Isla Isabela
December 8th 2023
We leave Bahia Matanchén at 07:30 towards Isla Isabela which will be our next stop before reaching Mazatlán. The total absence of wind unfortunately forced us to make the crossing by motor. It was around 3:00 p.m. that we saw Isla Isabela piercing the horizon about ten miles away. Isla Isabela is located at point 21°50.461’N 105°52.937
We are approaching the island from the South-East to evaluate anchoring options. After judging the conditions in the bay located to the south of the island to be too hazardous, we opted for the east side, near the two rocky peaks, thus joining a group of sailboats already at anchor. The water is incredibly clear, we can almost count the links in the chain at 15 feet deep! The location is ideally located sheltered from the swell but offers a rocky bottom that is not ideal for anchoring.
We take advantage of the rest of the afternoon for a swim at the back of the boat, equipped with our masks and snorkels, to observe the marine life on which we float.
This pleasant day at sea ends with a sublime sunset.
December 9th 2023
The next morning we head by dinghy towards the bay. As dogs are not accepted on the island, Chihiro is automatically designated to stand guard on the boat.
The fishermen’s huts lined up along the beach give an undeniable charm to the landscape. We leave our dinghy near one of them after speaking to a fisherman and we head quietly towards the western part of the bay.
A short 10-minute walk takes us to the highest part of this part of the island where the view is breathtaking. The turquoise blue of the shallowest areas mixes with the Pacific blue and the white of the foam of the waves beating the steep parts. An impressive number of birds crisscross the sky above us.
On the way back we will stop in a small cove for a swim before exploring the eastern part of the island.
Back at the boat we received a hero’s welcome from Chihiro, we didn’t tell her that we had gone swimming at the beach…
December 10th 2023
Around 11:30 we successfully raised the anchor, it was stuck zigzag across around ten rocks, we even thought we would have to dive to free it, which was not necessary.
We leave Isa Isabela towards Mazatlán, the crossing is approximately 90 NM, it will be a fairly calm night of navigation.
Sometimes called the little Galapagos of Mexico, you will find the following description on the official national parks website:
Isla Isabela is a refuge, feeding, mating and nesting area for different species of resident and migratory birds. Nine species of seabirds breed there in large numbers, including the Blue-footed Booby, the Brown Pelican, the Frigatebird and the Brown Gull.
Isla Isabela is located in the municipality of Santiago Ixcuintla, off the coast of Nayarit. It extends over 194 hectares which shelter a significant wealth of ecosystems: lagoon, mangrove, sandy beach, embankment and coastline. From this variety comes a wide range of species: molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, marine mammals, 24 species of rays and sharks, six species of reptiles, three species of turtles and 92 species of birds, among others. “Flag” species include the whale shark, brown pelican, blue-footed booby and red-footed booby.
Approximately 73% of Isla Isabela’s surface is covered in vegetation including tropical deciduous forests, grasslands, meadows, and halophytic vegetation. Indeed, the good condition and variety of its marine and terrestrial ecosystems contribute to mitigating the effects of global climate change.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico carried out studies that served as a basis for making decisions regarding the management and conservation of the island and its wild populations. Information work was also carried out to raise awareness among the various users of the park about conservation work.
Isla Isabela was declared a national park on December 8, 1980 and in 2003 it was designated a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance).
