Sail through the legendary Sea of Cortez and discover one of the world's richest marine environments.
This 12-day sailing expedition follows a spectacular route from Ensenada to La Paz, exploring the Gulf of California, better known as the Sea of Cortez, one of the world’s most celebrated marine environments.
Departing Baja California’s Pacific coast, the voyage heads south towards the warm waters and island-strewn landscapes that have made the Sea of Cortez famous among sailors, naturalists and explorers. Often described as one of the richest marine ecosystems on Earth, the region offers an extraordinary setting for a hands-on sailing adventure through dramatic desert coastlines and remote anchorages.
As the journey progresses, guests experience a unique blend of offshore passage-making, coastal navigation and exploration of Baja California’s remarkable marine environment. The changing landscapes, warm waters and remote island scenery create a memorable contrast to the Pacific coastline left behind at the beginning of the voyage.
Throughout the expedition, guests become active members of the crew, participating in watchkeeping, navigation, sail handling, helming, meal preparation and daily vessel operations while building confidence through real sailing experience. The voyage concludes in La Paz, one of Mexico’s most renowned sailing destinations and a gateway to the Sea of Cortez.
Your expedition takes place aboard a 72ft steel sailing vessel originally built for one of the world’s most demanding around-the-world yacht races. Designed for extended ocean passages and remote exploration, the vessel is certified for unrestricted ocean voyaging and combines expedition capability with a comfortable onboard environment. With space for just 10 guest crew, voyages are immersive and hands-on, with everyone encouraged to participate in sailing operations, watchkeeping and daily life at sea.
Enquire for full details and to connect with the crew office!
Why you'll love this adventure
- Explore the world-famous Sea of Cortez and its spectacular desert-meets-ocean landscapes.
- Combine offshore sailing with coastal exploration in one of Mexico's premier cruising regions.
- Finish in La Paz, one of the most celebrated sailing destinations in the Sea of Cortez.
Dates
Itinerary
Explore the legendary Sea of Cortez on a sailing expedition from Ensenada to La Paz through one of the world's most celebrated marine environments. Combining offshore sailing, coastal navigation and exploration of Baja California's remarkable coastline, this voyage offers opportunities to experience dramatic desert landscapes, remote anchorages and warm tropical waters while developing practical sailing skills through watchkeeping, navigation and sail handling. The outline below highlights some of the planned route and experiences. Enquire for full voyage details and the latest itinerary information.
What's included
- 11 nights accommodation onboard
- Personal bunk and storage space
- All meals onboard
- Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
- Safety equipment including lifejackets with fitted PLBs
- Foul weather gear (jacket and salopette trousers)
- Sailing instruction and training
Not included
- Transportation to the departure port
- Onward travel from the arrival port
- Additional nights spent ashore
- Personal expenses while in port
Trip notes
Price
Min age
Accommodation
Accommodation for up to 10 guest passengers in comfortable sea berths. Two heads with showers, a large, well-stocked galley, and a comfortable salon with seating for the entire crew. The vessel is equipped with twin iridium satellite phones, HF radio, and all the modern navigation equipment to keep you safe and connected despite being well offshore. The boat is self-sufficient, with extensive sails, onboard fresh-water making, extended fuel reserves, and almost 1kw of wind/solar power. It is equipped for coastal and atoll exploration with two inflatable boats with outboards.
Meals
All meals on board the boat are delicious and vegetarian. Snacks and drinks provided.
Who is this trip for?
Anyone in good health with a reasonable fitness level, good balance and without mobility issues.
Age and Experience:
All ages and levels of experience are welcome provided you are physically able to take on the on board duties as guest crew. The boat has been used for many years as a sailing training vessel and the experienced crew are on-hand to help you develop or brush up on your skills.
Fitness to Sail:
This North-Atlantic sailing journey is not a trip for the infirm or physically unfit – you MUST be able to go up and down the companionway and move safely about the boat while in rough conditions, have good balance, and be in reasonably good health.
Additional notes
No previous sailing experience is required. Guests join as active crew members and are expected to participate in watchkeeping, navigation, sail handling, meal preparation and daily life onboard. Routing and stopovers are dependent on weather, sea conditions and operational considerations.
Tour operator
A 72ft (22m), 90,000lb displacement steel-hulled sailing yacht built in 2000 that can accommodate 10 guest crew on her voyages. No previous sailing experience is needed, and both experienced and new sailors will enjoy her abilities as a boat built purposely for the demanding Global Challenge Race.
An experienced onboard and offshore team runs the vessel and supports her passage through remote waters with skill and precision. With two women at the helm as captain and first mate we love the boat's rugged capability as a circumnavigating vessel built to face the toughest sea conditions anywhere in the world. She has been specifically set up to operate with a volunteer crew with limited sailing experience and has high standards for sustainable passage making including keeping a vegetarian galley. This vessel provides her guest crew with comfortable living conditions and the chance to train in both modern and traditional sailing methods, whether for a short passage or a longer ocean crossing.
Enquire today
Sail Sea of Cortez
"*" indicates required fields
Please complete the enquiry form above with as much detail as you can and we will send you all the trip information and connect you with the operator so you can make a booking directly.
If you have queries and questions about the trip include those in your form and we’ll personally reply to you within 24 hours.
Why Book with Another World Adventures?
Book direct with the tour operator. No mark-ups, no fees.
Save time by browsing our handpicked collection of the best adventure travel experiences.
Claim free travel gifts when you use our site to find your next trip.
A most helpful, friendly and knowledgeable travel company!
Very helpful and provided lots of research material and excellent personal perspectives on the tall ship sailing trip I was interested in taking.— Martin
Excellent thoughtful service.
They were prompt and friendly, and so thorough and helpful in connecting me with my adventure.— Tina
One of a Kind Service!
From the very beginning of reaching out to AWA, they were super helpful, enthusiastic and informative.— Matt