BethM - 5-18-2009 at 02:04 PM
Hi,
Thanks to posters for answers to my previous questions!
A snorkeling trip out to Espirito Santo & Los Islotes sounds great. I'm having trouble figuring out the best way to make that happen, though.
Drive to Playa Tecolote that morning and set it up from there? Book ahead of time in La Paz? Something else? Any particularly recommended (or not
recommended) outfits? There will be 2 of us.
Sorry if this has been asked before (I didn't see anything, but could have missed it).
thanks.
Ken Bondy - 5-18-2009 at 02:35 PM
BethM
Suggest you book it in advance. Most hotels can arrange the trip, the operators will pick you up at the hotel. Los Islotes trips can also be
arranged through any dive shop in La Paz.
++Ken++
gnukid - 5-18-2009 at 04:43 PM
The issue with Islotes is that its far. There are two kinds of tours, slower pangas and faster big boats to head out there and dive and return. You
can do either of course, drive to Tecolote to leave on a small panga and be closer or leave from any marina or right from town. If you are serious
about getting in the water it seems a boat equipped and ready for snorkelers and one that is faster will give you more time in the water for multiple
dives in more comfort. Be really clear about what you want to do with the operator and see if they respond clearly back to you, if they do not respond
with clear info, with a clear and ambitious schedule then skip that operation.
For example, ask and find out what the destinations and schedule typically. Do you need gear, do they have a wetsuit for you etc... lunch, bathrooms,
what speed and how big is the boat?
Ask about :
Do you want to take a long trip or a short one?
Bigger boats are more comfy and have a bathroom. How big is the boat? Bathrooms?
Cost? Prices should range from $300-1000 pesos.
Dive companies are having a hard time too so you should find out if they are truly equipped and ready or not. Low price doesn't mean better value. The
phone numbers may have changed below...
Check out Carey which leaves from Marina La Paz or CantaMar which leaves form Pichilingue both are running professional operations and I do see boats
leaving daily.
Carey ***
http://www.marinadelapaz.com/contenidos/buceo_carey.htm
info @ buceocarey.com , phone/fax: (011 52) 612 123 2333.
FunBaja
http://www.funbaja.com/
Usually leaving from Palmira
Tailhunter
http://www.tailhunter-international.com/
CLUB CANTAMAR ***
http://www.clubcantamar.com/
Big boats usually leaving from Pichilingue
Alvaro Obregon 1665-2,
La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
THE CORTEZ CLUB
Carretera a Pichilingue, Km5
La Paz, B.C.S. Mexico
Tel: 16120 / 16121
Fax: 16123
BAJA EXPEDITIONS DE MEXICO
Sonora #585 Casi Esq. Abasolo
Tel: 53828
Fax: 53829
BajaNuts - 5-18-2009 at 06:42 PM
We did a snorkel trip to Espirito Santo with Carey Dec 2007. They are in the marina at the west side of downtown La Paz. We were all snorkeling, not
diving, cost for panga trip and wet suit rentals (no snorkel gear) was $385US for 3 people. Seems kinda spendy by the quotes above. We had a smaller
panga compared to the other boats we saw out there. Stopped at a great (and popular) beach on the way in. No lunch provided and obviously, no
bathroom! Took about 1 1/2 hours to get out there, but on the way back in, we has several side trips.
Water was cold in Dec so we didn't spend as much time in the water with the sea lions as I would have liked. But still a trip worth doing for sure!
Jack Swords - 5-18-2009 at 08:33 PM
We have used Carey (located in Marina de la Paz) several times for the trip to Los Islotes and had a great time. The boat beat other larger (and
slower) boats so we had the sea lions to ourselves until the other boats arrived. On the return we stopped at Ensenada Grande on the beach and were
provided with lunch (minimal cost). There is bathroom just behind the beach. Then we went in and out of other coves with the guide pointing out
interesting sights. This is a top notch outfit!
BethM - 5-18-2009 at 09:46 PM
Thanks for all the info. We'll be arriving in La Paz the day before, so sounds like we should see who's going out the next day and sign up.
BajaNuts - 5-18-2009 at 10:58 PM
HAVE FUN!
fishbuck - 5-18-2009 at 11:17 PM
Spent a day at Tecolote once. Seemed to be plenty of boats going to Espirito Santo. I could see them almost all the way across.
Looked pretty easy to get a boat. Watched a small family with a couple of beautiful women set one up.
They talked to a guy on the beach and a young man jumped into the water and swam out to an anchored panga and brought it ashore.
The family jumped in and off they went. The kid knew I was watching and looked back with a smile as he sped away.
I don't think there was ever a day when I wished I was a mexican kid with a panga more than on that day.
[Edited on 5-19-2009 by fishbuck]
BajaNomad - 5-19-2009 at 04:54 AM
Somewhat depends on if you appreciate - and can afford - the conveniences (as mentioned by Ken) provided by the in-town diving service companies.
Used to be that the Panga(s) from Tecolote were less costly, if for nothing else, the lessened amount of fuel necessary from their closer location to
the islands. You also need your own transportation out to Tecolote to take into consideration.
-
Doug
Udo - 5-19-2009 at 08:35 AM
Last year we just drove Tecolote (about a 20 minute very scenic drive), and hired one of the panga drivers at the beach. There were lots of seats open
and they provided the snorkeling gear. No need for wetsuits. Water is about 75 drgrees.
They charge $40.00 U.S. and includes pic nic lunch.
Pangas near Espiritu Santo
The rock where everyone hangs out
The pic nic area
Dive area
805gregg - 5-19-2009 at 01:40 PM
Check out Mar Y Adventuras in La Paz, the have a website and phone from the US is 011-52-612-122-7039.