BajaNomad

What's at Punta Final?

Pappy Jon - 2-19-2007 at 08:34 PM

I've heard of this spot south of Gonzaga Bay, but I know nothing about it. How is the camping?

tim40 - 2-19-2007 at 09:04 PM

If camping is your interest, one place to consider that we just visited a week ago is Camp Beluga. It is located roughly half way between Alphonsinas and Punte Finale. On a slight bluff with sandy beach. Owner is real nice person. 15/night I think. Also looks like you could find several rough camping spots. At Punte Finale proper I can not think of any place to camp. About 30 homes and a great surf fishing location.

David K - 2-19-2007 at 11:57 PM

Campo Beluga was GREAT! 1.2 miles south of Alfonsina's Pemex...

wilderone - 2-20-2007 at 10:26 AM

There are several dirt roads that lead to Punta Final, and once you get there, you'll find several homes built ringing the cove there. At the southern (?) end, the airstrip end, is a place where you could camp. If you venture further, past the houses, you'll come behind the cliffs of the coastal shoreline. In my opinion, you could find a better place to camp - all those houses, a few caretakers hanging around. A day trip to satisfy your curiosity is enough.

larry - 2-20-2007 at 10:42 AM

I would agree that a day trip would be fine---but it is a spectacular spot. If you are coming from Campo Beluga and not on the main road, there is a spot coming out of the big arroyo where you need high clearance and 4WD.

Campo Beluga is my choice to camp in Gonzaga. It is far away from the little development in the area, clean, helpful staff... I paid $15US per night in December, which was a $5 increase from the previous year, but reasonable I think.

Larry, et al------

Barry A. - 2-20-2007 at 11:10 AM

------what do you get for your $15 at Campo Beluga? (palapas, toilets, showers, etc. ???)

Can you launch a 14' tin-boat there easily? (and retrieve it?)

Is the beach steep and sandy, or pretty much like at Alphonsina's?

Are you "right on the beach berm" with clear view of the water, or behind a dune system?

How close together are the camp sites?

tim40 - 2-20-2007 at 12:31 PM

You have a clear view of the beach/water. Sand is sandy (not rocky). A about twice as high sand hill from camping to water than down by Alphonsinas. You would have little no problem lauching the boat with assistance by hand (no vehicle would make it that I can think of). Showers, trash and clean porto potties. If I am not staying at the hotel at Alphonsinas it is Beluga.

ursidae69 - 2-20-2007 at 12:56 PM

There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd.

Pappy Jon - 2-20-2007 at 02:49 PM

This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?
Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd.

ursidae69 - 2-20-2007 at 03:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pappy Jon
This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd.


Access is either way. I drove along the beach myself just because that is fun.

Tim40-------et all

Barry A. - 2-20-2007 at 03:21 PM

So, no palapas at Baluga?

tim40 - 2-20-2007 at 05:46 PM

2 sizes of palapas. For $15 you get a smaller (plenty large for tent and other camping items) at edge of sand hill leading to water. For $25 you get a larger 2 story palapa a little further back. For my use the $15 is the way to go even without consideration with the price difference.

David K - 2-20-2007 at 06:33 PM

Trip Report is coming! Baja Angel and I give Campo Beluga two thumbs up... On the beach, clean flush (not pit) toilets, showers (cold), trash can at each palapa... clean... NICE people... Photos coming...

Crusoe - 2-20-2007 at 07:55 PM

Campo Beluga...........For kayackers and naturalists this is a great place to head out from. The beaches are nice and there is alot of bird life. It is a clean and safe campground. Nice people too.:)

baja829 - 2-21-2007 at 12:25 PM

The drive to Punta Final from the "highway" is extremely beautiful, especially at this time of year. Wild flowers all over the place and great mountain views. Very passable, narrow and steep in a few places-- When we finally got there, there was only one family left -- all the homes and businesses were abandonded several years ago. Hills and hills of scallop shells near the old ice plant.

The bay is incredible. The family was pleasant and it was a great drive - will return.

David K - 2-21-2007 at 12:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by baja829
The drive to Punta Final from the "highway" is extremely beautiful, especially at this time of year. Wild flowers all over the place and great mountain views. Very passable, narrow and steep in a few places-- When we finally got there, there was only one family left -- all the homes and businesses were abandonded several years ago. Hills and hills of scallop shells near the old ice plant.

