Santo Tomas

Hello, I have a trip planned to Santo Tomas in a couple weeks. I am interested in any tips or advice from people familiar with the area. I am particularly interested in learning about the best spots for the following:

1) activities for kids
2) jet ski or boat rentals
3) fishing (shore or boat)
4) clamming
5) snorkeling
6) tidepools
7) other activities or services

I've read that you can hire some locals to come out and cook dinner, give massages, etc. Any detailed info from knowledgable members is greatly appreciated. You may PM me if you wish. Thanks in advance!

Your best source for Santo Tomas is Jerry, who owns a house there. (He's probably already PM'd you since he seems to eat and sleep at his keyboard.). Let me just say that Santa Tomas isn't Cabo. It isn't even Rocky Point. I'd be surprised if there are jet ski or boat rentals. There's an ocean and some fine beaches there, but I suspect you'll need to make your own entertainment. Maybe Jerry will correct me, but I don't think Santo Tomas is very oriented toward weekend tourism.

Thanks for this info. We're looking to relax and enjoy the natural aspects of Santo Tomas. That's why I mentioned things like fishing, clamming, possibly crabbing, etc. We'll probably do some beachcombing for shells. We like the fact that it is away from the crowds. It would be nice to rent a boat or a jet ski from any residents in the area of possible.

Curse of tap talk and smart phone plus working in stops and starts......Depending which house you are renting they most likely have kayaks.Make sure they have easy up if not bring g one....you can leave it above high tide line...never lost anything to theft.Bring g your own snorkels,kites,fireworks.A atv really let's you explore.Many houses have Internet so a amazon fire/prime stick works.After dark don't go to far north or south past a mile...narcos around sometimes...also if on a beer run to town have dome lights on so people see you are tourists...

audsley said:

Your best source for Santo Tomas is Jerry, who owns a house there. (He's probably already PM'd you since he seems to eat and sleep at his keyboard.). Let me just say that Santa Tomas isn't Cabo. It isn't even Rocky Point. I'd be surprised if there are jet ski or boat rentals. There's an ocean and some fine beaches there, but I suspect you'll need to make your own entertainment. Maybe Jerry will correct me, but I don't think Santo Tomas is very oriented toward weekend tourism.

Thanks Jerry. Any light you can shed on clamming, crabbing, fishing, and tidepooling? Best spots?

Yes...pitch your shelter 40 yards north of the beach club down on the beach but backed to dunes...great snorkeling and fishing at rock formations another 30 yards north. if a bit wavey boogey board just past these rocks to the north...some kind of sand bar that gives a long ride.....as always best fishing on incoming tide ..sunset sitting kayaks,dolphins usually come by 9-10 am.If Sctt Kiefer is down he can be hired to fish or take you too bird island....lots of firewood in mesquite thatch up on dunes

I have a few crab pots in my yard if you want to use

Those SOC crabs are very healthy eating. You burn up more calories catching and preparing them than you'll take in eating them.

Cardon Fruit might be ready

be sure to stop at La Cinta on the way down

jerry said:

Yes...pitch your shelter 40 yards north of the beach club down on the beach but backed to dunes...great snorkeling and fishing at rock formations another 30 yards north. if a bit wavey boogey board just past these rocks to the north...some kind of sand bar that gives a long ride.....as always best fishing on incoming tide ..sunset sitting kayaks,dolphins usually come by 9-10 am.If Sctt Kiefer is down he can be hired to fish or take you too bird island....lots of firewood in mesquite thatch up on dunes

Thanks for the tips. We'll be sure to check out the mesquite thatch for firewood.

jerry said:

I have a few crab pots in my yard if you want to use

Hey, thanks. I like to use use crab snares for dungies. Lots of fun and I enjoy casting. Pots would be more efficient though as you can get more with each one than you do with snares.

jerry said:

Cardon Fruit might be ready

That looks like prickly pear fruit on steroids. Where can we score some of that fruit?

jerry said:

be sure to stop at La Cinta on the way down

Thanks for the tip. We'll be sure to stop there. Where exactly is it on the way between PP and Santo Tomas?

audsley said:

Those SOC crabs are very healthy eating. You burn up more calories catching and preparing them than you'll take in eating them.

