Destination comparison
Florida vs Mexico
Two distinct sailing grounds — here's how they compare on conditions, cost, season, and who they suit.
Quick Comparison
| Dimension | Florida | Mexico |
|---|---|---|
| Region | US East Coast & Florida | Mexico & Central America |
| Peak season | Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr | Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr |
| Shoulder | May, Nov | May, Oct |
| Sailing difficulty | beginner friendly | easy to moderate |
| Recommended level | beginner | beginner friendly |
| Avg wind (winter / summer) | 15 / 9 kn | 16 / 10 kn |
| Hurricane risk | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Aug, Sep, Oct |
| Currency | USD | MXN (Mexican Peso) / USD widely accepted in tourist areas |
| Mid-tier price (7 days) | $12,000 | $8,500 |
| Luxury tier price | $55,000 | $32,000 |
| Detail page | View → | View → |
At a Glance
Florida is the US catamaran gateway: huge fleets, bareboat-friendly checkout, and 300+ days of sun. November-May is the season - 75-80°F, Gulf Stream easterlies and calm Keys water. June-October brings afternoon storms and hurricane risk, but also the lowest prices of the year.
- • 2 base marinas
- • 3 must-visit anchorages
- • 11 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sea of Cortez peaks November-April with reliable northerly winds (El Norte) and dry desert air. Caribbean Mexico is best November-May but watch for sargassum seaweed in summer. Hurricane risk closes most Caribbean charter bases June-October.
- • 3 base marinas
- • 4 must-visit anchorages
- • 12 boats in our fleet database for this region
Sailing Conditions
Florida averages 15 knots in winter and 9 knots in summer. Hurricane risk runs Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct — outside these months the sailing is generally dependable.
Mexico averages 16 knots in winter and 10 knots in summer. Hurricane risk: Aug, Sep, Oct.
In terms of sailing difficulty, Florida is generally rated beginner friendly and Mexico is easy to moderate. The difference matters: Mexico asks more of the skipper — confidence at the helm and some experience with coastal navigation helps.
Cost Comparison
For a 7-day charter of a typical 45-ft catamaran (4 cabins, sleeps 8):
- Low season: $4,800
- Mid season: $12,000
- High season: $28,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $55,000+
- Low season: $3,200
- Mid season: $8,500
- High season: $17,000
- Luxury / crewed peak: $32,000+
Bareboat base rates. Crewed typically adds ~$1,500/day (captain + hostess). Prices exclude fuel, provisioning, mooring fees, gratuity.
Anchorages & Must-Do
- Florida Keys Overseas Highway — Key Largo to Key West - 100+ miles of reef-protected, shallow water
- Dry Tortugas National Park — Fort Jefferson and the clearest water in Florida; a 70 nm passage from Key West
- Everglades (Flamingo) — Mangrove wilderness and a real offshore feel just an hour from Miami
- Espiritu Santo Island (Sea of Cortez) — UNESCO biosphere; sea-lion colony; snorkelling
- Playa Balandra (La Paz) — Crystal-clear shallow lagoon; turquoise water
- Cabo Pulmo — Hard coral reef, world-class diving
- Isla Mujeres / Cozumel (Caribbean side) — Snorkelling, reefs, party town
Which Should You Choose?
Both work for first-timers. The default choice for the industry is BVI; choose that unless you have specific reasons to prefer Florida or Mexico.
Choose Mexico. Warmer water year-round (often 75–85°F), palm-fringed anchorages.
Florida has 0 cultural anchorages vs Mexico's 1. Pick by what kind of stop you want between swims.
Captain's Take
"Fort Lauderdale is the least intimidating place in the world to start a catamaran charter - the Intracoastal gives you a protected shakedown and the Keys give you your first ocean miles in tiny steps. The classic week is down the Keys with an overnight in Key West. Keep an eye on the Gulf Stream: it runs north at 2-4kt and decides every passage you make. Summer afternoons bring building storms; plan to be anchored by 15:00."
"Mexico gives you two completely different charters: the Sea of Cortez and the Riviera Maya. The Sea of Cortez (La Paz) is the sailor's one - whales, sea lions and empty anchorages from November to April. The Riviera Maya (Cancún-Cozumel) is the easy week: clear water, marinas every 20 miles, and the best provisioning in the region. Both are bareboat-friendly with a checkout sail; neither has the crowded feel of the Caribbean's busier islands."
Timing and Budget: Florida vs Mexico
Frequently Asked Questions
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Choose Between Florida & Mexico
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