The bay is incredible. The family was pleasant and it was a great drive - will return.


Ummm.... I am confused... Punta Final (south end of Ensenada de San Francisquito/ 'Gonzaga Bay') is a private vacation home area and site of a future resort perhaps, since purchase by a Korean businessman from the owners of Rancho Santa Ynez. Ice plant??? Maybe there is another Punta Final?

Punta Final + driving on the beach...

Cameron - 2-21-2007 at 04:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
Quote:
Originally posted by Pappy Jon
This sounds more to my liking. I take it you just drive down the beach, or is there a road/trail to the palapas?

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
There are some abandoned palapas maybe a mile or 2 south of Beluga on the beach if you have a good 4wd.


Access is either way. I drove along the beach myself just because that is fun.


...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read concerning this one. Anyone??? C

ursidae69 - 2-21-2007 at 04:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read concerning this one. Anyone??? C


Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs everywhere.

tripledigitken - 2-21-2007 at 04:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
Quote:
Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read concerning this one. Anyone??? C


Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs everywhere.


I thought the same thing ursidae69, until I was made aware of turtles hatching on Shell Beach (Punta Chivato) the last 2 years.

I no longer drive on the beach.

Ken

[Edited on 2-21-2007 by tripledigitken]

Beach Driving...

Cameron - 2-21-2007 at 04:41 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
Quote:
Originally posted by Cameron
...Just wanted to check what the other Nomads here think about the whole "driving on the beach" thing. I keep reading posts mentioning it, but it's my understanding that driving on the beach is illegal in Baja Sur.
I know the "Punta Final" thread probably isn't the place to bring this up, but I think it's a good question in light of all the past posts I've read concerning this one. Anyone??? C


Good question. I think accessing places from the beach is more environmentally friendly than creating more 2-tracks through the desert. The beach replenishes itself every tidal change, the numerous 2-tracks are there for years. If it is illegal, they don't seem to enforce it with all the ATVs everywhere.


RE: "..more environmentally friendly..." - I have to say I disagree with your statement about beach driving being more "environmentally friendly" than creating new roads through the desert.
There's thousands and thousands of square miles of desert in Baja, vs. much, much less beach/oceanside land. IMHO, that makes the beaches much more prone to destruction and much more precious as far as the need for preservation goes. Also, one of the main reasons the beaches in Baja Sur are federally protected is for wildlife habitat protection and protection of several endangered species of Turtle.
As far as the enforcement issue goes, just because the law isn't routinely enforced doesn't mean it's OK to break it!Would it be OK to throw trash from your car window if there wasn't anyone looking? Is it OK to chop down a Cardon just because violators are rarely caught? Is poaching shellfish OK if nobody's around to catch you? I don't think so.
Much like the US campaign to cut down on litter in the '70's (Anybody remember the crying Indian?), the Mexican government is trying to get a handle on issues like littering, beach driving, poaching, etc., but it takes years, if not a whole generation for the changes to occur.
If you are caught driving on the beach by Profepa in Baja Sur, they have the ability to levy a stiff fine for the first offense. If you're caught a second time, they CAN LEGALLY SEIZE YOUR VEHICLE.
PLEASE don't drive on the beaches in Baja Sur! Yes, it's lots of fun. Yes, you can usually get away with it. Does that make it OK? No. :no:
Cameron

[Edited on 2-21-2007 by Cameron]

David K - 2-21-2007 at 04:43 PM

Punta Final is not in Baja Sur, but that isn't the point since beach driving is 'illegal' in all of Mexico's beaches...

The deal is that Baja away from the cities or other population centers is desolate... no people, no body is hurt, no turtle eggs in the northern gulf. Beach driving is the only way to reach some camp spots either because there is no land other than beach (like my Shell Island) or the desert prevents it and as ursidae69 says, making a new road across the desert is far more harmful than driving on a beach (no harm at all).

Not making any excuse, but beach driving between San Felipe and Puertecitos or to Punta Final from Alfonsina's has been a way of life for nearly everyone who has visited or lived in those areas since the first autos arrived 50 years ago!

I would support a ban on beach driving in front of cities like Rosarito Beach where there is far too many people and drunks behind the wheel!

palapa at campo beluga

larry - 2-21-2007 at 04:56 PM

I have tried repeatedly to post an 11kb photo. If it doesn't show up here, can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?

beluga 3.jpg - 11kB

Hook - 2-21-2007 at 04:58 PM

Larry, you need to increase the size to closer to 45kb. Very low res rendition.

