Along a stroll on the cobble stone street closest to Ensenada’s waterfront, I started to count the number of boat slips and docks.  I guess it was a futile exercise- Ensenada is the first city south of the border with large pleasureboat harbors and there are hundreds of boats, yachts, and various watercraft lining Ensenada’s 2.75 mile harbor.   And the number of boats continues to grow, according to local dockmasters.   

Last year, California reinstated a sales tax exemption for boats delivered offshore and kept out of state for more than 90 days, which has fueled the increase in demand for docking.  Fito Espinosa, a Dockmaster in Ensenada noted, “Our occupancy rate is growing.  In fact, for the larger yachts, we have a waiting list for slips.”  Another dockmaster I spoke with from the Cruiseport Village Marina added that his 210 yacht slips have been full 7 days a week. 

 In April, the Ensenada docks will be filled to the brim as the World’s Largest International Yacht Race Takes to the Sea. The Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race kicks of April 25^th in Newport Beach.  Fito told me that some 400 boats will end the race in Ensenada.  I can’t imagine what the harbor will look like then!

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