Boat hire with or without a skipper in La Paz

In La Paz, in the south of the Baja California peninsula, the Sea of Cortez is known as ‘the world’s aquarium’, a nickname attributed to Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Boat hire in La Paz puts the islands of Espíritu Santo and Partida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with ochre cliffs and white sandy beaches, just a few hours’ sail away. Filovent offers catamarans and monohulls here, bareboat or skippered, from around €2,100 a week.

Whale sharks (October to April), the sea lions of Los Islotes and the Salvatierra wreck are all less than a day’s sail from the town (see the diving section below).

Bareboat, skippered or crewed: which should you choose?

• Bareboat: one member of the crew takes responsibility for the boat (see the required licences below). Anchorages are usually 5 to 15 nautical miles apart, leaving plenty of time for swimming and diving.
• Skippered: a professional skipper handles the navigation and picks the most sheltered anchorages depending on the day’s wind. The skipper’s daily fee is paid on top of the hire price, and you also cover their meals on board.
• Crewed: the captain sails, the cook prepares the meals and the host looks after the cabins and guests. This option is included on yachts and available on many catamarans.

Crewed yacht charter in La Paz

Yachts are only available with a full crew on board, and prices vary widely from one model to another. Contact Filovent directly: our specialists in crewed cruises and luxury yachts will send you the yachts available for your dates.

Which boats can you hire in La Paz?

The La Paz fleet listed by Filovent numbers over fifty boats, mostly recent catamarans. Catamaran hire includes the Lagoon 42, Bali 4.2 and Lagoon 52, while monohulls range from the Oceanis 41.1 to the Sun Odyssey 519.

• The monohull: the most affordable option. It points higher into the wind than a catamaran, which helps when the Norte blows in winter.
• The catamaran: its shallow draught lets you anchor close to the beaches, and its two hulls reduce rolling at anchor. It is the most popular boat in La Paz, for families and groups of friends alike.
• The yacht: available with crew only (see above).

How much does a week’s boat hire in La Paz cost?

Based on Filovent’s current prices, a week on a 38 to 42 ft catamaran costs a median of €4,000 in low season to €6,400 in high season, boat only. For a 3-cabin monohull, allow €2,100 to €3,400. The table shows median prices: some offers start lower, such as a Bali 4.0 from €2,640 a week. Prices vary with availability, model and the age of the boat.

Source: Filovent data

Low season, from July to September, falls in the hurricane season: few boats are available and Filovent advises against sailing then (see ‘Hurricane season’ below). For high season, we recommend booking several months ahead.

The price includes: hire of the boat and its standard equipment (sails, tender with outboard engine, crockery, mattresses and pillows).

The price does not include:

• the security deposit, which depends on the boat and is shown in your quote;
• the end-of-charter pack (final cleaning, bed linen and towels);
• the access wristband for Espíritu Santo National Park;
• fuel, charged according to consumption at the end of the charter;
• the skipper and host, insurance, nights in marinas other than your departure port, extras (kayak, paddleboard, diving gear) and provisioning.

A deposit secures the booking, and the balance is due before departure, in line with the terms of your contract, which also set out the cancellation conditions.

Filovent recommends its cancellation insurance, which covers the whole crew, whereas individual insurance or cover through a bank card only protects the cardholder. Security deposit insurance refunds most of your security deposit if you run aground or damage the boat at anchor.

When should you go, and what winds can you expect?

The best times to sail in La Paz are from late October to December and from March to June. January and February are still sailable, but strong northerly winds are more frequent.

Seasons and temperatures

Winter is mild and sunny, with highs of 24 to 27°C. In spring the wind eases and the water warms from 20°C in March to 23°C in May. Summer is very hot, with highs of 34 to 35°C from June to September.

Source: Partir.com

The Norte and the Coromuel

The Sea of Cortez is a sheltered cruising ground, with no ocean swell. From November to April, the Norte blows down the gulf in spells of two to three days at 20 to 25 knots, kicking up a short, choppy sea. Between spells, conditions settle again. In spring and summer, the Coromuel, a south-westerly thermal breeze from the Pacific, picks up in the late afternoon and blows for part of the night.

Hurricane season

The eastern North Pacific hurricane season officially runs from mid-May to the end of November, peaking from August to October. Filovent advises against sailing from July to mid-October: charter companies scale back their operations and some close altogether. In October, the second half of the month is the safer choice.

Which licence do you need for bareboat hire in La Paz?

For bareboat hire in La Paz, the skipper must hold an RYA Day Skipper certificate or an equivalent qualification such as the ICC, along with a VHF radio licence (SRC). As you always sail within sight of the coast in the Sea of Cortez, a coastal-level qualification is enough. The charter company will also ask for a sailing CV and may require a skipper if it considers your experience insufficient.

Every crew member must wear the access wristband for Espíritu Santo National Park. A fishing licence is required to fish from the boat.

Where do boats depart from, and how do you get to La Paz?

Boats depart from the marinas of La Paz, including Marina CostaBaja and Marina de La Paz. Hire is usually by the week, and embarkation and disembarkation times are set out in your charter contract.

