Fishing and Golf in Loreto: The Perfect Pairing for an Active Escape

There are places where you travel to fish. Others are worth the trip for the golf.

In Loreto, you can build a vacation around both.

Set between the Sierra de la Giganta and the Sea of Cortez, Loreto has long attracted anglers for its sport fishing. That same landscape is home to TPC Danzante Bay, an 18-hole Rees Jones design where desert terrain, mountains, canyons, and coastal views shape the round.

For travelers from California, the combination is especially appealing. One morning can begin offshore, following the conditions and whatever the sea brings that day. The next can begin on the first tee, with the mountains behind you and glimpses of the Sea of Cortez appearing throughout the course.

At Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, fishing and golf can easily become part of the same stay.

Why Fishing and Golf Work So Well Together in Loreto

Fishing and golf may seem like very different reasons to travel, but both are shaped by the conditions and reward patience.

On the water, wind, temperature, currents, and the movement of fish influence the morning. On the course, elevation, strategy, club selection, and the coastal breeze create a different kind of challenge.

More importantly, each offers a distinct way to experience Loreto.

A fishing trip takes you onto the Sea of Cortez, with the islands and Sierra de la Giganta framing the horizon. At TPC Danzante Bay, that same geography unfolds from valleys, desert fairways, elevated tees, and coastal holes.

One day you experience Loreto from the water. The next, from the fairway.

Why Is Loreto Known for Sport Fishing?

Loreto is one of Baja California Sur’s established sport fishing destinations, with opportunities throughout the year and different species becoming more prominent as water conditions change.

Dorado and yellowtail are two of the species most closely associated with fishing in Loreto, while marlin, sailfish, snapper, and seabass can also be part of the experience.

Fish Species and Seasons in Loreto

Fishing conditions change naturally, and no particular species or catch can be guaranteed. For many anglers, that uncertainty is part of the appeal.

Fishing From Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto

Guests do not have to organize every part of a fishing day on their own.

Private sport fishing excursions are available through the resort’s tour company, Danzante Tours, with morning outings suited to experienced anglers as well as travelers who simply want to spend time fishing the waters around Loreto. Current offerings include approximately six-hour excursions departing from Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto.

The day can begin early with a local captain and several hours on the Sea of Cortez. After returning to the resort, the rest of the afternoon is still open for lunch, the beach, the pool, or simply some downtime before dinner.

Turn It Into a Fishing Getaway

For travelers who want to make fishing a central part of the trip, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto also offers a fishing package that combines the stay with the essentials for a day on the water.

The package includes:

• Three-night stay
• Roundtrip airport transportation
• One 6-hour Private Panga Fishing Adventure per stay

The fishing adventure includes:

• Fishing tackle
• Box lunch
• Soft drinks, bottled water and beer
• Fish filleting
• Marine Park access fee

With accommodations, airport transportation, and a full fishing outing already included, the package makes it easier to focus on the part of the trip that matters most: getting out on the water.

For travelers coming primarily to fish, another morning offshore can easily become part of the plan, while the rest of the stay leaves room for golf, the beach, or time to simply enjoy Loreto.

Golf at TPC Danzante Bay

The other half of the trip unfolds on land.

TPC Danzante Bay is an 18-hole, par-72 course designed by Rees Jones, with five sets of tees ranging from 4,916 to 7,237 yards. The layout moves through valleys, arroyos, dunes, areas at the base of the mountains, canyon terrain, and elevated coastal settings.

The landscape changes throughout the round. Some holes are defined by desert and mountains, while others open toward Danzante Bay, the Islands of Loreto, and the Sea of Cortez.

The par-3 17th hole, set high above the water on a cliffside peninsula, is the signature hole and one of the course’s most recognizable views. But the experience of TPC Danzante Bay is not limited to a single hole. The changing terrain and perspectives give the entire round its character.

For an angler who also plays golf, there is something particularly satisfying about standing on the course and looking toward the same sea you may have been fishing the day before.

Make It a Golf Getaway

For travelers who want to make golf part of the trip, Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto offers two golf package options.

