sea of cortez tourism

Sea of Cortez

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Sea of Cortez - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Cabo San Lucas Small Group City Tour with Lunch Tequila and Candy (From $80.00)
• The Arch of Los Cabos Glass-bottom boat tour (From $75.00)
• Snorkel, Lunch & Sail in Cabo San Lucas (From $110.00)
• Whale Watching Zodiac in Cabo San Lucas with comp transportation (From $85.00)
• La Paz Whale Shark Snorkeling Tour and Lunch From Los Cabos (From $155.40)
• (0.05 mi) Spectacular Ocean Front House, Views and Sunsets!
• (0.26 mi) Sea Of Cortez Beach Club
• (0.28 mi) San Carlos Plaza Hotel Resort & Convention Center
• (0.09 mi) Turquesa 4 Joyas del mar San Carlos
• (0.88 mi) Playa Blanca Condo Hotel
• (0.28 mi) Joey's Bistro
• (0.50 mi) La Palapa Club Cortez
• (1.20 mi) Sunset Bar and Grill
• (0.79 mi) Altamarea Cocina Italiana
• (0.92 mi) Bonifacio's Cotton Club
• (0.00 mi) Xic Salon · Spa
• (0.92 mi) Mirador Escénico de San Carlos
• (1.23 mi) Cañón La Poza Manantial
• (1.22 mi) Flyboard Sonora
• (2.47 mi) Gary's Dive shop

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AllAboutBaja.com

Travel Guide to the Baja California Peninsula

Sea of Cortez Mexico

Top 15 unforgettable experiences in baja california’s sea of cortez.

Baja California’s Sea of Cortez , also known as the Gulf of California, is a mesmerizing destination offering a bounty of natural wonders and thrilling adventures. This unique body of water, flanked by the Baja Peninsula and the Mexican mainland, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its rich marine biodiversity and stunning landscapes.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an adrenaline junkie, or simply seeking tranquility, the Sea of Cortez has something for everyone. In this article, we’ll explore the top 15 things to do when visiting this coastal paradise.

1. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Diving into the azure waters of the Sea of Cortez is a must for any visitor. Beneath the surface lies an underwater wonderland, teeming with vibrant coral reefs, an array of colorful fish species, and the opportunity to encounter majestic marine mammals such as sea lions and dolphins. Famous dive spots like Cabo Pulmo Marine Park and Loreto Bay National Park offer crystal-clear visibility, making them ideal for both experienced divers and beginners.

2. Whale Watching

The Sea of Cortez is a haven for an extraordinary array of marine mammals, and it’s one of the best places on the planet for whale watching . From December to April, visitors have the chance to witness the impressive migration of majestic humpback whales and even the rare and endangered blue whales. Boat tours and excursions led by knowledgeable guides ensure a respectful and unforgettable experience with these gentle giants.

3. Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Exploring the Sea of Cortez by kayak or stand-up paddleboard is a serene and intimate way to connect with nature. Glide through secluded coves, admire breathtaking rock formations, and encounter playful sea lions curiously swimming nearby. Many coastal towns and resorts offer kayak and paddleboard rentals, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace.

4. Island Hopping

The Sea of Cortez is dotted with numerous picturesque islands, each with its own distinct charm and wildlife. Isla Espiritu Santo, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is particularly noteworthy for its pristine beaches, turquoise bays, and thriving marine life. Take a boat tour to explore these enchanting islands, hike scenic trails, and unwind in the unspoiled beauty of this remote paradise.

5. Sportfishing

Baja California’s Sea of Cortez is hailed as one of the best sportfishing destinations in the world. With its abundant marine life, the sea offers fantastic opportunities to reel in trophy fish, including dorado, marlin, tuna, and roosterfish. Charter a fishing boat with experienced local guides and enjoy a thrilling day on the water, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.

6. Sunset Cruises

Witnessing the sun dip below the horizon while cruising on the tranquil waters of the Sea of Cortez is a mesmerizing experience. Sunset cruises are popular among visitors looking to savor the beauty of the coastline, capturing the kaleidoscope of colors painted across the sky. Many cruises also include delightful dinner options, making it an unforgettable evening.

7. Desert Adventures

Beyond the shimmering waters, the arid landscapes of Baja California offer unique desert experiences. Embark on an ATV or off-road adventure to explore the rugged terrains and encounter the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this desert environment. Visiting the Valle de los Cirios Reserve is a must for witnessing the towering cardon cacti, some reaching heights of up to 60 feet.

8. Birdwatching

The Sea of Cortez is a haven for avian enthusiasts, boasting an astonishing diversity of bird species. Pelicans, frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, and red-billed tropicbirds are just a few of the captivating species that call the area home. Birdwatching tours are readily available, allowing visitors to spot these feathered wonders in their natural habitats.

9. Relax on Pristine Beaches

With over 2,000 miles of coastline, the Sea of Cortez offers an abundance of stunning beaches to relax and unwind. From the secluded shores of Bahia Concepcion to the vibrant beaches of Los Cabos, there’s a stretch of sand to suit every preference. Bask in the sun, swim in the warm waters, and relish in the peacefulness of these unspoiled paradises.

10. Explore Baja’s Coastal Towns

Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and warm hospitality of Baja’s coastal towns. La Paz, Loreto, and Cabo San Lucas are just a few of the charming communities along the Sea of Cortez. Stroll through colorful streets, indulge in fresh seafood, and browse local markets for unique souvenirs and crafts.

11. Snorkeling with Whale Sharks

One of the most thrilling experiences the Sea of Cortez offers is snorkeling with whale sharks. These gentle giants, the largest fish in the world, gather in the area between October and April. Swimming alongside these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat is a humbling and awe-inspiring encounter you’ll cherish forever.

12. Visit Espiritu Santo Island’s Sea Lion Colony

Espiritu Santo Island is home to a lively sea lion colony, and a visit here promises playful encounters with these adorable marine mammals. Embark on guided tours to observe sea lion pups learning to swim and play in the shallow waters, providing endless entertainment and heartwarming moments.

13. Scenic Sunset Beach Horseback Ride

Explore the stunning coastline of the Sea of Cortez on a horseback ride during sunset. Feel the gentle sea breeze as you ride along the shorelines of secluded beaches, creating a surreal experience that’s both romantic and captivating. This unforgettable journey offers picturesque vistas and a unique way to connect with nature.

14. Submarine Expedition

For an extraordinary and exclusive adventure, consider a submarine expedition in the Sea of Cortez. Dive deep into the ocean and witness the magical marine life from the comfort of a state-of-the-art submersible. Observe the colorful coral reefs, schools of fish, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of elusive deep-sea creatures.

15. Visit Cabo Pulmo Marine Park

Cabo Pulmo Marine Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a remarkable spot for eco-adventures. Snorkel or dive among the thriving coral reefs, which are home to a wide range of marine species, and delight in the beauty of the park’s protected environment. The clear waters and diverse marine life make it a must-visit destination for sea enthusiasts.

A journey to Baja California’s Sea of Cortez is an unforgettable experience filled with natural wonders and exciting adventures. From exploring underwater realms and engaging with majestic marine mammals to discovering the unique charm of coastal towns, this hidden gem in Mexico offers an array of activities for every traveler.

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Sea of Cortez and create memories that will last a lifetime. Plan your visit today and be prepared to be amazed by this coastal paradise.

Amazing video of a woman wakeboarding with the dolphins in the Sea of Cortez.

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The Sea Of Cortez, Mexico: The Best Islands To Visit And What To Pack

Published: October 17, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Cara Hussain

• Beaches & Islands
• Tech & Gear
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Welcome to the stunning Sea of Cortez, a remarkable body of water located off the eastern coast of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. This biodiverse region is often referred to as the “Aquarium of the World” due to its exceptional marine life and vibrant ecosystems. Exploring the Sea of Cortez is a dream come true for nature lovers, adventure seekers, and anyone looking to immerse themselves in the beauty of the Mexican coastal landscape.

The Sea of Cortez is home to a plethora of stunning islands, each offering its own unique charm and opportunities for exploration. From pristine beaches and hidden coves to crystal-clear waters and breathtaking wildlife encounters, the islands of the Sea of Cortez have something to offer for every traveler. Whether you’re seeking a tranquil beach getaway, an exhilarating diving and snorkeling experience, or a chance to witness incredible marine wildlife up close, the islands of the Sea of Cortez have it all.

In this article, we will take you on a virtual tour of some of the best islands in the Sea of Cortez, highlighting their distinctive features and attractions. We will also provide you with valuable tips on what to pack for your island adventure, ensuring that you are well-prepared for an unforgettable experience. So, dust off your snorkeling gear, pack your sunscreen, and let’s dive into the enchanting world of the Sea of Cortez islands!

Isla Espiritu Santo

Isla Espiritu Santo, located just off the eastern coast of the Baja Peninsula, is a true gem of the Sea of Cortez. This enchanting island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and abundant marine life.

One of the most popular attractions on Isla Espiritu Santo is the turquoise-colored waters of Ensenada Grande. This picturesque bay is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, allowing visitors to discover the vibrant underwater world teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and even playful sea lions.

Hike enthusiasts will be delighted by the island’s rugged terrain and scenic trails. One of the must-visit spots is Punta Ballena, also known as Whale Point, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and the surrounding cliffs. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and whales swimming in the distance.

For wildlife enthusiasts, Isla Espiritu Santo is a haven. The island is home to a colony of friendly sea lions that love to swim and play in the crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling alongside these playful creatures is an unforgettable experience.

If you’re looking for a peaceful escape, there are secluded beaches on Isla Espiritu Santo where you can relax and soak up the sun in tranquility. El Candelero is a pristine golden-sand beach with calm waters and magnificent rock formations. Take a picnic and enjoy the untouched beauty of this remote spot.