Beach Driving...

Cameron - 2-21-2007 at 04:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by David K
Punta Final is not in Baja Sur, but that isn't the point since beach driving is 'illegal' in all of Mexico's beaches...

The deal is that Baja away from the cities or other population centers is desolate... no people, no body is hurt, no turtle eggs in the northern gulf. Beach driving is the only way to reach some camp spots either because there is no land other than beach (like my Shell Island) or the desert prevents it and as ursidae69 says, making a new road across the desert is far more harmful than driving on a beach (no harm at all).

Not making any excuse, but beach driving between San Felipe and Puertecitos or to Punta Final from Alfonsina's has been a way of life for nearly everyone who has visited or lived in those areas since the first autos arrived 50 years ago!

I would support a ban on beach driving in front of cities like Rosarito Beach where there is far too many people and drunks behind the wheel!


OK, just playing "Devil's Advocate" here. David, what exactly are you saying? In your opinion, is it OK to drive on the beach, and if so, under what circumstances?
While reading posts here over the last couple of years, I've seen people "flamed" for suggesting (illegal) activities such as using a 2-meter radio without the proper license, packing handguns, etc.. The Baja Nomads "terms of use"/board policy discourages any promotion of ANY illegal stuff, and yet the whole beach driving thing has been ignored by almost all Nomads as far as I can tell. I guess I'm curious to know why some activities are frowned upon while others seem to be "OK" in the eyes of many.
:?: :?: :?:
Cameron

David K - 2-21-2007 at 05:13 PM

What do you have against driving on sand... if no animals are harmed?

What I am saying that driving on a Baja beach is a means of transportation and has been since before any lawmakers 2,000 miles or more away made the rule.... probably with Acapulco or Veracruz in mind.

Mexican fisherman daily drive the beaches of Baja to retreive their nets, fishing boats, selling drinks, etc.

As said above, the beach renews itself twice a day with high tide and with wind... There is no reason not to be able to drive to where one wants to go if no animals or people are harmed... if that is the means to get where you want to go.




[Edited on 2-22-2007 by David K]

David K - 2-21-2007 at 05:23 PM

Not promoting an illegal activity, just making the facts known as they apply near San Felipe, which is in no way like Todos Santos... I don't suppose you plan on banning anyone who talks about driving over 55 MPH (80 KPH) on Hwy. 1 which is also an illegal activity...

Here is a photo from Monday...

[Edited on 2-22-2007 by David K]

207 112r.JPG - 22kB

David K - 2-21-2007 at 05:26 PM

You will note what a beautiful beach that is... why I have been going there for 30 years... You would think that I am the only one driving on that beach... scarring it forever, perhaps?

You are seeing these beautiful photos because I drove there to take them, by the way.

[Edited on 2-22-2007 by David K]

David K - 2-21-2007 at 05:27 PM

Here is the same beach the night before, just above the high tide line... as many tracks where on the sand where you saw my truck... but the tide erases them, twice a day!

207 084r.JPG - 40kB

David K - 2-21-2007 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by larry
I have tried repeatedly to post an 11kb photo. If it doesn't show up here, can someone please tell me what I am doing wrong?


Larry have the photos beteen 30-45 kb... this one at Beluga is at 37 kb

207 029r.JPG - 37kB

Crusoe - 2-21-2007 at 05:40 PM

David.......Will you say where that beach is where you took that photo and you have been going to for 30 years?? Absolutely beautiful shot. Thanx

David K - 2-21-2007 at 06:00 PM

Yes, no secret... just don't leave any trash behind!

It is 'Shell Island' (others call it Shell Beach, but there already is a place called that in Baja and this one actually becomes an island at high tide).

The access road is at Km. 26 south of San Felipe, 3 miles south of Percebu.

4WD only.... can't be nervous about driving through sea water... and tires need to be deflated 50% or more to float on the sand which has a high percentage of crushed shell so easy to bury into! See my Part 4 of my trip report. posting tonight!




[Edited on 2-22-2007 by David K]

ursidae69 - 2-21-2007 at 07:06 PM

I appreciate the information on the legality of driving on the beach. I will consider this on future trips and avoid it where I can. When I cannot avoid it, I will be on the lookout for any turtles. I have not been to Baja in the summer when the nesting season is going on. In the meantime I suggest people put more effort into bigger threats to turtles such as humans eating them.

