The New Wild Frontier

A Blog by Baja Charters

How to Use this Resource

The Sea of Cortez guide is an alphabetical blog designed to be a quick source of information on all things related to the Sea of Cortez. Currently, focus is on the inside sea with La Paz as its center of gravity.

Go to Baja Charters Website Contact Us

Alphabetized

Articles are in alphabetical order by title.

Brief

Articles are brief and relate directly to the title.

Teaser Box on Home Page

Each article has a teaser box with a photo and a button on home page to open the full article.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Introduction to The Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a biologically rich body of water located between the Baja California Peninsula and the mainland of Mexico. The sea covers an area of approximately 160,000 square kilometers and is home to an incredible array of marine life.

The Sea of Cortez is renowned for its biodiversity, which is among the highest in the world. The sea is home to over 900 species of fish, 32 species of marine mammals, and 5 species of sea turtles, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts and marine biologists alike.

Read More
Baja Charters Top Charter Company of the Year

Baja Charters was notified by the Travel and Hotel Awards from London, England that they took first place as: Charter Company of the Year in Baja Sur for 2022!

Read More
Balandra Bay

Balandra Bay is located about a 30-minute drive from La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico, or about an hour or thereabouts by yacht. It is a stunning natural wonder that draws tourists from all over the world. The entire area is a national park.

Read More
Blue-footed boobies of the Sea of Cortez

Blue-footed boobies are not typically found in areas as far north as the Sea of Cortez.

Read More
Blue Whales in the Sea of Cortez

The blue whale is the largest animal on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet and weighing as much as 200 tons. These massive creatures were once heavily hunted, bringing them to the brink of extinction.

Read More
Bonanza Beach

Bonanza Beach is a stunning, white sand beach located on the southeast side of Isla Espiritu Santo, a spectacular island in the southern Sea of Cortez, about a two-hour boat ride from the capital city of La Paz, Baja Sur California.

Read More
Cabo San Lucas

Nestled at the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and human ingenuity.

Read More
Cabo Pulmo National Park

Cabo Pulmo, is almost certainly, THE MOST SUCCESSFUL REEF RESTORATION program in the Western Hemisphere, and maybe the world!

Read More
CONANP

CONANP is a Mexican federal agency responsible for the protection, management, and conservation of Mexico's natural protected areas.

Read More
Cormorants

The Sea of Cortez is home to a diverse array of marine life, including the iconic cormorants. Cormorants are seabirds that are known for their excellent diving abilities and are found all around the world.

Read More
Cruising the inside Sea on the 96' yacht Pacifica

Cruising the inside sea on Pacifica is an experience like no other. This stunning stretch of water is located between Baja California and mainland Mexico and is home to an incredible array of marine life and beautiful scenery.

Read More
Documentary Filming

Recently, the 96’ yacht Pacifica, returned from a sixteen-day private charter with some of the top nature filmmakers in the world.

Read More
Dolphins

According to the website of The Nature Conservancy, there are 21 species of dolphins and porpoises that have been documented in the Sea of Cortez, including...

Read More
El Gallo & La Gallina

El Gallo and La Gallina (the Rooster and Hen in English), are two small islands, off the coast of Isla Espiritu Santo, (Holy Spirit Island).

Read More
El Pardito

El Pardito, also known as Isla Coyote, is about 90 miles north of La Paz on the inside Sea of Cortez sandwiched between Isla San Francisquito and Isla San Jose, surely two of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Read More
Ensenada Grande

The bay of Ensenada Grande is a remarkable natural wonder located on Isla Partida. Partida is within throwing distance of Isla Espiritu Santo.

Read More
Frigate Birds

Frigate birds are one of the most impressive bird species that inhabit the Sea of Cortez. These seabirds are known for their aerial abilities and unique physical features, which make them stand out from other bird species in the region.

Read More
Gaviota Island & Lovers Cove

Gaviota Island, known locally as Boobie Island, is a smallish island located in the Sea of Cortez, inside the Bay of La Paz, about a 45-minute boat ride from the capital city of La Paz.

Read More
Giant Mantas and Mobula Rays

The Sea of Cortez, (the Gulf of California), is a biologically rich body of water that is home to a diverse array of marine life.

Read More
Gray Whales in the Sea of Cortez

Among the most iconic inhabitants of the Sea of Cortez are the gray whales, which migrate to the area every winter to give birth and mate.

