edge” effect. The beautiful azul waters with the island Cerralvo in the backdrop result in a dramatic soak! You are often the only one on the beach! The hot springs are approximately 2 miles from our house located in front of the northern lighthouse.

Take a Hike - hike the beautiful dry riverbeds in the mountains located which stretch north behind Mokie’s.. Visit a world of huge granite boulders, desert/mountain vegetation and animals, and an occasional waterfall!

Comb the beach - walk the miles of undeveloped, uncrowded beaches of El Sargento and La Ventana, visit the “Bufador” -a geiser/blow hole located on the beach in La Ventana or just look for seashells and star fish!

Shop or Site See – nearby towns offer many sites, museums and shops. Visit the closed local gold mine or the Giggling Marlin Beach Club located in the nearby town of Los Suenos (approximately 15 miles). Travel an hour or two and visit the artist community and galleries in Todo Santos, La Paz, the capital of Baja Sur (South), or the wild tourist town of Cabo San Lucas!

Relax! – Snooze, read, sunbath!

For a list of La Paz eco-travel/expedition outfitters see Helpful Links.

Remember, Mokie’s, it’s not just wind!

WEATHER
Mokie’s offers a warm break from the cold and snow of winter.

WINTER/SPRING 11/1 to 4/31, HIGH SEASON -

• Daytime temperatures are in the high 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit range (33 – 38 degrees Celsius) .
• Nighttime temperatures are in the low 60 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).
• Water temperatures are in the high 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit range (33 – 38 degrees Celsius).

SUMMER/FALL 5/1 to 10/31, LOW SEASON –

• Daytime temperatures are in the high 80 through low 100 degrees Fahrenheit range (38 to 47 degrees Celsius).
• Nighttime temperatures are in the 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit range (38 to 42 degrees Celcius).
• Water temperatures are in the 80 to 90 degree Fahrenheit range (38 to 42 degrees Celcius).

You can check out Baja weather at; yahoo baja weather or cnn baja weather

Helpful Links and Contact Information

Wind forcasts for the La Ventana area; iwindsurf and ikitesurf.

Kite boarding instruction;new wind kiteboarding.

Several La Paz eco-travel/expedition outfitters:
baja expeditions (800) 843-6967, or (858) 581-3311
carey 011-52-612-123-2333
kayak in baja 011-52-612-125-5636, or (503) 229-0551 (Portland River Company)
kayak baja (800) 355-7140

Other helpful Baja information can be found on the following web sites:
click here for a wider view of Baja

click here for the official government site on Baja

click here for the offical La Paz tourism site

click here for another Baja Life site

You can check out Baja weather at;

yahoo baja weather or cnn baja weather