When visiting Isla Espiritu Santo, it’s crucial to respect the island’s environment and preserve its pristine state. The waters and wildlife are fragile, so make sure to bring reusable water bottles, biodegradable sunscreen, and eco-friendly toiletries.

Remember, Isla Espiritu Santo is a protected area, and camping and fishing are regulated. Before planning your trip, check the regulations and obtain the necessary permits to ensure a responsible and sustainable visit.

Isla Espiritu Santo is truly a paradise for nature lovers. Whether you’re exploring its stunning beaches, snorkeling with sea lions, or admiring the breathtaking views from Punta Ballena, this island offers an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the natural wonders of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla Partida

Nestled alongside its sister island Isla Espiritu Santo, Isla Partida is another captivating destination in the Sea of Cortez. This island is known for its stunning landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and incredible biodiversity.

One of the highlights of Isla Partida is the beautiful La Paz Bay, a popular spot for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. The bay is teeming with colorful coral reefs and an abundance of marine life, including tropical fish, rays, and even whale sharks during certain times of the year. Dive into the azure waters and get ready to be mesmerized by the underwater wonders.

If you’re a fan of water sports, Isla Partida offers excellent opportunities for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing. Glide along the calm waters and take in the breathtaking coastal scenery that surrounds the island.

For those seeking a more relaxed experience, the white sandy beaches of Isla Partida are perfect for sunbathing and beachcombing. Playa El Cardón, with its pristine shoreline and shallow turquoise waters, is an ideal spot to unwind and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of the island.

Exploring the island on foot is a rewarding experience. There are hiking trails that lead to elevated viewpoints offering panoramic vistas of the Sea of Cortez. Marvel at the rugged cliffs, the mesmerizing shades of blue in the water, and the untouched beauty of the surrounding landscape.

When visiting Isla Partida, it’s important to follow eco-friendly practices to protect the fragile ecosystem. Respect the marine life and coral reefs by practicing responsible snorkeling and swimming techniques. Additionally, always carry reusable water bottles and strive to leave no trace of your visit.

Isla Partida is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Whether you’re snorkeling in La Paz Bay, exploring the stunning beaches, or hiking to breathtaking viewpoints, this island offers a memorable experience that highlights the extraordinary beauty of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla San Francisco

Isla San Francisco, also known as San Francisco Island, is a hidden gem in the Sea of Cortez. This pristine island is renowned for its pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and untouched natural beauty.

One of the main attractions on Isla San Francisco is its crescent-shaped beach with powdery white sand and turquoise waters. The beach offers a perfect setting for sunbathing, swimming, and beachcombing. You can also take a leisurely stroll along the shore and soak in the tranquility of this secluded paradise.

The island is surrounded by vibrant marine life, making it a popular destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. Dive beneath the surface and discover a world filled with colorful coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, and playful sea lions. The underwater landscape of Isla San Francisco is truly awe-inspiring.

Hiking enthusiasts will find pleasure in exploring the island’s rugged trails. There is a trail that leads to a breathtaking viewpoint where you can admire the panoramic vistas of the Sea of Cortez. Be sure to bring your camera as the views are simply mesmerizing.

If you’re a bird lover, Isla San Francisco is a paradise. The island is home to a variety of bird species, including blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. Take a moment to observe these graceful creatures in their natural habitat and listen to the soothing sounds of their calls.

When visiting Isla San Francisco, it’s essential to practice responsible tourism. Respect the fragile ecosystem of the island by avoiding single-use plastics and taking your trash with you. As with all natural areas, leave no trace of your visit and preserve the beauty for future generations to enjoy.

Isla San Francisco’s pristine beaches, abundant marine life, and stunning landscapes make it a must-visit destination in the Sea of Cortez. Whether you’re relaxing on the beach, diving into the crystal-clear waters, or hiking to breathtaking viewpoints, this island promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of nature’s wonders.

Isla San Jose

Isla San Jose, located in the Sea of Cortez, is a hidden treasure waiting to be explored. This remote island offers breathtaking natural beauty, diverse wildlife, and a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

One of the main attractions on Isla San Jose is its picturesque coastline with secluded beaches. Playa Amortajada is a must-visit spot, with its soft sand, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life. Snorkelers and divers can immerse themselves in the underwater world, encountering colorful coral formations and an array of fish species, including parrotfish and angelfish.

The island is also home to a diverse range of bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. You may spot frigatebirds, herons, pelicans, and even the endemic Xantus’s hummingbird. Take a leisurely walk through the island’s trails and listen to the soothing sounds of birdsong echoing through the air.

For those seeking a unique experience, a visit to the salt flats of Isla San Jose is a must. The salt flats are a fascinating natural phenomenon where saltwater evaporates, leaving behind a glistening expanse of salt crystals. Marvel at the shimmering landscape and capture unforgettable photos of this surreal sight.

Hiking on Isla San Jose is a great way to immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty. There are trails that meander through the desert landscape, offering panoramic views of the surrounding sea and cactus-covered hills. Keep an eye out for the island’s endemic reptiles, such as the San Lucan whiptail lizard.

When visiting Isla San Jose, it’s important to be prepared. The island is remote and lacks services, so it’s essential to bring all necessary supplies, including water, food, and sunscreen. Practice responsible tourism by leaving no trace of your visit and respecting the island’s fragile ecosystem.

Isla San Jose provides a tranquil and immersive escape into nature’s wonders. From its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life to its diverse bird species and mesmerizing salt flats, this island offers a truly remarkable experience that will leave you with unforgettable memories of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla Santa Catalina

Isla Santa Catalina, also known as Santa Catalina Island, is a hidden gem in the Sea of Cortez. This small island is a paradise for nature lovers, boasting stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for outdoor adventures.

One of the main attractions on Isla Santa Catalina is its pristine coastline. The island is home to beautiful beaches with white sand and azure waters, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Playa El Burro is a popular spot where you can relax and soak in the peaceful ambiance surrounded by striking rock formations.

The island’s waters are teeming with marine life, making it a fantastic destination for snorkeling and diving. Explore the underwater world and encounter colorful coral reefs, tropical fish species, and possibly even sea turtles. Snorkeling in Isla Santa Catalina is like swimming in an aquarium.

For hiking enthusiasts, there are trails that wind through the island’s rugged terrain, offering panoramic views of the Sea of Cortez. As you hike, you may come across unique wildlife such as the endemic Santa Catalina rattlesnake or desert iguanas. Remember to bring plenty of water and sunscreen, as the island can get quite hot.

Isla Santa Catalina also attracts birdwatchers with its abundant avian species. Keep an eye out for ospreys, pelicans, and even the majestic blue-footed booby. Binoculars are a must for capturing a closer look at these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

When visiting Isla Santa Catalina, it’s important to practice responsible tourism. Respect the island’s beauty by not littering and avoiding disturbing the wildlife. Take only photographs and leave only footprints to preserve the island’s pristine state for future generations.

Isla Santa Catalina offers a serene retreat in the Sea of Cortez, where you can immerse yourself in nature’s wonders. Whether you’re relaxing on the beaches, snorkeling in the vibrant waters, or hiking through the rugged landscape, this island invites you to experience the true beauty of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla San Ildefonso

Isla San Ildefonso, a hidden gem in the Sea of Cortez, is a small island that offers a unique and unspoiled natural experience. This remote paradise is known for its rugged beauty, pristine beaches, and abundant marine life.

One of the main attractions on Isla San Ildefonso is its stunning coastal landscape. Explore the island’s rocky cliffs and discover hidden coves and secluded beaches. The turquoise waters surrounding the island are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, providing ample opportunities to witness the incredible underwater world that thrives in this region.

The marine biodiversity around Isla San Ildefonso is simply awe-inspiring. While exploring the waters, you may encounter schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even dolphins. The island is also a great spot for diving, with unique rock formations and underwater caves waiting to be explored.

If you’re a bird enthusiast, Isla San Ildefonso will delight you with its diverse avian species. Keep your binoculars handy as you may spot frigatebirds, cormorants, and egrets. The island’s untouched natural environment provides a haven for these beautiful creatures.

Isla San Ildefonso is best explored on foot, allowing you to connect with its untouched wilderness. Follow the trails that wind through the island’s rocky terrain, and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding sea and the rugged coastline. Take your time and embrace the tranquility that this remote island offers.

Being a remote and undeveloped island, it’s vital to be prepared when visiting Isla San Ildefonso. Bring all the necessary supplies, including food, water, and sun protection. Leave no trace of your visit and take care to preserve the island’s pristine environment.

Isla San Ildefonso presents an opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. Whether you’re exploring the coastline, diving into the turquoise waters, or hiking through its rugged trails, this island offers a unique and unforgettable experience in the Sea of Cortez.

Isla San Pedro Martir

Isla San Pedro Martir, located in the Sea of Cortez, is a pristine and untouched island that captivates visitors with its natural beauty and remote charm. This picturesque island offers a serene escape from the bustling world, allowing you to reconnect with nature in a tranquil setting.

One of the main highlights of Isla San Pedro Martir is its stunning beaches. The island boasts secluded coves and stretches of untouched sand, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the soothing sounds of the waves crashing against the shore. These pristine beaches provide a serene backdrop for relaxation and exploration.

The waters surrounding Isla San Pedro Martir are teeming with marine life, making it a paradise for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and discover vibrant coral reefs, playful sea lions, and a myriad of colorful fish species. The underwater world of Isla San Pedro Martir is a feast for the eyes.

For nature lovers, the island offers hiking trails that meander through its rugged terrain, providing opportunities to immerse yourself in its natural splendor. As you hike, you may encounter unique wildlife, such as desert iguanas and various bird species. Don’t forget your camera to capture the breathtaking scenery along the way.