There are no direct flights from the UK to La Paz: allow for a connection in Mexico City or the United States before landing at La Paz International Airport (LAP), 20 to 25 minutes from the marinas. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), which has more connections, is around two hours away by road.

British citizens need a valid passport and do not need a visa for tourist stays in Mexico. The charter company will also ask for a crew list before departure. La Paz has large supermarkets for provisioning, and some charter companies offer a delivery service to the boat.

Where can you sail from La Paz?

From La Paz, most one-week cruises explore the Espíritu Santo archipelago and Isla Partida, then head north to the islands of San José and San Francisco. Set on the Gulf of California, the town is one of the main bases for sailing yacht hire in Mexico.

• Balandra and Pichilingue, about 12 nautical miles north of the town, on the way to Espíritu Santo. Balandra beach, with its shallow water and sculpted rocks, is the first stop for many crews.
• The Espíritu Santo archipelago, 20 to 30 nautical miles north. The main island, about 11 nautical miles long, forms a national park with neighbouring Partida. Popular anchorages include Ensenada Grande (about 25 nautical miles from La Paz), Caleta Partida and El Candelero. The sea lions of Los Islotes live off the northern tip of Partida, about 30 nautical miles from La Paz.
• The islands of San José and San Francisco, about 45 nautical miles away. Less visited, they offer deserted beaches, including the hook-shaped bay of Isla San Francisco.
• The coast up to Loreto, about 130 nautical miles north. A string of coves at the foot of the Sierra de la Giganta, with Agua Verde as the main stop, suited to a two-week cruise.
• Isla Cerralvo, officially renamed Isla Jacques Cousteau, about 40 nautical miles south-east of La Paz and outside the bay, with few other boats and few sheltered anchorages.

A 7-day sailing itinerary from La Paz

• Day 1: La Paz to Balandra (12 nautical miles), first night at anchor.
• Day 2: Balandra to Ensenada Grande, Espíritu Santo (15 nautical miles).
• Day 3: Ensenada Grande to Los Islotes for snorkelling with the sea lions, then El Candelero (8 nautical miles).
• Day 4: El Candelero to Isla San Francisco (20 nautical miles).
• Day 5: Isla San Francisco to Caleta Partida (22 nautical miles).
• Day 6: Caleta Partida to the southern bays of Espíritu Santo (8 nautical miles).
• Day 7: return to La Paz (15 nautical miles).

Diving and swimming with the wildlife of the Sea of Cortez

For a diving cruise, La Paz puts whale sharks, sea lions, rays and wrecks all within a day’s sail. The Sea of Cortez is home to nearly 900 species of fish and more than a third of the world’s marine mammal species. In spring, shoals of mobula rays leap out of the water, and in winter, whales pass through the gulf.

Swimming with whale sharks

From roughly October to April, juvenile whale sharks feed on plankton in the Bay of La Paz, very close to the town. The world’s largest fish is harmless to humans. The area is regulated: only licensed operators may take swimmers out, in small groups, with mask, snorkel and fins, and without touching the animals. This means you cannot do it from your hire boat, so book this half-day trip before or after your cruise.

Snorkelling with the sea lions of Los Islotes

The rocks of Los Islotes are home to a colony of several hundred California sea lions. The curious youngsters circle around swimmers and play with their fins. Keep your distance from the adult males, which become territorial during the summer breeding season.

Other dive sites around La Paz

• The Salvatierra wreck: a ferry that sank in 1976 in the San Lorenzo Channel, now covered in coral and surrounded by shoals of fish, suitable for intermediate divers.
• El Bajo: a seamount known for manta rays, schools of jacks and, more rarely, hammerhead sharks.
• The bays of Espíritu Santo: clear, shallow water for family snorkelling, with angelfish, parrotfish and turtles.

Frequently asked questions about boat hire in La Paz

How much does it cost to hire a boat in La Paz?

A week’s hire starts at around €2,100 for a 3-cabin monohull and €4,000 for a 38 to 42 ft catamaran, boat only. In high season, from December to April, allow €3,400 and €6,400 respectively.

Do you need a licence to hire a boat in La Paz?

Only for bareboat hire, which requires an RYA Day Skipper certificate or the ICC, plus a VHF licence. With a skippered or crewed charter, nobody on board needs a licence.

Can you hire a boat for a day in La Paz?

Yes: local operators run half-day and full-day trips by panga or catamaran, mainly to Balandra and Espíritu Santo. Filovent’s boats with cabins are hired by the week.

What language is spoken in La Paz?

The official language is Spanish. English is widely spoken in the marinas, at charter companies and in tourist shops.

Which currency is used in La Paz?

The official currency is the Mexican peso (MXN). US dollars are often accepted in the marinas, but bring pesos for small shops and restaurants.

How do I finalise my boat booking in La Paz?

Once Filovent receives your request, an adviser calls you to discuss your cruise plans, then emails you a selection of suitable boats. Once you have made your choice, paying a deposit through your customer area confirms the booking and secures the boat.

Can you sail to Loreto on a boat hired in La Paz?

Yes, with the charter company’s agreement. Loreto is about 130 nautical miles north, which suits a two-week cruise or a one-way charter, when the company offers it for a supplement.