EXPEDITIONS WITH PURPOSE

We bring together scientists, artists, travelers, and local communities to co-create impact across the Sea of Cortez. These journeys are designed to inspire action, fund conservation, and deepen the human-ocean connection. Whether supporting marine research, storytelling, or community development, each expedition is a step toward a more balanced and prosperous future.

Explore our fleet in action and discover how each journey carries a purpose and a legacy.

SY Diablesse Expedition

The Origin Voyage – Where Sailing for Prosperity Was Born

The Voyage That Inspired Sailing For Prosperity
In May 2024, what started as a simple relocation of the sailing vessel Diablesse from Ensenada to Los Cabos became something much greater. Over nearly 950 nautical miles of Pacific coastline, a small crew of sailors, friends, and explorers experienced a transformative journey—one that laid the foundation for what would become Sailing for Prosperity.

The Route
Departure: Ensenada, Baja California
Arrival: San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur
Distance: ~950 Nautical Miles

Key Stops:
• Islas San Benito
• Isla Cedros
• Bahía Tortugas
• Punta Abreojos
• San Carlos
• Cabo San Lucas

Crew & Purpose
The crew included the captain of Diablesse, two sailors, the vessel’s owner, Felipe Fernandez, culinary enthusiast Daniel Talamante, photographer Marchello “Bala”, and Cristobal Gonzalez-Aller, who, together with Felipe, would later become the co-founders of Sailing for Prosperity. Daniel and Marchello brought creative insight and energy to the voyage, helping to shape some of the early ideas behind the initiative.

The voyage began with celebration and camaraderie in Tijuana and continued with daily discoveries, ocean adventures, and deep reflections on the relationship between coastal communities and the sea.

Tijuana - Ensenada:
The journey began in Tijuana, where the crew gathered for a night of celebration. Spirits were high—not only in anticipation of the voyage ahead, but also to honour the news that one of the crew members was expecting his first child. That evening, filled with joy, laughter, and delicious local cuisine, set the tone for the expedition: one of camaraderie, curiosity, and shared purpose.

The following morning, the team made their way to Ensenada, where Diablesse was docked. There, final preparations were completed: logistical checks, provisioning, system tests, and safety verifications. The energy was a mix of excitement and focus, as the crew worked side by side to ready the boat for a long and uncertain voyage south. That night, they slept aboard Diablesse, anchored in calm waters—rested and ready for departure.

Sailing Into Purpose
Islas San Benito offered a dramatic welcome. Remote and rich in wildlife, the islands presented a challenge to the crew with strong currents and rugged terrain. But tucked within the coastline, a hidden cove revealed calm waters and a surreal kelp forest. There, sea lions glided through golden fronds, offering a breathtaking underwater encounter. That evening, a gesture of generosity from local fishermen—trading a freshly caught yellowtail for fruit and beer—sparked the first reflections on community-based conservation. Chef Daniel Talamante transformed the fish, along with local seaweed and herbs, into a gourmet dinner that set the tone for the expedition’s culinary identity.

At Isla Cedros, the crew anchored near a salt-trading town where immense logistical operations contrasted with a humble coastline. After a swim and some playful jumps from the halyards, the team explored the town in search of its famed abalone. Instead, they encountered signs of underinvestment and lack of infrastructure—prompting a powerful question: How could coastal communities like this thrive through sustainable, regenerative practices? The crew left with abalone and chorizo for their next feast, along with new clarity on the mission ahead.

Bahía Tortugas challenged the boat’s limits, as 25-knot winds funneled through narrow passages near Isla Natividad. After a moment of intense yaw, the crew safely reached their anchorage by dusk. That night, Daniel served up spaghetti with abalone chorizo Bolognese—another high-seas celebration of culture, cuisine, and collaboration.

In Punta Abreojos, the crew journeyed inland by dinghy through a shallow lagoon dotted with dunes and birdlife. After navigating a tricky return through the growing swell, they were again rewarded with a meal that brought everyone together—salt, sea, and story woven into every bite.

Their final leg to San Carlos and Cabo San Lucas brought encounters with blue whales and heartfelt exchanges with fishermen, trading 15 lobsters for batteries and fruit. As Diablesse rounded El Arco, a warm breeze from the Sea of Cortez marked the journey’s emotional end—and a new beginning.

Docked in San José del Cabo, Diablesse had become more than a vessel. It was now a floating home for a growing vision: one of science, connection, and coastal prosperity.

The Spark of a Vision
During this voyage, two visions converged:

  1. A proposal to make the legendary Sayula II an ambassador for the UN's Ocean Declaration and The Ocean Race.

  2. A shared dream of using iconic vessels to connect science, culture, and conservation.

Sailing For Prosperity was born: a nonprofit platform for high-impact expeditions that unite communities, scientists, sailors, and visionaries.