Crusoe - 2-21-2007 at 07:46 PM

David........Thanks so much for sharing. Ive seen it before from a distance.It looks like the sand gets almost the same color as the crushed shells.Lots of the beaches around La Paz and east ( Tecolote) have this same high ratio of sea shell . It makes them so brilliant. Promise to leave no trash.Would like to vosit there in May. Thanx.......;D

Crusoe - 2-21-2007 at 07:46 PM

David........Thanks so much for sharing. Ive seen it before from a distance.It looks like the sand gets almost the same color as the crushed shells.Lots of the beaches around La Paz and east ( Tecolote) have this same high ratio of sea shell . It makes them so brilliant. Promise to leave no trash.Would like to vosit there in May. Thanx.......;D

beluga

bajapablo - 2-21-2007 at 08:17 PM

here' s a picture of the 2 story palapa at beluga

beluga.jpg - 11kB

beluga

bajapablo - 2-21-2007 at 08:18 PM

this was beluga in june of 04

beluga1.jpg - 4kB

wilderone - 2-22-2007 at 09:50 AM

It's not just the turtles. Access roads through dunes; access roads through coastal flora are a breakdown of the totality of the ecology, which also includes Least tern and killdeer habitat (or other bird species requiring sand duffs for nesting), as well as all of the other animal species which depend on the dunes and flora where they live, which in turn, play a part in larger bird and animal species' lives as food, etc., etc. It's a sensitive balancing act and should not be damaged or polluted. You can explore all these areas to your heart's content without driving a vehicle over them.

David K - 2-22-2007 at 09:55 AM

Agree, the beauty of a place includes the plants and animals. Never blaze a new road through virgin desert or over shrub topped sand dunes.

There already is a network of roads in Baja that go to thousands of interesting places.

ursidae69 - 2-22-2007 at 11:11 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by wilderone
It's not just the turtles. Access roads through dunes; access roads through coastal flora are a breakdown of the totality of the ecology, which also includes Least tern and killdeer habitat (or other bird species requiring sand duffs for nesting), as well as all of the other animal species which depend on the dunes and flora where they live, which in turn, play a part in larger bird and animal species' lives as food, etc., etc. It's a sensitive balancing act and should not be damaged or polluted. You can explore all these areas to your heart's content without driving a vehicle over them.


What's the world coming to, we have greenies lecturing greenies! :P In all seriousness, I tread lightly every where I go, even Mexico, with the exception of a little beach driving to get me to a destination. The comments are noted though, thanks.

baja829 - 2-22-2007 at 11:23 AM

TO DAVID K -- OOPS - wrong side of Baja. There is a Punta Final south of Gonzaga on the Sea of Cortez side - that's the one I was referring to - it's a favorite place and when I saw the name Punta Final, I just jumped in without thinking. Sorry

David K - 2-22-2007 at 11:30 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by baja829
TO DAVID K -- OOPS - wrong side of Baja. There is a Punta Final south of Gonzaga on the Sea of Cortez side - that's the one I was referring to - it's a favorite place and when I saw the name Punta Final, I just jumped in without thinking. Sorry


Still have me confused here 829... I am talking about Punta Final, south of Gonzaga Bay. I know 2 people who have homes there... one is a Nomad. I do admit I have not been right in the resort in many years, but you can see the lights on at night from Alfonsina's, so it's not abandoned. The satellite image shows all the gringo homes still there as well as the grading work for the resort over the hill from Snoopy Island....

[Edited on 2-22-2007 by David K]

David K------

Barry A. - 2-22-2007 at 11:32 AM

Under your "BEACH DRIVING" post above, you mention that "there are no turtle eggs in Baja Norte", or something like that. Hmmmmmmm, that may be so, but there used to be a thriving turtle industry at the Bahia de los Angeles (which I KNOW you know), which no longer exists. Did these turtles back then not breed and lay eggs along the beaches of northern Baja???

I don't know the answer, but maybe somebody on this "board" does.

Along the beaches of the Caribean I have heard that the beach driving has deffinitely destroyed Turtle egg habitat, so might this not be the same in the SOC??

Just a thought.

