EntranceChannel
ACAPULCO
ENTRANCE CHANNEL
Bahia de Acapulco (Acapulco Bay) is considered one of the finest harbors on the west coast of Mexico. The high encircling mountains provide considerable shelter and are visible for a great distance to seaward. The entrance channel, known locally as Boca Grande, has a width of 1.5 nmi and provides ample depths for large vessels. No buoys mark a distinct channel or shoal water. No navigational range is present. Figure III-8, Figure III-9, Figure III-10, Figure III-11, and Figure III-12) include a portion of NIMA chart # 21401 and four additional charts that show details of Bahia de Acapulco.
Alongside berthing facilities are provided within Bahia de Santa Lucia that lies in the northwest part of Bahia de Acapulco. The former bay is entered northwest of Punta Grifo, which is located 1 nmi north-northeast of the northeast extremity of Isla Roqueta. Las Dos Piedras, formed by two white rocks, is marked by a light and lies off the point that divides the head of Bahia Santa Lucia into two parts.
The head of Bahia de Acapulco, to the east of Bahia Santa Lucia, is fronted by several above-water dangers that lie within 0.3 nmi of the shore. Farallon del Obispo, a rocky islet, is 101.7 ft (31 m) high and forms the most prominent danger in this vicinity. It is light gray in color, with dark patches, and is prominent. Several groups of rocks lie close offshore, about 0.5 nmi east of Farallon de Obispo, and may best be seen on the chart.
Rocas de San Lorenzo, a chain of rocks, extends 0.3 nmi southeast from a point on the shore located 0.8 nmi west-northwest of Farallon de Obispo. Roca La Seria, a dangerous rock, and a shoal patch, with a depth of 24.9 ft (7.6 m), lie 0.5 nmi southwest and about 0.2 nmi south-southeast, respectively, of the outer end of the chain.
The east side of the bay as far south as Punta Guitarron is steep-to within 0.3 nmi mile of the shore. A wreck, with a depth of 36.1 ft (11 m), lies about 0.5 nmi north of Punta Guitarron. An oil pier is situated 0.4 nmi east of Punta Guitarron and has a depth of 14.1 ft (4.3 m) alongside its head. A Naval pier, situated close north of the oil pier, is 295.1 ft (90 m) long and has depths of 12.1 to 29.5 ft (3.7 to 9 m) alongside.
It has been reported (1997) that lighted aids to navigation are difficult to see and that hills and cliffs may obscure many visual aids. However, feedback from Naval ship visits indicated that Isla Roqueta, La Yerba Buena, Punta Brujas, and Punta Grifo lights as well as the cross on the top of the mountain at Fracc Guitarron are clearly visible during the approach to Acapulco Bay. These navigational aids are shown on NIMA chart # 21401.
Source: http://www.nrlmry.navy.mil/port_studies/thh-nc/mexico/acapulc/text/sect3.htm