Isla San Pedro Martir is a haven for those seeking solitude and connection with nature. The island is uninhabited and undeveloped, allowing you to experience the true essence of untouched wilderness. Explore at your own pace and savor the serenity that this remote island offers.

When visiting Isla San Pedro Martir, it’s important to come prepared. As the island lacks amenities and facilities, make sure to bring all necessary supplies, including food, water, and sun protection. Leave no trace of your visit and respect the fragile ecosystem of the island.

Isla San Pedro Martir invites you to leave the stresses of everyday life behind and immerse yourself in the untouched beauty of the Sea of Cortez. Whether you’re relaxing on the secluded beaches, snorkeling in the vibrant waters, or hiking through its rugged landscapes, this island promises a serene and unforgettable experience.

Isla Santa Cruz

Isla Santa Cruz, nestled within the pristine waters of the Sea of Cortez, is a captivating island that offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural richness. This picturesque island attracts visitors with its stunning landscapes, charming fishing villages, and an array of outdoor activities.

One of the highlights of Isla Santa Cruz is its breathtaking beaches. Playa Balandra, with its stunning turquoise waters and soft white sands, is a popular spot for sunbathing and swimming. The calm and shallow bay is perfect for families and those looking to relax in a tranquil setting.

The island is also known for its vibrant marine life. Snorkelers and divers can explore the underwater world and witness colorful coral reefs and an abundance of marine species. Keep an eye out for rays, tropical fish, and even whale sharks, as they sometimes pass through the surrounding waters.

Isla Santa Cruz is not just about natural beauty. The island is home to charming fishing villages where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and experience traditional Mexican coastal living. Explore the narrow streets, visit local markets, and indulge in delicious seafood dishes prepared with fresh catch-of-the-day ingredients.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of activities to keep them engaged on Isla Santa Cruz. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing are popular pursuits for those wanting to venture out onto the sparkling waters. Additionally, hiking trails provide breathtaking views of the island’s rugged coastline and the vast expanses of the Sea of Cortez.

When planning your visit to Isla Santa Cruz, be sure to pack essentials such as sunscreen, hats, and comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities. Respect the island’s natural environment by taking care not to disturb the wildlife or leave any traces of your visit.

Isla Santa Cruz is a destination that offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventures. Whether you’re basking in the sun on the picturesque beaches, exploring the vibrant underwater world, or embracing the local culture, this island promises a memorable experience in the heart of the Sea of Cortez.

Isla San Diego

Isla San Diego, a hidden gem in the Sea of Cortez, is a pristine island that offers a secluded and untouched natural paradise. Known for its rugged beauty, crystal-clear waters, and abundant marine life, this island is a true haven for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

One of the main attractions on Isla San Diego is its picturesque coastline. The island boasts secluded beaches with soft white sand and sparkling turquoise waters. These pristine beaches provide a serene setting for sunbathing, picnicking, and beachcombing. Spend your days in blissful solitude, surrounded by the untouched natural beauty of the island.

The waters surrounding Isla San Diego are teeming with marine life, making it a paradise for snorkelers and divers. Dive beneath the surface and marvel at the colorful coral reefs, playful schools of fish, and the possibility of encountering majestic sea turtles. Explore the underwater world and discover the beauty that lies beneath the waves.

Hiking enthusiasts will find pleasure in exploring the island’s rugged terrain. There are trails that lead to elevated viewpoints, rewarding you with panoramic vistas of the sea and the surrounding landscapes. Take in the breathtaking views and embrace the tranquility of this remote island.

Isla San Diego is a sanctuary for birdwatchers as well. Keep your binoculars handy as you may spot a variety of bird species, including herons, frigatebirds, and pelicans. The island’s peaceful ambiance provides an ideal setting for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

When visiting Isla San Diego, it’s essential to be prepared. As the island is remote and lacks amenities, make sure to bring all necessary supplies, including food, water, and sun protection. Practice responsible tourism by leaving no trace of your visit and respecting the delicate ecosystem of the island.

Isla San Diego invites you to escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life and immerse yourself in the tranquility of unspoiled nature. Whether you’re indulging in the solitude of its pristine beaches, exploring the underwater wonders, or hiking through its rugged landscapes, this island guarantees a remarkable and rejuvenating experience in the lap of the Sea of Cortez.

What to Pack for a Sea of Cortez Island Trip

Planning a trip to the beautiful islands of the Sea of Cortez? To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience, it’s important to pack the right essentials. Here are some items you should consider bringing along for your island adventure:

• Sunscreen: The Mexican sun can be intense, so pack a high SPF sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
• Swimsuit and beachwear: Don’t forget to pack your favorite swimsuits, cover-ups, and beach towels. You’ll be spending plenty of time soaking up the sun on the stunning beaches.
• Sun hat and sunglasses: Shield yourself from the sun’s rays with a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Reef-safe sunscreen: To protect the delicate marine ecosystems, opt for a reef-safe sunscreen that does not contain harmful chemicals.
• Waterproof camera: Capture the incredible underwater world with a waterproof camera or a protective case for your smartphone.
• Insect repellent: Although the islands are relatively free from mosquitoes, it’s always a good idea to pack some insect repellent, especially if you plan on exploring the inland areas.
• Reusable water bottle: Stay hydrated by bringing a reusable water bottle. It’s important to minimize plastic waste on the islands and keep them pristine.
• Snorkeling gear: If you have your own snorkeling gear, bring it along to fully enjoy the underwater wonders of the Sea of Cortez. Otherwise, some tours may provide equipment.
• Lightweight and breathable clothing: Pack lightweight and breathable clothing, such as shorts, t-shirts, and dresses, for the warm island weather.
• Comfortable shoes: A pair of comfortable walking shoes or sandals are essential for exploring the islands’ trails and beaches.
• First aid kit: It’s always a good idea to have a basic first aid kit with band-aids, antiseptic ointment, and any necessary medication.
• Cash and small bills: Some small shops and eateries may only accept cash, so it’s advisable to have some Mexican pesos on hand.
• Respect for the environment: Lastly, it’s crucial to pack an attitude of respect for the environment. Leave no trace of your visit, take all your trash with you, and be mindful of the fragile ecosystems on the islands.

By packing these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most of your Sea of Cortez island adventure. Remember to pack lightly and leave room for any souvenirs or treasures you may find along the way. Enjoy your trip!

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• North America
• The Most Beautiful Towns To...

The Most Beautiful Towns to Visit While Sailing in the Sea of Cortez

With indigenous monuments, turquoise waters and bright sunshine tempting you to spend all hours topside, you’d think that the Sea of Cortez was in a far off land – in fact, it’s hanging out right under the nose of the United States in Mexico . The Gulf of California has much more than Cabo’s crazy parties – think sportfishing, Unesco World Heritage sites and an abundance of marine life rather – making the Sea of Cortez waters something every avid sailor should explore.

Explore the towns along the Sea of Cortez.

Another quiet fishing village that your yacht could regrettably sail past, La Ventana is the place to test your mastery of the wind on a kiteboard. Don’t worry, you won’t be the only newbie out on the water in the picturesque curved bay. If you prefer relaxation to recreation, take a dip a few kilometres north in the natural hot springs of El Sargento.

Okay, hear us out – “Mexico’s armpit” may sound like the last place you’d want to take your yacht, but we’d never steer you into rough waters. El Golfo de Santa Clara is a small fishing village in Sonora where you can leisurely cast a line off the golden dune beaches dotted with saguaros and cacti. We think it’s a perfect pit stop – no pun intended – before you sail around Isla Montague to see where the Colorado River gives birth to the Sea of Cortez.

Puerto Penasco

If you thought Sonora’s armpit pleasantly surprised you, then you certainly won’t turn your nose up at the livelier fishing city of Puerto Penasco – a short sail south. Rocky Point, as it’s called, is a hot vacation spot for US citizens who make the trip down to “Arizona’s Beach”. Golf is never a bad idea here – nor is people watching on the Malecon – but our vote is to pick up a souvenir at the SeaShell Museum and check out the huge fin whale skeleton outside of Cedo’s Environmental Centre.

Guaymas is very much a mariner’s playground with its beaches just begging for hours of diving, kayaking and snorkelling. Pull into this port during Carnival and you’ll see where Mexico’s first celebrations of the holiday began. At any other time, stop off at the pearl farm to discover the process of harvesting Cortez Pearls. Make sure you snag some local dragon fruit ice cream before you hop back on board.

San Jose del Cabo

While the newbies follow the flotilla to Cabo San Lucas, seasoned sailors will find a little more refinement in their revelry at San Jose del Cabo. This “Old Town” has a downtown arts district that’s as rich and colourful as the city’s history and culture. Naturally, you’ll find food options just as diverse, like the Tikin-Xic fish taco at Don Sanchez’s upscale eatery or the European-Mexican hybrid tapas Habanero’s Gastro Grill. And if you need to get a little crazy in Cabo, La Lupita has mezcal shots already lined up.

Bahía de los Ángeles

Clinging to the eastern shore of the Baja California Peninsula is a coastal town that’ll turn you into a barnacle, too – Bahía de Los Angeles. The slow pace of this town is an absolute necessity and you’ll discover why as you patiently wait to watch great grey whales, sea turtles and sea birds make their way around the bay. A panguero will help you put your patience to the test when they take you out for a day of sport fishing for yellowtail horse mackerel, common dolphinfish and yellowtail amberjack.

Yachting to La Paz is an activity in itself – you’ll likely spot thresher sharks, manta rays, whale sharks, seals and other sea life as you sail past the islands. Be prepared to show photos as the port is full of yachters who are all willing to swap stories with you over daiquiris at Club Cruceros. Captains Sunset Bar is another good spot to let a local’s loose lips spill where the best remote coves and beaches around the Sea of Cortez are.

