AndyP
Nomad
Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
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Playa Tecolote
Playa Tecolote near La Paz is one of my favorite car-accessible beaches. I've spent nights there camped between trucks each trying to drown out each
others norteno music at incredible volumes, and nights surrounded by partying giggling teenagers. Then there's the Coromuel southerly winds that
start after the sun goes down and will try their best to destroy your tent.
Yet.. I like it a lot. Lots of families, very Mexican. And it's really beautiful. Here's a few pics from this April/May.
This ray washed up dead on the beach, and five minutes later these guys cut off the wings to eat later. They said it was great in burritos with
machaca. Then they buried the remains in about 2 inches of sand.  
Powering up with some beach-vended ceviche (delicious!) before paddling out to Espiritu Santo island.
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tiotomasbcs
Super Nomad
Posts: 1837
Registered: 7-30-2007
Location: El Pescadero
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Thanks for your pictures. Very local crowd; imagine during Easter vacation?
The water has been described as "clara y cristalina". Very nice. Tio
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BajaBlanca
Select Nomad
Posts: 13197
Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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nice photos and your smile is fantastic .... yup.....looks like you all had a grand time !!
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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How long did it take to paddle to the island? Did you leave your car at Tecolote?
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Leo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 518
Registered: 9-23-2004
Location: Todos Santos
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Mood: could be better
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Good questions above. (waiting for the answers)
Looks like nice equipment you have. beware of strong winds picking up fast at daytime as well.
The grass is always greener....
and so, there is always a better spot in Baja
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Von
Senior Nomad
Posts: 961
Registered: 10-1-2006
Location: Poway-Rosarito
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Mood: getting ready!
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Can you get a permit to spend the night at Espiritu Island? Did you? Any pictures?
Man! Thats what i need to do just disapear from San Diego and paddle
out to Espiritu for a week.
READY SET.....................
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Great photos and report Andy - thanks for sharing...
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wilderone
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3824
Registered: 2-9-2004
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"Thats what i need to do just disapear from San Diego and paddle
out to Espiritu for a week."
Me too. Let's go!
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AndyP
Nomad
Posts: 116
Registered: 12-8-2009
Location: Eugene, OR
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The paddle out to Espiritu Santo is about five miles, it took us a bit less than 1.5 hours. You do want to be familiar with the local wind patterns
and have some knowledge and experience sea kayaking before doing it; there are lots of outfitters in La Paz that will take you and your kayaks across
in a panga for a pretty reasonable fee.
I did leave my car at Tecolote for the nine days we were at the island, I had one of the restaurants (I think the "palapa azul"?) watch it for some
pesos.
Island permits are easily obtained at any of the outfitters in La Paz for $5us per person per day. Somewhat less easily obtained is something called
a "passport," which is a yearly pass for all the islands, marine parks, cabo pulmo, etc. We bought these for 260 pesos per person, a good deal, but I
had to go to the Semarnat office and buy them there. It's on Abasolo (the Malecon street) on the way out of town towards the Walmart, and is not well
marked.
You're also supposed to have a portable toilet out there, which I made with some PVC pipe and screw-on endcaps. They're also available for rent in La
Paz. We were never checked about the toilets but the island sees a lot of use and its good practice to dump your poop out to sea.
On this trip we spent 22 days paddling from Mulege to La Paz, took a break, spent 9 days paddling around Espiritu Santo (very slowly, and that is one
beautiful island!), took a break, and then 9 days paddling around Isla Carmen near Loreto. It was absolutely incredible and I have lots of pictures
but haven't had a chance to do a trip report yet. But I will!
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