Explore: Ensenada
General Info
Description:
Ensenada is a port city 90NM south of San Diego. It has a large deepwater port on the northern edge of All Saints Bay. The harbour is protected by a coastal breakwater and is busy with cruise ships, sport fishing boats and commercial traffic.
Cruiser Highlights:
Clearance in and out of Mexico; provisioning; boatyard and repair facilities; restaurants; tourism options; medical and dental facilities and marinas.
Entrance notes or cautions:
The port’s marinas are often at capacity and anchoring is not permitted in the harbour so book a slip before arriving.
Position: 31°50.47′N, 116°37.44′W (harbour entrance)
Clearance
See Mexico Formalities page for full details.
This port is reported to be the simplest place on the Pacific coast of Mexico to enter into the country and secure your TIP paperwork. Officials are used to dealing with foreign yachts.
All Port Clearance for yachts is done in one federal office; there is a different window for each department. Offices are visited in a specific order. This is also where you get your TIP. You do not need an agent.
If you have all your paperwork in order it takes a couple of hours. It helps if you speak some Spanish and bring lots of pesos in small denominations to cover the costs of paperwork.
Marina staff can clarify which order you visit each department and may also review paperwork to ensure you are completely ready. Officials will only inspect your boat if there is some problem. They do not work on weekends.
Last updated: March 2019
Docking
Anchoring:
Anchoring is prohibited in the harbour.
Marinas:
There are three full-service marinas here. Baha Naval is alongside the Malecon and is closest to everything in town. It also has a small boatyard. Cruiseport is at the cruise ship docks and is a long walk into town. Coral Marina is north of the main harbour, behind its own breakwater.
Last updated: March 2019
