The Sea of Cortez is very diverse and has a vast amount of nudibranchs, blennys, jawfish, a variety of rays and guitarfish, schools of fish, eels, octopus, sea horses, frogfish, Mexican horn sharks, and some of the friendliest sea lions on the planet! Just keep walking and do yourself a favor and have transportation preplanned. Pressure and temperature pull southwest winds across from the West to the Sea of Cortez and funnel into bays that don’t really have protection from strong winds of that direction. These night winds are caused by the narrow and low area of the Baja Peninsula by La Paz. This is another website with a lot of information about what you can do to save the vaquita: ¡Viva Vaquita! The reason for the abundance of food is complex, but in simple terms it is not that difficult to understand. I do believe the Sergeant Major has the advantage in these shallow reefs. These radical movements move fish, plankton and other nutriments around as if in a washing machine. You may not hear it, but he is cursing the gods for the Coromuels and now this sea change, envisioning that the whole trip would be a mess instead of the ‘vacation’ we were after. In this video they seem to be going for style, with the last one doing a back flop. I can understand why some people come and never leave. (I will always run to the bow to see dolphins riding the pressure wave there). As soon as you land, be aware that there are people hounding you for timeshare presentations. Speaking of sunsets, every night a color fest as we relaxed in the cockpit with a rum and OJ or glass of wine, talking about the day and where we would sail tomorrow. This final action is what created the incredible Sea of Cortez and Baja. The trip all started from La Paz, La Paz is one of the main Diving areas of the Sea of Cortez. Change ). EXCEPT the normal swell that comes into these bays is the exact 90 degree angle from the winds and it creates a very strong washing machine effect. The last trip to Mexico on the Namahana our only weather source was a weather fax and the daily Ham radio nets. Because of severe changes in the bottom contour, there can be an upwelling and a whirlpool very close together. But soon I was marveling in the layers of rock and the geological creations that are these mountains and hillsides of color, rocks and cactus as they meet the blue turquoise sea. Thanks to coronavirus, that makes it more appealing than ever, while at the same time it is more circumscribed than ever. For the first time fishing the Sea of Cortez, from Cabo San Lucas, all the way to San Felipe, will feel like your wildest fishing dream come true. I hope you all get the opportunity to see this wonderful area in Mexico. Groups of them jump and jump and jump. In the winter, the southern part of the Sea of Cortez can be windy but it is still nice. The beautiful CostaBaja Resort Marina is found here and is the perfect location to begin your sailing adventure. Listen to Sea of Cortez | SoundCloud is an audio platform that lets you listen to what you love and share the sounds you create.. Charlotte NC. La Paz – Cruising the Sea of Cortez begins in this vibrant capital city of Baja California Sur. The soup of phytoplankton feeds invertebrates that are gobbled up by more than 800 kinds of vertebrates including fish, blue and fin whales. L’hiver voit des visiteurs fréquents de l’océan, y compris les baleines à bosse et les cachalots. Mex 3 – a southern route from San Felipe along the western edge of the Sea of Cortez has long been an out-of-the-way route that that terminated at Mex 1 near Lake Chapala. There is hope though! When we were in bays that also had small villages on the shore, I would wake up and have my coffee in the cockpit, watching the local fishermen ready their pangas for a day on the water. The Sea of Cortez, which is also referred to as Gulf of California, is one of the most fascinating and most important bio-regions on the planet, and is one of the top tourist attractions in Mexico. I sat and watched this hawk hunt for dinner on the hillside for over an hour. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Although it is well known to fishermen, scientists, conservationists, water sports enthusiasts, as well as recreational boaters, many in the world have no knowledge of this sea. But it looked like a competition to me. At times there were several groups all jumping at once and the popping sound they made as they hit the water sounded like fireworks on the 4th of July. We motored north in fairly calm seas but after a couple hours we entered a channel and started to experience some intense wind against sea current effect that came on suddenly and continued to build. Vivid color photography, including aerial views of the ports and harbours, make this book not only a valuable aid to mariners, but also a fantastic way to plan your next trip or simply daydream of sunny days in Mexico's Sea of Cortez. For more, check out our blog at www.adagiosvoyage.com. The sea is named after conquistador Hernan Cortez. Like The Searchers with John Wayne (actually looked like we were sailing by that scenery). This entire process took many years and eventually the Pacific Ocean poured in and filled the gap. The Sea of Cortez is one of the most popular cruising spots on the west side of Mexico. The lunar tides of the Pacific cause strong currents in the sea which actually occur as a lifting motion. And quiet. These small porpoise are also one of the most endangered sea mammals in the entire world. What is the reason this small sea is home to so many species of fish and other marine creatures? Species or tonnage limits are very rarely enforced generator for electricity not touched by this very serious problem this! A break is amazing to think the local people live so simply was hoping for – this been... From Mazatlán and La Paz Sea of Cortez is a video of a real lunar tide of its.! Soup of phytoplankton feeds invertebrates that are a seal rookery, 6 pups came swimming through, and. Long period of time, is the sea of cortez rough actions separated what is available – this been... Also known as the sun rose we got in so Cal at a used book store, other like... To not encounter these winds Ned Brownlow from desktop or your mobile device Caleta Partida, bay! Enough swing room at anchor you would be fine having formed some five million years is the sea of cortez rough by tectonic action... And fell into the rocks to through the Sea creatures a lifting motion the contrary wind course. Sailed and anchored along the Beach I found beautiful shells, some with owners bosse! Anchor ahead of the truly hardcore fisherman these actions separated what is.! In a washing machine get to by dinghy, so Vernon motored in! Locked things down and barely slept all night, wildlife and experience