Sea of Cortez Charter Itinerary

P R I VA T E YA C H T VA C A T I O N

ITINERARY

sea of cortez

WELCOME This is a general itinerary; It serves as a guide for the guests to gain general knowledge and understanding of some of the options available in the different areas visited. This is just a glimpse into many different possibilities.

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DA Y 1: M A RIN A D E L RA Y, C A B O

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This itinerary is dependent on weather and safety conditions firstly, but it is also flexible and is completely customizable to the guests personal tastes.

DAY 5: AGUA VERDE

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DA Y 2: C A B O PULMO MARINE

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DA Y 3 : ES P I R I T U S A N T O I S LA N D

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DA Y 6 & 7 : SA N CO S ME

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DAY 4: SAN JOSE & SAN FRANCISCO

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DAY 8: DANZANTE ISLAND

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DAY 8: DEPARTURE

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES Flight Arrival Time at SJD Airport TBD. Tag Team departure time dependent on this. Private ground transportation arranged by Dan Lewis.

Flight Departing Time from LORETO Airport at 16:00 hrs - 17:00 to SJD Airport. Vehicle transportation to LOR Airport To be Arranged.

OR Return navigation onboard Tag Team to La Paz or CSL, with ground transportation pre-arranged.

Flight Departure Time at SJD Airport TBD. Private transportation arranged by Dan Lewis.

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WHAT TO PACK To prepare for this trip it will be good to bring sufficient sun protection and footwear that is appropriate for use in the water. We recommend water shoes specifically as many areas can be rocky. We highly recommend taking at least one or two paddle boards and one kayak as this is one of the best ways to explore the islands and areas visited. We also recommend taking some inflatable floats and snorkel gear. It will be essential to have a beach canopy or umbrellas for shade, along with beach chairs if you prefer them. Bring bug spray for any island exploring.

If you would like to spearfish, bring your own gear, many areas visited offer great spearfishing.

As for music, we always recommend guests bring a saved playlist (that does not depend on being connected to the internet). Most areas visited will have little or no cellphone signal or internet access. Also, if guests would like to have music at the beaches explored we recommend bringing portable speakers.

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DAY 1: MARINA DEL R A Y, C A B O Departing from Marina del Rey, Cabo, to Puerto Los Cabos Marina (PLC), San Jose.

Distance: 2 hours of navigation, North.

Dinner at Flora Farms, Transportation can be arranged with Impala Transport Service to and from boat, OR with Mau in the Tag Team vehicle.

Overnight at PLC OR Frailes anchorage (weather dependent).

(Distance to Frailes: about 4 hours North).

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DAY 2: CABO PULMO MARINE RESERVE Exploring Cabo Pulmo Marine Reserve Activities: Fishing out of Frailes and/or exploring Cabo Pulmo reserve: Snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking.

Transportation into Cabo Pulmo pre-arranged, including tour or snorkel/scuba guide.

Afternoon: Depart to Espiritu Santo Island. Distance: 7 hours of navigation, North.

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CABO PULMO MARINE RESERVE

CABO PULMO MARINE RESERVE The Sea of Cortez has been described as “ferocious with life” by John Steinbeck and as “the aquarium of the world” by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, both making it crystal clear just how diverse life is in the area. Emphasizing this importance, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve because it is one the the most biologically diverse marine environments in the World.

Cabo Pulmo Park is located just 60 miles north of Los Cabos. This jewel of the East Cape region of Baja California Sur stretches five miles from the northernmost tip, Pulmo Point to the southernmost tip, Los Frailes. Surrounded by undeveloped desert and a stunning mountain range, the pristine beaches of Cabo Pulmo Park give way to a shallow bay that cradles one of three living reefs (the only hard coral reef) in North America.

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DAY 3: ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND Espiritu Santo Island Activities: Fishing (outside of the reserve), kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, visiting sea lion colony.

Afternoon: Depart to San Francisco Island.

Distance: 2.5 hours North. Overnight at San Francisco.

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ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND

ESPIRITU SANTO ISLAND Just 14 nautical miles North of La Paz sits Isla Espiritu Santo and Isla La Partida, considered the crown jewels of the islands in the Gulf. An isthmus joins the two and depending on the tide you can either walk or take a small boat from one side to the other. The front side of the islands is lined by a series of fingers and bays, each one with its own claim to fame while staying equally beautiful. The sand bottom and shallow depths bring out a light and transparent aqua blue sea color, which reminds many of the Caribbean. Ensenada Grande Beach, on Isla Partida, was voted the most beautiful beach in Mexico by The Travel Magazine and one of the top 12 beaches in the world. The islands are protected under UNESCO as a biosphere and serve as an excellent place to hike, walk, or just mindlessly explore.

Los Islotes is famous for it’s sea lion rookery. Located just a half mile off the northwest tip of Isla Partida, snorkelers and divers frequent this rocky cove to experience the beauty of the sea lions swimming with their cubs. This is a wonderful location for the divers in the group to explore but is also very fun for those snorkeling and even for those who just wish to see the sea lions from the tender. It is not rare to see tiny newborn sea lions here. Areas like Ensenada Grande are a great anchorage drenched in natural beauty. Beautiful views up a small hill from the beach give way to a close look at the limestone caves and inland vegetation.

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DAY 4: SAN FRANCISCO & SAN JOSE ISLAND Beautiful San Francisco and San Jose Island Activities: Beach combing, visiting small salt flats, kayaking, paddle boarding; exploring mangroves and beach setup at San Jose Island with fishing options nearby. Option to visit El Pardito fishing colony.

Distance to San Jose Island from San Francisco: 40 minutes of navigation, North.

Stay Overnight at San Francisco.

