Things to do in RP

Things To Do in Rocky Point, Mexico

Welcome to Pancho Villa Boat Charters Puerto Penasco, Mexico. Our goal is to show you the best time on the Sea of Cortez www.panchovillarockypoint.com

Let us plan your water sport activity on your next trip to Rocky Point, Mexico. Plan ahead and schedule in a great day of fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling or a sunset cruise on the beautiful Sea of Cortez. We are the most reputable independent yacht charter service in Rocky Point. We are not just a booking agent, we own and captain our own yachts. You will be sure to get the best prices, going direct to the owner. We strive for excellence in every area, from an amazing fishing experience to 100% customer service. Pancho Villa is a 57ft Californian with an extended fishing deck with full shade cover. This yacht is comfortable and roomy and can accommodate many anglers. This yacht has a comfortable salon, two clean bathrooms, satellite radio, GPS, fish finding equipment, all safety gear, all fishing equipment, and all fishing permits included. We cater to the individual needs of our clients. We excel at instructing the novice, young or old, how to hook and land his first fish. And also can accommodate the preference of the veteran angler as well. Our crew has vast knowledge and experience on the many favorite fishing spots located in the Rocky Point area, and further waters.

Sportfishing
Rocky Point has good fishing year 'round. You can catch anything from yellowtail, snapper, bass to marlin and sailfish in the waters off the coast. If you are fishing from a boat, you will need to purchase a fishing license. Most charters will assist you with this procedure. There is no cost to fish from shore.

Diving & Snorkeling
The area is teeming with undersea life. The problem is underwater visibility. Being so close to the Colorado River Delta cuts down on visibility and also the fact that Puerto Penasco experiences such a huge tidal variance. With that said, there are many spots with good to great visibility such as Bird Island, outside Cholla Bay at the point and even near the jetty's of the marina.

Water temperatures can soar into the low 80's in summer and the 70's at other times of the year which makes diving and snorkeling a pleasure. There is a sea lion colony at Bird Island.

Off Road Activities
There are many opportunities to off road on ATV's, a motorcycle, or in dune buggies. Although it is illegal to ride vehicles on the beach, you can do it just inland in many areas outside Old Port and the Calle 13 area. ATV rentals are available in many locations, make sure you inquire where in town you can ride them. Puerto Penasco also has Sand Drags a couple times a year.

Hiking & Exploring
Pinacte Biosphere, between Puerto Penasco and Sonoyta, has some of the most stark and rugged terrain in North America. It also has volcanic craters which are worth exploring. You can take a day visit or camp overnight.

Golf
Many golf courses are planned or are under construction.  The Links at Las Palomas is open.

Morua Estuary
Visit this estuary (or La Pinta Estuary farther southeast) for potential bird watching. You can also buy fresh oysters at the Oyster Farm, a cooperative run exclusively by women.  Here you can see how the oysters are grown and eat fresh oysters just harvested.  The Oyster Farm is located east of Las Conchas.  Look for the roadside sign.

Intercultural Center for the Study of the Desert & Ocean
CEDO as it's commonly referred to is within the Las Conchas neighborhood.
CEDO website

The Center for Technological Sea Studies and Aqua Culture is an aquarium exhibit that provides an up close look at the native species of the inter-tidal zone and the northern gulf coast. Here, you can watch sea turtles, octopus, sea horses, shrimp, various fish species, and sea lions. CET-MAR is located at 43 Las Conchas Road, just before you enter the main guard gate for Las Conchas. Schools, families, tours, individuals and groups are welcome.

Old Port
Take a stroll through the old section of town known as Old Port. You will find many restaurants, the fish market and art galleries.  Here you can buy fresh fish to take home.  Stroll or sit and enjoy the ocean views on the malecon (seaside walk).

Pinacate & Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve
This protected desert reserve showcases the some of the planet's strangest geography. Volcanic craters spread throughout the area creating a stark beauty. The US Apollo program trained astronauts here because they believed it was the closest thing to the moon on earth. Over ten years old, the park has rangers, a station and information center and some marked trails. Today you can hike, explore and camp within the reserve. November through March offers the best temperatures for visiting. Summers exceed 100ºF daily.

The 'Pinacate Biosphere Reserve' is unique as one of the few Archaeological & Geological areas in the entire Southwest that remains mostly untouched by human hands, nature or development.
Created here is an area unique in all the world, with it's moon like craters over a mile wide, lava tubes, 'moon-scapes', black pumice soil, cinder cones and sleeping volcano's.

Pinacate's Reserve currently encompasses over 600 square miles, 400 cinder cones caused by 'exploding volcanoes', along with tunnels, ash & rock that can be observed scattered for miles in the area.

Nine massive volcanic craters remain from this time created by these effects & their later contact with water causing violent 'steam explosions' that sent millions of pounds of rocks-debris into the sky.

Currently, the area is 'dormant'.

Birding
Many different species of birds can be found in or near the Puerto Penasco area (see list below).  While winter is a pleasant time to bird at Puerto Penasco, migration is also a good time to see many species not found in the winter. The bird checklist for Puerto Penasco as of 2003 is over 320 species. April and May are good for spring migrants and September and October are good for fall land bird migration. Shorebirds have a slightly different schedule with their fall migration starting as early as the first week of July. The many species of gulls that winter at Puerto Penasco typically do not arrive until cold weather hits to the north and late November through February are good months to find as many as 15 species of gulls and terns.

All of the Bird can be found within 25-30 miles of Puerto Penasco and Cholla Bay unless noted as out of the area. Many of the birds that are commonly seen as you start your drive to Puerto Penasco in Sonoyta never, or rarely make it down to the coast. Unfortunately, many people start their bird lists at the border and lump everything onto one list. Many times the birds they listed were seen 80-90 KM away from Puerto Penasco. As of January 2003, over 320 species have been recorded.

Bird List:  LOONS, GREBES, SHEARWATERS, STORM-PETRELS, TROPICBIRDS, BOOBIES, PELICANS AND CORMORANTS, FRIGATE BIRDS, HERONS AND IBIS, VULTURES, GEESE, DUCKS, HAWKS, QUAIL, RAILS, SHOREBIRDS, GULLS , TERNS AND SKIMMERS, ALCIDS-DOVES AND CUCKOOS, OWLS-NIGHTJARS-SWIFTS, HUMMINGBIRDS, KINGFISHERS WOODPECKERS, FLYCATCHERS, SHRIKES-VIREOS, JAYS-CROWS, LARKS, SWALLOWS, VERDIN, NUTHATCHES, WRENS, GNATCATCHERS, THRUSHES, THRASHERS, STARLINGS, PIPITS, WAXWINGS, WARBLERS, TANAGERS, TOWHEES AND SPARROWS, CARDINALS, GROSBEAKS AND BUNTINGS, BLACKBIRDS, ORIOLES, FINCHES.