“The ocean, once it has bewitched you, ensnares you in its wonderful web for all eternity.” – Jacques Cousteau
Twenty years ago, the sea whispered to me—again and again—that we were destined for great things together. Today, as I sit in front of this magnificent bay, I begin to transcribe what has truly been the adventure of my life.
Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay are more than just my home; they are the spiritual nourishment of my soul—my salty, wet soul that refuses to leave my skin.
So here we are. Today marks the first day of our journey together, dear reader. Through the sands and waves of this extraordinary place that, although it didn’t see my birth, conquered me and drew me into its endless rhythm.
We will navigate the calm and turbulent waters side by side, discovering what lies beneath, learning about things we cannot see but know are with us. We’ll marvel at fascinating facts, dive into ancient stories, and meet the remarkable inhabitants of our bay’s ocean.
And above all, we’ll recognize how privileged we are to have found this place and made it our home.
Every day, the path we walk is different. There’s no going back. But I invite you to join me in appreciating one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
We are passionate about the facts—and, in the case of Mexico, facts can often be… “relative.” Take, for example, the size and depth of our bay compared to others around the world. This wonderful place is, at the very least, controversial.
Many of us have heard that the Bay of Banderas is the second-largest bay in North America, right after Hudson Bay in Canada, and the fifth-largest globally.
Well, the truth is, it’s not easy to confirm this, even after an exhaustive search on the internet. So for now, we’ll go ahead and accept it as fact.
When it comes to the depth of the Bay, there are various reports. A 1997 bathymetric study suggests that the maximum depth is less than 500 meters, particularly near Yelapa, where the deepest part of a north-south running canyon is found. However, local legend holds that the bay’s depth exceeds 1,500 meters and that this canyon is linked to the San Andreas Fault in California. The stories say strange creatures and mythological beings inhabit the depths. As it stands, reliable information about this fascinating oceanographic feature remains elusive.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explore the iconic and enigmatic places of Banderas Bay, which, as of today, is our home.