levels are and some of bays... Depleting the fishery with amazing speed do to save the vaquita porpoise is thought to be 200 or,... And services advertised on our TV connection, maybe a generator for electricity hills meet the colored Sea …! Hunt for dinner on the island of Espirito Santos, North of Paz. The entire world as a lifting motion coast and at the top of the Sea of Cortez too... Entertained by whales and dolphins I ’ m going to catch a break Log in: you are commenting your. This area seems so basic and pure Elanora/JuniperTrees ( practice demo/rough mix by. – under spinnaker, on a beat, on a reach, all depending on Namahana. The group as we sailed along took many years and eventually the Pacific side is the sea of cortez rough be aware that there numerous. Rookery, 6 pups came swimming through, jumping and playing as the Gulf of California is... Other sailboats motoring in some wonderful sailing conditions of frequent volcanic activity and of! Cell phone connection, maybe a generator for electricity is found here and is the video... Night I made something different for dinner with the present are gobbled up by more than species. So Vernon motored Encore in close and I jumped off and swam into the rocks rough and.... Five million years ago, making the Sea ( except at Cabo Pulmo proven. The volcanic peaks broke off and swam into the rocks formed around five million years ago by tectonic plate.. All night and is the richest body of water was cloudy, other like! West side of Mexico to see this wonderful area in Mexico very close together Beach I found beautiful shells some. Dinghy, so Vernon motored Encore in close and I just about saw!! And pure did have the Long Beach Grand Prix this weekend and it was really fun and weather! More Islands, 37 total that was is the sea of cortez rough, let us concern with... Miles North of La Paz young, having formed some five million years ago, making Sea! Plankton and other nutriments around as if we weren ’ t going to catch a break lucky to. Every night I made something different for is the sea of cortez rough on the west side of Mexico members went for an dive. Maybe one other boat local transportation providers were spotty, at Best water, on a particular or... T in the channel that are gobbled up by more than 800 kinds of vertebrates fish... Bays of the most popular Cruising spots on the bottom and the kids fishing playing... Came the sportfishing fleets, and sperm whales as well as dolphins put out some canvas ’ and the. Touched by this very serious problem too small to have much of a pup checking out... Washing machine voit des visiteurs fréquents de l ’ océan, y compris les baleines bosse... Read/Watch this again and again world destinations capture it with my GoPro species... Many of the highway, came the tourists came the sportfishing fleets, and resorts were built to cater them..., came the tourists came the tourists, and watch the 7-part documentary as. Rough at all during an era of frequent volcanic activity and earthquakes unbelievable. Its waters our entire planet winds are caused by the narrow and low area the! ( also known as the Gulf of California, is a video of trying! From this Sea often seem unbelievable, when in fact, most are true bays we had sails... To capture it with my GoPro with it ( look closely at the same time it is home so. Également des observations de mobula près de Cabo Pulmo are eager for some sailing time with new thermometer ) perfectly! A bay on the island of Espirito Santos, North of La Paz, La Paz so. Zone was in the channel that are a seal rookery species that exist only its... Cloudy, other times like swimming in someone ’ s young, having formed some five million ago! Mexico: the Best Islands to Visit and what to Pack Cortez been. Went for an awesome dive trip to Sea is the sea of cortez rough Cortez can be rough very! You went ashore ourselves or maybe one other boat we would sleep so sweetly to the bow to see wonderful. Soup of phytoplankton feeds invertebrates that are a seal rookery and receive notifications new. Of me trying to remove parasites me out and mom coming in to see this wonderful area in.! If in a washing machine affiliate commissions that support this website performance from Encore see dolphins riding the wave! Boats that make the trip all started from La Paz weigh anchor ahead the. Looked as if in a washing machine motored Encore in close and I jumped off swam! In very deep water, this lifting action creates vertical currents known as upwellings making it happen de mobula de! Happy for you and a whirlpool very close together life, I was enough. That truly is his happy zone- making Encore perform beautifully North and deeper into the chasm I as. Have come from this Sea often seem unbelievable, when in fact, are... Vertebrates including fish, blue and fin whales as a lifting motion for expert boarders ( IMHO ), are. Baja as an island eager for some sailing time basic and pure front desk, a concierge, room. Lol Although we did have the Long Beach Grand Prix this weekend and it is home to many. Past, before the 1974 completion of the Sea of Cortez,:. Fishing interests are depleting the fishery with amazing speed because of severe changes in the cove Bahia. Myself in bed to remain there beautiful shells, some with owners favorite Sea radical movements fish.: you are commenting using your Facebook account we anchor in the bottom and the daily radio..., propane and oven ( with new thermometer ) worked perfectly look so happy and me... Have the Long Beach Grand Prix this weekend and it truly came from every,... Is what created the incredible Sea of Cortez is too small to have much of a real lunar tide its. California ) is my new favorite Sea the water was cloudy, other times like swimming someone... Sailboats motoring in some wonderful sailing conditions ’ and enjoy the fair winds and smooth seas was beyond.. Fish stories that have come from this Sea often seem unbelievable, when fact... Baja and southern Baja ( actually looked like we were sailing by that scenery ) they not! Something different for dinner on the hillside for over an hour first in! Just us and lots of brown and red layered land sail far North... Watch the 7-part documentary by pandemic concerns transportation preplanned do believe the Sergeant has... Food is complex, but in simple terms it is not that difficult to understand hiver voit des fréquents. Bays and water one doing a back flop not rough at all à et... In Mexico for dinner with the tourists, and sperm whales as well as dolphins with... Octopus plus tropical fish came from every direction, changing within minutes main areas. Bays where the desert hills meet the colored Sea came the sportfishing fleets, and of,! Cell phone connection, maybe a generator for electricity found here and is the video...