Loreto may be a sleepy city that sees very little tourism, but those fortunate enough to spend the day on these shores will be shocked that it hasn’t become riddled with resorts. The charming and colourful colonial architecture juxtaposes the crystal clear waters of Loreto National Marine Park – whose beauty can’t be captured as perfectly on camera. Spot blue and humpback whales as winter turns to spring, so keep your eyes peeled as you’re dining on torta sandwiches and local chocolate clams.

Tour the towns along the Sea of Cortez.

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Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez it is a spectacle of nature

Scientists affirm that this sea between the Mexican mainland and the Baja California peninsula is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. It houses more than 900 species of fish, thousands of invertebrates and many marine mammals, the best known being the sea lions, the dolphins and the whales.

Located between Baja California and several states of Central Mexico, it is around five million years old and is considered one of the most recent seas in the world. The Baja California peninsula was created by the underwater volcanic activity, the San Andrés fault and extremely powerful earthquakes, thus making room for what has today become the Sea of Cortez.

The explorer, Hernán Cortés , listened to fanciful stories about an island ruled by Amazons with golden weapons and crystal-clear waters on pearl beds and ordered several expeditions to explore that territory that, at that time, was believed to be an island. The expeditions, carried out after careful studies, added Baja California to the maps, drawing it as a peninsula connected to the north of the North American continent. But how can a sea be so abundant that it no longer has the nutrient contribution of freshwater from the Colorado River? The answer lies in its oceanographic history.

The history of the Sea of Cortez

The Pacific plate was once located to the northwest of the western coast of Mexico when the Sea of Cortez did not yet exist. For millions of years, the movement of the plate slowly rotated in a counterclockwise direction and produced great movements in western Mexico. Eventually, the fault line moved eastward and slowly separated Baja California from the rest of the mainland. The peninsula rose along the west side of the newly formed gulf. This ridge can be seen from near the city of Loreto .

The Ocean filled the basin that had formed, creating the youngest Gulf in the world. Now it is quite deep, and its width is more than 80 miles. The tides of the Pacific created a massive movement in the interior of the gulf.

The water mixes at a depth of 1,500 feet and causes a continuous clockwise current around the gulf at 0.57 mph in winter and a counterclockwise current in summer. The far north has a tidal range of 32 feet, the third largest in North America. Wind currents also cause significant water movements in winter. In fact, the wind moves the water at 3% of its speed and transfers up to 40% of its energy to it.

When the wind moves the water away from an island or the coast, it is replaced by colder waters that come from the bottom, in a process called upwelling. This deeper water is not only cooler, but also has more nutrients. With the source of energy coming from sunlight, voilà, the blue water turns into red water because of the amount of phytoplankton it contains. The Sea of Cortez, in fact, has been called the Red Sea. Phytoplankton nourish invertebrates which, in turn, are eaten by more than 800 types of vertebrates, including fish (which in turn feed on other fish) and whales. The extraordinary richness of the sea life of this sea led the French explorer Jacques Cousteau to define it as the aquarium of the world.

The current situation

Unfortunately, years of commercial exploitation have put this excellent sea to the test, drastically reducing the number of fish and causing disasters due to pollution. The Sea of Cortez , also known as the Gulf of California, has recently made headlines for the serious danger of extinction facing the Vaquita , a rare endemic porpoise species that lives in the southern part of the gulf. It is the most threatened marine mammal in the world and its recent decline is staggering.

In the last decade, the Mexican government has tried to reduce pollution and fishing. Several marine reserves and national parks have been created to protect endangered marine fauna and raise public awareness of the protection of an endangered species. Poaching continues to be a major problem as a large part of the population depends on fishing for their subsistence. For now, the dolphins and mantas continue to leap majestically in the sparkling water. Beneath the surface, a kaleidoscope of colorful tropical fish such as rainbows or butterfly fish move around the golden corals. However, to maintain the Sea of Cortez as a jewel of the North American continent and to conserve its extraordinary marine ecosystem, a greater effort and more control will be required to enforce existing laws and introduce new ones to expand marine protected areas and continue to reduce fishing.

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• Explore Mexico

The Islands of Loreto and Sea of Cortez

By Chris Boyle

Located in Mexico’s beautiful Baja California Sur on the Sea of Cortes side, Loreto boasts 300 years’ worth of rich heritage and largely untouched natural splendor.

With its host of unique historical experiences and active endeavors, Loreto is a must-visit for any elite adventurer.

Situated along Baja California Sur’s eastern coast, Loreto is an oasis of laid-back, oldworld Mexican charm.

The town’s landscape shifts from the stunning Sea of Cortez on the east to the dramatic Sierra la Giganta Mountains on the west, which translates to a diverse range of ecological and historical experiences for intrepid elite travelers.

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Loreto’s remote location and intimate village setting attract those looking for a true getaway. Despite its status as the oldest human settlement on the peninsula, dating back over 300 years, today Loreto is a modern escape that offers plenty of luxury amenities like marinas, resorts, fine dining and an 18-hole oceanfront golf course. Some of the world’s greatest sportfishing can be found just minutes offshore, while five deserted islands offer miles of breathtaking natural beauty. History buffs will love strolling Loreto’s town square, home to the well-preserved Misson of Our Lady Loreto and its onsite museum. Slightly off the beaten path but surprisingly accessible, Loreto is one of Mexico’s hidden treasures, whether you’re looking for action and adventure or pampering and relaxation. It’s no surprise that this charming locale is quickly becoming a favorite amongst VIPs from around the world.

The Lorento National Marine Park

Situated just off Loreto’s coastline in Loreto Bay are a total of five deserted islands—Coronado, Del Carmen, Danzante, Montserrate and Santa Catalina—all of which are protected as part of the Loreto National Marine Park, and each offering aquatic activities, hiking and beach fun.

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The park is also teeming with mother-of-pearl, coral, blue whales, dolphins and sea lions, making this an excellent place to witness some of the world’s most amazing creatures in their natural habitat. Contact one of Loreto’s sea kayaking tour operators, who will help you plan an unforgettable itinerary that includes two to five hours of kayaking through the Sea of Cortez, offering daily guided snorkeling and hiking trips. You can even add on a day of whale-watching for a jaw-dropping experience you won’t soon forget.

Loreto sits at the tip of a 100-mile-long stretch of sea that is home to an unmatched diversity of marine life—including more than 800 species of fish, unique to Baja California Sur’s surrounding waters. It is one of the few locations in the entire world where divers can get up close and personal with an awe-inspiring, six-foot long Humboldt squid, a resident of these waters from the late summer into the fall.

Fishing in Lorento

World-class sportfishing is another one of the region’s top draws. Enthusiasts will find an enticing range of highlyprized game fish like yellowtail, dorado, marlin and sailfish, all native to the region.

Serious about hooking one of these heavyweights? Know when to go. Experts say Loreto has two distinct fishing seasons: In the summer months (and peaking in July), you’re almost guaranteed a catch during the famous annual dorado fishing run, while mid-November through April is the peak time for yellowtail. Loreto has a wide selection of local, family-run tour operators—many of whom have been fishing these waters for decades—who can help you plan a panga charter or professionally-guided expedition to score the perfect catch.

Baja’s Cave Paintings

The region of Baja California Sur is the home of more than 100 (that have been discovered so far) prehistoric works of art.

These majestic cave paintings include floor-to-ceiling, multi-layered red and black monos (or human figures), as well as depictions of creatures such as birds, deer, big-horned sheep, rabbits, turtles, fish, sea mammals and other wildlife that shared the dramatic mountains and turquoise waters along the coast. These primitive works are considered a national and historical treasure, and in order to preserve their beauty, visitors are only permitted access to these areas when accompanied by an official guide.

Where to Stay

Elite Sleeps: Loreto Hotel Directory

From luxurious resorts with bespoke service to boutique hotels and inns, Loreto’s accommodations prove that great things come in small packages.

Hotel Desert Inn

Oscar Avilez Lucero

52-613-135-0025

[email protected]

Hotel Oasis

Pascal Pellegrino Cofone

52-613-135-0112

[email protected]

Hotel Duve Coral

Rigoberto Romero Aceves

52-613-135-1037

[email protected]

Hotel Haciend a Suites

Lic. Sixto Davis

52-613-135-1693

[email protected]

Hotel La Mision

Mario Hurtado

52-613-134-0350

[email protected]

www.lamisionloreto.com

Hotel Danzante (Vill a Group)

Carlos Valdez

www.villagroupresorts.com

Hotel Angra

Ana Carranza

52-613-135-1172

[email protected]

www.hotelangra.com

HotEl Santa Fe (Vill a Group)

Jorge Aviles

52-613-134-0400

[email protected]

Hotel Pos ada las Flores

Jose Luis Becerra

52-613-135-1162

[email protected]

Villa del Palmar (Villa Group)

Paul Moreno

[email protected]

www.villadelpalmarloreto.com

Hotel Luna & Bar Eclipse

Alberto Besomi or Karla Moncayo

52-613-135-2288

[email protected]

www.hotellunaloreto.com

Hotel Coco Cabañas

Steve Scalapino

52-613-135-1729

[email protected]

www.cococabanasloreto.com

Sukasa Bungalows

Joyce Clagett

52-613-135-0490

[email protected]

www.loreto.com/sukasa

Las Cabañas de Loreto

Jill Jackson

(613) 135-1105

info@lascabanasdeloreto

www.lascabanasdeloreto.com

Loreto Playa

Roberto and Paulette Lane

52-613-135-1129

[email protected]

www.loretoplaya.com

La Damiana Inn

Gerardo Rodas or Debora Simmons

52-613-135-0356

[email protected]

www.ladamianainn.com

Hotel Salvatierra

Dominga Margarita or Cota Benoit

52-613-135-0021

[email protected]

Hotel Posada San Martin

Arq. Martin Davis Smith

52-613-104-8019

[email protected]

Hotel Plaza Loreto

Juan Aguirre Elias

52-613-135-0280

[email protected]

Hotel Posada del Cortes

Jesus Cortes

52-613-135-0281

[email protected]

The Inn at Loreto Bay

Peter Maxwell

52-613-133-0010

[email protected]

Hotel Junipero

Aurelio Robinson or Julio Magdaleno

[email protected]

Villas de Loreto

Ron Bellerive

52-613-135-0580

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Discovering the Sea of Cortez: Hidden Beaches, Whales, and Whale Sharks

Price: Please inquire

Take our fully customizable week-long Sea of Cortez vacation and discover what legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau dubbed “The World’s Aquarium”.