Read More
Gulf of California, Sea of Cortez, or Vermilion Sea?

In 1539, Spanish explorer Francisco de Ulloa effectively proved that Baja California was a peninsula rather than an island. He named the inside gulf, Mar Bermejo, which in English becomes Vermilion Sea.

Read More
Historic Ocean Treaty

An agreement was reached on Saturday evening, 4 March 2023, after 38 hours of non-stop negotiations at UN headquarters in New York.

Read More
Humpback Whales in the Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez, is home to a diverse range of marine life, including one of the largest populations of humpback whales in the world.

Read More
Isla Ballena

Isla Ballena is a small uninhabited island located in the Gulf of California, off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Read More
Isla Carmen

Isla Carman is an island located in the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is part of the Loreto Municipality and is one of the largest islands in the Gulf of California.

Read More
Isla Coronado

Isla Coronado, also known as Coronado Island, is a small island located in the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico.

Read More
Isla Danzante

Isla Danzante (also known as Danzante Island) is a picturesque island located in the Sea of Cortez, which is also referred to as the Gulf of California.

Read More
Isla Espiritu Santo

Isla Espiritu Santo, (Holy Spirit Island), located just off the coast of La Paz, Mexico, is a stunning destination that draws visitors from all over the world.

Read More
Isla San Francisquito

Isla San Francisquito is a small island located in the lower inside Sea of Cortez. This idyllic island is within the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.

Read More
Isla San Jose

Isla San José, is an undeveloped island located in the Sea of Cortez, off the southeastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula just north of Isla San Francisquito. San Jose island is privately owned, but no one lives on the island.

Read More
Isla Partida

Isla Partida is a wonderful island located just about a hundred meters north of Isla Espiritu Santo within the inside Sea of Cortez.

Read More
Jacque Cousteau and Isla Espiritu Santo

Jacques Cousteau was involved with Isla Espiritu Santo, a Mexican island located in the Sea of Cortez, (Gulf of California), in the mid-20th century.

Read More
Jacques Cousteau Island

Cerralvo Island was renamed Jacques Cousteau Island, after the famous French oceanographer by that name.

Read More
La Paz

La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, was officially founded on May 3, 1535, by Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador. It recently celebrated its 488th birthday!

Read More
La Reina Reef

La Reina reef is an excellent diving site located between Jacques Cousteau Island and Isla Espiritu Santo within the Sea of Cortez.

Read More
La Ribera

Nestled along the stunning coastline of southern Baja California Peninsula, La Ribera emerges as a hidden gem that seamlessly blends natural wonders with a serene atmosphere.

Read More
La Ventana

Situated on the south east coast of the Baja Peninsula, facing the inside Sea of Cortez, across from Jacque Cousteau island, La Ventana stands as a revered hub for kite-surfing enthusiasts from around the globe.

Read More
Loreto

Nestled along the picturesque southeastern coast of inside Sea of Cortez, Loreto stands as a true testament to the beauty of Mexico's natural landscapes.

Read More
Loreto Bay National Park

The Loreto Bay National Park is located on the east coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, in the state of Baja California Sur. It was declared a national park in 1996 and covers an area of 206 square miles (534 square kilometers), including 20 islands and a coastal strip.

Read More
Los Barriles

Located on the east cape at the southern end of the Baja Peninsula in Baja California Sur, Mexico, lies the charming and idyllic town of Los Barriles.

Read More
Los Islotes

Los Islotes is a rocky islet located just north of Isla Partida, in the Sea of Cortez. It is a part of the Espiritu Santo Archipelago and a popular destination for divers and snorkelers due to its large sea lion colony and unique and diverse marine life.

Read More
Mexican Revolution

Mexico experienced several civil wars throughout its history. However, most references to the Mexican Civil War refer to the conflict that took place between 1910 and 1920, also known as the Mexican Revolution.

Read More
Mulege

Mulege is a municipality located in the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It is situated on the southeastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula, on the inside Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California.

Read More
Octopus 

Orange is my favorite color. So, you can imagine my surprise, to see a brilliant, bright orange octopus moving quickly among the rocks in the Sea of Cortez. Its head was about as big as a baseball.

Read More
Orcas

Orcas are well-known as Killer Whales. And although whales and dolphins are both mammals, Orcas are in fact, large dolphins. They are not whales.

