Ensenada del Candelero on Espiritu Santo
Cruising The Sea of Cortez
From La Paz
Editor’s Note: This article was contributed by Marc Hughston, Chief Instructor for Santana Sailing in Long Beach. The content has been published with his full permission, and The Log acknowledges his expertise and authorship. Full attribution for this piece is credited to Marc Hughston.
By: Marc Hughston of Santana Sailing
The Sea of Cortez is one of those sailing areas that conjure up the words amazing, spectacular, and magic. The sailing, the scenery, and the sea life are all so compelling. For example, I remember dinghying out from our cove late one afternoon to watch the Mobula Rays leap out of the water, flapping their wings like birds. I’ve had a pod of Humpback whales swim under the boat as we sailed, and I’ve snorkeled with Sea Lions at Los Islotes, as well as with Whale Sharks in the Bay of La Paz. I’ve seen Garden Eels rise out of the sea floor at Isla San Francisco, and we often catch sight of Sea Turtles.
The Season
And then there’s the sailing. The best part of the year is November through April, and any given week during that time will include a couple of days of light breezes, a couple of days of whitecaps, and a couple of days with winds over 20 knots. The wind is usually out of the north during this season and builds during the day. Occasional Coromuel winds blow from the southwest overnight.
The Cruising Grounds
The primary sailing area north of La Paz is the Espíritu Santo Archipelago National Park, and includes the islands of Espiritu Santo, Partida, and Los Islotes, and we also stretch further up to Isla San Francisco and San Jose. The archipelago is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California. So, you won’t find mooring balls, beach bars, restaurants, or stores out on the islands, and that simplicity and beauty make the area incredibly attractive.
Getting There, and Being in Baja
So how do you get out on the Sea of Cortez from La Paz?
- Alaska Airlines has a two-hour direct flight from LAX to La Paz
- Join our Sea of Cortez Flotilla running in February 2026, by taking a cabin on the lead boat or chartering your own – this is an excellent low-risk way to learn your way around the cruising grounds.
- Charter on your own from either Dream Yacht Charter or the Moorings in La Paz.
- Bring your own boat down on the Baja Ha Ha, round the corner at Cabo San Lucas and head up to La Paz.
Is it safe out in the islands? Absolutely.
- The other boats you come across are experienced cruisers from the US, Canada, Mexico and other countries, the occasional mega yacht, and other sailors who have chartered from La Paz.
- This isn’t like the Caribbean where you risk losing your dinghy if it isn’t locked up.
Is it safe in La Paz? Yes.
- The municipality has a population of around 300,000. I always find the locals friendly, helpful, and very appreciative if you speak some Spanish and give it a good-natured try.
- Saturday night on the Malecon (waterfront) has plenty of foot traffic, young families pushing strollers, couples, restaurants, clubs, and kids horsing around on the beach. It’s extraordinary.
Make Some Plans
- So, what are you waiting for? Fall, Winter, and Spring are the perfect times to experience the Sea of Cortez which, Jacques Cousteau called, The World’s Aquarium.
For the full article, visit santanasailing.com/blog/2025/08/25/cruising-the-sea-of-cortez-from-la-paz/.
