Cedros Island : Profile

Location

Cedros Island is situated off Mexico's western coast. This region is the real Baja, not a regular tourist destination; with honest, authentic and resilient people who adopted Cedros island as their home, and have been living from their abundant ocean resources for generations.

It's pricipal industry is the export of salt, and because of this Cedros’ port ranks as Mexico's third-largest, carrying over 7 million metric tons of salt per year. The population is reported as being somewhere between 1500-5,000 persons as there are many seasonal residents, such as relatives moving in and out, visiting in summer, and those who come for the fishing season to work.

There are two main towns on Cedros Island, El Morro, and Cedros Town. The former is at the southernmost point of the island, where the employees of the salt company live in housing and infrastructure provided by the company. Cedros Town is about four times bigger; most of the inhabitants are fishermen, service providers and small business owners.

Cedros Town: Position 28°02.35'N, 115°11.7'W.

The San Benitos Islands are situated about 16 miles West of Cedros Island and are a great destination for wildlife watching, hiking and snorkelling. See report adjacent with further details.

Clearance

You will need to officially clear into Mexico at Ensenada before stopping at Isla Cedros harbour. Visiting yachts will need to check in with the Port Captain, come alongside the dock where the Port Captain offices are located. With advance notice Cedros Outdoor Adventures can help to pre-arrange docking and landing on the island.

Make sure you have your valid Mexican tourist permit, and your fishing permit (if you plan to fish).

Cedros OUTDOOR Adventures
Jose Angel Sanchez-Pacheco
Tel:619 793 5419
cedrosisland@hotmail.com

Docking

There are no facilities or moorings for yachts here. Anchor off Cedros Town after checking in. El Morro town, 5 miles south, is where salt is off loaded and the main docks are situated.

Be aware that gasoline and diesel is not sold regularly here, so it is recommended to enquire in advance if you foresee the need of it. As an option, the nearby town of Bahia Tortugas (37 miles south on the Baja California pensinsula) has a regular supply of gasoline and diesel.

Cedros town has a recently paved main street leading from the harbour. The fishing co-op runs a cannery, a couple of small grocery stores (beer and liquor, limited selection of foods, mostly dried and canned, with produce and ice especially hard to come by), a couple of cafes and two restaurants. El Marino and La Pacenita serve breakfasts, good Mexican food and seafood in the local styles. There are also taco stands, burritos, and hotdogs on vending cars at night. Food, snacks, beer and liquor can be purchased in local stores.

There are no ATMs or banks on the island, but those who have not had the opportunity to buy pesos can use U.S. dollars in most of the businesses at a fair rate.

The island also has 2 churches, a pharmacy, an airport serving various destinations in Baja California and a new hotel with internet service and hot showers. Cell phones work on the southwest region of the island.

Last updated December 2010.

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