Desert Tours
Sonoran Desert
San Carlos is perfectly located to explore the wonders of the Sonoran Desert. Cherished as one of the most beautiful deserts in the world, the Sonoran Desert is massive, covering 120,000 square miles in southwestern Arizona and southeastern California, as well as most of Baja California and the western half of the state of Sonora, Mexico. Don't leave without spending some time discovering the incredible variety of wildlife throughout the mountains and canyons that surround San Carlos.
There are hundreds of miles of trails and roads from San Carlos that allow you to explore this magnificent environment. Take your car and a map and in a 10 minute drive from the condo, you'll be in the middle of a sea of beautiful plants and trees: Chollas, Palo Verdes, Desert Ironwood, Catclaw, Saguaro, Desert Saltbush, Wolfberry, Velvet Mesquite and hundreds more.
Look for Cactus Wrens, Gambels Quail, Black-chinned Humming Birds, Roadrunners and so much exotic wildlife. There are hundreds of canyons and thousands of acres of woodlands to explore. Follow the mountains as they run right into the Sea of Cortez. If you don't feel like going alone, try a guided tour.
The subsection of the desert on the Sonoran coast around San Carlos is blessed by winter storms from the Pacific that nourish hundreds of indigenous wildflowers, woody plants and unique desert trees. There are hundreds of miles of trails and roads from San Carlos that allow you to explore this magnificent environment. Take your car and a map and in 10 minutes from the condo you are in the middle of a sea of beautiful plants and trees: Chollas, Palo Verdes, Desert Ironwood, Catclaw, Saguaro, Desert Saltbush, Wolfberry, Velvet Mesquite and hundreds more. Look for Cactus Wrens, Gambels Quail, Black-chinned Humming Birds, Roadrunners, Big Horn Sheep and other desert wildlife. There are hundreds of canyons and thousands of acres of woodlands to explore; the desert mountains come right down to the sea. The beauty of the Sonoran Desert is only matched by the solitude and simplicity that this truly unique environment provides to those willing to explore it's secrets.
Estuary El Soldado
One of the main reasons the dolphins live year-round off this beach is the adjacent Estuary. Estuary El Soldado is a federally protected wildlife sanctuary and is considered one of most beautiful in Mexico. The place is teeming with wildlife. It is home of a great variety of wild flora, birds, fish and marine wildlife.
The entrance is only a short walk from the front door of the condo. The estuary is also one of the very few Mangrove Oasis left. With depths of less than 8 feet, the huge estuary is home to thousands of birds and other animals. There are nesting colonies of Great Blue Herons, Egrets and Yellow Footed Gulls.
There are well marked trails around the estuary that are perfect for hikes and runners. The incredible quantity of wildlife makes this a naturalist dream come true. Find a quite spot and sit and watch the ever-changing sounds, light and color. As the tide goes out and the water level drops, watch the variety of sea birds go after scampering crabs and shrimp. It is a Discovery Channel in your back yard.
Canon de Barajitas: Ecological paradise!
North of San Carlos is one of most beautiful natural wonders of Western Mexico. The Canyon of the Barajitas is a virgin area that contains three different ecosystems and it can only be accessed by boat. Considered a "sacred place" by the Seris Indians, the Barajitas is a paradise for the lovers of nature and adventure. A great variety of palms, ferns and other unique wildlife are this spectacular canyon just off the coast of the Sea of Cortez.
Nacapule Canyon
This amazing desert Canyon is a fifteen-minute drive from San Carlos. This is a representative canyon of Sonora's coastal desert mountain ranges. It's narrowness, high walls and fresh water springs provide it with a humid tropical micro-climate. The canyon is home to at least two endemic flora species and also harbors other typical desert canyon flora such as Washingtonia and Eritrea palm trees and figs (Ficus sp.). Nacapule canyon is a great place to rock climb, bird-watch, explore hidden trails or just relax.
Island of San Pedro Nolasco
This is one of Mexico's famous sanctuaries of seals and sea lions. The underwater submarine canyon next to the island gives way to beautiful cliffs of protected coves of San Pedro island is home to a great variety of beautiful fish and marine wildlife. Boaters from up and down the coast come to San Pedro to swim with the seals and photograph the colony of sea lions. Recently the Mexican Government declared the Island of San Pedro Nolasco area an ecological reserve.
To charter boats, rent kayaks, locate outfitters:
Hacienda Tours
Tours in Guaymas & San Carlos
Meetings & Groups, Copper Canyon Tours, San Carlos
Tel: (622) 226-0297
El Mar Diving Center
263 Creston
San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico
Phone/Fax 1-877-365-0251
E-Mail: elmarmex@prodigy.net.mx
The Sonora Sport Center
011 52 (622) 226-0929
MAROSA NO. 1 SAN CARLOS C.P. 85506
Diversiones Del Mar De Cortez
011 52 (622) 226-0839
SAN CARLOS, SAN CARLOS C.P. 85506
hdtours@prodigy.nst.mx
Yacht and Fishing boats
Tesoros Del Mar De Cortez
011 52 (622) 227-0171
SAN CARLOS, SAN CARLOS C.P. 85506
scplaza@prodigy.net.mx
Kayak Rental
Ecotours Los Jitos
011 52 (622) 226-0404
SAN CARLOS, SAN CARLOS C.P.85506
elmarmex@prodigy.net.mx
Kayak Rental
Dory Charters
011 52 (622) 226-0044
SAN CARLOS, SAN CARLOS C.P. 85506
Yacht and Fishing Boats Charters
Blue Water Sports
011 52 (622) 227-0171
Hotel San Carlos Plaza
011 52 (622) 226-0696
Marina
San Carlos Fishing Charters
Website: www.fishingsancarlos.com
Location: Beltrones Blvd
(next to Banamex)
Phone: 011-52-622-226-0403
Ph (622) 226-0403,
1-866-675-4728 US Toll Free
Email: bobblair@fishingsancarlos.com
Gary’s Diving Center
gary@garysdivemexico.com
www.garysdivemexico.com
(Canon de Barajitas)
