SmoCo Sailingvideo
[Ep 55] We Had to Change Plans in the Sea of Cortez
1 April 2026 · 13 min · 1K views · Isla Las Animas
Speedboat racing past rocky cliffs in turquoise Sea of Cortez
What this video covers
Armand and Liya, sailing the Sea of Cortez aboard their boat Cosmo, aborted an attempt to anchor at Isla Salsipuedes after encountering dangerous, narrow conditions and strong winds that pushed the vessel toward rocks.▶ 4:51 The entrance to the anchorage proved significantly tighter than indicated on charts, forcing the crew to divert to Isla Las Animas.▶ 4:52 They successfully navigated to the new location by entering from the south, as recommended by guidebooks, to avoid coral and unexposed rocks between the islands.▶ 5:59 The Midriff Islands region, including the San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park, features strong tidal currents and remote anchorages with no cell service or development.▶ 8:05 During their stay at Isla Las Animas, the crew spearfished for hogfish and triggerfish in clear, nutrient-rich waters.▶ 10:49 The passage from San Francisco to the islands involved 18 to 21 knots of wind and significant current, which reduced their speed to two knots.▶ 3:46
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