hey i just got back from a few weeks down in baja and read some intriguing things about Laguna Manuela that certainly peaked my interest,
unfortunately i didn't have the time to check it out on this trip. has anyone driven out there recently? are the roads OK? is there dependable
camping spots there or are you running the risk of camping on someone's land/irritating the locals? would love to spend some time kayaking/fishing
down there if everything is copacetic, cheers!TMW - 1-12-2015 at 10:36 AM
It's one of my favorite places. I haven't been there in a year or so but it was always safe. A little up from the fish camp there are maybe 3 or more
trailers with people living in them. Been there for some time now. I haven't talked to the people. We either camp at the light house or over on the
south end of the long beach. You need 4x4 as the sand in spots can be very soft, especially on the road up the hill to the light house and on the road
from long beach back to the road going in. The various coves offer good fishing from the beach. There is a seal colony at one of the coves north of
the light house. Caught spot fins in there. Mostly yellow fins and corbina in the coves. Some halibut too.David K - 1-12-2015 at 10:57 AM
Photo of Laguna Manuela from near the light house, 1984:
Pompano - 1-12-2015 at 12:09 PM
I haven't driven in to Laguna Manuela since the '80s, but I know that at nearby Jesus Maria, you can still get a tamale or a burrito for the trip.
We used to cast netted bait from the Long Beach (Playa Largo) and did very well with big white sea bass. There was a large fish camp that targeted
and slaughtered hundreds of sharks, which did not suit us very well.
The whole area was and probably still is, a great beachcombing shoreline. Lots of treasures coming in on the current with a few dead whales from time
to time.
[Edited on 1-12-2015 by Pompano]
[Edited on 5-5-2019 by BajaNomad]tyguypb - 9-24-2015 at 03:37 PM
i am resurecting this topic from the dead as i am headed back down to central baja and would LOVE to open this discussion once more, if anyone has any
more input on the road conditions or location please chime in!!! David K - 9-24-2015 at 05:16 PM
Let us know what you discover with a fresh trip report and photos please!
I think 1984 was the last time I drove all the way in?KurtG - 9-24-2015 at 06:38 PM
i am resurecting this topic from the dead as i am headed back down to central baja and would LOVE to open this discussion once more, if anyone has any
more input on the road conditions or location please chime in!!!
As mentioned earlier, if you have 4wd go up to the lighthouse for great views. The two track road continues north along the bluffs to a couple of
lovely spots.David K - 9-24-2015 at 06:40 PM
i am resurecting this topic from the dead as i am headed back down to central baja and would LOVE to open this discussion once more, if anyone has any
more input on the road conditions or location please chime in!!!
As mentioned earlier, if you have 4wd go up to the lighthouse for great views. The two track road continues north along the bluffs to a couple of
lovely spots.
That's the road my photo from 1984 was taken on, by lighthouse.Archie - 9-24-2015 at 08:28 PM
Went to Laguna Manuela for a weekend of camping and surfishing about a week ago. the main road from Jesus Maria to the Cerro de Santo Domingo was
recently scraped, all the oher roads are in very bad shape.
We used to go to the little abandoned dock across the channel that the pangas use, but last time there was a new camp of pangueros, lots of trash and
trucks running all over day and night.
Used to be a great place for shorefishing, but about a year ago fish went away. Not even botetes.
I think this was very accurate a few years ago:
Same in La Lobera (sea lion´s cove), i´ve seen some guys catch a lot of fish from some of the coves, but you have to walk a lot to get there.
This time we went up north to the beach, "El Playón" as the locals call it and was just like we want it: looong beaches and just us. Lots of bones of
whales, dolphins, sea lions, turtles. And mexican navy too.
We got a visit of the Marinos on its patrol, asked the usual but didnt search us, they said they´ve found lots of drugs adrift and all over the beach
a few months ago.
If youre planning driving on the beach, check the tides. We almost got trapped between the sand dunes and the waves during high tide.MMc - 9-25-2015 at 08:38 AM
We were there in July kayak fishing the top of the estero and in and in the bays. we camped off of the road going to the lighthouse, by the houses. It
has a different vibe than it used to more coming and going. Spent 3 nights there and did OK fish wise. It is very sandy with blow sand getting into
everything. A kayak is the ticket for fishing here as you can paddle into some of the bays and fish without climbing down to them and it's quick to
get to the next one, also we would drift just outside the bays.
Go, you'll have a good time if you're looking to fish. tyguypb - 9-25-2015 at 04:15 PM
Ahhhh some recent reports!!! Muchisimos gracias! Yea a main concern for me is the road. I have all wheel drive on a Subaru outback. So I do not have
incredible clearance but I have good traction and decent clearance. I also have kayaks so that is a plus. If nothing else I will just head down to
estero coyote! BajaBlanca - 9-26-2015 at 12:12 AM
