BajaNomad

Beach camping spots good for day sailing

Sailorv - 12-5-2017 at 09:18 PM

Hi All,

Thanks for checking out my post here.
So we are sailors and plan to come on down via large suv. We have an 18' sailing kayak. We are still trying to sort out how to bring it down. We have car topped it before, it's a pain to get off and on but doing it once a week would probably be ok. Otherwise tow it on a basic trailer or buy a popup tent camper and tow it on that.

It's a tandem kayak and also be a sailing trimaran, we mainly sail it. Since I first saw one I wanted to take her beach camping in Baja. It looks like we can swing 4-6weeks in March and April.

Where would you go?
Wetsuit needed then?
Want to have decent wind and snorkeling and maybe overnight or two on nearby islands. Concepcion and Loreto is the plan but details on where and why are much appreciated.

The rig, so far, is a Yukon suv, 2wd. Going to post a thread on those options next.

TY, Sailorv

JZ - 12-5-2017 at 10:29 PM

Bahia de Los Angeles also. Consider Bahia San Juanico about 25 miles above Loreto. Beautiful bay.

I wouldn't tow anything unless you had to. Put it on top.


tobias - 12-6-2017 at 08:30 AM

Sounds like a hobie adventure.
I have been eyeing those.
Depends on the weather when you get there. I usually avoid the wind because it kills the fishing.
Last spring there was lots of wind around La Paz and Los Barriles where the kite boarders were going nuts.

mtgoat666 - 12-6-2017 at 09:08 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Sailorv  
Hi All,

Thanks for checking out my post here.
So we are sailors and plan to come on down via large suv. We have an 18' sailing kayak. We are still trying to sort out how to bring it down. We have car topped it before, it's a pain to get off and on but doing it once a week would probably be ok. Otherwise tow it on a basic trailer or buy a popup tent camper and tow it on that.

It's a tandem kayak and also be a sailing trimaran, we mainly sail it. Since I first saw one I wanted to take her beach camping in Baja. It looks like we can swing 4-6weeks in March and April.

Where would you go?
Wetsuit needed then?
Want to have decent wind and snorkeling and maybe overnight or two on nearby islands. Concepcion and Loreto is the plan but details on where and why are much appreciated.

The rig, so far, is a Yukon suv, 2wd. Going to post a thread on those options next.

TY, Sailorv


Bahia de Los Angeles would be a good area.
Winds can be quite strong March and April. Be skilled at reefing, high winds, etc. and practice your beach landings in tall waves.

Sailorv - 12-6-2017 at 09:13 AM

Thanks JZ. I just am not sure we will have time for BhLA. If we get down there and I start feeling 4 wks is definitely the max (because we're tent camping only) I know we don't want to put the boat on and off the room because it's such a chore. Are you suggesting it because it is more likely to have breeze than bhC or Loreto?

Tobias, yep Hobie Tandem Island :D
20 kt wind, gusts higher of course, are doable and, for me at least, are a blast unlike keelboats. It's like you're flying your own personal rocket ship, tyfighter, over the waves. SOC has been my number 2 destination I wanna take her to, so I really want to make this happen.

SteveWil - 12-6-2017 at 11:52 AM

Concepcion and Loreto and Bahia de Los Angeles and Bahia San Juanico
I have not done the camping on the beach but have sail all four of the above. I would pick Concepction as number one. It is protected and lots to explore, Land and Water. If I was doing 4 weeks I would add one of the other ones to the trip, as they are all good. I would probably pick San Juanico , but would have to check on the road to get there. BLA and Loreto have island off them that are good to explore.
Go to google and look at satellite view of each area.
I think 17 feet is the limit for bring down a boat with no paper work, I think you may need a Import permit for the boat. Someone correct me if I am wrong.
I wore a 2 and 3 mil dive suit when swimming, I hate cold.

woody with a view - 12-6-2017 at 12:43 PM

Anything over 15’ requires a permit.

pacificobob - 12-8-2017 at 06:56 AM

i would have a hard time imagining any official questioning a car top kayak requiring a TIP.

JZ - 12-8-2017 at 08:41 AM

Quote: Originally posted by pacificobob  
i would have a hard time imagining any official questioning a car top kayak requiring a TIP.


My thought as well. It becomes an issue when you go to put a boat in a marina. They want to see the TIP and your insurance before renting you a slip.


[Edited on 12-8-2017 by JZ]

jaymtb - 12-8-2017 at 02:44 PM

Here now and many times w/ 17ft and 21 ft sea kayaks, no TIPs. Skip marinas, they will gouge you. Beach launch.
Cartop if possible, small kayak trailers are junk- not up to Baja.
Did not see timing you propose? Now into winter w/ el Nortes, much more wind than you want, & steep seas.
Get forecasts, which have to be adjusted for landform effects. Start w/ protected waters.
Forcasts:
Sonrisanet.org
and
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/experimental/epoffshores/data/WRKOFF...

