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Nautilus Yachting > Yacht Charter > Tropical Yacht Charter > Mexico Yacht Charters

Sailing Holidays in Mexico

A stunning and unspoilt sailing area where you have the opportunity to see whales, sea lions and explore over 900 islands!

Setting sail from La Paz, located at the bottom of the Baja California Sur peninsula on the west coast of Mexico, find your own little slice of paradise in the Sea of Cortez. The area is renown worldwide for its rich array of sealife and really is a must destination for nature lovers with the chance to see grey whales, sea lions, whale sharks and even humpback whales. 

There are few places where you can combine adventure with relaxation as well as you can do on a yacht charter from La Paz. Beautiful beaches are in abundance here and the turquoise waters invite you to jump in and explore the marine life. The unique landscape is quite unlike any other of our sailing destinations, with sprawling deserts merging with the sparkiling Sea of Cortez - a striking combination. This is a fabulous area for hiking and for the more adventurous why not try your hand at sandboarding, one of the top things to do in La Paz.

A yacht charter in La Paz offers many stunning remote anchorages and vibrant traditional towns across more than 100 miles of coastline. With year round sunshine, white sandy beaches and plenty to explore on land as well, a sailing holiday in the Sea of Cortez will certainly not disappoint!

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Yacht Charters from:

£1897.00

7 nights / 4 cabins


Experience Level: Level 2

Winds average Force 3-4 Find out more...

Mexico Yacht Charter

Sailing holidays in Mexico

Suggested Sailing Itineraries

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

 DAY 1 : Marina Costa Baja, La Paz

Embark at Marina Costa Baja in La Paz, a modern marina with several great restaurants, shops and even a spa. Spend the afternoon provisioning your yacht and getting settled onboard.

 DAY 2 : Marina Costa Baja to Ensenada Grande (26nm)

Set off for the 4 hour sail across to the beautiful anchorage of Ensenada Grande, known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Mexico. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, snorkelling or exploring the uninhabited island of Isla la Partida, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Isla la Partida is separated from Isla Espiritu Santo by a narrow channel and at certain times it is possible to wade across to both islands. Enjoy the start of your nature filled holiday as you will most likely see sea lions, dolphins and the local colony of blue footed boobies.

 DAY 3 : Ensenada Grande to Isla San Francisco (20nm)

Today you sail to the tiny island of Isla San Francisco which is just 2km long and 3km wide. A lovely sheltered anchorage with incredibly clear waters. The island is home to an impressive reptile population which you can meet whilst hiking up to the ridge for stunning views. While away the afternoon relaxing and snorkelling in the calm waters.

 DAY 4 : Isla San Francisco to Bahia Amortajada (3nm)

Explore the mangroves of Bahia Amortajada. Those with kayaks or SUPs will be able to get up close to array a wildlife, with many bird species living in this area including egrets and long legged pelicans.

 DAY 5 : Bahia Amortajada to Isla Espiritu Santo (30nm)

Sailing back past Isla la Partida to Isla Espiritu Santo, also a protected UNESCO biosphere region with impressive colourful rock formations and wonderful beaches.

 DAY 6 : Isla Espiritu Santo to Los Islotes (12nm)

You won't find white sandy beaches here but you will find the largest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez. Being a popular breeding ground for sea lions, you are likely to see playful pups on your visit who love to put on a show and swimming amongst these inquisitive creatures is such a delight. An incredible spot for exploring the underwater world of the Sea of Cortez - one of the finest examples of why this area is one of the top dive and snorkel sites in the world.

 DAY 7 : Los Islotes to Marina Costa Baja (25nm)

Enjoy a final day's sail back to the Marina stopping off at Pichilingue Beach for some delicious Mexican seafood.

 DAY 8 : Marina Costa Baja

Disembark from Marina Costa Baja.

2025 Prices shown are in GBP(£) per yacht for 1 week

Yacht details 01 Jan - 10 Jan 11 Jan - 06 Mar 07 Mar - 26 Apr 27 Apr - 30 May 01 Jun - 15 Aug 16 Aug - 26 Sep
Model / layout Year Cabins WC
Dufour 520 GL 2020 5 3 from
£3,875
from
£3,330
from
£4,183
from
£4,188
from
£3,848
from
£3,848

2025 Prices shown are in GBP(£) per yacht for 1 week

Yacht details 01 Jan - 10 Jan 11 Jan - 06 Mar 07 Mar - 26 Apr 27 Apr - 30 May 01 Jun - 15 Aug 16 Aug - 26 Sep
Model / layout Year Cabins WC
Bali Catspace 2022 4 4 from
£3,754
from
£3,384
from
£4,777
from
£4,406
from
£3,420
from
£3,772
Fountaine Pajot Astrea 42 - 4 + 2 cab. 2021 4 4 from
£4,134
from
£4,134
from
£5,076
from
£5,156
from
£5,348
from
£5,353
Bali 4.4 - 4 + 2 cab. 2024 4 4 from
£1,897
from
£1,897
from
£1,897
from
£2,750
from
£7,804
from
£5,522
Bali 4.4 - 4 + 2 cab. 2024 4 4 from
£5,205
from
£4,683
from
£5,522
from
£6,254
from
£6,165
from
£6,165
Bali 5.4 - 6 + 2 cab. 2020 6 6 from
£8,045
from
£8,045
from
£8,638
from
£9,424
from
£8,281
from
£8,286

Please note: Prices may be subject to change. Compulsory and Optional extras will be added to your quote.

