Cabo Pulmo &
La Paz Islands
North of Los Cabos, the Sea of Cortez opens into something vast, wild, and largely untouched. The coastline of Baja California Sur stretches north through remote desert canyons that drop directly into the sea, past volcanic rock formations and sheltered coves where no tourist infrastructure exists — just the water, the wildlife, and the silence. This is the route that overnight charters with Private Yachting Club open up, and Cabo Pulmo and the islands near La Paz are the crown jewels at the end of it.
Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is one of the most remarkable places in the Sea of Cortez. Its coral reef is the only living coral reef on the Pacific coast of North America, and its recovery since receiving protection in 1995 has been documented as one of the most successful marine conservation stories in the world. Fish biomass in the park increased by over 460% in the decade following protection — a transformation visible to the naked eye underwater, where schools of fish so dense they block the light have become a defining characteristic of the site. In 2005, UNESCO designated Cabo Pulmo as a World Heritage Site.
La Paz, the state capital of Baja California Sur, sits approximately 135 nautical miles north of Cabo San Lucas and is surrounded by a chain of protected islands — Espíritu Santo, La Partida, Los Islotes — that together form one of the most extraordinary wildlife environments in the world. Sea lion colonies on Los Islotes are famously approachable; the young sea lions treat snorkelers as playmates, spiraling around them in the water with bewildering energy. Whale sharks aggregate in the bay seasonally, offering the rare experience of snorkeling alongside the largest fish in the ocean in calm, clear water.
Three days on
the Sea of Cortez
The Cabo Pulmo and La Paz itinerary typically runs over three to five days depending on how much time guests want at each location. A classic three-day route looks something like this:
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Day 1
Cabo San Lucas → Cabo Pulmo
Depart Cabo Marina in the morning. Cruise north along the Sea of Cortez coast, passing the beaches of San José del Cabo and Los Barriles. Arrive at Cabo Pulmo by mid-afternoon. Anchor in the protected bay. Evening snorkel or dive at the reef. Chef prepares dinner aboard as the sun sets over the Baja desert.
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Day 2
Cabo Pulmo → Isla Espíritu Santo
Full morning at Cabo Pulmo — snorkeling the living reef at prime morning light. Depart after lunch and cruise north through open Sea of Cortez. Arrive at Isla Espíritu Santo in the late afternoon. Anchor in one of the island's sheltered coves. Swim, kayak, or explore the volcanic rock formations by dinghy.
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Day 3
Los Islotes Sea Lions → Return to Cabo
Early morning snorkel with the sea lion colony at Los Islotes — the most exhilarating wildlife encounter in the Sea of Cortez. Late morning cruise south, with a stop at a secluded cove for swimming before the return passage. Arrive Cabo Marina in the evening.
All overnight charters include a private chef who prepares all meals aboard using fresh local ingredients, full bar service, crew accommodation, captain-led wildlife briefings, and snorkel equipment for all guests. Itineraries are flexible and adjusted based on weather, sea conditions, and guest preferences.
The Sea of Cortez
in full
Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the world's aquarium, and the route from Cabo to La Paz runs through the heart of it. Humpback whales are present from December through April and are frequently encountered in the open water between anchorages. Whale sharks aggregate near La Paz from October through March. Manta rays are common throughout the year, sometimes traveling in groups of twenty or more. Dolphins regularly ride the bow wave of the yacht, and blue-footed boobies dive-bomb schools of fish pushed to the surface by hunting tuna. This is wildlife watching in its most unmediated form — from the deck of a private yacht, without crowds, without commentary, and without a fixed schedule.