Be careful. Dress for the water. Bring handheld VHF in Aquapac case, know its limitations. Tell somone reliable your float plan.
Watch gap offshore winds esp. in Bla, Gonzaga etc. Be prepared to stay on an island if it gets ugly.
Cheers, J

[Edited on 12-8-2017 by jaymtb]

Sailorv - 2-28-2018 at 12:20 AM

Hi Again,

Well I am back on now that I feel we are getting closer to becoming Baja Nomads. Yessss! We have bought and after a month of work a conversion van for our adventures, next up small trailer for the boat.

March-April plans are not looking good, I need to help take care of my mom after multiple surgeries and then we are entering summer. Neither of us are looking for heat stroke
So I guess it is.looking more like October, Nov or Dec?

We need about 6 knots to sail and can go out in gusts up to 30 or so. We are experienced sailors who like to have fun but are prudent and safe.

So when, why and where would you go during those months if you were us?

Many thanks,
SailorV

HeyMulegeScott - 2-28-2018 at 09:17 AM

Pick up a copy of this book. Out of print but has good information for boating in Baja and more - https://www.amazon.com/Baja-Adventure-Book-Walt-Peterson/dp/...

Sailorv - 2-28-2018 at 01:47 PM

In my checkout now, thank you!

In you have not heard of it, I have one for you
Sea of Cortez: A Cruiser's Guidebook
Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Pick up a copy of this book. Out of print but has good information for boating in Baja and more - https://www.amazon.com/Baja-Adventure-Book-Walt-Peterson/dp/...

David K - 2-28-2018 at 01:58 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Pick up a copy of this book. Out of print but has good information for boating in Baja and more - https://www.amazon.com/Baja-Adventure-Book-Walt-Peterson/dp/...


Here's another, newer book... and the author even joined Baja Nomad:
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=32857


[img][/img]

[Edited on 2-28-2018 by David K]

HeyMulegeScott - 2-28-2018 at 04:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Sailorv  
In my checkout now, thank you!

In you have not heard of it, I have one for you
Sea of Cortez: A Cruiser's Guidebook

Quote: Originally posted by Three2tango  
Pick up a copy of this book. Out of print but has good information for boating in Baja and more - https://www.amazon.com/Baja-Adventure-Book-Walt-Peterson/dp/...


Thanks. I had that guide too. We owned a couple of sailboats in LA and would dream about cruising the Sea of Cortez. We ended up cruising with my father in law in the NW Caribean on a few adventures in Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Unfortunately, my wife developed pretty bad sickness offshore and her Dad had to sell his boat after back surgery. Our boat looks like this now -


[img]DSC02703 by ssichler, on Flickr[/img]

Sailorv - 2-28-2018 at 10:43 PM

Three, how nice you did some cruising in those areas! Bummer about your wife, I get it too, it's no bueno.

That's a pretty cool "boat" you have! If you want to sail I am guessing you could find a beach cat to rent in some places, right?

I have spent years assessing which is the better way to cruise the SOC and I have run it by ex SOC cruisers and some who have cruised baja by small plane. They agreed with my conclusion, at least on the Baja side, that cruising as a trailer sailer, such as with a truck/van with day or 2-3 day trips off the beach is the way to go, since there are so many shoreside anchorages and you don't need so much cruising gear, drive off if a hurricane is coming your way and you have more social opportunities.

Can't wait to get down there!

micah202 - 3-1-2018 at 01:45 PM

There's an excellent spot for sailing, kayaking, even kiting just south of Loreto,, wide sandy beach, great for kiting,, no 'walk of pain' across tide flats, except in lowest of tides,, usually ~1' for ~100' at lowest tide,,, great clamming,, even palapas at the ready... All ~4k from Loreto town center,,,

...find your way south across the big arroyo,,, go west one block, then go south out to the beach, past the airport,,, the further the better for privacy,,, felt quite safe there, only friendly visitors. <;~)

Sailorv - 3-1-2018 at 03:55 PM

Thank you both!
Micah, does it show up here?
http://app.ioverlander.com
Plug in Loreto and it maps put camping locations. Click on what looks familiar and it will give the name and description, sometimes photos too. TY

honda tom - 3-1-2018 at 10:41 PM

Launch at Loreto and head south to Timbibichi and Los Dolores with stops at Agua Verde. The best Baja has to offer unless you can make the islands north of La Paz.

Loreto to Agua verde is +- 40 miles. (limited services)

Timbibichi is a very cool place most easily accessed by sea (no services)

search Timbibichi to see if you want to visit.

Took my dad there by boat on his last Baja visit ( in his 80's) and had a great trip and visit! But I propel with gasoline. don't know much about the sail.

