Mazatlan to Isla Isabel

We untied the lines in Mazatlan at 6am December 4^th and passed through the breakwater of Marina Mazatlan to turned south. The locals are very determined to make it to their fishing grounds in a hurry and have the habit of squeezing through the channel at high speeds.

About 3 miles out we put a pole in the water. A local charter ran closely past our stern and hooked our line to the back of his boat…  We did manage to bring in a Mahi mahi later in the day.

We continue to have trouble with the many long lines the fisherman set out.  Unfortunately they use black flags and plastic water bottles to mark their lines. They are almost impossible to see until you are right on them. We have managed to put it in neutral and float over the top. Spring Day hasn’t been as lucky.

We cruised about 80nm to Isla Isabel and anchored on the east side of the island next to two giant rocks (Isleo Mona Menor) the water was smooth and clear. Isla Isabel is an isolated volcanic island lying approximately 18 miles off the main land coast, and 40 miles northwest of Dan Blas. A great place to break up our destination of Puerta Villarta.

The nickname for Isla Isabel is “ The Galapagos of Mexico”, there is an enormous bird and iguana population. We put our dinghy in the water to explore, and managed to hike the majority of the island in 3 hours. Birds known to nest on the Island are frigates, blue-footed boobies, brown boobies, red-footed boobies, brown pelicans, white-tailed tropic birds, Heerman’s gull’s, sooty terns, and brown boobies. Native reptiles include green iguanas and the Mexican milk snake. We where lucky enough to see them all.

I think I managed to take well over 600 pictures while on our hike. The blue foot boobies dancing in their unique mating dance. The male frigate proudly showing off his red colors, and the iguanas relaxing and sunning themselves.  It was impossible to watch where you stepped. The guano was everywhere…

Isla Isabel is a result of prehistoric volcanic activity and the caldera of the extinct volcano is still visible. We hiked to “ Lago Crater ” in the middle of the island, and along the trails that crisscross, taking us to ridge tops and remote beaches. The snorkeling was also beautiful, with the many reefs and rock pinnacles under the shadows of Las Monas.

We finished off our last night anchored at Isla Isabel. We enjoyed an amazing dinner on Spring Day under the stars, with wonderful friends. Life is good!