Hidden Gems in the Sea of Cortés

[TIOGA III]

For anybody cruising south in the Sea of Cortés you will find a very interesting Bay and well sheltered marina located between Topolobampo and Mazatlan.


The Bay is the Bahia de Altata and the marina is the Marina & Club de Yates Isla Cortés - https://marinayclubdeyates.com/


Marina Isla Cortés is located @ 24°39.466' N, 107°58.736' W in one of the Northern estuaries in the Bay of Altata. It has its own dredged channel.

My sailboat Tioga III with a draft of 6 1/2 feet had no problem getting to the marina.

The marina is well protected and close to beaches.

In my humble and very personal opinion this is one of the hidden gems in the Gulf of California free from the hustle and bustle like you would find in places like La Paz.


Its general location on the East side of the Sea of Cortés between Topolobampo and Mazatlan make it an excellent location for a stop over or a longer stay to explore the quiet Bay of Altata.

The community and its people are among the friendliest and most helpful I have encountered in quite some time.

Very very different from the Baja California peninsula.

The close by town of Altata caters towards national tourism and is a heaven for fresh seafood lovers.

The primary economic driver in Altata are shrimp. You will find both wild caught and farmed. I have found it very difficult to tell the difference between wild and farmed as the indigenous Pacific white shrimp is the species being farmed.

Other than the old fashioned type sailing shrimp boats you will find an abundance of both porpoises as well as dolphins in the Bay of Altata.

There is regular bus service from Altata to Navolato and Culiacán in case you need supplies only found in larger centers.

For latest and most up to date information contact Daniela at the marina by phone @ +52 667 324 0446 or email Comercialmcortes@gmail.com.

Marina Isla Cortés monitors VHF channel 16 Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 to 3:00 pm.

Last but not least you can alsocfind pictures on Tioga's instagram page @ www.instagram/tioga.sv



a more detailed graphic is available on tioga's instagram page