First Choice RealtyGuide to San Carlos
Chapter Six: Camping, Water Sports, Boating, and Fishing
Popular water sports in San Carlos include:
Kayaking, Tide Pool Exploration and Sea Shelling, Snorkeling, Speed boat racing spectator events, Parasailing, Water skiing and Sail Boards, Jet skiing, Riding Banana boats and pedal boats, Sail boating, Scuba Diving.
Camping
Overnight camping is not allowed on the beaches in front of hotels or residential areas. However, there are a few places that are easy to reach by car, and have plenty of parking space where you can camp overnight. The only undeveloped beach front for overnight camping is at the north end of Algodones Beach, past the hotels and housing developments.
Water Sports
Kayaks
Kayaks in the Estuario Soldado —Take off from the parking area near Pilar Condominios . It is a peaceful place to observe a variety of water birds. The water is only knee deep, but it flows along for more than a mile, parallel to the beach.
Tide Pools and Shells
Take your snorkel mask when you visit the cove at La Posada Beach, Shangri-La Cove, and the cove at Piedras Pintas. The kids can explore the tide pools there too. Another good spot for snorkeling and beach combing is the rocky beach around Dorado Condominiums. The best beaches for shells are the San Francisco Beach and Cochorit Beach. Shell collecting is best at low tide after a big storm has washed the shells ashore. Lowest tides occur in the winter months at the full moon.
Snorkeling
The months for snorkeling are from June through September. The prettiest place for snorkeling is Martini Cove (reached by boat). Snorkeling tours are promoted by El Mar Diving Center from June through October. Gary’s Dive Shop takes groups snorkeling in Martini Cove all summer. Beaches set back in small coves are good places to snorkel., because little fish and sea creatures like to hide around the rocks. Martini Cove is the favorite spot of local snorkeling fans. This pretty spot is also enjoyed by sail boaters and kayakers. The marine life most likely to be seen by snorkelers are:
| Angel fish | Clams | Crabs | Croaker |
| Electric blue wrasse | Mullet (Lisa) | Octopus | Sea urchins |
| Snails | Star fish | Sting ray |
Scuba Diving
The shores of San Carlos offer many opportunities for divers (free and scuba) with a variety of interesting diving sites, training classes, and rental equipment. Scuba lessons and certification courses are available in San Carlos from private instructors from the United States and from local dive shops.
Natural Reefs and Rock Formations
Favorite diving locations are Martini Cove, Playa Algodones, Punta San Antonio, Punta Doble, and Cautin.
San Pedro Island, opposite the Canon de Barajitas, is the rocky home to seals and sea lions. Don’t mess with the sea lions, they are bad tempered and they bite. The water is deep, cold, and clear, about 30 meters deep, and only 10 miles from the coast. It is a fine spot for fishing, snorkeling, and diving. El Himalaya is another rocky point with a channel up to 10 meters deep. Ensenda Grande and Ensenada Chica are protected bays popular with those with inflatable boats and small motor boats. These bays offer good beaches for beachcombers, and rocky peaks for divers and snorkelers.
Wreck Diving at Artificial Reefs
The 330 foot ferry, the Presidente Diaz Ordaz, was wrecked in a storm in Mazatlán. It was towed to San Carlos for repairs, but that never happened, so it was decided to sink the boat in its present location, in front of the Canon de Barajitas , for the enjoyment of scuba divers. Thirty minutes north of the Presidente Diaz Ordaz there is a sunken tuna boat, the Albatun, 180 feet long at a depth of 20 meters. There are also two artificial reefs for divers.
Diving Instruction and Dive Boats
Several Businesses in San Carlos offer charter boats, wreck diving trips, dive instruction, and equipment rental. These include:
El Mar Diving Center
Website:
www.elmar.com/mexico
Location: Sector Creston #263, San Carlos
Phone: 011-52-622-226-0404
Email:
elmarmex@prodigy.net.mx
Services: Gold Palm PADI Five Star Instructor Development Center. Complete dive training and certification from entry level through instructor level. Dive gear rental and air fills. Bike, kayak and panga boat trips, and lodging available.
