Anchored in Caleta Partida, between Isla Partida and Isla Espiritu Santo (Nov. 29 - Dec 2)

We left La Paz after staying longer than we planned …having just wrote that I think it’s funny. If I had a penny for every time I heard someone tell me that, I’d be able to pay the boat off.

Anchorage as seen from the entrance.

Caleta Partida is a beautiful anchorage that was formed thousands of years ago when a volcano erupted and then collapsed, leaving behind a crater that was quickly filled by the advancing sea. The crater now separates the islands of Partida and Espiratu Santo and a sand spit has almost filled in the gap between the two islands on the east side. The only thing that separates the islands is a tidal creek that ebbs and floods according to the tide. Caleta in Spanish means “creek”, a so it seems the anchorage was named for the tidal creek it contains.

Alex exploring Caleta Partida by dinghy

Cormorants drying their feathers

Pelican watch

Shoals at head of bay

This time of year strong northerly winds can blow with great frequency throughout the Sea of Cortez. During these “northers” gusts of 30 to 40 knots are common and steep, choppy seas can develop very quickly. We’ve heard reports of sail boats being blown over by these winds and crews turning around to head back to a sheltered harbor after being hit by an unexpected norther. In fact it was a norther that kept us at the dock in La Paz for a few extra days and a norther that made up our mind to anchor in Caleta Partida as it was the only anchorage nearby that offered any protection from north winds.

Alex and Cindy

Alex and Craig

Leaving nothing but footprints

One reward for anchoring in Caleta Partida is the breathtaking beauty of the view from the deck of your boat. Another reward is the bright blue needle fish that swim to the surface of the water at night around your boat. Fine white sand beaches surround the pale blue and green waters of Caleta Partida and tall Saguaro cactus, white barked shrubs with willow like leaves and ground clinging succulents take root behind the beaches and up the steep slopes beyond.  Caves dot the landscape and are home to cormorants, pelicans and the rare blue footed boobies.

Fisherman's camp

During our stay at this anchorage we enjoyed several walks along the beach, explored the tidal creek in our dinghy, snorkeled along the sand flats and rocky point; and one evening we were invited to dinner aboard the motor yacht Serenity with Earl and Louis a friendly retired couple from Alaska and their dog Daisey.     

Snake skeleton