7 Day Baja Charter Itinerary: La Paz to Cabo San Lucas

In the Sea of Cortez, breathtaking desert landscapes rise out of shimmering turquoise seas, and vast sweeps of white sand beaches curve around dreamy lagoons. Underwater, the clear, sunlit seas teem with color and life, as graceful sea lions flit about and whales breach in bays against a cinematic backdrop of giant cacti and rugged mountains.

Baja California is hauntingly, astonishingly beautiful: a place where manta rays leap from the water at sunset, and where you dine by candlelight on deck to the sound of whales breathing and coyotes howling from the shore. This is a “pinch-me” kind of place.

Yet for all its wild splendor, a Baja California yacht charter also promises the decadent side of the superyacht experience, with buzzing nightlife, beach bars, and fine dining in the glamorous towns of the south. From kayaking silent moonscape archipelagos to shopping the designer boutiques of Cabo San Lucas, a yacht charter in Baja California has it all.

Day 1: La Paz-Balandra- Isla Partida

Spend the morning exploring the colonial waterfront city of La Paz before boarding your yacht and enjoying lunch on deck as the yacht gets underway for Playa de Balandra, considered one of the greatest beaches in all of Mexico. Surrounded by stunning red desert hills, the beach has a saltwater lagoon, soft white sand, and crystal clear waters of a blinding aquamarine hue.

After swimming or paddleboarding across the bay, get back on board for the short trip to the UNESCO-listed islands of Isla Partida and Isla Santo Espiritu — a beautiful moonscape archipelago with rich marine life.

Day 2: Isla Partida & Santo Espiritu – Isla San Jose

Get up early to have breakfast on deck and watch the Mexican sunrise paint the red landscape golden before beginning your day with a scuba dive or snorkel. There’s so much to enjoy on Isla Partida and Santo Espiritu, which are only separated at high tide. You might hike from a stunning white sand beach up through an arroyo, past cacti and wildflowers and seabirds wheeling through the skies as you drink in the incredible views across the rugged, mountainous islands.

If deep sea fishing is your passion, then this is a superb place to venture out off the shore to lure yellowfin, marlin, and sailfish, or take a glorious kayak trip through the channel that runs between the two islands.

After lunch at anchor in a stunning sandy bay, it’s time to visit the simply extraordinary Isola Islotes- a thriving sea lion colony where you can swim with the inquisitive, beautiful creatures. As late afternoon falls, the captain will begin the trip to San Jose, and you can dine under moonlight as you float north through the Sea of Cortez.

Day 3: Isla San Jose- Isla San Francisco

On Isla San Jose, walk through the forest of gaint cardóncacti, which are the largest in the world and can grow to over 60 feet high. Enjoy the incredible views across the island during a hike, take a tender through the mangroves looking for wildlife, or stay close to shore for some superb snorkelling.

At lunchtime, indulge in a luxury beach picnic on a small sandbank surrounded by sapphire sea before taking the short trip across to Isla San Francisco, watching out for whales all the while.
Arriving at Isla San Francisco, your yacht will drop anchor in one of the prettiest overnight stops of your trip — a vast horseshoe bay ringed with soft white sand, the water shifting from sapphire to emerald green to dark indigo in the depths.

All around, red rock hills contrast vividly with the water, and this is a splendid opportunity for a hike to high ground to savor the view. Head back to the yacht for drinks on the sundeck as sunset fades across the landscape and the cacti are silhouetted against the sky and stars.

Day 4: Isla San Francisco – Cabo San Pulmo

As you sleep, the yacht will cruise south to the small and tranquil village of Cabo San Pulmo. Cabo San Pulmo is a dream destination for divers, as it is home to the only hard coral reef in North America and is a haven for over 6,000 species, including leaping mobula rays and humpback whales, sea turtles and whale sharks. This vast 17,571-acre Marine Protected Area is one of the most successful marine parks in the world, and keen fishers will find delight just outside the park due to the incredibly rich life of these waters.

Enjoy the solitude of this quiet place, for tomorrow you’ll discover the glamour and infectious fun of the Cabos, where two fashionable, A-list towns are separated by 22 miles of beautiful wild beaches, luxurious resorts, and golf courses.

Day 5: Cabo San Pulmo to San Jose des Cabos

San Jose des Cabos is the older and more refined of the two towns of Cabos, with pretty cobblestone streets, a colonial mission cathedral, and an incredible art scene, culminating in the famous Art Walk on Thursday evenings, taking in the local galleries and exhibitions. San Jose is also undeniably a more authentic Mexican experience, and the evenings spent here are a joy, with local families gathering in the square and live music at La Osteria, where U2 once did an impromptu set.

A popular spot for yacht guests is the nearby Palmilla One & Only resort: a favorite haunt of the jet-set since the days when John Wayne and Hemingway frequented the hotel. Play a round of golf, be pampered in the stunning spa, or eat at one of the resort’s fine dining restaurants, looking out at the humpbacks passing by. If adventure and discovery are more your style, you might surf the break at nearby Costa Azul beach, or take a Mexican cooking class at the organic farms surrounding San Jose.

Day 6: San Jose des Cabos to Cabo San Lucas

There’s a thrill in the air as you step ashore in Cabo San Lucas: a “caliente” celebrity playground of luxury shopping, fine dining, and sizzling nightlife. Make sure you drag yourself away long enough to visit Les Arcos, the famous limestone archway at Land’s End, and the staggeringly beautiful Playa del Amor, “Lover’s Beach” with its mighty rock formations.

Golf enthusiasts simply must play a round at the iconic Jack Nicklaus course at Cabo del Sol, while those craving a hedonistic beach vibe should head to Medano Beach, which is lined with bars, restaurants, and crowds of party people.

There’s a bevy of celebrity-chef restaurants to sample in Cabo, including the stunning cliff-side El Farallon and sushi standout Nick San, while for fine dining super-indulgence, the opulent Frida restaurant at Grand Velas resort serves up a $25,000 taco.

Cabo San Lucas is a place to dance, dine and indulge by the sparkling sea.

Day 7: Disembark in Cabo San Lucas

There’s so much to see in the Cabos region that we’d recommend a day or two extra here — perhaps to quad-bike through the Wild Canyon adventure park in the desert or drive to the famously bohemian town of Todos Santos, considered one of Mexico’s “peublos magicos,” or “magical towns.”

With so much still to see and do, scheduling an extra day in the area may soften the blow (a little) of having to leave your charter yacht here in wonderful, decadent Cabo San Lucas on the edge of the Pacific … a world away from the quiet islands of the Sea of Cortez where you started.

To find out more about what you might see and do on a Baja California yacht charter, contact one of our Denison charter specialists.