Route specialty
West Coast Yacht Delivery — Mexico to Alaska
The core of our work: up and down the Pacific coast between Mexico, California, the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska. This is the route we run most, in every season.
Most of our deliveries happen along the West Coast, and the single most important thing to understand about it is direction. Heading south is straightforward — wind and swell are usually behind you. Heading north means beating into the prevailing northwesterlies, current, and swell, so the same miles take longer and demand better timing.
We know where the coast bites — Cape Mendocino, Point Conception, the long open stretch off Oregon — and we pick weather windows accordingly. Deliveries to the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia can run outside or through the Inside Passage, and we take vessels all the way to Alaska.
What this route demands
Why owners hire a licensed captain for it
Northbound vs southbound
Southbound rides the prevailing wind and swell; northbound fights them. We plan the schedule, fuel, and crew around which way the boat is actually going.
Weather windows
The West Coast opens and closes. Knowing when to leave, when to duck in, and when to wait is what separates an on-time delivery from a battering.
Exposed headlands
Cape Mendocino, Point Conception, and the Oregon coast accelerate wind and stack up seas. Local knowledge of these gates keeps the passage safe.
Coastal and offshore both
From a quick San Diego–to–Ensenada hop to an offshore run to Alaska, the West Coast asks for both inshore pilotage and bluewater judgment. We do both routinely.
From our delivery log
444 deliveries on this route — and counting
A sample of West Coast yacht delivery runs from our logged deliveries, across 89 different builders. Explore the full delivery database →
Nordhavn 62′ · 2024
La Paz, Mexico Long Beach, CA
De Fever 49′ · 2024
San Diego, CA Anacortes, WA
Selene 53′ · 2024
Seattle, WA Wrangell, AK
Cape Horn 58′ · 2024
San Diego, CA Anacortes, WA
Nordhavn 57′ · 2024
Puerto Escondido, Mexico Dana Point, CA
Nordhavn 62′ · 2024
Papeete, Tahiti Anacortes, WA
Nordhavn 55′ · 2024
San Francisco, CA Victoria, BC, Canada
Amel 54′ · 2024
San Diego, CA Seattle, WA
See it for yourself
See a West Coast yacht delivery in action
Real footage from our own deliveries on this route, filmed underway.
Nordhavn 68 Anacortes WA to Marina Del Ray CA Yacht Delivery, winter run 1150 nm open ocean, DAY 1
Nordhavn 76 Yacht Delivery, DAY 1, early morning run from Canada to US, stopped by USCBP Officers
Nordhavn 68 Anacortes to Marina Del Rey, Start of the trip and Refueling in PNW and First Night run
Questions about this route
Is a northbound West Coast delivery harder than southbound?
Yes. Northbound means working against the prevailing northwest wind, current, and swell, so it takes longer and needs more careful timing than the downwind southbound run.
Do you deliver to the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, and Alaska?
Yes. We regularly deliver to Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska — outside or via the Inside Passage — and back down the coast.
How far in advance should I book a West Coast delivery?
The sooner the better, so we can prepare the vessel and pick a good weather window, but we also handle time-sensitive deliveries. Request a quote and we'll advise on timing.
Planning a West Coast yacht delivery?
Tell us about your boat and route — quotes are free, with no obligation.