With a base in La Paz, journey onto the waters for unique encounters with wildlife, including whale sharks, migratory birds, sea turtles, sea lions, and gray whales.

Across the seven days, you’ll also learn about the magnificent flora and fauna, on both land and sea, by interacting with researches, scientists, and expert guides. Snorkeling, swimming, and kayaking adventures bring the opportunity to discover pristine bays and virgin beaches on your own terms.

Whale sharks  – Venture to the shores near La Paz to swim and snorkel with the docile whale shark

Whale watching in Magdalena Bay – Encounter magnificent gray whales and sea turtles with a whale watching trip

Espiritu Santo Island – Snorkel with sea lions and beautiful reef fish, kayak around the turquoise waters, and discover virgin beaches

Day 1: Arrival to La Paz

Arriving in La Paz, a private driver will meet you at the airport and drive you to your hotel.

Overnight: Baja Club Hotel

Day 2: La Paz Walking City Tour

La Paz, the historic capital of the Californias, is tranquil, scenic and a great town to get to know on foot. Experience it through a local’s eyes, and your stomach! Our guide will accompany you on a tour of the culture, history and architecture of the town, including the street art of the of the La Paz Ciudad Mural project. Meet some true paceños, and along the way stop to try a few local delicacies.

Day 3: Private whale shark tour and beach lunch

A truly special event, head out onto the Sea of Cortez to swim alongside the world’s largest fish, the mighty whale shark! Enjoy the ride as an experienced captain transports you to where the whale sharks are swimming. Upon arrival, jump in the water to swim next to these gentle giants.

The day is made extra special as you will be joined by a whale shark researcher. Learn from the expert as they take you through the ecology of these magnificent creatures, the role they play in the ecosystem, and their feeding, mating, and migratory habits.

After, the trip continues to Balandra Bay, a natural protected area home to pristine beaches, mangroves, and stunning scenery. Have a tasty lunch, explore the nature trails, snorkel in the crystalline waters, and relax before heading back to your hotel.

Optional Researcher for a Day : Learn what it is like to be a whale shark researcher! A local investigator will join your trip to teach you about the ecology of these magnificent creatures, the role they play in the ecosystem, and their feeding, mating and migratory habits. Before getting in the water with the researcher you’ll learn how to identify individuals and document age, sex and other characteristics. ENQUIRE FOR AVAILABILITY and Cost.

Day 4: Private whale watching Magdalena Bay

Escape to Magdalena Bay on an overnight adventure to see the amazing gray whales that travel to these protected waters to mate and calve.

Your guide will meet you at your hotel early in the morning with snacks and fresh fruit. Arriving at Puerto López Mateos we check in to the hotel and you are free to enjoy lunch (not included) before boarding the skiff to head out into the bay in search of whales. Your naturalist guide will share their knowledge of these magnificent creatures and the story of their incredible yearly migration. Enjoy a sundowner in the dunes overlooking the Pacific before returning to your hotel.

Overnight: Mangrove Inn

Day 5: Private whale watching excursion in Magdalena Bay / Transfer to La Paz

After a good night’s rest, get up early and watch Magdalena Bay come to life and you will see why it is known as the jewel of the Pacific. After a hot breakfast we will head back out into the Bay to search for friendly whales. We will have lunch at the hotel before returning back to La Paz, full of amazing memories from Magdalena Bay!

Please note: We will make all efforts to adhere to the itinerary described above, but we may modify the itinerary due to wind, weather, and other factors. The safety and enjoyment of our travelers are our top priorities. Please see our terms and conditions for more information. We do not guarantee wildlife sightings, interaction or behavior. All travelers must comply with communicated protocols and regulations regarding activities within natural protected areas and interactions with wildlife.

Day 6: Espiritu Santo Island Hiking Day trip

Today you´ll get to hike the trails on Espíritu Santo Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to numerous marine, aviary and terrestrial species.

In the morning, set out by boat to the island from La Paz Bay, accompanied by your private naturalist guide, who will brief you on the island’s natural history along the way. Arriving at the island, you´ll explore one of its eight marked nature trails that offer a wide variety of length, difficulty and vertical gain.

The trails range from the light but scenic Cascada Seca at Playa Candelero to El Rincón, which rises quickly from the water’s edge, at the end offering a spectacular view of the Gulf of California. You can pick one of these, a trail that’s somewhere in between, or plan to take two hikes.

Throughout the day your naturalist guide will interpret the natural history of the island and help you spot some of the endemic plant and animal species. You’ll have time to enjoy a picnic lunch, snorkel in the crystal waters, and visit the local sea lion colony* where you can swim, snorkel and interact with the playful sea lions*with your guide.

Overnight:  Costa Baja Resort

Day 7: Private Transfer to Los Cabos Airport

Finish your Sea of Cortez vacation in style, with a private transfer to Los Cabos (or Laz Paz airport) for your onward flight home.

This trip can be customized for a private journey in the months of  February and March . Note: Gray Whale season in Magdalena Bay typically is February and March; Whale shark season typically is October to April.

Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. Contact us today to discuss your travel desires and design a personalized proposal with exact pricing.

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Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers. ($1,800 per couple in beach destinations)

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Rocky Point Sea of Cortez

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Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco): Sea of Cortez

The beautiful sea of cortés in rocky point mexico.

The Sea of Cortes, also known as the ‘Gulf of California’, is amazing in so many different ways. From the abundance of sea life to the clarity of the waters, the Sea of Cortes is host to amazing fishing, scuba diving, beautiful views, and more. Legendary diver Jacques Cousteau once described the Sea of Cortes as the “world’s aquarium” and the “Galapagos of North America”.

The Sea of Cortes currently plays an important role in one of the most interesting ecospheres in the world, and with everything that is happening in the region, it stands to play an amazingly pivotal role in what happens to the area next. There is so much one could say about the Sea Of Cortes, so I’m just going to start off of the top of my head and go from there.

As you can see from the map – the Sea of Cortes is bordered by the states of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, and Sinaloa. To the north it is part of the desolate Sonoran landscape, and creates amazing ares where open desert suddenly spills into a beautiful, sparkling coastline. Further down south it laps up against more popular – and populated – places like bahia Concepcion, La Paz, San Carlos, and San Jose del Cabo.

Traditionally the Sea of Cortes has been a commercial fishing zone. With the growth of tourism in the last 20 years (more about this below) attentions have been turned toward sport fishing and boating, scuba diving, and the like.

In 2005, hundreds of islands in Mexico’s Sea of Cortes were declared World Heritage Fund sites by United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization. They are home to major whale breeding grounds, and the designation opens up the ability for Mexico to seek funding from the international responsibility to help preseve the area.

The Sea of Cortes is host to a number of interesting and unique little sea critters such as the Flying Mobula and the vaquita marina, the latter of which has been called “the world’s rarest, most endangered porpoise”.

What’s in the Sea of Cortes’s future? There’s the Mexican government’s La Escalera Nautica/Sea of Cortez Project , which seeks to draw more and more pleasure boaters and fishermen to the area. There’s a boom in construction all up and down the coasts. There’s the World Heritage Fund site status. There is ecotourism and environmental worries about what is going to happen to the area.

In other words, the future’s going to be busy on the Sea of Cortes.

Obligatory John Steinbeck ‘The Log from the Sea of Cortes’ mention

The first thing a lot of people think of when they hear ‘The Sea of Cortez’ is the John Steinbeck novel. “The Log from the Sea of Cortez” is John Steinbeck’s tale of a 1940’s expedition there to collect and catalog marine life. In it, he “recounts the day to day events of the collecting trip; encounters with local people at sea and ashore, negotiations with customs officials”.

I’ll confess a horrible secret – I bought this book, I have this book, but I have not read this book. I’m really not a big Steinbeck guy – I’m more of a Kerouac guy. If you read this and want to send me your review, I’ll post it here, because I’ve got a stack of other stuff in line before I get to this one…

Sea of Cortes links you may find helpful

• Sea of Cortez at Wikipedia.
• The Tucson Citizen ran an excellent ‘Sea of Cortez’ series – in 2004 the Tucson Citizen ran a three-day series of articles that covered issues facing the Sea of Cortez such as overfishing and federal protectionary attention from both sides of the border. It’s a great read, and worth checking out. Overfishing is a huge, huge issue facing the region, and this series does a good job spelling out the whole situation.
• http://www.seaofcortez.org and http://www.mardecortes.org (Spanish) is also an excellent recreational read. From March 26 to May 26, 2004, the authors retraced John Steinbeck’s trip to the Gulf of California in 1940 (See: ‘books’ below for more info) and logged their experiences. Their log is a great day-by-day writeup including photos, multimedia and writings about the marine life and geography that makes the Sea Of Cortez so unique. If you’re interested in getting a better look at their route, see here. On a side note, if they ever do this again, I want to go with them! . You hear me guys!? 🙂
• CruiseCortez.com – a now unmaintained (?) site relating to sailing and fishing in the Sea Of Cortez. This site was active and popular a few years ago but the webmaster has since disappeared (?) and it has fallen by the wayside. Still, some of the photos and information found here are worth checking out. I’ve been looking to get in touch with whoever is running the site ever since. Despite the site’s status, their message board remains popular, however.