I assume you mean there isn't much meat in them. What do you mean by SOC?

JB123 said:

Thanks for the tip. We'll be sure to stop there. Where exactly is it on the way between PP and Santo Tomas?

About half way...the big Pepsi sign

JB123 said:

That looks like prickly pear fruit on steroids. Where can we score some of that fruit?

The cactus Forest in the area behind the dunes...lots of pottery shards and arrowheads too

JB123 said:

I assume you mean there isn't much meat in them. What do you mean by SOC?

Sea of Cortez. And that's right, there isn't much meat. Kind of like messing with craw dads.

Now I see that over on the General forum, there's been a discussion of crab harvesting and recipes. Evidently some don't agree with me that they aren't worth fooling with. Guess you can try it and decide for yourself.

audsley said:

Now I see that over on the General forum, there's been a discussion of crab harvesting and recipes. Evidently some don't agree with me that they aren't worth fooling with. Guess you can try it and decide for yourself.

I tend to agree with you. Having lived in Maryland for a number of years, I can't tell you how my eyes lit up when a I saw a bunch of live SOC blue crabs for sale in RP. Bought a couple dozen, iced them down, and drooled the whole way way home thinking about how good they were going to be. Hard to express my level of disappointment. They were stringy, mushy and practically no meat in them at all. Maybe I got a bad batch, I don't know, but all two dozen were like that. Was enough to put them on my "Don't bother." list for the future.

The guys clean them and freeze 12 bucks a kilo....good...

jerry said:

The guys clean them and freeze 12 bucks a kilo....good...

Sea Products has frozen kilos too. Makes great crab cakes quick and easy.

That's a great price. Where can I get this?

I also read about a fish camp near Santo Tomas where one can buy from the local fishermen. Does that still exist?

jerry said:

The guys clean them and freeze 12 bucks a kilo....good...

How does the crab taste from Sea Products? I've tasted crab Tacos from a restaurant on the Malecon and they tasted "crabby" and not in a good way

MIRAMAR said:

How does the crab taste from Sea Products? I've tasted crab Tacos from a restaurant on the Malecon and they tasted "crabby" and not in a good way

Oh No. the bearded lady in line ahead of me at the MVD , almost gagged me today and now this....Thats alright Miss H... you had no way of knowing

JB123 said:

Hello, I have a trip planned to Santo Tomas in a couple weeks. I am interested in any tips or advice from people familiar with the area. I am particularly interested in learning about the best spots for the following:

1) activities for kids
2) jet ski or boat rentals
3) fishing (shore or boat)
4) clamming
5) snorkeling
6) tidepools
7) other activities or services

I've read that you can hire some locals to come out and cook dinner, give massages, etc. Any detailed info from knowledgable members is greatly appreciated. You may PM me if you wish. Thanks in advance!

Any Dorado there!

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VikingRik said:

Any Dorado there!

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I'll report back when I return. I doubt I'll get a boat to take us out. It's too expensive and too far from where we are staying in Santo Tomas. I won't be there for another couple weeks.

jerry said:

Yes...pitch your shelter 40 yards north of the beach club down on the beach but backed to dunes...great snorkeling and fishing at rock formations another 30 yards north. if a bit wavey boogey board just past these rocks to the north...some kind of sand bar that gives a long ride.....as always best fishing on incoming tide ..sunset sitting kayaks,dolphins usually come by 9-10 am.If Sctt Kiefer is down he can be hired to fish or take you too bird island....lots of firewood in mesquite thatch up on dunes

Wow Jerry quick question, I've been surfing my whole life and I'm the only person I've seen catching waves and board surfing at Playa Bonita and Encanto. You speak of a sandbar that produces good rides, is this generally on a strong south westerly wind? Waves about 2-4ft with decent shape?

Exactly and needs to be with the big incoming tide....actual 5 footers that weren't all chopped up a few years ago