Boat rental with or without a skipper in La Paz
Last updated on 28 January 2025
In La Paz, in the southern part of the Baja California peninsula, the Sea of Cortez is known as "the world's aquarium," a nickname attributed to Jacques-Yves Cousteau. A yacht charter in La Paz puts the islands of Espíritu Santo and Partida, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with ochre cliffs and white-sand beaches, about 20 nautical miles north of town.
It is also one of Mexico's best-known dive spots: you can swim with whale sharks in winter and with the sea lions of Los Islotes for much of the year (see the diving section below).
Which boats can you charter in La Paz: catamarans, monohulls, or yachts?
The La Paz fleet listed by Filovent includes more than fifty boats, most of them late-model catamarans. Catamaran charter options include models such as the Lagoon 42, the Bali 4.2, and the 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 draft 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: crewed only, for a luxury charter.
Luxury crewed yachts in La Paz
Luxury yachts are chartered with a full crew on board, including a captain, a chef, and a deckhand or host. Rates vary widely from one model to another, so contact Filovent directly: our crewed charter and luxury yacht specialists will send you the available options for your dates.
Bareboat or skippered charter: which option should you choose?
- Bareboat: one member of your group takes responsibility for the boat (see the required certifications below). Anchorages are usually 5 to 15 nautical miles apart, leaving plenty of time for swimming and diving.
- Skippered: a professional captain handles the navigation and picks the most sheltered anchorages based on the day's wind. The captain's fee is paid on top of the charter price, and you cover the captain's meals on board.
- Crewed: the captain sails the boat, the chef prepares the meals, and a deckhand or host takes care of the boat and the guests. This option is included on yachts and available on many catamarans.
Which certification do you need for a bareboat charter in La Paz?
For a bareboat charter in La Paz, the person in charge of the boat must hold an ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification, a US Sailing Bareboat Cruising certification, or an equivalent qualification. The charter company will also ask for a sailing résumé and may require a captain if it considers your experience insufficient.
Everyone on board must wear the access wristband for Espíritu Santo National Park. A fishing license is required to fish from the boat.
How much does a one-week yacht charter in La Paz cost?
A week on a 38 to 42 ft catamaran costs from $4,500 in low season to $7,300 in high season, boat only. For a 3-cabin monohull, plan on $2,400 to $3,900. Prices vary with availability, model, and the boat's year of build.
The table below shows the median weekly price in USD, boat only, based on Filovent's current rates.
| Boat type | High season December to April | Mid-season May, June, October, and November | Low season July, August, and September |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monohull (3 cabins) | $3,900 | $3,100 | $2,400 |
| Monohull (4 cabins) | $4,000 | $3,300 | $2,500 |
| Monohull (5 to 6 cabins) | $5,200 | $4,300 | $3,300 |
| Catamaran (38 to 42 ft) | $7,300 | $5,900 | $4,500 |
| Catamaran (44 to 47 ft) | $10,000 | $8,200 | $6,300 |
| Catamaran (50 ft and over) | $14,900 | $12,200 | $9,300 |
Source: Filovent booking data
Low season, from July to September, falls during hurricane season: few boats are available, and Filovent advises against sailing at that time (see "Hurricane season" below).
The price includes: the boat charter and its standard equipment (sails, dinghy with outboard motor, dishes, mattresses, and pillows).
The price does not include:
- Security deposit, which depends on the boat and is shown in your quote
- End-of-charter package (final cleaning, bed linens, and towels)
- Access wristband for Espíritu Santo National Park
- Fuel, charged based on consumption at the end of the charter
- Captain and crew, insurance, nights in marinas other than your departure port, extras (kayak, paddleboard, and dive gear), and provisioning
How do you book, and what are the cancellation terms?
Once Filovent receives your request, a Filovent charter advisor 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 account confirms the booking and holds the boat. The balance is due before departure, and your contract sets out the payment schedule and cancellation terms.
Filovent recommends its cancellation insurance, which covers your whole group, whereas individual travel insurance covers only the policyholder, and credit card coverage only the cardholder. Damage waiver insurance keeps you from losing a large part of your security deposit after a grounding or an incident at anchor.
Where do La Paz charters depart from, and how do you get there?
Boats depart from the marinas of La Paz, including Marina CostaBaja and Marina de La Paz. Charters usually run by the week, and your charter contract sets out embarkation and disembarkation times.
La Paz International Airport (LAP) is about 20 to 25 minutes from the marinas, and most flights into La Paz connect through Mexico City. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD), with nonstop flights from many US cities, is around two hours away by road.
US citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico and do not need a visa for tourist stays. The charter company will also ask for a crew list before departure.
When is the best time to sail in La Paz, 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 good for sailing, but strong northerly winds are more frequent.
Seasons and temperatures
Winter is mild and sunny, with highs of 75 to 81°F. In spring the wind eases, and the water warms from 68°F in March to 73°F in May. Summer is very hot, with highs of 93 to 95°F from June to September.
| Temperatures | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air low (°F) | 55° | 55° | 57° | 61° | 64° | 72° | 77° | 77° | 75° | 70° | 63° | 57° |
| Air high (°F) | 75° | 77° | 81° | 86° | 90° | 93° | 95° | 95° | 93° | 90° | 82° | 77° |
| Sea water (°F) | 70° | 68° | 68° | 70° | 73° | 79° | 82° | 84° | 86° | 82° | 77° | 72° |
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 calm down again. In spring and summer, the Coromuel, a southwesterly thermal breeze from the Pacific, picks up in the late afternoon and blows for part of the night.
Hurricane season
The eastern Pacific hurricane season officially runs from mid-May through 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.
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. Located on the Gulf of California, the town is one of the main bases for a sailboat charter in Mexico.
- Balandra and Pichilingue, about 12 nautical miles north of 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 neighboring 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.
- 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 or a one-way charter, when the charter company offers it for an additional fee.
- Isla Cerralvo, officially renamed Isla Jacques Cousteau, about 40 nautical miles southeast of La Paz and outside the bay, with few other boats and few sheltered anchorages.
Sample 7-day itinerary from La Paz
| Day | Anchorage | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | La Paz to Balandra | 12 nm |
| Day 2 | Balandra to Ensenada Grande | 15 nm |
| Day 3 | Ensenada Grande to Los Islotes and El Candelero | 8 nm |
| Day 4 | El Candelero to Isla San Francisco | 20 nm |
| Day 5 | Isla San Francisco to Caleta Partida | 22 nm |
| Day 6 | Caleta Partida to the southern bays of Espíritu Santo | 8 nm |
| Day 7 | Return to La Paz | 15 nm |
Diving and swimming with the wildlife of the Sea of Cortez
La Paz is one of the best bases in Mexico for a dive cruise: whale sharks, sea lions, rays, and wrecks are 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, schools 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 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 charter boat, so book this half-day trip before or after your cruise.
Snorkeling 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 pups 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 schools 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 snorkeling, with angelfish, parrotfish, and sea turtles.
Frequently asked questions about yacht charter in La Paz
Can you rent a boat for a day in La Paz?
Yes: local operators run day trips by panga or catamaran from La Paz, mainly to Balandra and Espíritu Santo. Filovent's charters with nights on board usually run for one 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.