Anchorage· Isla Partida· Mexico
Ensenada Grande (Isla Partida)
24° 33.6′ N · 110° 24.5′ W
A three-lobed bay of red cliffs and white sand near the north end of Isla Partida - the most photographed anchorage in the archipelago and once named Mexico's most beautiful beach.
Practical
Position: Online Cruising Guide map pin (OCG safe-distance waypoint 24°33.500'N 110°25.000'W). Five spots: a small northern lobe, the popular middle lobe, and the calmer southern lobe (along its northern wall, in toward the beach, or the south notch). All good sand, but the bottom slopes - set well. Protected N, E and S. The south notch gives some Coromuel shelter only when the wind is truly SW, not W; one cruiser measured about 20 kn of Coromuel at night and anchored close under the red hills. The main beach is shallow for 100+ yards. Headlands drop steeply; tour pangas cut close. Daytime party boats come and go; quiet at night. A seasonal beach dive camp operates. Handy staging for Los Islotes (about 2.5 nm north) and Isla San Francisco. Inside Archipiélago Espíritu Santo National Park: every person aboard needs the daily CONANP bracelet (225 MXN/person/day on the CONANP page) or an annual Conservation Passport.
Best for
Signature overnight anchorage
Season
Nov-May