Sailorv - 3-2-2018 at 01:10 PM

Thanks Tim!
What would I do about my van and trailer to go on this expedition? Obviously we would be gone for a few days. Also, as a safety back up, if we needed a panga to tow us back do you think we could find one and any clue what they would charge?
Re: La Paz islands (would love to do Los Islotes with the pups!), where would you launch from? Van is not 4wd.

honda tom - 3-3-2018 at 01:29 PM

the Oasis hotel in Loreto has a nice parking area, 3 minute walk to the marina. Im sure if you rented a room for a night or 2 they would not have an issue with you leaving your van. Bring a handheld radio and find out what channel is monitored out of Puerto Escondito (15 miles south of loreto). you may even want to stay at the campground there (Tripui), but I have heard launching there is exspensive.

Sailorv - 3-3-2018 at 11:51 PM

Thanks Tom.
If you go here http://ioverlander.com
and search Loreto, Mexico. It will pull up the map and you can move down to Puerto Escondido. Nobody has mentioned camping at the hotel. But 200 pesos at the marina (in the parking lot, but you can use all the facilities). It's on the list for the nearby islands already.
Do we conside 200 pesos expensive?

Sailorv - 3-4-2018 at 12:10 AM

Btw, are there any beachfront rv places, with palapas, around Loreto or Puerto Escondido?
It seems to me it's hotels only....:(

ligui - 3-4-2018 at 03:28 PM

Hi everyone :bounce: How about Rattlesnake beach ? Great beach camping on the water with other folks around that could give you local info . Water , islands , etc.

I was down there in Nov. and sat around with some of the guys/ girls camped there and sucked up some much needed sun . Lots of the campers here come back every year . Could hook up with good folks here and get a lot of help understanding the area . Islands just in front of the beach .

I think the cost to camp is around 150 pesos .

Puerto Escondido is just around the corner . You can also beach launch small boats at Rattlesnake .

Maybe David K could map it for you where it is or someone gps.

Got Baja !

honda tom - 3-5-2018 at 09:49 AM

Years ago there was talk on here that launching at Escondito was 17 bucs in and 17 bucs out. I don't know about now...... but it will save you some time to Agua Verde and points south.

Sailorv - 3-8-2018 at 12:28 PM

Ligui, thanks for sharing that. It is a good location. I have had it on my radar, on freecampsites.com, but the name has scared me off. Tell me, did you come across any? :/

micah202 - 3-9-2018 at 08:52 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Anything over 15’ requires a permit.


...NEVER heard of that, at least for sailboats and kayaks. Was just down there 2 months,,, even on Bahia San Ignacio, launched at a Fisher's boat ramp,, a security guard right there,,, when I arrived, he promptly marched over....to play some music on his iPhone he was excited about!

Here's some favorite spots, not too tidal, reasonably protected launch from N wind...usually totally secluded....I sail a 14' laser sailboat, use launching trolley,, kayak,, and mess with kites a bit.....

....S of Mulege, ~7 k,, before the last hill e of highway,, there's a pullout, a road goes ~1km to your own private beachfront.

...Conception....there's a great spot,, past most of the various beach campgrounds, but before the south most, an abrupt pullout from a curve,, hard to get to from the north. The trick once there is to head towards the water and northwards through the various tracks,,, towards a concrete structure, then waterside of some fencing. All becomes a single car track, requires a bit of bushwhacking if it hasn't been used a while,, but literally 12' from high tide, and virtually out of sight from highway.
It's been a dozen years or so, but up the east side of Bahia Conception is ALL beautiful and meets my seclusion and launching criteria.

...Bahia St Nicholas.... Towards Loreto methinks ~60 km marker,, a marked turnoff, with a restaurant, good fish Taco's, on the west side... the road in is a slow ~18km, but doable in any vehicle., mine is a Toyota Sienna, ~5" clearance...... Once at the coast, head north from the community, past a few settlements, a funny jog past an arroyo, then just after the arroyo, find your way beach wards ~120'. In general it's a very rocky beach, but launching is at the arroyo, actually provides a sandy section, the camp is amazing, ~100' N of arroyo, past a rocky clearing, right on the beach. Once I came back 2 years hence,, and the same firewood I left was still sitting there. I call it 'spiral camp',, the fire pit centers on a broad pattern of spiraling rock pile, lots of 'spiral shell decor. Lots of amazing beach artifacts to be found.

.....Loreto Beach.... Super wide sandy beach,, palapas, ~4km from town center, but only occasional joggers or Fisher's come by the last palapas. Find your way to the seaside of the airport, follow palapas and beach track to the last palapas. There's a need to air down a bit to make the very last spot, but there's extra seclusion. Lots of clamming activities at times. The broad beach makes it excellent for lifeguarding.


....S of Puerto Escondido, halfway to Ligui,,, literally 4.2km between each,, a ~2km driveway out to a little bay between 2 hills,, a huge square foundation on one hill..... Your own small bay, right on the Marine reserve, saw a turtle swimming, lotsa dolphins! This beach can become a Eleanore for landing, but not a problem for more than one person.

[Edited on 3-9-2018 by micah202]

David K - 3-9-2018 at 09:20 AM

Nice description of San Nicolas!
Side road in is at Km. 62 (Restaurant Rosarito). The village is 10.4 miles in. There is an advertised "Chuy's Sportfishing" sign in the village.