La Paz is also a very good area, even in summer, when a strong breeze called El Coromuel comes in just about every afternoon.  The best spots here lie along the mostly deserted beaches of the peninsula northeast of town - Punta Balandra to Punta Coyote.  When nothing's blowing in the Bahia de la Paz vicinity, dedicated windsurfers can shuttle west across the peninsula to check out the action at Punta Marquez on the Pacific side, only 72 km (45 miles) away.

Los Barriles on Bahia de Palmas, along the East Cape, is one of the more accessible windsurfing areas in southern Baja.  The wind blows a steady 18-30 knots all winter long and wave-sailing is possible in some sports.  During the season, uphauling is usually out of question due to chop and high winds, so ability to waterstart is a prerequisite for board-sailing in this area.

Los Barriles is also home to the Baja Vela Highwind Center, which offers rated instruction and package deals from late November through mid-March.  Even if you're not a participant in one of its windsurfing vacations, you may be able to arrange for service and parts.  Every January, Vela cosponsors the Vela-Neil Pryde Windsurfer Championships at Los Barriles.

The Pacific side of Baja generally demands a more experienced board-sailor.  Those who can handle surf and strong winds will love it.  Novices and intermediate windsurfers will enjoy the larger bays of Bahia de San Quintin, Bahia Magdalena, and Bahia Almejas, all protected from major swells in all but the worst weather.  Board-sailors with sturdy transport - 4WD or high-clearance trucks - can choose from dozens of smaller bays connected to Mexico Hwy. 1, by dirt roads of varying quality.

Locations

Bahia de los Angeles is a good bay for novice board-sailors because of the lack of large swells.  Prevailing northeasterlies are strongest in the northern parts of the bay. A 6-7 mph downwind run through the small islands west of Isla La Ventana, then all the way to the town waterfront, can be accomplished from Punta La Gringa.

Sailboarders flock to Los Barriles, Nov - April when sideshore winds - collectively called El Norte and aided by thermals from the Sierra de La Laguna - blow 18-30 knots for weeks at a time.  The rest of the year, you'll have to settle for around 12-14 knots - not too shabby.  During the high-wind season, inshore water temperatures average around 72-75' F, with air temperatures in the 78-85' F range.  The same basic conditions can be found all the way north to El Cardonnal.  Several hotels on the bay rent windsurfing equipment and provide basic instruction.

Mag Bay, as gringo board-sailers usually refer to Bahia Magdalena, offers the best windsurfing on Baja California's Pacific coast.  A strong year-round breeze, together with the relatively cal bay surface, create perfect conditions for novice and intermediate windsurfers; experienced wave-sailors can experiment at or near the bocas, where breakers and stronger winds increase the challenge.

A protected rum of 52 miles begins at Puerto Lopez Mateos and ends at Puerto Cancun; you can lengthen this run to 70 miles by staying in until Puerto Chale.

The onshore surf at Playa El Medano, Cabo San Lucas, is mild enough for launching wind and paddle-powered craft easily,  You can rent kayaks, canoes, Hobie Cats, sailboards, and Sunfish sailboats from Cabo Acuadeportes at the Hacienda Beach  Resort, VHF radio 82.

In stormy conditions it's not a good idea to try paddling or sailing across the harbor entrance.  Be sure to inform the vendors where you plan to take the craft; they'll know the conditions and advise accordingly.  Watch out for powerboats, yachts, and cruise ships; larger craft have the de facto right of way.  Novices should stick close to Playa El Mendano no matter what the conditions.

During the high-wind season, Nov. - March, hotels in Los Barriles can arrange package deals that include windsurfing seminars, use of state-of-the-art equipment, air transportation, and accommodations.  Keep in mind that although lessons are typically geared to your level, wind and surf conditions at Los Barriles are best enjoyed by experienced boardsailors rather than novices.

For five days during the second week of January, Vela Windsurf Resort and sailboard manufacturer Neil Pryde co-host the annual Vela-Neil Pryde Baja Championships sailboard race at Los Barriles.  The week before the competition, the center offers a race clinic staffed by world-class instructors.  Non-windsurfing spectators are welcome to watch the event from shore, and to join in on the beach barbecues and partying.  For more information, contact Vela Windsurf Resort.

In San Felipe - sailboards - but not exactly state-of-the-art gear - can be rented at Motel El Cortez or San Felipe Marina Resort.  Spring is the best wind season on the bay, but there are breezes year-round.  The shoreline north of Punta San Felipe receives the best wind.

The Santa Rosalillita area isa well-known surfing destination; in a northwest swell, the point break at the north end of the bay reportedly offers Baja's longest ride.  Windsurfers can enjoy the breaks and the bay's steady breeze.

Santa Rosalillita is located southwset of the Bahia de los Angeles junction.  The ranch community of Punta Prieta is at Km 13; between Km 38 and 39 a graded gravel road heads west 13 Km (8 miles) to Santa Rosalillita, a fish camp below Punta Santa Rosalillita.