HOME Cedros and San Benitos Islands Sport Fishing Trips
What to Expect: Travel, Accomodations, Food and More
Please review all of the information on this page for important travel requirements and other helpful tips.
Our standard meeting place is near the border in San Ysidro, but we can meet your group anywhere in San Diego.
In San Ysidro we meet at the Starbucks at Plaza de Las Americas (4201 Camino de la Plaza, #102) in San Ysidro, CA. at 7:00 AM. There is a parking lot with 24 hour security nearby.
It is $8.00 per day. After we meet at the Starbucks, we will take the van over to the parking lot while you park and then load your luggage. From there we drive to Ensenada airport.
Here is a MAP showing how to get to the parking lot and Starbucks and a general itinerary for your trip.
You will travel across the border with your bi-lingual guide in a comfortable micro bus.
We will stop at Customs so that you can purchase your tourist visa (about 23 U.S. dollars) Please be advised that most businesses on Cedros do not take credit cards and there are no ATMs on the island. Both dollars and pesos are accepted. You can buy pesos at the border when you stop to get your tourist permit.
From the border we will take the safe and scenic toll road to Ensenada, enjoying views of the Pacific. The drive takes less than 2 hours.
From the Ensenada airport, we take a Cessna Grand Caravan to Cedros. Departure is around 10AM and arrival at 12:00 PM.
This is a commercially licensed aircraft flown by professional pilots with 13 passenger and 1000 lbs cargo capacity.
The first 50 lbs of luggage (with fish) is free (above that is $1 per 1 lb)
The rod length is limited to 7 ft, but let us know if you wish to bring your 8'. They will have to be removed from any cases for transport on the plane.
Accomodations, Meals & Relaxing on Cedros Island
Best Accomodations on the Island! You will stay at the Zam-Mar in Cedros Town (or as second option the guesthouse nearby)
The rooms are newly renovated, comfortable and clean. This is a family owned hotel. Free INTERNET (Skype for calls to US if you bring your headset) at the hotel desk. There is also a patio for relaxing and barbeques. They will prepare your fish for you right there. We also do other meals in local restaurants. The food is delicious, prepared local style, and featuring lots of fresh sea food. If you visit during lobster or abalone season, be prepared for a real treat!
Our boat drivers are licensed, highly experienced, local fisherman from Cedros. We put 3 persons max per 24’ – 28’ open panga. If you prefer to fish 2 persons per 22'-24' panga, we can arrange that for a surcharge of $60 per day.
The new store of SPORTFISHING ISLA DE CEDROS at Cedros Island donwtown has selected and locally tested (meaning, they work!) jigs, rapalas, leads, lines, etc. Cedros island has a population of about 4000, with most services available such as internet, cell phone coverage, markets, pharmacy, police and govt. services.
Sportfishing and Ecotour outings are generally from 6 or 7 am to 5 pm. However you can choose to go out for longer or shorter periods, depending on the preferences of others in your panga. We prefer to take lunch on the boats since sometimes the fishing grounds are not close to town.
Fisherman can bring back fish If you want to bring fish back we will filet and freeze your catch. It is not necessary to bring your cooler to the island, and we will keep it in a freezer until your return. If you want to bring your cooler it must be no taller than 14". After the first 50 lbs of luggage and fish, each lb. will cost an additional $1.00 (these planes have external cargo pod for extra capacity).
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
A Tourist Permit is required to travel in Mexico. We will take you to customs to purchase this during the border crossing. The cost is approximately $23.00 (U.S.). You must bring your valid passport, as of June 2009, in order to get back into the US without problems. You will also be required to sign our Application and Assumption of Risk when you make your reservation (see Prices and Reservation page).
SAFETY
Your safety is our priority. If you are concerned about traveling in Baja, please visit our Safety Information page. Once you arrive at your destination, it is important to remember that these trips take place in a wilderness environment. Engaging in activities such as viewing animals from skiffs, hiking, exploring, fishing and swimming in a natural environment contain certain inherent risks.
More about Baja, GO TO: Baja Expo and Baja Insider, the most complete sources of information for Baja on the Internet!
WEATHER
This region of the peninsula is not much different from southern California. Temperatures can vary by 10-15 degrees between day and night. Layered clothing is best so that you can make adjustments as necessary. Rain is rare, except in winter. A windbreaker is very useful. Most days, a t-shirt and shorts are all you need for strolling on the beach, but the Pacific wind can be very chilly at times. The sun, on the other hand, is usually quite hot, even in winter. Sunburn and dehydration should be guarded against. Our activities are dictated to some degree by the weather, and safety is always our primary concern. For weather conditions updated every 15 minutes from the Cedros station (in Spanish) click here.
COMFORT AND HEALTH
Meals at the restaurant are traditional Mexican food in the local style. This typically includes fresh seafood, beans, rice, vegetables, etc., with specific ingredients varying by season. Please inform us prior to departure if you have any dietary concerns. We recommend to bring shorts for Summer, lots of sunscreen, chapstick, hat, sandals or wetshoes.
To keep our prices low, we need a certain number of people for each open charter. If we can’t meet that minimum we will book you into the next trip or refund your deposit, at your request. All client requested cancellations must be made in writing. Final trip payments are refundable if the request is received prior to 15 days of scheduled travel. Deposits are non-refundable within 60 days of scheduled travel.