Baja California

Your Baja California yacht charter journey starts at La Paz, the entrance to the marine life-filled Sea of Cortez. From October through to April, plankton-grazing whale sharks ply the balmy waters of the Bay of La Paz. Baja California Sur’s low-key capital boasts a cool boardwalk, beachside restaurants and a historic center with various attractions.

Set your eyes on the aquamarine waters and pristine white sands of Bahia Balandra and you’ll understand why it ranks among Mexico’s most extraordinary beaches. Shallow, crystalline and wave-free, it feels more like a natural lake. More than a pretty face, it is a conservation zone whose mangroves attract an abundance of fish and birdlife.

Isla Espiritu Santo counts among the 244 uninhabited islands in the Gulf of California Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its global marine conservation significance. During a Mexico yacht charter in the Sea of Cortez, divers can expect to see Mexican goatfish, parrotfish, moray eels, manta rays and even hammerhead sharks. To reach its remote seashell-covered beaches, jump in a kayak.

If Baja California Sur is the “Galapagos of North America”, Los Islotes is the prime location to observe its playful, curious California sea lions. A healthy 400-strong colony presides over the craggy rock islets, the males barking incessantly to establish territory while females fight to safeguard pups. Between June and August, it’s closed for mating season.

Arriving at Isla San Francisco and stepping foot on its sand and shingle shores will make you feel like a contemporary Robinson Crusoe. The island features a gorgeous half-moon sweep of sheltered bay perfect for a refreshing dip. A beachcomber’s delight and a must-see during a Mexico yacht charter, there are countless shells of all shapes, sizes and colours.

Explore the vast mangrove lagoon for which exceedingly peaceful Bahia Amortajada is renowned. Forests of cardon cacti lie at the foot of soaring red mountains, contrasting with the deep-green mangrove foliage. Snorkel or kayak along the reef and watch pelicans swoop for the day’s catch.

Wild and out of the way, Isla San José receives few visitors. It’s blessed with sandy beaches and calm blue-green seas populated with sea birds, damselfish and butterfly fish. Natural pathways, known as arroyos, slice through sharp peaks and allow hikers access to the unique Sonoran desert.

The most attractive of the five main islands that make up the Loreto Bay National Park, this petite patch of land is proof that good things come in small packages. During your Baja California yacht charter, think swimming in azure seas, canyon trekking and wildlife-spotting. Bighorn sheep are the real bosses of this rocky landscape though.

Low-lying Isla Monserrate draws few cruisers as it’s vulnerable to changing winds. That only makes it even more attractive, considering it has beaches you need to see to believe. At Yellowstone beach, bathe in translucent waters, explore reefs and inspect sandstone cliffs.

Back on the mainland, an insider secret awaits. This tiny, far-flung fishing hamlet looks out over a sprawling, sheltered bay enveloped in fine golden sand beach and interspersed with jagged outcrops. Its humble community works salt flats and supplies shrimps, clams and fish to La Paz using time-honored methods.

Lying at the peninsula’s southern tip, this former fishing town has transformed into a celebrity haunt thanks to fabulous beaches, fine seafood restaurants, upscale boutiques and bustling bars. Beyond the glitz, there are art galleries, thermal springs and waterfalls to explore during your Baja California yacht charter.