Sailing conditions in Mexico

The best time of year for sailing the Gulf of California is mid-February to late June or mid-October to late December. Temperatures in Mexico average around 32°C in the summer months (May-October). This also coincides with the rainy season however the majority of the annual rainfall falls between July and October. You can expect southerly winds averaging between 10 to 15 knots. Most of the Pacific basin tropical storms during the hurricane season typically pass south of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula. You’ll need to visit the harbormaster and leave a detailed trip plan before leaving the marina, including intended destination and crew and passenger information.

We have rated this destination a 'Level 2' (levels info)

Getting There

Flights to La Paz, Mexico

Flights to La Paz (LAP) are available with Aeromexico from London Heathrow with a stop in Mexico City. From La Paz International Airport it is just a 30 minute taxi ride to the base. You can also fly into Los Cabos International Airport with Aeromexico, Virgin Atlantic, British Airways or United Airlines with stops in Mexico City or the US. From Los Cabos International Airport it is 2.5-3 hour transfer to the base in La Paz.

Useful Information

Mexico is a vast country with well publicised problems with gangs and organised crime. However, each region has different concerns and La Paz and Baja California have hosted tourists for a long period of time and have a relatively low crime rate compared to other areas. Many US citizens frequent the area every year for their holidays without any cause for concern. Many Americans and Canadians have also made this area their home.

In Baja California the summers are long and very hot. Winter can be more comfortable with dry and slightly cooler weather. In the summer period temperatures may reach 37-38 degrees Celsius and the sea temperature may reach 27 degrees Celsius.

Low season is between December and February with temperatures around 25-26 degrees Celsius and cooler evenings (due to the desert conditions). The highest rainfall is between July and October.

The best time for a sailing holiday in Mexico is between February and June and October and December.

The marine life in the La Paz sailing region is world-class and this area is a must-visit for nature lovers. Whale sharks migrate here to return to their breeding ground and proficient swimmers can take a local guide to swim and snorkel with the whale sharks as they come into the shallows - a once in a lifetime experience! Gray whales annually migrate here for their calfing season between December and April. They can often be seen from the boat and the shore.

Take a guided trip to Espirito Santu to swim with the sea lions and enjoy lunch on the beautiful white beaches, kayak into the mangroves or see the famous rock formation of El Hongo surrounded by the beautiful aquamarine waters that has become the emblem of La Paz.

Take some time ashore to learn to surf on some of the infamous surf beaches of Baja or enjoy a Margarita sundowner made from local tequila whilst watching the sunset over the Sea of Cortez and listening out for the calls of the whales.

For bareboat yacht charters in Mexico you will need to provide a sailing resume showing experience of sailing in similar conditions to those of Mexico. When you depart the harbour you will need to provide your passage plan for your charter period to the harbour authorities.

The cost of your yacht charter depends on several factors:

Boat Type

The type and size of the yacht you book will dictate the price. In Mexico you will find mostly catamarans available for charter. A 1 week charter on a 4 cabin catamaran starts around £3400 in low season whereas 1 week on 6 cabin catamaran with a skipper in high season could be upwards of £10,000. These are the 2 extremes of the scale for a 1 week charter and we offer plenty of choices in between.

Charter duration

1 week is a popular choice amongst our sailors and makes the perfect getaway however, a longer charter will give you more time to explore all the Sea of Cortez has to offer.

Time of Year

Lower-priced yacht charters are available in the off-season of January-March and June-September. Prices are highest in the peak season between April and June.

Crew

Don't have any sailing experience? No problem! We offer skippered charters in Mexico so you can enjoy the yachting lifestyle without the stress.

In the Baja peninsula there is 100+ nautical miles of coastline with many pristine beaches and remote peaceful anchorages. The winds generally blow from the south around Force 3-4. Tropical storms usually pass south of the peninsula. The sea state is sheltered within the Sea of Cortez (or the bay of California) due to the western side of the Baja peninsula breaking the waves rolling off the Pacific. It is a tidal area with a range of 1-1.5m and there can be strong localised currents to be aware of.

The rainy season in this area is between May and September but the rainfall often comes in short, sharp showers followed by beautiful sunshine.

The best sailing in Mexico can be found in Baja California, in the Bay of Cortez.

A 1 or 2 week yacht charter in Mexico is ideal. For inspiration on sailing routes, please see our suggested itinerary below.

Sailing Itineraries for Mexico

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