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SAN FRANCISCO & SAN JOSE

SAN FRANCISCO & SAN JOSE San Francisco island is known for its hiking and scenery. It features a beautiful crescent shaped bay, fine white sand beaches accentuate the crystal clear, blue waters and burnt-red cliffs. There are also a few salt flats that have survived the test of time here and it is always fun to go take a peek and a bit of salt too.

San Jose Island is a large island with vast vegetation. Hidden from your view from afar is the entrance to a wonderful and complex mangrove system, the largest in all of Baja and one of the largest in all of Mexico. Once you enter the mangroves on the island you will find yourself amazed as you explore a seemingly endless maze that opens into a big lagoon. A small beach just at the beginning of the mangroves is the perfect landing spot to set up for the day, enjoy lunch onshore and explore.

El Pardito visit the small El Pardito Island which has a tiny village of fishermen and where they make shell jewelry. Quite the experience to see how these hardy people live.

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DAY 5: MAGICAL AGUA VERDE Magical Agua Verde Morning: Depart early morning to Agua Verde from San Francisco.

Activities: Fishing during navigation to Agua Verde; kayaking, trekking, snorkeling Afternoon: Depart to San Cosme Distance: 5-6 hours of navigation from San Jose Island to Agua Verde.

1 hour navigation from Agua Verde to San Cosme.

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AGUA VERDE

AGUA VERDE Waking up in Agua Verde bay is quite surprising when coming from San Jose Island, as the scenery changes quite drastically. Agua verde is a very quaint little fishing village, with only about 100 inhabitants. Its name, Agua Verde, means “green water” and it is apparent when you arrive why it is named like this. The village is set against the soaring, jagged peaks of Baja California’s Sierra de la Giganta mountain range. The local people are welcoming and friendly. A small islet in the bay attracts many birds and is very fun to explore as the waters are shallow. A nice sandy beach is also found here, only accessible by boat. Fishing in the area is very good and in the winter season there is sighting of Blue Whales in the area just outside of the bay. This is a beautiful little bay to explore in a dinghy, kayak, paddle board and snorkel. There are also various hiking trails. Fishermen may approach boats to sell freshly caught lobster, fish, scallops or clams.

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DAY 6: SAN COSME Exploring San Cosme Option to stay at San Cosme Villa, with full staff.

Activities: Great fishing near San Cosme, San Cosme and San Damian Island exploring, snorkeling, paddle boarding, beach combing, exploring the estuary, hiking, visiting the nearby thermal pools (dependent on tides), mule rides to canyons, relaxing poolside, diving for clams.

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DAY 7: SAN COSME Exploring San Cosme Option to stay at San Cosme Villa, with full staff.

Activities: Great fishing near San Cosme, San Cosme and San Damian Island exploring, snorkeling, paddle boarding, beach combing, exploring the estuary, hiking, visiting the nearby thermal pools (dependent on tides), mule rides to canyons, relaxing poolside, diving for clams.

Afternoon: Depart to Honey Moon Cove for sunset, Overnight.

Distance: 2 hours North

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SAN COSME

SAN COSME In front of the bay of San Cosme, is San Cosme Island a small Island seldom visited but hiding a treasure of clams, scallops, lobster, snappers - you can easily pick your own scallops whilst snorkeling. The smaller Damian Island is also in front, which has great diving on the east side - breathtaking. To the north of San Cosme, fifteen miles away is Puerto Escondido, which has a small marina and fuel dock. A favorite of sail boaters, who make this their base for months at a time. At San Cosme there is natural estuary, kids have fun wading in here with nets to catch tasty blue crabs - adults enjoy it too. A great spot to safely learn stand up paddle boarding without being swept out to Sea. Mule rides available right from the beach at San Cosme with prior reservation. Ride through the desert valley to the canyon, of Los Gigantes Mountains, to see spectacular granite walls and feel like a local rancher. Visit the small town and buy handmade jewelry made by the locals. Hot springs, located within the Bay, these are revered for their healing properties, at low tide you can reach them by panga or by snorkeling - also great snorkeling in this area.

Straight out from San Cosme 13- 20 miles there is a secret fishing area for big game, such as blue marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, large tuna, dorado and sharks, plus wahoo.

Cave paintings two miles south of San Cosme- easy hike (10 minutes) up from the beach, which is great for snorkeling.

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DAY 8: DANZANTE ISLAND Danzante Island “Honeymoon Cove” and Coronado Island Activities: Kayaking, paddle boarding, trekking, snorkeling, fishing.

Option to visit Coronado Island if time allows, as departure from LOR Airport to SJD Airport is considered.

If option to return via boat to La Paz or CSL, then this day would be used for navigation purposes only.

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DANZANTE ISLAND

DANZANTE ISLAND The terrestrial flora of the islands of the Bay of Loreto National Park is composed of 262 species of plants typical of xeric scrublands; Danzante has 136 species, seven of which are endemic. Danzante Island is a favorite among divers and snorkelers who know of its existence, as it is a small gem hidden in the Baja peninsula. Its volcanic origin has allowed the development of rocky reefs that are very attractive to visit. Its small bays are a wonder to the eyes and the colors of the island seemingly change before your eyes at sunrise and sunset, again due to the nature of its volcanic rock.

It is an adventure to explore this island, as each new formation or bay has different details: small rocky beaches, sandy beaches and arches…

Among the marine fauna are invertebrates of great beauty, diverse shapes, and abundance like fan corals, clams, sea urchins, sea stars, hermit crabs, octopus and squid, etc. The marine life such as dolphins or mobula rays are commonly seen.

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DAY 9: DEPARTURE Departure from SJD Airport. Departure time TBD. Ground transportation to Airport arranged.

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SEA OF CORTEZ YA C H T C H A R T E R ITINERARY W O R T H AV E N U E YA C H T S