Isla Isabel is part of a series of islands and is a National Park. In the current cruising guides, there is an anchorage identified on the Eastern Shore and in some, it is mentioned that the beach located there is suitable for landing.

This has recently changed. There is now research being done on this beach by the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (Link to the research project: http://www.ecologia.unam.mx/isla_isabel/). [Broken Link It is the only shoreline on which the Blue Footed Boobies nest. The researchers politely ask that cruisers take their dinghies around to the South Anchorage and land at the fishing village.

In my experience, that is good advice anyway as the beach is protected by shoaling rocks that form an extensive tide pool at low tides. When you land at high tide you may have to wait for the next high tide before you can depart. The local fisherman at the South Anchorage was very nice, smiling always and replied to “Hola!” in kind.

In the fishing village, there are some large signs to the NW of the dwellings in Spanish and English which outline several trails on the island which are colour-coded on the map, and the trees on the trail are also identified with surveyors tape as well. Stay on the trails, this is a delicate ecosystem.

There are no services on the island.

Patrick

SY Deep Playa