Gary's Dive Shop
Website:
www.garysdiveshop.com
Location: Km 10, Blvd Beltrones, San Carlos
Phone: 011-52-622-226-0049
Email:
garys@prodigy.net.mx
Services: Diving, Fishing & Boat Trips. PADI certified diver training. Dive gear rental and service. Air and Nitrox refills. Lodging arrangements and air travel assistance. Five boats to serve you at O Dock, Marina San Carlos.
Ocean Sports Scuba Center
Website:
www.divecortez.com
Location: Marina San Carlos Building
(next to Marina Cantina)
Phone: (520) 977-3598 (USA)
011-52-622-226-0696 in Mexico
Email:
information@divecortez.com
Dive boat charter services for groups, from 4-6 to 36 divers. Featuring the
Ocean Spirit
, a Newton 46' twin diesel dive boat. Local diving or fishing trips in Mexican style aboard pangas.
Sonoran Sport Center
Website:
www.sonoransportcenter.com
Location: Edificio Marosa No. 1, Blvd Beltrones, San Carlos
Phone: 011-52-622-226-0929
Email:
sunsports@prodigy.net.mx
Sea kayaking, wind surfing, snorkeling, and small group scuba diving. diving on the twin engine Super Panga or spend a day whale watching or "Snorkel Sailing" on the 40' trimaran,
The Windsplitter
.
Blue Water Sports
Website:
www.desertdivers.com
Location: San Carlos Plaza Hotel Beach
& Fiesta Hotel Beach
Phone: 011-52-622-226-0696
Jet skiing, kayaking, banana boats, wake boards, snorkeling and mammal-watching excursions, sunset and dinner cruises, fishing, jeep tours, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hiking!
Desert Divers Scuba Center
Website:
www.desertdivers.com
Location: 4837 N. 1st St, Tucson, AZ 85718 or Speedway @ Kolb Rd
Phone: (520) 88-SCUBA or Toll Free 1-800-830-DIVE
Email:
scuba@desertdivers.com
Complete dive training, travel, equipment rental, sales and service. Dive San Carlos aboard the
Ocean Spirit
Boating
Boating in the local waters is great all year long. However, it is usually windy in March and April, and this may interfere with your plans to go boating or fishing. August is likely to have many stormy days. Cruising across the Sea of Cortez to Baja is limited to the good weather times. The cruising season in the Pacific and in the Sea of Cortez as well, is from November through May. This means that trips from San Carlos to Baja should be planned for that time of year. Mexico’s 3,315-mile Pacific coast generally enjoys fine weather. However, it has spells of seasonal bad weather For information of interest to boaters, visit the web site www.cruisecortez.com.
Boat Rental
San Carlos has two marinas where you can rent a boat. You can rent anything from a little one-man kayak to a sport fishing yacht, a 40-foot trimaran to a full-size party boat.
Charter boats can be rented for deep sea fishing online at www.fishingsancarlosmexico.com. Charters are also available through Catch 22 Sportfishing Adventures, Jon-Jen Charters, and Dakota Charters. More information about charter boats is at www.sancarlosmexico.com
Boat Permits
Separate fishing permits for boats are no longer required.
Marinas
Marina Real (Royal Marina) is a newer marina, smaller and quieter than San Carlos Marina. It is located just around the bend from the Mirador Escénico on Punta San Antonio—a lookout point that gives a 360 degree view of San Carlos and the bay. Marina Real features 356 slips with accommodations for yachts to 80 feet. Services include fuel, fresh water, and electricity for each slip, fire safety devices, waste handling, and 24 hour security. Dry storage, haul out service, and a launch ramp are also available
A pretty housing development next to the marina is a show place of beautiful yachts and sailboats. The walkway around the marina makes for a pleasant stroll past a row of beautiful homes, some owned by Mexican movie stars and playboys. The beach here is a popular place for jet skiing and wind surfing.
Marina San Carlos The San Carlos Marina is the largest natural port in all of Mexico. The marina offers complete services for yachts to 60 feet, including a gas & diesel fuel dock, 10 ton crane service, launch ramp, launch and recovery service, 24 hour dock security, bathrooms, shower facilities and parking. Located in the heart of San Carlos and surrounded by shops, restaurants and marine suppliers, Marina San Carlos has 336 slips from 16' to 51' with fresh water and 30 amp electrical service. There are 30 outer bay moorings with dinghy dock access, and a nearby dry storage yard.
