La Paz to Puerto Escondido

April 19–23–2017  Weds. April 19th we left Marina Palmira headed for Isla Partida.  Tony and Lynn from the McGregger 65 Mamala helped with our dock lines and bid us farewell.   Motorsailing with no wind to start with but expected to build to 10–15 out of the NNW.  The wind started about 1130 in the channel inside of Isla Ballena. 

Isla Ballena

 

 We checked out Calleta Partida but thought there would be better wind protection at Ensenada Grande southern lobe.  Anchored at 1330 as wind continued to build. With gusts to 29 Kts from the NE.  Saw 32 Kts but that was when we were resetting the hook as we had moved back slowly toward another boat over time.  We were sailing on the hook even though we had a side snubber so Al put up a reefed Mizzen and re anchored closer to shore and by 1830 it was calm.  Then switched to the SE 8–10Kts till 0200. 0930 Thursday April 20th moved to the middle lobe of Ensenada Grande as the predicted wind was not favorable to head north.  We anchored in 13 ft of water with 75 ft of chain.  Decided to go kayak exploring before the wind came up.

Cool EROSION

 

ENSENADA GRANDE

Ensenada Grande Middle Lobe Chez Nous to left in 13 ft of water.

CHEZ NOUS on the left

    Of course by the time we got back and got the kayaks on deck the wind was picking up.   We had to reset by mid afternoon and this time put out 150 ft of chain.  Now really dug in.

CLEAR WATER

0645 Friday April 21 we were underway to San Evaristo which is a small fishing village on the Baja in the Canal de San Jose about 27nm NW of Isla Partida.    

SUN RISE

Leaving Isla Partida for San Evaristo

1040 We anchored at Evaristo which is about 27 no NW of Partida and chose the  north corner in 25ft of water and 150 ft of chain.  We our not going to move if the wind picks up.

Love the Color

NORTH CORNER

Close to wall

We did take a short kayak trip to shore but I chickened out thinking the swells would make it too difficult to get back later in the afternoon.

Little Fisherman at Evaristo

EVARISTO IN MORNING LIGHT

0645 April 22 on our way to Agua Verde with hardly any wind.  Just beautiful scenes of the Baja mountains and islands.  Indescribably beautiful, isolated, mostly inaccessible and unpopulated.  Rays jumping the entire trip, plus two humpback whales off in the distance and several hundred dolphins.

Early morning leaving Evaristo with Partida in the far distance to the left.

LOS GATOS

WASHING SAILS

1345 anchored in Agua Verde near two boats that we have met before.  Aldabra with Nancy on board from ZIHUATANEJO and Aeolion with Jane and Jerry from Mantanchen Bay, PV and ABYC. Both know the boat Myla.

Dinner

Beautiful little horse getting some beach time

Chez Nous to left in Agua Verde middle beach with Roca Solitaria in background.

 

 

Hundreds of dead Grebes on the way north ?     The next morning we took a dinghy ride out around Solitary Rock and found a couple of Magnificant Frigate nests and great snorkling spots along the reef on the way out.

Rocka Solitaria. 115 feet high

American  Ostercatcher on east side of rock

 

Magnificent Frigates nests on west side of rock!

1010 April 23 lifted anchor and motor sailed north passed close to the awesome Candeleros Chico which is just before Bahia Candeleros where I'm told there is great WiFi at the resort there.

Candeleros Chico

We arrived here in Puerto Escondido and picked up a mooring around 1400 right in front of Wind Rose with Steve Roberts and friend.  24 nm from Agua Verde.  This is a natural round Bay with two low areas called windows then the open zig zag entrance on the right of the panorama.  First window you can see Isla Coronado, second window is Isla Carman and you can just see Isla Danzante off the opening.  The other sides are the Gigantes that also protect.

Windows and entrance from inside Puerto Escondido.

Sierra de la Giganta range