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A Baja California yacht charter is to travel through a land of extremes, where the fierce, desolate beauty of the Sierra de la Gigantica mountain range falls away into the almost shocking turquoise blue of the Sea of Cortez and whales breach against cinematic backdrops of soaring cliffs and giant cacti. On charter in Mexico, you’ll drop anchor in perfect lagoons encircled by arcs of dazzling white sand and take trips into the interior, where you can swim in desert oases shaded by palm trees or visit artsy desert towns full of galleries and street food stalls.
A superyacht is the ultimate way to explore the Baja Peninsula, promising luxury and adventure in equal measure.
Contrast is everywhere in Baja California, in how the harsh, almost completely silent desert landscapes contrast with the glittering, glamorous energy of Cabo San Lucas, where the beautiful people dance under the setting sun. The illusion of emptiness created by the desert is shattered when you dive beneath the sea’s surface to discover a spectacular congregation of marine life often likened to the Galapagos — manta rays and whale sharks, and sea lions in their thousands, mega pods of dolphins, and whales in large numbers.
You’ll be in awe of the natural world on a superyacht charter in Baja, California. But it is also a place of stunning cultural interest as you explore the old-world charm of colonial cities like La Paz or the beautiful Loreto. In Cabo, spectacular day spas overlook the desert and the Sea of Cortez, and designer boutiques and ultra-high-end restaurants compete with the spring break feel of irrepressible Cabo.
Baja California is a true superyacht playground. Here are a few recommendations of places to visit on a Baja California yacht charter.
While the area around Cabo San Lucas gets the most superyacht visitors, it would be gravely remiss to miss Loreto on your Baja yacht charter itinerary. Loreto is further up the coast and hides in the shadow of the stunning Sierra de la Gigantica mountain range. This pretty town is one of Mexico’s ‘magical towns’, so named for its beauty and cultural interest, and is much quieter than La Paz and Cabo.
The town is a top place to begin your charter as it’s the gateway to the Loreto Bay National Park, a rocky archipelago of dazzling beauty —and even more dazzling marine life. Jacques Costeau called the Sea of Cortez the Aquarium of the World, and of the Sea of Cortez, the Loreto Bay National Park is considered the region’s ‘Galapagos’.
Eight hundred species gather in the mineral-rich waters around Loreto, including six whale species. This is a glorious place to dive with sea lions, manta rays and sea turtles and spot grey, blue and humpback whales in winter. Kayaking or paddleboarding through these islands is an unforgettable experience as you drink in the haunting desert landscapes and the wildlife all around you. Rest your tired muscles in the yacht’s warm Jacuzzi at night, bubbling loudly under the quiet stars.
These islands are part of an arid, moonscape archipelago just to the north of La Paz and provide an excellent spot to relax, snorkel, hike, and take in the spectacular scenery. Swim with a sea lion colony on the nearby islet of Los Islotes or walk up a canyon arroyo (dry stream) to a mountain view across the islands on Isla Espiritu.
On Isla San Jose, you’ll be dwarfed by 60-foot-high cacti, standing like sentinels against panoramic views of the islands, or you can explore the mangroves by tender. Isla Francisco is home to one of the most stunning anchorages in Mexico, a huge crescent bay where turquoise sea and bright white sand contrast vividly against the surrounding red hills and dusky green scrub.
The two towns of Cabo are only 20 miles apart by land and share an airport, but they have very different personalities. San Jose del Cabo is a colonial, old-world gem where you can golf by the ocean under the palms or paddleboard along freshwater lagoons by the sea. It’s a town full of ‘old Baja’ magic, with 17th-century buildings, a riot of purple jacaranda trees, and a distinct Spanish colonial character.
While it’s much more low-key than its more famous Cabo neighbour, that’s not to say you can’t do luxury here — not by any means. San Jose del Cabo is home to the One & Only Palmilla, an elegant, hacienda-style resort likened to ‘walking into a movie set’ — a reputation only enhanced by its Hollywood guest list. Everyone from John Wayne and Hemingway to Oprah has stayed here, and you’ll have a good time if you book into the hotel’s 22,000-foot spa or their superb Seared restaurant by Michelin-star Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
Want your glamour turned up large? Feel like partying? Want to drop some cash in boutiques? Cabo San Lucas is calling your name.
Cabo San Lucas has a collection of some of the most luxurious hotels on earth, glamorous beach clubs, epic designer shopping, and a reputation for high-end eating, drinking, and partying. This is a town where you can drop USD 25,000 on a taco. (If you were wondering, it’s gold-infused and topped with Kobe beef, Beluga caviar, lobster, and black truffle brie.)
But then, maybe that’s Cabo in a (taco) shell - super-luxurious and a bit over the top at times, but tremendous fun. of course, it’s not all high-end, with plenty of tourists coming from around the world, and at times there’s a bit of a frenetic, ‘spring break’ feel to it. If it all gets too much, you can head into the desert, bathe in hot springs, swim in a desert waterfall, or get into some adventure sports. If you have time, we recommend heading up the Atlantic coast a little to visit the hottest new boho-chic destination, El Pescadero.
We hope that’s inspired you to consider a luxury yacht charter in Baja, California, where awe-inspiring nature and superyacht glamour combine in endlessly surprising ways. Get in touch with Bluewater to plan your Mexico yacht charter itinerary.
