A Night Under the Stars
Journey to Aqua Verde
After five days with the Oatmeal Savage crew exploring the Espíritu Santo area, we set off into the sunset on December 18th, embracing the serenity of the open sea. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Logan took the helm for the night watch, witnessing the ocean’s luminescent glow and the celestial dance of stars above. The moon’s gentle ascent from the water painted a picture of tranquility, making this leg of our journey unforgettable.
Arrival at Aqua Verde
Uncovering Hidden Delights
We arrived in the enchanting village of Aqua Verde just as the morning sun began to illuminate the sky. The day unfolded with beautiful protected waters, together with the dramatic backdrop of the Sierra de la Giganta range, making this a picturesque place.
This small fishing village is connected to Mexico Highway 1 by a 25 mile dirt road. The village supports two small tiendas, a school, a couple of restaurants and a goat diary. It is a hot spot for campers who set up camp right along the beach. The friendly locals greeted us with genuine warmth, and we savored a mouthwatering taco lunch at one of the village’s charming restaurants.
We couldn’t get enough of the crystal-clear waters as we jumped in for some snorkeling fun that afternoon. The rocky shore was like a gateway to a lively underwater world filled with all sorts of colorful fish and critters. Every time we dove under, we found something new and exciting, swimming with the sea turtles, needlefish and more, making us appreciate every moment.
Exploring the Painted Caves
Cochimi Cave Paintings
The second day of our visit to Aqua Verde started with a hike to check out the painted caves. We took the dinghy to shore and located the trailhead starting on the western hill of the northern beach, walked past a graveyard, turned north at the green palm tree oasis and headed toward the beach.
Following the beach to its end, we took a sand road 100 yards inland and headed up the cliff following the ridge to access the cave.
Once inside the cave we were able to take in the view of the beach and ocean below, explore the deep crevasses and the red colored hand prints on the wall of the cave. This unique red pigment is associated with Cochimi pottery.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, we kicked back with the Ogi crew for a fun game of Ticket to Ride. The atmosphere buzzed with good vibes as we plotted our moves on the board. We said our goodbyes to Ogi as they head south and we continued our journey north the following day.
Discovering Aqua Verde
The Allure of Aqua Verde
When travelling by land, the journey to Agua Verde is quite an adventure we heard from the campers we met along the beach.
After you leave Loreto and turn off the paved highway, lower your tire pressure and brace yourself for a challenging two-hour drive along a rugged, winding, and steep dirt road that will test your resolve.
This gnarly route leads you to the village of Aqua Verde where you can set up camp right by the beach, often finding yourself among few fellow campers. It’s an ideal spot for unwinding or taking your paddleboard out on the serene mornings.
Despite being surrounded by an economically disadvantaged community, the locals of Agua Verde genuinely welcome and promote tourism, evident in the clear signage to camping areas, restroom facilities, and even WiFi available at the nearby tienda. The influx of travelers is vital for the community, providing much-needed economic support.
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