OUR TOP 10 FAVORITE BAYS NEAR LA PAZ
This is our own personal ranking of the nicest bays that you can comfortably visit on a one week itinerary departing from La Paz. We have taken into consideration their beauty, convenience to anchor and activities they offer.
1.- San Francisquito Island
Many will argue that Balandra should be number one on this list, but we don´t think so. The shape of the western bay of this island is just perfect and it provides shelter from North, South and Easterly winds.
The whole bay looks turquoise on a sunny day due to it´s perfect depth and its all sandy bottom. There are two snorkeling spots nearby and the beach is covered with white sand. Added to this, the island is surrounded by red rock hills, one of which hosts our favorite hiking trail.
2.- Balandra
We couldn´t not include this one in the top three, arguably the nicest beach in Mexico. Balandra is a bay with 7 beaches, it has a huge area that is not accesible by yacht but it´s perfect for exploring with a dinghy or kayak.
Balandra has everything from snorkeling spots, white sand beaches and hiking trails. It is home to the famous rock formations and it´s amazing to see how the scenery changes with the tide.
3.- El Candelero
Our favorite bay in Espíritu Santo Island, El Candelero means “Candlestick” and is noticeable for it´s shape. In the middle of the bay there are isolated rocks, one of which offers an excellent option for snorkeling.
There are two white sand beaches separated by a line of red rocks that add a unique look to this bay. Follow the hiking trail for a challenging but rewarding experience. The changes in depth offer one of the most stunning sights around the islands, making the effort worth it!
4.- El Pardito Island
One of the only inhabited islands of the Gulf of California and of the smallest islands in the world with a permanent population. It´s inhabitants are Eco-conscious fishermen, some of the best at getting “chocolate clams” which are one of Baja´s delicacies.
You can anchor next to the island and visit the fishermen or dive into the turqouise waters to catch a glimpse of some of the nicest species in Baja. This place is simply unique!
5.- All the others 😉 !
It would be unfair to leave so many beautiful bays out of this list. Bahía Amortajada, San Gabriel, La Partida, Ensenada Grande, Punta Colorada, El Embudo…
The truth is that each bay has different things to offer, even though they might seem to be the same. This is why our skippers play an important role in your sailing experience. They do way more than just skipper the yacht, they are your guides, they will keep you safe, heck – they will even make you a Margarita!
Which one is your favorite?
Everyone has their own personal favorite bay, we would love to know yours! Leave a comment below and share with us which one you liked the most and why!
If you haven´t been to any of these yet or if you´d like to go back contact us and we´ll help you design your Sea of Cortez sailing adventure!