Barry

David K - 2-22-2007 at 11:36 AM

Here is Punta Final from space, note the homes. Scroll around to see the surrounding area or zoom out...Punta Final

David K - 2-22-2007 at 11:44 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Barry A.
Under your "BEACH DRIVING" post above, you mention that "there are no turtle eggs in Baja Norte", or something like that. Hmmmmmmm, that may be so, but there used to be a thriving turtle industry at the Bahia de los Angeles (which I KNOW you know), which no longer exists. Did these turtles back then not breed and lay eggs along the beaches of northern Baja???

I don't know the answer, but maybe somebody on this "board" does.

Along the beaches of the Caribean I have heard that the beach driving has deffinitely destroyed Turtle egg habitat, so might this not be the same in the SOC??

Just a thought.

Barry


There are no beaches to drive on in L.A. Bay... to get to anywhere.

The turtles were being HUNTED to eat and for the beauty oil at L.A. Bay. The Turtle research facility now there shows that they migrate all the way to Japan... and you know how the Japanese will eat anything from the sea! Hunting turtles for food (still done in Mexico) and being caught in Japanese and other factory ship nets is what kills turtles, not a buggy or 4X4 with fat floatation tires.

The beach from San Felipe to Puertecitos is primarily what I am talking about... No turtles ever reported there that I know about and it has been 'open' for beach driving since the first Jeeps arrived after WWII!

Cypress - 2-22-2007 at 11:47 AM

Not a turtle egg expert, but running over eggs with a vehicle will result in crushed eggs, egg layers, or most anything else.:bounce::?:

larry - 2-22-2007 at 11:56 AM

I spent a few hours on the beach at Punta Final in late December---there a quite a number of vacation homes. A few of them seemed to be occupied at that time. The entrance to the area had a gate (which was open and unattended) with a sign listing a fee for access to the beach.

David---

Barry A. - 2-22-2007 at 11:57 AM

Ahhhhh HAAAAAAAH ---- I do not agree!!!! :tumble:

We have, for many years, OFTEN driven west and south on the beach from La Gringa to find good places to camp. Also at the far south end of the main Bay we have OFTEN driven on the beach, again to find great places to camp. Many of these same places are now accessable from small access roads, but that does not change the fact that we, and many others, DO drive on the beaches of the Bay of L.A. :P

But, I admit that I know what you mean. I was just speculating. Perhaps turtles DID in fact lay eggs on the beaches of N. Baja but for some reason (man??) no longer do that.

Something to think about.

Barry

punta final

larry - 2-22-2007 at 12:01 PM



IMG_0572.JPG - 42kB

y mas

larry - 2-22-2007 at 12:02 PM



IMG_0588.JPG - 41kB

Relax

baitcast - 2-22-2007 at 12:34 PM

The late PaPa Fernandez told me even tho the bays and beachs of baja norte were full of turtles as far as he knew they did not use those beachs for egg laying,this came from a man who hunted turtles and fished that region for many many years!

DK is not killing turtles running up and down the beachs:lol:

My conversations with him took place in the mid 60,s.........I was also lucky to enough to hunt with his son at night,my job was to man the oars,I went with the old man on days to check the nets. I got the staight skinny guys right from the horses mouth.

BAITCAST

baitcast------

Barry A. - 2-22-2007 at 12:49 PM

Papa Diaz of B of LA told me the same thing, many years ago. They (and papa Fernandez) certainly were the "hands on" guys, and should know.

Since I drive on the beach all the time it is nice to know that I am probably not doing much damage, especially not to the turtles.

I still find it curious that the turtles did not use the beaches to lay eggs, but the evidence is certainly not there to support that idea.

Thanks for your reply.

David K - 2-22-2007 at 12:55 PM

Here's a photo of Papa Fernandez and Desert Rat from 1994.




Yes, as Papa was at Gonzaga since the very early 60's or sooner, HE would know all about turtles there.

As I speculated from what the turtle research people post at L.A. Bay, they do their nesting in Japan... at least one variety.

The turtles of the Todos Santos area beaches may be another type than those that swim into L.A. Bay???

The point of all this is beach driving near San Felipe isn't killing turtles.

Also, turtle eggs are burried and a tire would have to be stuck right over a nest to get down to them or bring weight close enough to damage them... Because unless the tires are wide, and deflated, they will not float on top of the sand and that is the only way a vehicle can drive on the beach.

More harm will likely come from a pack of Sierra Clubbers hiking in with their boots sinking into the sand!