Address:
Edificio Marina San Carlos Local #1
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico 85506
Phone: 011-52-622-226-1230 or 52-622-226-1202
Fax: 011-52-622-226-0565
Website:
www.marinasancarlos.com
E-mail:
info@marinasancarlos.com
Boating Guide Books
Two helpful books to own are:
Boating Guide to Mexico: West Coast Editions (1995). Guadalajara, Jalisco, México: Situr Marinas.
Cruising Guide to San Carlos on the Sea of Cortez . Jerry Cunningham (1997) Box 976, Patagonia, AZ 85624.
I think these are sold at the Marina office.
Nearby Places to Visit by Boat
You can rent a boat at either of the two marinas. You can rent anything from a little one-person kayak to a sport fishing yacht, a 40-foot trimaran, or a full-size party boat. Even if you don’t fish, there are many pleasant spots to visit by boat. The places below are close enough to be reached in a small boat or even in a kayak. The distances are measured from the San Carlos Marina .
Shangri-La Cove (1/2 mile from the San Carlos Marina)
This is a favorite spot for kayakers. You can experience excellent snorkeling in the little protected cove adjacent to the MarinaTerra Hotel Beach Club .
Martini Cove (1 mile)
Don't miss it. This becomes the favorite spot for snorkeling of anyone who has been there. These waters are unbelievably clear and beautiful, filled with beautiful fish and starfish. It is no wonder that Gary’s Dive Shop calls this “The Aquarium” and chooses this spot for training beginning divers. This is a peaceful place to spend a day aboard your boat just dreaming or picnicking. There is also a nice little beach for kayaks.
Honeymoon Island (2 miles)
It is fun to explore this tiny island, which is in front of La Posada Beach . You can walk from one end to the other in half an hour. The pebble beaches are a treasure ground for shells and rocks. The shells there are a little different from the ones found on the San Carlos beaches. Unless you go in a kayak or a rubber dinghy, you’ll have to swim the last few yards from your boat to the land.
Anchorages
Favorite Anchorages for Beach and Boat Picnics
If you enjoy spending the morning at the beach, take a picnic lunch along on the next beautiful day and explore some of the beaches that are more out of the way. For example, some of the loveliest beaches listed below are accessible only by boat, and they are especially clean and peaceful.
Most of the local restaurants will prepare box lunches for boaters if you are too busy to pack your own.
There is an excellent map of the area in Cunningham's book, Cruising Guide to San Carlos on the Sea of Cortez.
All of the anchorages listed below are less than 30 miles from the San Carlos Marina .The last two make good overnight trips. Before you head out for an overnight, check on the wind forecast.
| Location | Distance | Travel Time |
| Martini Cove | 1.5 miles | 10 min. |
| Caleta Lalo | 4.0 miles | 20 min. |
| Sonora Bay (Bahía Algodones) | 6.0 miles | 30 min. |
| Ensenada Grande | 15.0 miles | 1 hour |
| Caleta Amarga | 16.0 miles | 1 hour |
| Seri Muerto (Dead Indian) | 18 0 miles | 1.5 hours |
| Caleta Los Changos | 19.0 miles | 2 hours |
| (The Kitchens) Los Cocinas | 28.0 miles | 2.5 hours |
The first three anchorages can also be accessed from the highway, the others can only be reached by inflatable boat or kayak.
Fishing
Fishing in San Carlos is very good in the summer months. In the summer, as the water temperatures rise, the exotic big game species are present, including marlin, sailfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), and tuna. With deep water only a few miles off shore, even small boats can attempt to land the Big Ones. Several tournaments are held in San Carlos each year. Information is available on the internet at sancarlosmexico.com/tournaments.html
From late fall into spring, there is good bottom fishing in and around the many islands and points in the area. Target species include red snapper, sea trout, yellowtail, and sea bass. I am sorry to say that fishing in San Carlos is not as good as it was five and ten years ago. Commercial fishing boats ranging from small pangas to huge fishing fleets have over-fished the area, using illegal nets, and ignoring limits of size and number. Nevertheless, fishing and boating sportsmen have been able to bring in a good catch and have landed sailfish, marlin, and dorado of impressive size.
