Two Week Sailboat Charters from La Paz Baja Mexico

SUGGESTED TWO-WEEK CHARTER

If you have the time, really consider a two-week charter. There is another set of beautiful and interesting islands in the Puerto Escondido area. Many of our two-week charters have been return charters. You also can do a one-way or a two-week charter, either picking Seascape up in Puerto Escondido or La Paz (check under FAQ’s).  Return charters and one-way charters will probably want to spend more time in the Loreto/Puerto Escondido area. Remember you get an extra day and 10% off on the second week.  This suggested two-week charter is based upon leaving La Paz and returning to La Paz, with the supposition that this is the first time for you on SeaScape. Return charters will probably want to spend more time in the northern part.

SATURDAY:
Seascape is available for boarding at 6:00 p.m. If you desire you may sleep aboard that night for free. Many charters come from Los Angeles and arrive on the 2:35 p.m. Alaska (Horizon) flight but we will meet flights on other airlines as well. We will pick you up at the La Paz airport and take you to SeaScape for free.  We will pick you up in La Paz if you have arrived from San Jose del Cabo or elsewhere by bus also for free.

SUNDAY DAY 1:
Your charter officially begins. We will do the orientation of SeaScape   before or after you have breakfast, your choice. We will go over the cruising chart and guide books and answer any questions that you may have. We will then take you to CCC, a large supermarket, where you can provision. We can do a walk-through of CCC, if you like (an email on provisioning at CCC is sent to you prior to your arrival in La Paz). When you have finished shopping you can take an inexpensive cab back to SeaScape. You must leave by 1:00 p.m. in order to make the best anchorage, which is Caleta Partida between the islands of Espiritu Santo and Partida, a 23-mile sail. If you leave by 2:00 p.m. you can still make the southernmost anchorage on Espiritu Santo, San Gabriel. However, this is not a good anchorage if there are winds from the south. The latest that you could leave would be 3:00 p.m. and you would anchor at Falso, near the entrance where the ferries dock.  It is about 2 hours from La Paz.

MONDAY DAY 2
Do some sailing and/or fishing as it is only a short distance to your next anchorage at Ensenada Grande if you are coming from Caleta Partida.  If you have made it only as far as Falso, head for Caleta Partida.  If you have gotten to San Gabriel, by-pass Caleta Partida and go to Ensenada Grande. You might want to anchor and have lunch at Candeleros on your way. Take the kayaks out, walk the beach and do some rock climbing. My favorite spot in Ensenada Grande is the southern finger. It has beautiful rock formations and a small beach at the end. In the evening, I have heard owls and triple echoes! Tuck back in there as far as it is feasible. Do not anchor in less than 15'.

TUESDAY DAY 3:
This is a big day for you.. Be sure you leave by 9:30 a.m. as this will give you plenty of time to stop at Los Islotes island and then sail on to San Franciso island to arrive in the daylight.   Los Islotes, at the north end of Partida Island, has the largest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. There are usually several boats around it with many boats doing day trips from La Paz. Put on a mask and snorkel and swim with them. Many charters have said that this is the highlight of their trip. DO NOT ANCHOR because there are mostly large rocks on the bottom and you could lose your anchor. Have one person stay on Seascape at all times. San Francisco island is about four hours away, and almost due north. This is one of the best places to have your fishing lines out. If you don't, you have no chance at all! Freshly caught fish, barbecued are the greatest.

 If you see a Mexican panga going by, wave them over and ask them if they have any fish to trade for or sell. One of the things to do is give them agua (Spanish word for water) for free. They will have a container to empty your water into. Most fishermen are very friendly, but it is best not to invite them aboard.

San Francisco Island has one of the best anchorages available. There is a large hook on the west side where the only anchorage is. The northern part of this anchorage, close to the cliffs, is the most protected.

WEDNESDAY DAY 4:
Leave about 10:00 a.m., taking the western side of San Francisco Island. When you are north of SF island, you will see Coyote Island. This is the only island in the Sea of Cortez that has a permanent settlement. It was "grandfathered in" when permanent settlements were banned. You may want to visit it. If they have fish, they would be glad to sell you some. Also you can visit the southern part of San Jose Island, one of the largest in the Sea of Cortez. However, the anchorage is only for the day time. As big as San Jose Island is, there are no overnight anchorages. The best attraction is the mangrove area, just a short distance from the beach. Small clams are in abundance there.

Make sure you leave in time to get to your next anchorage which is Caleta San Evaristo, on the Baja. There is a great small harbor with lots of protection. You may want to visit the little village and the salt ponds there (check your cruising guides).

THURSDAY DAY 5:
To get to your next anchorage at Agua Verde, leave by 9:00 a.m. as it is a long sail to Bahia Agua Verde. You will be sailing between the  Baja & San Jose Island for a long way. Make sure you have your fishing lines out as this has been one of the best places for fishing for me. Be sure and check your cruising guides, especially since you are coming from the south. There are various reefs at Punta San Marcial when you get close to Agua Verde. It is best to give Arrecife San Marcial a wide berth. DO NOT TAKE A SHORT CUT. The most protected area is in the northern part. Agua Verde is one of my favorite places. There is also a small village there where you might ask for fish.  If you speak a little Spanish, you might get one of the fishermen to take you fishing. We have also heard about one of the local families serving dinners. You might want to spend another day here, but resist it because you are going  come here again when you return south.

FRIDAY DAY 6:
You are sailing north again to Danzante Island and Honeymoon Cove. Make sure you take a good look at your chart and cruising guides. There is a series of small islands which are basically rocks called Candeleros, and you will see that it is best to go close to the Baja side. You will love Honeymoon Cove. You might want to dingy to shore and climb up a little for a better view. In the west above Puerto Escondido are the Sierra del Gianta mountains, the highest in Baja. See if you can find the "gorilla" which is 5800' high.

SATURDAY DAY 7:
It is a short sail over to Puerto Escondido. This is a very special place. Unfortunately years ago the French came in with big ideas and there is a large concrete wall and streets but no one living in the area. There used to be docks with a large boating population. Seascape was based here, as was the Moorings when they first came to Mexico. It is here that you can get water. It is the best water on the Baja as it comes down from the mountains. Drink it without fear! You might want to walk up to Tripui, where there is small oasis of American and a trailer park. It has a small store, restaurant and laundry. There are usually 20 or 30 boats anchored at Puerto Escondido at any one time. You can anchor inside or outside at a place that is called the "waiting room".  If you anchor inside of Puerto Escondido, there is a charge. Go on channel 16 and check with one of the locals.

SUNDAY DAY 8 and MONDAY DAY 9:
This is when you wish that you had another week, as we are going to give you some options. You can sail up to Loreto and day anchor off the small man-made harbor. You can also power in to a guest dock, but go really slowly. From there you can go into town and visit the mission that Father Serra left to found the missions in California. The mission church is still in use. Next door is a good museum. The whole street in front of the mission is for pedestrians only. There are lots of good shops, and Cafe Ole restaurant is a good place to eat. You can do email, provision etc.