Two men standing on a sailboat at sea, one holding a rope and the other looking forward, with a scenic ocean view in the background.
A sailboat with a single mast floating on calm blue water with a mountainous landscape in the background under a clear sky.
Aerial view of a coastal town with mountains in the background, a harbor with a breakwater, and turquoise water.
A dolphin jumping out of the blue ocean water.
A sailboat on calm blue waters with a mountainous island in the background under a clear blue sky.
Man in red jacket, sunglasses, and wide-brimmed hat sitting in inflatable boat on a river with trees on both sides and blue sky with clouds.
A man sitting barefoot on a boat deck, holding a lobster over a white bucket, with the ocean and clear blue sky in the background.
Aerial view of a rugged coastal landscape with a small harbor, rocky shoreline, and distant islands out at sea.
A rocky cliff with a lighthouse on top, ocean waves crashing against the rocks, and a clear blue sky with some birds flying.
Group of seven men on a sailboat in the ocean during daytime, taking a selfie, with some holding fishing rods.
Group of four people hiking on rocky terrain near the coast, with ocean and islands in the background.
A coastal landscape showing a small beach with a lagoon, surrounded by rocky terrain, with the ocean extending into the horizon and a sailboat nearby.
Underwater scene with colorful coral reef and a blue fish with black markings swimming among the coral.
Underwater image of a large marine animal with a flat, disc-shaped body and a long, pointed snout, swimming in clear blue water.
Aerial view of a rocky shoreline with turquoise waters and a boat leaving a wake
Aerial view of an island with rocky shores, a small harbor, and rugged terrain surrounded by ocean, with a sailboat near the coast.

Sayula II Expedition

Winds of Prosperity: From Dream to Action

The seed planted during the Diablesse expedition quickly evolved into something greater: the official birth of Sailing for Prosperity. Fueled by newfound enthusiasm and a shared vision, the project took a major leap forward with the relocation of the legendary Sayula II from Puerto Vallarta to its new home at Marina Puerto Los Cabos—a historically significant gateway to the Sea of Cortez.

The Arrival of Sayula II
The arrival of Sayula II stirred excitement and celebration. Community events, media gatherings, and a special screening of The Weekend Sailor set the tone for what was to come. The presence of Enrique Carlin, a key figure in Sayula’s historic circumnavigation, added emotional weight to the occasion.

The First Official Expedition
After preparations in the marina, Sayula II set course for La Paz, where a launch event at Marina Puerta Cortés marked the beginning of Sailing For Prosperity’s first official expedition.

A Remarkable Crew
This journey brought together a distinguished team, including:

  • Enrique Carlin, a living legend of Mexican sailing

  • A captain and a support sailor.

  • Octavio Aburto, a leading marine scientist.

  • Felipe Fernández, project co-founder.

  • Enrique Pardo from Innovaciones Alumbra.

  • Raúl Soto, a renowned local chef.

  • Adrián De Antoni, Argentine filmmaker supported by Maja Sportswear.

  • Cristóbal González-Aller, S4P co-founder and director.

Expedition Highlights

  • Ensenada de La Paz: A visit to a former unregulated fishing community now engaged in oyster and scallop regeneration—a powerful example of grassroots transformation.

  • Isla San Francisquito: A 45-nautical-mile sail, ending with an unforgettable dinner featuring Totoaba and callo de hacha, courtesy of Santo Mar and chef Raúl Soto.

  • El Pardito & Isla San José: A tour of the Cueva fishing community, scientific insight into mangrove ecosystems by Octavio Aburto, snorkeling, and the exploration of future collaborations for species reintroduction.

  • Isla Espíritu Santo: A final anchorage and farewell dinner with fresh pargo, gifted by local fishermen. The journey closed with reflection, shared purpose, and a celebratory toast with Dos Maderas rum. A morning hike on the island marked the end of the expedition.

Conclusion
Though short in days, the expedition was rich in meaning, laying the groundwork for new alliances, shared learning, and a powerful validation of the vision behind Sailing for Prosperity. It was not just a journey across the sea, but the beginning of a movement.

Group of nine people standing on a green sailboat docked at a marina, with a white yacht in the background, all wearing similar caps and vests.
Person climbing the mast of a sailboat against a clear blue sky.
A sailboat on turquoise ocean waters near rocky red cliffs and desert landscape under blue sky.
Group of eight men posing outdoors near a lake with mountains in the background. They are dressed in casual and outdoor clothing, some wearing hats and sunglasses. One man is holding a walking stick. The weather is sunny, and a sailboat is visible on
A sailboat floating on blue ocean waters with distant land and mountains in the background.
Two men wearing sunglasses and hats, one looking through binoculars, outdoors on a sunny day.
A man smiling and pointing towards the ocean on a sunny day with a sailboat in the background, seagulls on the rocky shore nearby.
Group of people gathered on a rocky beach near a blue boat, with a thatched-roof hut and sailboats in the background, under a clear blue sky.
A man wearing a grey hoodie, red and white cap, and shorts standing on a beach, holding tangled fishing nets, with another man in a hat nearby. The beach has a rocky shore, with a small boat and seagulls, and mountains in the distance under a clear b
Person hiking on rocky terrain with a backpack and camera, overlooking a sandy beach, rocky formations, and cacti with a clear blue sky.
Three men standing on a sailboat deck looking out at the ocean under a clear blue sky, one of whom is using binoculars.
Two seagulls standing on rocks by the ocean with a sailboat and distant hills in the background under a clear blue sky.
Man holding a large fish by the coastline with the ocean and sailboats in the background.
Small island with colorful houses and rocky terrain, surrounded by water with mountains in the background under a clear sky.
Three men wearing white caps, sunglasses, and vests with sailing logos are on a boat, engaged in conversation near the water with boats and a shoreline in the background.
A sailboat on calm water during sunset with a small island in the distance.
Group of five men sitting on a boat, engaging in conversation, with a calm bay and sailboats in the background.