Fishing Licenses and Regulations
Fishing licenses
are required for each person aboard, even if he/she is not fishing. Individual fishing licenses are sold at the
Federal Sport Fishing office
on the right after you pass the entrance to the
Marina Seca Dry Storage
boat yard located on Beltrones Blvd. Hours are 8:30-3:00 M-F. Ph: 011-52-622-226-1144
Boat fishing permits are no longer required.
License locations include:
1. The Pesca office is the last building on the right as you approach the traffic circle by Marina San Carlos.
2. The Convention and Visitors office is on the westbound lateral about two blocks east of Froggys. Take the very first entrance onto the lateral and the office will be on your right.
3. The Cooperative fishing office at the turn off to Marina Seca Dry Storage.
4. Fishing by Tag, on the embarcadero at Marina San Carlos.
Sometimes the man in charge of selling licenses ambles down to the boat slips and asks to see your license. If you don't have one, he will sell you one. You may not need a license on a charter boat-ask at the time of reservation.
Fishing Regulations: Each fisherman is permitted to catch up to ten fish a day, but no more than two halibut (also called flounder or lenguado) or dorado, and no more than one marlin and one sailfish. Taking of lobster, clams, cabrilla, oysters, and sea turtles is prohibited. You cannot sell or trade fish without a permit. Fishing regulations, license fees and other information is online at Mexican Sport Fishing Regulations
Fishing Tips
Trolling for Deep Sea Game Fish (Summer)
The Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) has a wealth of fish of many varieties. In summer, anglers go after the deep-sea game fish: marlin, dorado, tuna, and sailfish. You can rely on your boat captain to take you out to the places where the big ones are.
Casting from Shore (Fall)
If you don’t have a boat, you can fish from shore with moderate success. Shore fishing, better in the fall, brings in croaker, halibut (linguado), mackerel, sand bass, sea perch, and triggerfish.The best time of day for casting from shore is 30 minutes before sunrise (about five or 5:30) until 12:00 noon.
Trolling for Yellowtail, Light Trolling, and Bottom Fishing (Fall)
In the fall, trolling for yellowtail is a favorite sport and bottom fishing is excellent. For those who like light trolling, barracuda, bonita, shark, skipjack, and sierra can be taken.
Bottom Fishing (Winter)
In the winter months, December, January, and February, bottom fishing continues to be very good.There are numerous places to go bottom fishing and you probably won’t need a big boat or a guide for this.The fish caught in this area in the fall and winter include the following: cabrilla, calico bass, croaker, corvina, grouper, red snapper, sea perch, triggerfish, Pacific whitefish, and yellowtail. (Cabrilla may be illegal now.)
Where to Fish
Fish live around the submerged reefs, which usually connect underwater reefs to rocky points on shore, or small islands poking up out of the water. Big fish (yellowtail and grouper) are out around San Pedro Island . For bottom fishing, you can fish from a boat anchored over the reefs or a sea mount such as La Homa. Bottom fish are found over the rocky reefs in front of Punta Doble, Punta San Antonio, around Isla Venado and San Pedro Island. When you don't want to go out very far, try La Homa, which is a sea mount. Another close in choice is Social Security Reef . Also, it is a short trip to Martini Cove where the triggerfish hang out. When all else fails and your kids or visitors just want to catch something, anything, go in front of La Fiesta Hotel for red snapper or croaker. Bottom fishing is best from November through February. The species of fish caught in this area in the winter include the following:
| English | Spanish | English | Spanish |
| Barracuda | Barracuda | Calico bass | Calico |
| California Sheephead | Cabeza de Borrego | Cabrilla (Bass) | Cabrilla |
| Yellowfin Croaker | Roncador | Devil fish | Pez Diablo |
| Dog snapper | Pargo | Grouper | Maqueta |
| Gulf grouper | Baya, Garropa | Halibut, Flounder | Lenguado |
| Hammerhead Shark | Tiburon Martillo | Pancake | Pompano |
| Shark | Tiburón | Red Snapper | Huachinango |
| Skipjack | Barrilete | Sierra | Sierra |
| Striped mullet | Lisa | Spotted cabrilla | Cabrilla pinta |
| Triggerfish | Cochi | Sunfish | Pez sol |
| Yellowtail | Jurel | Whitefish | Salmon blanca |