Both include:

• Three-night stay in a Deluxe Suite
• Access to the wet areas at Sábila Spa
• $25 USD Spa Certificate
• Golf with cart at TPC Danzante Bay

The difference is how much golf you want to play. One package includes unlimited golf rounds for three days, while the other includes one golf round per adult, per reservation.

Guests can also replace the included golf with another experience, such as panga fishing, a spa treatment, an island tour with night paddle boarding, or an ATV tour.

This flexibility makes it easy to shape the stay around both golf and fishing, or leave room for a different pace when you want it.

When Is the Best Time for Fishing and Golf in Loreto?

The best time depends largely on which species you hope to fish for, since golf at TPC Danzante Bay can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Winter and spring are particularly appealing if yellowtail is high on your list, with March and April among the stronger months.

If dorado is the priority, late spring through fall offers better opportunities, with summer among the most active periods.

For anglers who also play golf, the simplest approach is to choose travel dates around the fishing season that interests you most and add a round or two at TPC Danzante Bay to the trip.

How to Combine Fishing and Golf Without Rushing the Trip

The best way to enjoy both is to give each its own day.

Start one morning on the Sea of Cortez, then leave the afternoon open for a long lunch, time at the beach, or simply relaxing at the resort. The following day, head to TPC Danzante Bay for a round of golf and let the rest of the day unfold at a slower pace.

A four-night stay can comfortably include a fishing day, a golf day, and enough flexibility to decide what comes next. You might return to the water, play another round, explore the islands, visit downtown Loreto, or leave the schedule open.

That balance is part of what makes Loreto work so well for travelers who enjoy both fishing and golf. Neither experience has to compete for time, and there is still room to enjoy the destination in between.

Getting to Loreto 

Loreto may feel secluded, but it is connected by nonstop flights from several key cities in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Depending on the season, travelers can fly nonstop to Loreto from Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Diego, Tijuana, Dallas, and Calgary, making the destination accessible for both shorter escapes and longer stays.

Bring the Rods and the Clubs

There is a familiar pleasure in traveling for something you already love.

For anglers, it is the early start, the run across open water, and the anticipation before the first strike.

For golfers, it is the quiet before the opening tee shot and the satisfaction of getting to know a course one hole at a time.

Loreto gives you both, surrounded by a landscape that becomes part of each experience.

From the Sea of Cortez, you look back toward the mountains. From TPC Danzante Bay, you look out toward the sea.

At Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto, there is room for both.

Bring the rods. Bring the clubs. Leave time to enjoy them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Loreto good for both fishing and golf?

Yes. Loreto is well suited to travelers who enjoy both. The Sea of Cortez offers year-round sport fishing opportunities, while TPC Danzante Bay gives golfers an 18-hole, par-72 Rees Jones course set among desert, mountain, and coastal scenery.

What is the best fishing season in Loreto?

It depends on the species. Dorado generally become more prominent from late spring through fall, with summer among the strongest periods. Yellowtail fishing typically runs from November through late spring, with March and April among the most active months.

Can you book a fishing trip from Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto?

Yes. Private sport fishing excursions are available through the resort’s tour company, Danzante Tours. Current options include morning fishing trips departing directly from the resort. Schedules, availability, and inclusions should be confirmed when planning your stay.

Do you need a fishing license in Loreto, Mexico?

Yes. Recreational sport fishing in Mexican federal waters requires an individual fishing permit. Fishing in and around protected areas is also subject to applicable regulations, so travelers should confirm current requirements before their excursion.

Where can you play golf in Loreto?

Loreto has two 18-hole golf courses. TPC Danzante Bay is located at Villa del Palmar at the Islands of Loreto and features an 18-hole, par-72 Rees Jones design with desert, mountain, canyon, and coastal terrain.

How do you get to Loreto from California?

Travelers can fly to Loreto International Airport (LTO) from Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines will also begin seasonal nonstop service from San Diego on December 19, 2026, operating Wednesdays and Saturdays through April 28, 2027. Airline schedules vary by season and should be confirmed before booking.

What is the best month to visit Loreto for both golf and fishing?

March through May and October through November offer ideal weather for golf paired with strong fishing conditions, spring targeting Yellowtail and autumn targeting Dorado and Billfish.