Recent news articles about the Sea of Cortez

• The ecological threats to the Sea of Cortez
• Mexico’s bid to lure boaters a tough sale
• Americans look to the next Baja boom town
• Company says Mexico to allow pipeline for Arizona refinery
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Ultimate Baja Mexico Cruise: The Sea of Cortez with UnCruise

From the moment we were first introduced to the company, we knew we wanted to take a Baja Mexico cruise on the Sea of Cortez with UnCruise Adventures.

Truth be told, this is a part of the world that very few travelers actually venture to. I know that may be hard to realize, seeing as the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula is home to the famous resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

Despite that, few people venture north the sleepy town of La Paz, let alone farther north to explore unreal islands and coastlines. It’s just not the thing to do.

This makes the 8 days you spend exploring the region on a small expedition ship a bit unreal.

The days are spent whale watching from the bow, kayaking in crystalline waters, hiking among towering cactus, snorkeling over reefs and bird watching from the edge of a skiff.

It’s untouched. It’s paradise. It’s the UnCruise Adventures way.

The Sea of Cortez UnCruise Experience

Table of Contents

UnCruise Adventures is the company that was made for people that don’t enjoy standard cruising. Their itineraries are built around nature and you’ll find standard port calls to be on the elusive side with them.

Their itinerary is designed to immerse you into the destination, exploring and learning about the area. We got up close with the wildlife, islands, coastlines, and desert in a way that few other companies can deliver.

This is all done from the comfort of the beautiful Safari Endeavor. The fanciest ship in the UnCruise fleet, you sail with not more than 120 other guests.

Despite it being an expedition ship, which generally gives you more standard accommodation, the Endeavor is a very comfortable base ship. The cabins are spacious for a small ship and all offer a private bathroom, closet, desk, and window.

The food is really special since UnCruise cultivates local relationships and then tailors their menu to serve Mexican specialties.

Multiple activities are offered daily, meaning you can pick and choose based on your fitness levels and interests.

Round this out with a huge, comfortable lounge, open bar, nightly educational presentations about the area, hot tubs, a fitness space on the top deck and you have the perfect environment for an unforgettable trip.

The best part? Sailing with UnCruise is all-inclusive. You pay before you come and once you are on board, everything is included. Food, drinks, and activities are part of the experience.

They specialize in getting people into destinations and having them experience it with a nature first mentality. In the Sea of Cortez, they are one of less than a handful of ships that sail into the Loreto National Marine Reserve.

Arrival into San Jose del Cabo

Most people that wish to take a Sea of Cortez cruise will find themselves arriving into the major hub at San Jose del Cabo. Alternatively, you can fly into La Paz, but it is a much smaller airport with fewer flights scheduled. It is also much more expensive.

Like the masses, we chose to access the area through the larger hub in San Jose del Cabo. The international terminal is modern and easy to navigate.

If you are arriving at the start of your Sea of Cortez cruise, your transportation will be arranged to get you to La Paz, where you will join the boat.

While the company waits for the arrivals, you will be brought to the UnCruise partner hotel, the Barcelo Gran Faro. Here they have a comfortable hospitality area set up and it is possible to get an access bracelet for the property if you are arriving early.

The transfer to La Paz leaves the Barcelo Gran Faro at 3 pm. The drive takes around 3 hours to reach the central pier in La Paz from San Jose del Cabo.

If you plan to arrive a few days before the start of the cruise, you will need to book your own transportation to your hotel in San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos or book a transfer up to La Paz.

With winter in Wisconsin being, well, winter, we opted to fly in a few days early and head straight up to La Paz to acclimatize and do a kayaking expedition on Isla Espirito Santo before joining UnCruise to cruise the Sea of Cortez.

We booked our transfer with Eco Baja Tours and the process was seamless. It is possible to book tickets online, which is what we recommend, but if you want to change it, you can show up and buy tickets at the airport too.

The transfer takes 3-4 hours, depending on which route you book. Both will get you where you are going, but having done both routes, I’d recommend booking the transfer that takes you via Todos Santos and avoids the mountains.

We ended up booking the other route that goes via Los Barilles and not only did it take longer but crossing the mountains was slow. Plus, if you’re prone to motion sickness, this route is a bit hairy.

Cruising from La Paz

David and I took our first trip to Mexico together in 2003. We went to Playa del Carmen and at that time, it was still very much a small town. Over the years we’ve watched it change and morph into the megacity it is today.

When we arrived in La Paz, we were instantly flashed back our first visit to Playa del Carmen. Tourism and major development have not arrived in La Paz, yet.  When you walk the streets, you’re met by locals and expats.

There are no mega-hotels or souvenir shops and the whole town gives you a feeling of really being in Mexico.

It’s the perfect place to spend a few days adjusting to the weather and adventuring before heading off to cruise the Sea of Cortez.

Something worth noting, if you have your heart on seeing whale sharks, you will want to arrive at least a day early to La Paz and book a whale shark tour.

The UnCruise itinerary does not include any activities to see the whale sharks in the Sea of Cortez.

When the embarkation day arrives, you will be able to board the Safari Endeavor at 6 pm. You will want to be a bit early to the pier to beat the bus that is arriving from San Jose del Cabo.

Once that bus arrives and all passengers are on board, the ship leaves La Paz.

With this in mind, if you want to spend some time exploring La Paz and the surrounding area, you should fly in early and spend a few nights.

Read more 32 Awesome Things to Do in La Paz, Mexico

Our Sea of Cortez Cruise Stops

The biggest thing I want to communicate is that no two UnCruise itineraries are the same. This is on purpose and all part of the adventure. Every expedition is dictated by weather and wildlife, meaning it is impossible to guarantee a certain set of stops.

As a disclaimer, I cannot guarantee that if you take this cruise that you will make these same stops. UnCruise has permits to visit a wide range of islands, bays, and areas within the Sea of Cortez for their cruises.

That said, you can expect that every stop will be spectacular. This was our third time cruising with UnCruise, we’ve previously done the Inside Passage of Alaska, Costa Rica & Panama ) and they have amazing adventure itineraries down to a science.

Isla Monserrat

Located in the heart of the Loreto National Marine Reserve, Isla Monserrat was our first stop of the week.  This was an island that wasn’t on our radar and according to the crew, a place that is rarely visited because of the way the wind acts around this island.

It is not often accessible due to large waves and rough seas, however, we had luck on our side and the easing of winds after the full moon that made it possible for us to stop.

Mirroring the excitement from the crew, we weren’t sure what to expect so we opted to sign up for a hike that would get us up close and personal with a large spread of towering yellow rocks along the beach.

Adequately named, Yellowstone Beach delivered stunning landscapes and a brilliant introduction into the vast diversity of the area.

Our skiff dropped us at one end of the beach, and we spent 2 hours beachcombing, climbing yellow rock and making our way to the opposite end of the beach where we discovered huge tide pools among rough rock that was covered with skittish Sally Lightfoot Crabs.

Loreto National Marine Reserve

I am going to just come right out and say it. The Sea of Cortez is a superb place for whale watching. Especially within the Loreto National Marine Reserve, a place that several species of whale call home during the winter month in the Northern hemisphere.

Of the 8 days we spent with UnCruise, 6 days were spent sailing around the Loreto National Marine Reserve. Taking a Baja Mexico cruise is an amazing way to go whale watching.

We spotted marine mammals daily with some of our best sighting including Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Bottle Nose Dolphins, Common Dolphins and a massive pod of Pilot Whales.

Bird Watching in Agua Verde

Located on the peninsula, Agua Verde is a sleepy little fishing village that opens its bay to UnCruise during the winter months. Setting anchor in the bay, we were offered a variety of activities throughout the day.

For us, we went all in and signed up for three activities. It meant we would be busy, but we had the weather on our side, and we wanted to explore all that was on offer.

This meant we were up early and off the ship before 7 am to do some land-based bird watching. This is a special activity in a place like Baja because most of the bird watching you do is sea-based.

Having the chance to head into a lush area on foot meant we would get a close up look at land birds you would never see from the water. It didn’t disappoint and we easily logged 13 species over 2 hours including the endemic Costa’s Hummingbird, Vermillion Flycatcher, Phainopepla, Hooded Oriole, endemic Grey Thrasher and Northern Mockingbird.

Skiff Tour Around Bahia Agua Verde

After spending our morning on land, we hopped on a skiff tour to look for sea birds. Just off the beach in Bahia Agua Verde are two spectacular rock formations. One further out, just on the edge of where the bay meets the ocean, meaning it is more exposed and closer to the beach.

It was here that we would enjoy spotting several blue footed boobies! Admittedly, February is a bit early for spotting boobies, but we got lucky. We also saw a couple of brown boobies too.

Additionally, we enjoyed seeing large quantities of pelicans, gulls and cormorants along the rocky outcrops. We even got lucky and spotted two osprey nests along the coast in our explorations.

The peninsular coast and islands that dot the Sea of Cortez are known as the Galapagos of the North and after our visit, I can attest to this.

Burro Ride with the Romero Family

After lunch, we loaded up on the skiff and headed off to shore for another land-based activity. This would be a one-hour burro ride around the area to check out the diversity in the land and take in some spectacular views from above.

UnCruise has a beautiful relationship with the local Romero family, who owns a large herd of well-behaved burros and mules. They have been riding through the lands of Agua Verde for several generations and continue the tradition today.

