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Sail The Greek Islands Sept 2026 2027 Sea of Cortez Sailing Flotilla

Sea of Cortez Flotilla 2/6/27
Flexible Itinerary

The Planned Itinerary

Once we depart the marina, the itinerary below is flexible and subject to change – because it has to be. We’ll alter our destinations and timing if needed as wind, weather, and good seamanship dictate. See details below with descriptions and pictures for each day.

Bareboat Captains – as the flotilla progresses you may find you want to explore other possible anchorages or destinations. Please check with me before you do as I have local knowledge you may benefit from.

If there is a strong norther forecast during our week, that is the event that will cause me to alter our plan – I prefer to be at Isla San Francisco if possible when it’s blowing more than 25, and aim to position the boats so we can ride a strong blow downwind rather than beating into it.
With that said, here’s an itinerary that works – until we have to change it:
  • Friday February 5 – join our Welcome Dinner at the Marina Costa Baja, 7 PM
  • Day 1 Saturday: 11 AM board, load, chart briefing and boat orientation; 2 PM departure for our first night at Isla Espiritu Santo.
  • Day 2 Sunday: Depart Espiritu Santo for Isla Partida. Explore Caleta Partida and Ensenada Grande.
  • Day 3 Monday: Passage to Isla San Francisco, visiting Los Islotes on the way.
  • Day 4 Tuesday: Many options; spend the day snorkeling and exploring Isla San Franciso; morning hike up to the ridge; explore Isla Coyote; visit the mangrove lagoon at Bahia Amortajada; visit Punta Salinas or San Evaristo; day trip to remote Punta Colorado on Isla San Jose; all returning to ISF for the second night there.
  • Day 5 Wednesday: Sail to San Evaristo on the Baja Penninsula
  • Day 6 Thursday: Passsage downwind to Partida or Espiritu Santo to a new anchorage; or if it’s blowing hard, anchor at Ensenada de la Raza.
  • Day 7 Friday: Head for home stopping at Balandra or Caleta Lobos for snorkeling and lunch, with the goal of tying up in the harbor by 5 PM or sooner. Celebratory dinner in the harbor that evening.
  • Day 8 Saturday: Clean up, off-load, and check-off the boat by 9 AM latest.

See below for the day by day details.

North Bound From Puerta Cortes/Costa Baja
click image for expanded view

South Bound From Isla San Francisco
click image for expanded view

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North Bound Detail

Friday Night Welcome Dinner
Join us for dinner 7 PM at La Malinche Cocina Mexicana in the harbor. Meet the other sailors for good food, conversation, overview of the sailing plans and Q&A. Separate check for each table, bring pesos to settle up for your portion at your table.
Itinerary Day 1 Saturday
This is going to be a busy day. Planned departure for The Sea is 2 PM, or sooner.
Bareboat Captains
Get an early start provisioning, 7 AM to 8 AM and arrive at the marina with your provisions by 11AM to 12 PM (earlier is better). Arrange for a van as your taxi, so you can fit all your provisions, and take your crew to Chedraui (best option) or Walmart for provisioning. Please read the Provisioning Notes.
Lead Boat Crew with Marc Hughston
Please arrive at The Moorings base in the Marina Costa Baja (Puerta Cortes) by 12 PM.
Important Notes for Captains and Crew
  • I will work with The Moorings to get the earliest possible loading time, hopefully by 11 AM (official boarding time is 12 PM).
  • The provisioning trip usually takes 2-3 hours, and Taxi costs around $700-$900 pesos depending on how much time you take. You’ll need cash for the Taxi. See the Provisioning Notes.
  • The Moorings and I will conduct the chart briefing for Captains and interested crew.
  • The Moorings will coordinate the boat orientations with Captains. Write down or video the instructions for generator, water maker, and AC.
  • There is an ATM to get pesos, located in the marina near the Docequarenta coffee house.
  • The Marina Mercado has ice, a limited selection of groceries, and alcohol (the price there is almost double what you pay in town on your provisioning trip).
  • Bedding and towels are provided on board in each cabin. See the Packing List.
  • Bring your own mask and snorkel. Swim fins are provided by The Moorings.
  • Check the swim fins on board for correct sizing, and get replacements from The Moorings if needed.
  • Planned departure from the base is 2 PM.
    • Boat orientation is complete
    • Gear is stowed and you know where all your safety gear is
    • Water tanks full
    • Kayaks and SUPs are strapped down
    • We usually make our first stop late afternoon at Ensenada del Candelero.
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Itinerary Day 2 Sunday
Depart Espiritu Santo. Visiting Caleta Partida and Ensenada Grande is the usual plan, but there are many interesting anchorages in the area. Caleta Partida has a fish camp and exploring ashore. Ensenada Grande also has interesting shore exploration with shell middens left by the early indigenous peoples, and a moderately strenuous rock-hop back up the canyon with signs identifying different kinds of cactus.
  • Most often, the preferred anchorage for the night is in the southern-most of the 3 lobes at Ensenada Grande. We may be able to swim with Mobula Rays at night if they are attracted by the boats’ underwater lights.
  • Flotilla Happy hour – dinghy over to one of the boats
  • The Big Chair at Candalero
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Itinerary Day 3 Monday
We depart Isla Partida for the passage to Isla San Francisco, stopping by Los Islotes for a look. It’s best to get to ISF early afternoon to take advantage of snorkeling and exploration ashore.
  • Flotilla Happy hour – dinghy over to one of the boats
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Itinerary Day 4 Tuesday
Second day at the Hook anchorage at Isla San Francisco usually begins with an early hike up to the ridge for the incredible views, and then short sails to Isla Coyote to see if we can buy some fish, Bahia Amortajada to explore in the mangrove lagoon, or even up to Punta Salinas. A day trip up to Punta Colorado on Isla San Jose rewards with excellent snorkelling, unusual rock formations, and perhaps a little cliff jumping into the water.
  • Flotilla Happy hour – dinghy over to one of the boats
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Itinerary Day 5 Wednesday
Sail about 9 NM to San Evaristo, a small fishing village. Explore ashore, maybe buy fish, snorkel, relax.
  • Flotilla Happy hour – dinghy over to one of the boats
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South Bound Detail

Itinerary Day 6 Thursday
Depart San Evaristo for a downwind ride to Ensenada de la Raza on Espiritu Santo. Or, another anchorage depending on conditions. At de la Raza, there is always the late afternoon show put on by the Pelican and Terns diving for fish, good snorkeling, and interesting exploring near the mangroves at the shallow end of the cove. 
  • Flotilla Happy hour – dinghy over to one of the boats
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Itinerary Day 7 Friday
Make our way down from Espiritu Santo to the DYC base, stopping at Balandra or Caleta Lobos, or Playa Pichilingue for lunch & snorkeling and exploring. Be at the harbor, tied up in your slip by 5 PM or earlier.
  • Congratulations on your first week of cruising the Sea of Cortez!!!  Post cruise celebration and recognition party at Odayaka, best sushi in La Paz right there in the harbor.
Itinerary Day 8 Saturday
The Moorings asks that you leave the boat broom clean, and depart by 9 AM. Offload your trash, strip the beds, and leave unopened food in the salon for those who clean & take care of the boats.
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  1. Anthony White
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