I was asked to report on my trip to Santa Catalina. We ended up hiring Wild Loreto to transfer us from Loreto for USD$160 each way. I was quoted as
high as USD$400 each way from some operators. The transfer was only 1.5 – 2 hours depending on the wind. We didn’t have time for arranging something
with a fisherman in Agua Verde because we would have had to drive back and forth between Loreto and Agua Verde to get the park permit, and you need to
know the name of the captain and boat for the permit.
Ultimately, we probably could have talked to a panga guy in Loreto harbour, however with so much we wanted to accomplish in the Baja, we preferred the
certainty of booking in advance.
We had a great time on the island. Saw lots of things (dead and alive). We heard some snakes shaking the bushes, but didn’t see any despite our best
efforts at searching. It is definitely a unique island. It is not for sandy beach types, but excellent for anybody who wants a deserted island. with
exotic plants and good snorkeling.
I will attach some photos. A little video of our complete trip can be found at
[Edited on 3-27-2015 by bobsyouruncle]Tioloco - 3-26-2015 at 09:59 PM
Nice pictures, thxBornFisher - 3-26-2015 at 10:07 PM
Wowza!!! Never seen a report from that island!! Thanks!!!brewer - 3-26-2015 at 11:33 PM
Great pictures.4x4abc - 3-27-2015 at 02:07 AM
cool stuffTMW - 3-27-2015 at 08:12 AM
Love the pictures, beautiful place. ThanksDavid K - 3-27-2015 at 08:35 AM
Beautiful photos? Sorry you didn't see any rattle-less rattlesnakes!rhintransit - 3-27-2015 at 08:38 AM
it's a great place. thanks for the pics.
by the way, you probably paid a fair market rate for the trip. one way for you is two round trips for them. it IS a long way. gas is expensive,
especially for a fast boat that got you there in 1.5-2 hrs. standard go out in a panga to Carmen or such (not your basic Coronado tour trip, which
is much closer than any of the other islands) for four hours runs about 150-200.
[Edited on 3-27-2015 by rhintransit]
[Edited on 3-27-2015 by rhintransit]güéribo - 3-27-2015 at 08:39 AM
Beautiful. Love the picture of the boy!Udo - 3-27-2015 at 01:39 PM
Thanks for sharing your photos, bobsyouruncle. Never seen a report from or about the island before.mtgoat666 - 3-27-2015 at 02:11 PM
In your video looks like you did a pack trip too in sierra de san fran,... who did you go with,... and got any comments/review on it???David K - 3-27-2015 at 02:19 PM
Bravo for a truly superior trip album that seems to represent so much of what makes Baja California a unique destination... where birds swim and fish
fly! Thank you and how lucky is that young man? Close to my age when the Baja bug bit me!
MMc - 3-27-2015 at 08:31 PM
Nice report!! It looks like you had a very well planed tip, You sure saw a lot of Baja! bobsyouruncle - 3-28-2015 at 12:39 PM
I am glad that you like the photos and video. We really enjoyed our trip to the Baja. In addition to Catalina Island we:
Camped a couple of nights at Balandra Bay
Swam with the seal lions at Isla Espiritu Santo
Took a three day mule trek at San Francisco de la Sierra
Saw whales in San Ignacio and Ojo De Liebre
Camped at Catavina at an abandoned nature park
Released turtles at Todos Santos
Snorkeled at Cabo Pulmo
With respect to the mule trek, we almost didn’t go because the official in San Ignacio refused to issue us permits. He said that it was too dangerous
for Pascal. I told him that Pascal was quite accomplished for his age, and very experienced, but he said that in his 20 years, he had never given a
permit to anybody younger than 11 years. He totally made up this rule on the spot. We talked to Shari when she took us whale watching and she told
us to just drive up to the village. We drove to the village on spec and sure enough, there was an official there, and he gave us the permit with no
hassle.
We brought our camping stuff, and had already purchased our food, and food for the guide, so we were ready to go the next day. They arranged for a
guide from the famous list of 70 guides. We got Angel. I think that the guide cost 200 pesos per day and each animal cost 150. I don’t remember. I
just gave him a wad of bills with a big tip at the end. We also made sure his food was yummy Mexican stuff, and bought him a bottle of tequila.
There was so much, I think that he ended up sharing most of his food with his family when he got home. They have a tienda in San Francisco where you
can buy the guides food. They prefer to Mexican food to Gringo food.
We enjoyed the trek immensely. It took about 4 hours to get down, and 3.5 hours to get back. It depends how many breaks you take. It is only about
10 kilometres to the campsite. The last third of the hike is along the canyon floor, and the guides don’t really care if you ride or walk that part.
We walked it on the way in and rode it on the way out. The second day we lazed around and walked to three different caves. They each within 20
minutes walk of where they like you to pitch your tent. Pascal enjoyed playing in the pools of water in the bottom of the canyon. There are other
caves further away you could explore on that day. Alternatively, you can trek for additional days.
You need a head for heights because you are putting your life in the hands of the mules as you descend and ascend the canyon, so it is not for
everyone. There are lots of precipitous dropoffs. We did see dayhikers. The hike would be challenging in the heat of the day, and the trail is
designed for mules, not people.