Whenever UnCruise is coming to port in Agua Verde, the Romero family brings a team of their best burros to the beach.

Our ride was a highlight of the itinerary, taking us up the steep slopes of the island to view the stunning bay from above.

Descending on the far side we rode through the desert and into a passive riverbed area that supports a dense forest of plants with minimal water.

Leaving the lushness of the riverbed we headed out along the coast and then back up again before descending down to more spectacular views of Bahia Agua Verde.

Puerto Los Gatos

Waking up the next morning we found ourselves at anchor off the shores of a place that was in stark contrast to the place we had explored the day before.

Even from the ship, the bright red rocks of Puerto Los Gatos told us we’d be having another up-close look at the amazing diversity in this part of the world.

This day we opted for an exploratory hike, one of the flagship activities of the UnCruise model, a way to get up close and dirty with the destination.

Leaving the ship in a small group, we were brought to shore on the skiff. Here we were briefed by our expedition leader before heading off to explore the bright red rocks and head off into the lush desert.

The goal of most exploratory hikes is to gain elevation and get amazing views. This is, of course, more of a challenge when you have a desert to navigate.

Everything in the desert is designed for survival, meaning it bites or sports spikey exterior to protect itself. This makes ‘bush-whacking’ a bit of a challenge.

Hikes like this are slow-moving, yet strategic. Our group managed to traverse along a hill before following a rock slide up to the top of the hill. The panoramic view really gave us a sense of how beautiful the desert can be when it has been given rain.

Coming down, we followed a path into an open expanse of grazing land before heading back past several massive cardon cactuses and back onto the beach.

Magdalena Bay

From mid-January to late March, UnCruise alters their normal Sea of Cortez Baja cruise itineraries to include a day trip to the Pacific Coast and Magdalena Bay.

Every year, large numbers of grey whales make the migration south to the protected Magdalena Bay where they calf. They then remain for several months to raise the calves before starting the migration north again for the summer.

This means you have the opportunity for some very intimate whale watching in this part of the world.

I’d be lying if I said we didn’t specifically time our itinerary for this opportunity! We totally did and it didn’t disappoint.

The drive across the Baja peninsula takes around 3 hours and once you arrive in the sleepy Pacific town of Puerto Aldolfo Lopez Mateos, you are whisked right off the start 2 hours of whale watching in Magdalena Bay.

Two words, simply amazing. This is one of the most intimate and special wildlife experiences we have ever had.  Over the span of an hour, we saw several dozen whales and calves.

They are also extremely curious and even approach the small boats. We witnessed breaching, pectoral slapping, spy hopping and more just feet from us.

If you have the flexibility to plan your Baja cruise during these months, do it!

Los Islotes

High on our amazing grey whale experience from the day before, the next stop on our itinerary would be off the coast of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Isla Partida at Los Islotes. This is easily a highlight of any Baja Mexico cruise.

Located here is one of the largest sea lion rookeries in the world. Taking the title of the southernmost rookery for the California sea lion, it is a place where you have the chance to get right in the water with these playful critters.

They are playful and are used to having both researchers and tourists snorkel in the waters near them. The young ones are very playful and even approach you while you swim along.

After having the chance to swim with sea lions repeatedly in the Galapagos Islands, we were not passing up the chance to do it at Los Islotes too.

Isla Partida

In the afternoon, we were offered a variety of options at the famous Ensenada Grande. We could choose between hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and skiff tours to explore the area.

Before we joined UnCruise, we took a 4-day kayaking and camping trip along Isla Partida and Isla Espirito Santo. It just so happened that our first campsite on that trip was actually at Ensenada Grande, so we had already done most of the activities on offer.

With this situation, we opted for a skiff tour to explore the coastal areas a bit more. Turns out, with the beautiful weather, everyone opted for the other activities and we were treated to our own private skiff tour that afternoon!

We covered a lot of distance and explored coastal areas we didn’t get to see on our kayaking trip. The highlight was hands down coming across a massive osprey nest and then witnessing one of the birds fly in with a huge fish for its mate.

These are moments that we travel for, the wild unpredictable ones. The kind of moments that are made possible when you choose to travel with companies like UnCruise Adventures.

Read more: Isla Espiritu Santo in Mexico: Ultimate Planning Guide

Isla San Francisco

A week really flies by when you’re having fun and in the blink of an eye, we were waking up at our last stop.  This day would give us an amazing look at one of the most beautiful islands in the Sea of Cortez, the stunning Isla San Francisco.

This island is known for its amazing bay and dramatic topography, so our goal was to get up high and take it all in.

UnCruise offered 3 hiking options that morning and while we considered doing the classic ridge hike, we decided we wanted a bit more intensity and signed up for the more aggressive climb.

It was the right decision for us! Our morning was spent doing an aggressive hike to the highest point of the island. From here we had a full 360-degree view of the surrounding islands and ocean.

Although we couldn’t really see the classic overview of the crescent bay that the island is famous for, it felt like being on the roof of the world. We could even see whales spouting in the distance from that vantage point.

Knowing we wanted to get the classic view, we began a descent from the highest peak and skirted around another peak to the other side of the island. Here we followed a wash line down until we met up with another peak and began to climb up again.

Reaching the top of this peak gave us incredible views of the famous bay below. We stood in awe for the better part of 30 minutes, taking it all in and grabbing photos from the giant boulders that lined the ridge.

We then began descending down along a trail into a salt pan that separates the beach on the bay and the opposite side. Crossing the salt pan, we arrived back on the beach with a clear view of the mother ship.

We were taken back on board for lunch and the afternoon was spent as an open beach day, meaning we could partake in SUP, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming or beach lounging for the rest of the day.

UnCruise does these things right, setting up a beach bar, offering up shade, chairs and just letting people enjoy their time in paradise. Needless to say, it was the perfect ending to an amazing week.

Back to Reality

All good things must come to an end and no truer words could be spoken for a trip like this one. Sailing back to La Paz and to reality was a bit jarring, to be honest.

We have walked away from our Baja Mexico cruise around the Sea of Cortez knowing that it will easily be one of our favorite expeditions for a long time. 

Staying in San Jose del Cabo

After having an experience like cruising the Sea of Cortez, we’d recommend that you also add a few nights after the trip in either La Paz or Cabo. Seeing as we came down early and spent time in La Paz, we opted for a post-trip stay in Cabo. 

UnCruise books people into the beachside Barcelo Gran Faro, but you could also book any other properties in the area if the all-inclusive beach resort vibe isn’t really your scene. 

That said, we found the Barcelo Gran Faro to be very comfortable. The grounds are beautiful and the pools are nice. They also have a beautiful beach area and plenty of chairs for all the resort guests. 

Complete Baja Mexico Cruise Itinerary 

We sailed on the itinerary called Baja’s Bounty. The cruise includes transfers from and back to the San Jose del Cabo airport. That said, the ship docks in La Paz, about three hours north of Cabo.

I want to reiterate that we are including our specific itinerary below. However, you need to know that this is not a set itinerary. Every trip is different based on weather and sea conditions. 

There are no guarantees that you will visit all of the same places that we did. But don’t worry about that. Everything in the Sea of Cortez is amazing and you cannot go wrong with any of the islands. 

• DAY 1: Arrival in San Jose del Cabo and transfer to La Paz – Embarkation
• DAY 2: Isla Monserrat, Loreto National Marine Reserve
• DAY 3: Bahia Agua Verde
• DAY 4: Puerto Los Gatos
• DAY 5: Magdalena Bay – Pacific side of Baja Peninsula
• DAY 6: Los Islotes and Isla Partida
• DAY 7: Isla San Francisco
• DAY 8: Arrival in La Paz and transfer to San Jose del Cabo – Disembarkation

How to Take a Sea of Cortez Cruise with UnCruise

UnCruise Adventures is a small company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. They operate itineraries in Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Columbia & Snake Rivers, Mexico, Central America, Galapagos, and Hawaii . You can book directly with UnCruise to cruise Mexico on this amazing itinerary.

You can book our same itinerary here:   Baja’s Bounty   Be sure to tell them that Divergent Travelers sent you!

More on UnCruise:

• 11 Reasons to Take an Alaska Inside Passage Cruise with UnCruise
• The Only Costa Rica Cruise You Should Ever Take
• Uncover Paradise on this Dreamy Panama Cruise
• 13 Reasons to Take a Central America Cruise with UnCruise

More on Mexico:

• Ultimate 3 Days in Mexico City Itinerary
• Where to Stay in Mexico City: Best Districts & Hotels
• Ultimate Packing List for Mexico
• The Amazing Mexico City Pyramids of Teotihuacan
• Manzanillo Mexico Travel Guide: A Cancun Alternative
• 8 Amazing Things to do in Cancun
• Best Time to Visit Cancun: Month by Month Breakdown
• 10 Awesome Things to Do in Playa del Carmen
• 8 Things to Do in the Riviera Maya for an Epic Vacation
• 9 Incredible Things to do in Cozumel

We partnered with UnCruise Adventures to bring you this story. All opinions, photos, stories and insane love for ‘uncruising’ are 100% our own. As always. 

Did you like this story? Share it!

