This unique event has introduced more boats to the wonders of cruising in western Mexico and further.  It started 25 years ago to give people that wanted to go cruising and have a “Jimmy Buffet” style trip down with fun on the beach and great comradery.  The first year was a great success with over 40 boats and it has grown into something much bigger and better as the years have progressed.

To simply answer the question of what the Baja Ha Ha is, it is what you want it to be!  You can get as much or as little as you want out of it.  One thing it always gives you is the security of having the ability to get help fixing or repairing your boat, sails, or electronics.  With a morning radio net even when in the anchorages you can get most questions answered by people that have had the same or similar issues.

I often hear people say “I don’t want to go on the Baja Ha Ha because I don’t really party, or I like to be by myself”.  The Baja Ha-Ha makes two stops on the way to Cabo San Lucas.  Both of these bays (Turtle Bay and Bahia Santa Maria) are huge and well protected.  You can anchor as far as you want from other boats and have a nice pristine place to yourself even when almost 200 boats are in each.  Bahia Santa Maria has golden sand beaches as far as you can see with great anchorages throughout.

Getting the security, local knowledge, and advice led by the “Grand Poo Ba” Richard Spindler on the way down with all up to date information on weather, local issues and customs, things to look for, and paperwork is priceless.

If you want to participate in the shore side activities it is completely up to you.  There are 6 total events:

1. The sendoff party at West Marine the night before the rally leaves for Turtle Bay from San Diego.
2. The Baseball game in Turtle Bay where the group donates used baseball gear to the local kids and plays a loose version of baseball.
3. The beach party in Turtle Bay where volleyball and Tug-a-war is played before most boats have a picnic or BBQ dinner on the beach.
4. The Party on the bluff in Bahia Santa Maria, where a band brings a generator and gear from La Paz, an 18-hour trip and plays rock and roll on the bluff with an amazing view of the bay, while fisherman prepare a fish stew for those that want it.
5. The arrival party in Squid Roe in Cabo San Lucas.
6. The official awards party.

All the events on the way down end before it gets dark so people can safely make it to their boats.  They are all confined to one area so if you do not want to participate it is easy to just go for a hike, paddle, swim, or surf.  The hiking is fantastic at these stops and shell gathering plentiful.  It would be next to impossible not to enjoy the Baja Ha Ha.