Read More
Partida Bay, Isla Partida

Bahia de la Partida is an incredibly beautiful bay located on Isla Partida, one of the largest islands in the Espiritu Santo archipelago in Mexico. The Espiritu Santo archipelago is an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Read More
Pearls of San Gabriel Bay

Bahía San Gabriel is a stunning bay located at the south end of Isla Espiritu Santo, a world-renowned island off the coast of La Paz, Mexico.

Read More
Pelicans

One of the most iconic creatures that inhabit the Sea of Cortez, are the ever-abundant pelicans. Pelicans are large water birds with long, curved bills and elastic throat pouches that they use to catch fish.

Read More
Pichilingue

Pichilingue is a natural bay located in the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, near the city of La Paz. The bay has a rich history, dating back to the pre-Columbian era when it was used as a port by the indigenous Pericú people.

Read More
Playa Tecolote

Playa Tecolote is an idyllic beach located on the Baja California peninsula, near the capital city of La Paz.

Read More
Port Captain’s Office

The Port Captain's offices in Mexico are responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and efficient operation of ports and waterways within their jurisdiction.

Read More
PROFEPA

PROFEPA is the federal agency in Mexico responsible for overseeing and enforcing environmental laws and regulations.

Read More
Puerto Escondido

Puerto Escondido is a beautiful cove located in the Loreto municipality in Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is situated on the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula, between Loreto and La Paz.

Read More
Sailing the Sea of Cortez

Sailing the inside Sea of Cortez on a crewed catamaran is an unforgettable experience that combines the beauty of the sea, the thrill of adventure, and the comfort of luxury.

Read More
San Bruno

San Bruno is a small fishing village located on the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, along the shores of the Sea of Cortez (also known as the Gulf of California).

Read More
San Jose del Cabo

Situated along the picturesque south coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico, San Jose del Cabo offers a harmonious blend of stunning natural beauty and a rich cultural heritage.

Read More
San Rafaelito Sea Lion Colony

The San Rafaelito sea lion colony is within the Bay of La Paz, in the southern part of the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez.

Read More
Scuba Diving from La Paz

La Paz is among the world's great dive destinations. More than 25 dive sites surround the islands outside La Paz's bay, such as Espíritu Santo, San José, and Cerralvo, now renamed: Jacques Cousteau Island after the famous French Oceanographer.

Read More
Sea Horses

Divers out with Captain Jeff, of the Ladyhawke, a beautifully upgraded yacht originally owned by the director of the movie by the same name, spotted Sea Horse’s on a reef of the Sea of Cortez.

Read More
SEMARNAT

SEMARNAT is a Mexican federal agency responsible for environmental protection, natural resource management, and the promotion of sustainable development in Mexico. Tour operators are required to secure permits and licenses for various nautical activities.

Read More
Sport Fishing La Paz, Mexico: A True Angler’s Paradise

Located on the eastern coast of the Baja Peninsula in Mexico, La Paz is a well-known destination for sport fishing enthusiasts.

Read More
Swanee Reef

Swanee Reef is located just off the coast of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is a popular destination for divers and snorkelers from all around the world.

Read More
The Pericu People

The Pericu people were an indigenous group that inhabited the southern part of the Baja California Peninsula, for roughly 7,000 years.

Read More
The Vaquita and Totoaba Tragedy

The vaquita and the totoaba are two marine species found in the Upper Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez.

Read More
Unique Island Mammals

Isla Espiritu Santo, (Holy Spirit Island), is a beautiful island located off the coast of La Paz, Mexico, and is home to several unique mammals.

Read More
Water Colors of the Sea

Pure water is colorless. However, when light passes through it, some of the wavelengths are absorbed and others are reflected or scattered. The specific wavelengths of light that are absorbed or reflected determine the color that we see.

Read More
Whale Sharks

The Sea of Cortez, (the Gulf of California), is home to a diverse range of marine life, including the magnificent whale shark. These gentle giants are the largest fish in the ocean, with some growing up to 40 feet in length.

Read More
Why Vessels Use Nautical Miles

The nautical mile is a unit of measurement used in navigation and aviation to measure distances at sea. It is based on the circumference of the Earth and was first used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for navigation purposes.

Read More
Wreck Dives from La Paz

Wreck diving is a thrilling and exciting experience that allows divers to explore sunken vessels and other underwater structures. One of the best places to go wreck diving is not far out of La Paz, Baja Sur California.

Read More

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Go to Baja Charters Website Contact Us

We are Baja Charters

Follow Us on Social Media