East Mexico
Bright, beautiful and a conjurer of dreams – the eastern side of Mexico is a yacht destination that seems to bridge the gap between ancient civilisation and new...
Luxury Yacht Charter Guide to Sea of Cortez
Jacques Cousteau and John Steinbeck both fell hard for the sublime waters of the Sea of Cortez and for good reason. These marine rich waters brim with secret anchorages, strange creatures of the deep, and blissful islands that can go years without seeing a yacht charter passing through. Getting off the beaten track can be tricky in this oversaturated tourist world, but the Sea of Cortez still manages to keep its surreal authenticity. These are lands of wild coastlines, hidden snorkelling gems, salt cracked desert landscapes and deep blue biodiversity.
Reasons to Charter a Yacht in the Sea of Cortez
The Worlds Aquarium
Celebrated as the aquarium of the world, a yacht charter in the Sea of Cortez is full of exciting animal encounters. Not only will you get to witness dolphins frolicking in the surf but those who dive deep into the blue can get up close and personal with over 900 species of fish. Beyond the blue, there are water birds, marine plants, sea lions and even migrating humpbacks.
Pure Authenticity
Other than the glitzy shores of Cabo San Lucas, tourism hasn’t hit the Sea of Cortez hard – if at all. Those yacht charter guests looking to see a side of traditional Mexico will find that the towns that scatter these shores are as authentic as can be. Sleepy fishing villages, remote anchorages and a feeling of being a modern-day explorer keeps the Sea of Cortez high on an intrepid yachters bucket list.
UNESCO Bliss
Awarded UNESCO status for being a spot of outstanding beauty, you cannot tear your eyes away from the dramatic cliffs, turquoise hues, and desert dreams that make up the Sea of Cortez and its islands. The landscapes you can see on a yacht charter around the Sea of Cortez hold echoes of another world with their shimmering deserts, salt flats, and deep volcanic craters.
Remote Shores
While the waters around the Sea of Cortez teem with life, the desert shores provide a staggeringly stark contrast. The effect is almost poetic – sizzling temperatures, the occasional slither of a snake, darting lizards and giant cacti with prickly branches. Further in and the salt flats gleam and glow like a mirage of silica sand – flanked by shadowy mountains like mirages way off in the distance. There’s no doubt, the Sea of Cortez and surrounds have an ethereal feel.
Where to Visit in the Sea of Cortez
Cabo San Lucas
While most of the Sea of Cortez brims with wild and remote islands, Cabo San Lucas is where you will find the tourist hordes. They come for the floury white sands, the arched cliffs, and the wild nights that follow fun days filled with dolphin trips, snorkelling and horse back riding on these soft sands. From nature watching at El Arco to dancing all night under the influence of tequila at El Squid Roe, Cabo San Lucas is a must stop spot for yacht charters.
Isla Partida
Less than an hour from the shores of La Paz, the Isla Partida and Espiritu Santo welcome yacht charters in the Sea of Cortez into a rainbow world. The colours of Isla Partida are caused by minerals that have been shaken to the surface by tremors and earthquakes. The result is rosy pinks, deep reds, earthy browns and warm creams that stand out like precious gems against the opal hues of the sea. This is a place to swim with sea lions, visit pretty pearl farms, and generally gaze at the layers of volcanic history from the deck of your luxury yacht.
La Paz
A slice of city life awaits you in La Paz, a city that has sprawled since the 19th century when its pearl diving industry took off. Drop anchor and head into the Old Town to explore the main square, the colourful architecture, and the chic sidewalk cafes. Visit the Whale Museum and snap pictures of the Dominican cathedral before hitting the Mercado to see Mexico dressed in all her best regional colours. Those who can’t bear to be torn away from the Sea of Cortez can head a little north to Balandra Beach where kayaking and tender tours of the mangroves takes you back to nature.
Los Islotes
Yacht charter guests who want to see sea lions in the Sea of Cortez should be sure to set sail for Los Islotes. This smidge of an island is home to a 200 strong colony of honking creatures and is one of the best places in the whole world for watching the sea lions frolic and even swimming alongside them. The rocky shores are best discovered and circled by boat, allowing you to glimpse the playful mammals splashing and swimming through shoals as fish as pelicans dive from above.
When to Charter a Yacht in the Sea of Cortez
The Sea of Cortez can be a year-round destination for yacht charters thanks to its warm weather and impressive array of wildlife. Spring is the best time of year for those who want to witness large pods of dolphins and whales passing through and who also want to witness the plethora of nesting birds that screech and soar overhead.