Finally, I do want to say that I have no interest in killing turtles (specially if they are too small to eat), so I would be against any humans walking or driving over nests when there are eggs in the sand.

I suggest all the effort should be put into publishing CONFIRMED egg laying beach locations, like on a map and the dates the eggs are in the sand (laying to hatching).

How about signs around the perimeter of nesting sites asking everyone to stay out between those dates?

Let's promote something that actually does some good, not just close another part of our planet to mankind as a power play.

David-----

Barry A. - 2-22-2007 at 01:09 PM

----you seem to single out "Sierra Clubber's" in your post-------do Sierra Clubber's have different boots than "normal" people??? :lol::lol:

But seriously, I agree with what you say here--------positive steps that ALL can understand to warn of "proven" depredation to wildlife would be VERY helpful, if needed.

It probably is not needed, in this case.

Barry

More Beach Driving/Turtle Stuff...

Cameron - 2-22-2007 at 06:13 PM

RE: Turtle Habitat and Tires...

(From an earlier post) "..turtle eggs are buried and a tire would have to be stuck right over a nest to get down to them or bring weight close enough to damage them."

The turtle protection folks in Baja Sur ("Asupmatoma") have stated in their literature that the biggest vehicle-related threat to turtle eggs is not crushing by tires, but compaction of the sand. According to them, if the sand has any moisture in it the compaction from the weight of the vehicles makes it impossible for hatchlings to dig themselves out, and very difficult for those attempting to lay eggs to dig a nest deep enough to escape predation.

As a side note to this whole "driving on the beach" discussion, I've got to say I'm surprised at how heated some of the responses to my original query have been. I have to admit, I've driven on the beach myself in the past, and I probably will in the future. I don't have a problem with beach driving when there's no other option available, but I do think it's probably a bad idea to do it "..just because that is fun.".
The fact is that it IS illegal. It is not "..closing (sic) another part of our planet to mankind as a power play.", it is the law.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for the opinions of other Nomads here, and I do not mean to say "I'm right and you're wrong" in any way. I didn't mean to hijack the Punta Final thread either. I just wanted to know what other Nomads thought. Perhaps this subject deserves it's own thread. Anybody???

Suerte!.. Cameron
More Turtle Info: http://www.mexonline.com/tortuga.htm

David K - 2-22-2007 at 06:50 PM

I am glad we can learn things here and exchange thoughts...

I would agree with this: "...but I do think it's probably a bad idea to do it "..just because that is fun.". "

I think beach driving to get someplace that no roads get to or to perform a task, like launching a boat or retrieving a fisherman's net catch is and will always happen. I am glad to learn that it is the compaction of wet sand by vehicle weight that can cause the little guys to have a problem and eggs are not being crushed, as stated by someone.

Facts, not emotion are what will convince people the best!

Confirming no turtle nesting ever discovered in the northern Baja beaches is also good news!

Have a great evening Nomads!

[Edited on 2-23-2007 by David K]

ursidae69 - 2-23-2007 at 08:25 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Cameron
As a side note to this whole "driving on the beach" discussion, I've got to say I'm surprised at how heated some of the responses to my original query have been. I have to admit, I've driven on the beach myself in the past, and I probably will in the future. I don't have a problem with beach driving when there's no other option available, but I do think it's probably a bad idea to do it "..just because that is fun.".
The fact is that it IS illegal. It is not "..closing (sic) another part of our planet to mankind as a power play.", it is the law.


Ya know, I feel sort of bad that my post started this off-topic discussion, but at the same time I learned something. Thanks for all the posts on this topic.

burro bob - 2-23-2007 at 10:50 AM

For a list of turtle nesting site you need to contact PROFEPA. While Papa Fenandez and Papa Diaz are good sources of info they should not be considered definitive.
I asked some of my friends here in San Felipe about turtle nesting sites. They all said no nesting but lots of turtles.
While many people do and will always drive on the beaches they are in fact closed to motor vehicles. This law is obviously not enforced on a regular basis.
burro bob

Nature abhors a vacuum

Skipjack Joe - 2-24-2007 at 11:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by ursidae69
Ya know, I feel sort of bad that my post started this off-topic discussion, but at the same time I learned something.


Yeah, it looks as though the upwelling in the Midriff area creates water temperatures that are unfavorable for spawning in the upper Cortez. Fine for large turtles (we saw one at Calamajue last summer) but not so good for egg hatching or new born turtles.