Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 449
Dream Yacht's Sun Odyssey 449 — four cabins, two heads, AC at the dock only
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Sail the Sea Jacques Cousteau Called “The World’s Aquarium.”
Desert islands, whale sharks, sea lions, and a winter cruising season most charterers don't even consider.
Overview
The Sea of Cortez is the Pacific cruising ground that doesn't feel Pacific. Sheltered by the Baja California peninsula, it's flat-water sailing through desert islands, with marine life density that earned Cousteau's famous description. Whale sharks aggregate in La Paz Bay from October through April. Sea lions at Los Islotes will swim with the boat. Bryde's whales, blue whales, and humpbacks pass through on migration.
What's hard: it's not the Caribbean. Spanish is the working language. Provisioning is in La Paz city. The norte winds in winter can blow hard for 2–3 days at a stretch — you plan around weather windows more than in the BVI. The desert islands have no fresh water and minimal shore-side commerce; you're carrying everything for the trip.
Best for charterers who want a different season (winter break, not summer), divers and snorkelers attracted to marine-life density, and sailors comfortable with weather routing.
Quick Facts
- Best months
- October – May. Whale sharks peak November–February. Summer is too hot.
- Sailing conditions
- Light most of the year; norte winds 20–30 knots can blow Nov–Mar in 2–3 day cycles.
- Water temperature
- 70–82°F seasonal range. Coldest January–March.
- Typical trip length
- 7-day most-booked.
- Cruising character
- Anchor-out, desert islands, weather-window planning. Very different from Caribbean tradewind cruising.
- Customs
- Mexico — clear in at La Paz airport on arrival. Charter base handles cruising permit.
- Currency
- Mexican Peso (USD widely accepted, but pesos for small spend).
Sample Itineraries
All depart and return from the charter base. Distances are approximate nautical miles.
7-Day Active
- Day 1 — La Paz (Marina Costa Baja) → Caleta Lobos. ~6nm NE. Easy first hop. Anchor in 15 feet of sand. The sea lion rookery at Los Islotes is a 20-minute dinghy ride; swim with them in the afternoon.
- Day 2 — Caleta Lobos → Isla Espíritu Santo (Ensenada Grande). ~10nm N. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Anchor in the protected bay; walk the cardón cactus trail at sunset. Manta rays sometimes glide through the anchorage.
- Day 3 — Espíritu Santo, hold (Caleta Partida). Move to Caleta Partida between Espíritu Santo and Isla Partida. Snorkel the cliffs on the windward side. Whale sharks in the bay in season.
- Day 4 — Partida → Isla San Francisco. ~25nm N. Anchor in the half-moon bay on the south side — one of the most photographed anchorages in the Sea. Pink salt flats inland.
- Day 5 — San Francisco → San Evaristo. ~12nm N. Fishing village on the mainland side. Lola's restaurant (palapa-style, no menu, whatever was caught) for dinner.
- Day 6 — San Evaristo → Isla San Francisco (return). ~12nm S. Beach day. Hike to the salt flats.
- Day 7 — San Francisco → La Paz. ~40nm S. Long return sail. Marina Costa Baja by late afternoon.
Available Yachts in La Paz, Sea of Cortez
Anchorages Worth Planning Around
Los Islotes (Sea Lion Rookery)
North end of Isla Espíritu Santo.
Why stop here: A pair of small rocks where ~400 California sea lions live year-round. They're protected, well-fed, and curious — they'll swim up to snorkelers and tug on fins. Best snorkel encounter in North America.
Holding & approach: Don't anchor at Los Islotes — bottom is rock and the swell wraps. Anchor at Caleta Partida or Caleta Lobos, dinghy over. Park rangers may be onsite.
What to do: Snorkel with the sea lions. Don't touch (federally protected). Best visibility in the morning. June–August is closed season (pupping); year-round access otherwise.
Getting There
- Airport
- Manuel Márquez de León International (LAP), La Paz. Direct flights from Tijuana, Mexico City, Mazatlán, and seasonally from US gateways (Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles). Many charterers connect via San José del Cabo (SJD) — 2-hour drive north.
- Charter Bases
- Dream Yacht Charter — Marina Costa Baja, La Paz (north side of the city).
- Airport Transfer
- 15 minutes from LAP to Marina Costa Baja. ~$15 USD by taxi.
- Customs & Check-in
- Clear in at LAP on arrival. Charter base handles cruising permit (TIP) and fishing permit.
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