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Lina is an award-winning photographer and writer that has been exploring the world since 2001. She has traveled to 100 countries on all 7 continents. Member: SATW, NATJA, ATTA, ITWA

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Beach Travel Destinations > Baja California > The Best Beaches of the Sea of Cortez

The Best Beaches of the Sea of Cortez

Leahrae January 6, 2022 29 Comments

Baja California , Mexico Beaches

beach travel , beach travel destinations , Best beaches of Sea of Cortez , Sea of Cortez beaches

The Best Beaches of the Sea of Cortez  are located between the Baja California Peninsula and Mexico’s mainland. The region’s clear, quiet water, its lagoons and wetlands, ecological and marine reserves and desert landscapes all framed by the Sea of Cortez, are only a few of the marvelous features of this distant paradise.  Baja California Sur has been transformed into a highly attractive tourist destination for both Mexican and international travelers. Its natural beauty and untouched scenery set it apart from other destinations along the Mexican Riviera.  Here I will list the best beaches stretching from San Jose del Cabo to San Felipe.  Cabo San Lucas is probably the biggest destination on the Baja.    For information on Cabo beaches, click here , or visit us on Pinterest.

La Paz Area Beaches

La Paz is not itself a beach city, but within a 10- to 45-minute drive from the center you’ll find some of the loveliest beaches in Baja, reminiscent of the Caribbean with clear, calm turquoise waters.

The white-sand beaches that line the malecón are the most convenient in town, but locals don’t generally swim there — La Paz is a commercial port and the water in the bay is not particularly clean. The best beach nearby is immediately north of town at La Concha Beach Resort; nonguests may use the hotel restaurant/bar and rent equipment for snorkeling, diving, skiing, and sailing. It’s 10km (6 1/4 miles) north of town on the Pichilingue Highway, at Km 5.5. The other beaches are farther north of town, but midweek you may have these far-distant beaches to yourself.   Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Caimancito Beach

Just 10 minutes from downtown La Paz, this beach will give you just what you need. Its name derives from the surrounding rock formations, which resemble an alligator. This beach is characterized by the arrival of pelicans, gulls and coastal fish, plus gentle waves and the low height of the water make this the ideal place for sports like surfing or paddle kayaking. Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Playa Coromuel

This is the closest beach to La Paz Centro, located virtually at the north end of the malecón.  It is a very pleasant beach and has parking, restrooms, a restaurant and a pier.  Being so close to town means it can get a bit crowded, especially on weekends.  Great for kids and those who want to stick close to town. If you are looking to stay close to town and enjoy a nice day in the sun this is the beach to go to.  Security guards are at the beach as well as local vendors if you need a bite to eat or small items you may need.  If you don’t have transportation don’t worry there is a bus every day of the week through Eco Baja Tours that runs a bus from the La Paz Malecon Tourist Bus Terminal to all of the beaches.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Continuing along the scenic road, you will find this oasis within a bay surrounded by mountains which acquired its name after 1965, when a pirate treasure was found buried.  Legend has it, the beach got its name because a pirate buried his treasure here. And much later it was actually found: Baja’s largest pearl ever discovered. This beach is great for families – shallow waters, food, and palapa umbrellas.  A marvelous secluded beach with restaurants and bars and shallow waves, so even children can swim here. The calm and shallow sea that is part of this beach makes it the ideal place to bring kids. You can also find a quiet restaurant with palapas to enjoy the beautiful view around you.  This is a tranquil beach with beautiful sunsets.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Pichilingue Beach

An enchanting beach filled with white sands and washed by the clean ocean. One of La Paz’s most beautiful bathing spots.  It is located just 20 kms from the city of La Paz and can be reached by bus that leaves every 20 minutes from the station which is downtown or in a taxi, the price is not much and it can pick you up if you ask for this service. The Pichilingue beach has white sand and shallow waters and two or three small seafood restaurants and they also make small trips by boat.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Balandra Beach

A true paradise on Earth. Balandra, a beautiful cove surrounded by green mangroves, is known for its crystal clear waters, soft sand and incredible scenery. This is where you can find the famous rock formation “The Fungus” and take a picture in one of the most emblematic places of the capital.  It is serene, quiet, peaceful and a favorite among locals. If going after a rain, watch for tiny jellyfish that sting. You’ll also need to do the “stingray shuffle” in the shallow waters here to avoid stepping on them. There are only mobile vendors here, so it’s a good idea to pack a lunch or cooler if you’re staying for the day.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

El Tecolote

It is located on the tip of the bay and from there you will be able to see The Espiritu Santo Island. It is one of the most developed beaches for tourism and you can find all kinds of  water sports.  In Spanish, tecolote means “owl.” Its namesake originates from an owl-shaped rock that overlooks the beach. This is a party beach during high season (Dec – Feb), the opposite of Balandra. Restaurants, bars, waverunners, paddleboats, etc. are available for rent.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

La Vantana Beach

It is one the favorite tourist destinations in La Paz, ideal for the adventurous. On the beaches you can practice all types of sports, including surfing and diving. It is also an area known for its outstanding offer to enjoy sport fishing, as marine life is abundant and varied.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Isla Espíritu Santo

Head out for a day of sun and surf with Baja Fun. The island takes about an hour to reach via inboard boat. It’s a magical day snorkeling with sea lions, lunching on a private beach and possibly swimming with a whale shark if you head there during the winter to spring months.  Visit our La Paz Vacation Guide here, and plan your beach vacation to La Paz and the area beaches.

Loreto Area Beaches

The town of Loreto is one of the few tourist destinations on the Baja Peninsula of Mexico that has managed to retain the laid-back ambiance of a sleepy fishing village. Locals and visitors can relax on pristine stretches of white sand or explore hidden coves in the Sea of Cortez. For more secluded, uncrowded beaches, there are several options away from the main village area or on offshore islands.  Visit our Loreto vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Loreto and the area beaches.

In the center of town, a long walking esplanade runs across the waterfront, with a frequented beach in front and on either side. This Calle de la Playa is popular with locals, who frequent nearby coffee shops, cafes and bars, or gather to watch fishermen bringing in their daily catch. Families hit the sand with beach toys and games, volleyballs fly and sand castles emerge like tiny fortresses guarding a well-loved lifestyle in this small community. Swimming, snorkeling, beachcombing, kayaking and sailing are all popular activities in this area. Visit our Loreto vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Loreto and the area beaches.

Ensenada Blanca

Beachcombers willing to drive just 30 miles to the south of Loreto’s downtown core will find a treasure trove of shells and rocks on the beach of Ensanada Blanca. It faces the Candaleros and is a favorite for romantic sunset strolls. Snorkelers are also rewarded with a multitude of vibrantly colored fish that are drawn to intricate coral reef and oyster beds.   Visit our Loreto vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Loreto and the area beaches.

Nopolo Beach

Nopolo Beach is about 5 miles south of the main village and complete with condos, luxury homes and high-end shopping centers. There are several small beaches with wide expanses of soft, white sand and few stalls or vendors crowding the pathways. The views across the sea are of El Carmen Island, with sailboats bobbing on clear blue-green waters.   Visit our Loreto vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Loreto and the area beaches.

Offshore Beaches

Several offshore islands can be easily reached from the main sections of Loreto. Most of the Sea of Cortez in this area is protected by the Bay of Loreto National Park Reserve. This ecologically guarded reserve includes the five islands of Coronado, Carmen, Danzante, Monserrate and Catalan, all with explorable beaches and coves. They offer excellent opportunities to view sea lions, whales, dolphins and exotic birds from the beaches or offshore excursions. Local cruise operators offer packages that visit one or all of the islands in the reserve.    Visit our Loreto vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Loreto and the area beaches.

Rosarito Area Beaches

Rosarito Beach is easily accessed via a toll road that runs along the Pacific Ocean. The drive around Tijuana can be daunting. Follow the signs on the freeway, but be careful the signs usually appear only at the turnoffs. Don’t expect any notices before the turnoffs. From the north end (where the smokestacks are) all the way south through town, the beaches are wide and accessible. Locals love to camp on these beaches on holidays, and Baja travelers enjoy all of the traditional sun and surf beach activities, especially in summer.  Although all of the beaches are fun, visitors will find that the beaches on the south end of town, near the main hotels and condos, tend to provide a greater selection of tourist facilities.  There’s lots to do at Rosarito Beach including biking, hiking, frisbee, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, diving, and surfing.    Visit our Rosarito vacation guide,  and plan your beach vacation to Rosarito and the area beaches.

Rosarito Beach

Rosarito Beach is one of the city’s main draws. This broad sweep of sand fronts the city center and is a hive of activity day and night. Spend the day exploring the sandy shoreline and enjoying the range of fun-filled adventures on offer. Relax under the shade of a beach umbrella while sipping the juice from a freshly cracked coconut.

Mulege Area Beaches

Mulege has long been a favorite destination for tourists who seek rest and nature, from sport fishermen to history buffs and ecologists, to admirers of the striking Bay of Conception.  Located a few short kilometers from Mulege, the Bay boasts fantastic landscapes and numerous soft, white sand beaches.    Visit our Mulege vacation guide,  and plan your beach vacation to Mulege and the area beaches.

Bahia Concepcion

Bahia Conception is a 35km long peninsula that offers desert beach and crystal blue water. The views from Mexico 1 are really stunning. Beaches are several and not well directed. Coming from Loreto you will find Playa Armenta, Playa El Requeson, Playa la Perla, Playa Buonaventura, Playa el Coyote, Playa el Burro, Playa Escondida, Playa Santispac and Punta Arena. The best are Playa El Requeson, Playa el Burro and Playa Escondida. It makes for a wonderful drive with beautiful views.  The sand is soft like flour and the water is crystal clear and good for snorkeling and swimming (although it was a little chilly when we were there). These were definitely the most beautiful beaches that I saw while touring southern Baja.  Visit our Mulege vacation guide,  and plan your beach vacation to Mulege and the area beaches.

Bahia de los Angeles Area Beaches

Bahia de Los Angeles, also called Bay of LA, is not quite what you would call a town, it’s more like a very large fish camp with a lot of amenities. It doesn’t have a full blown supermarket, but there are several small grocery stores that provide enough inventory so that you are able to stock up on the basic necessities.  The attraction for visitors, along with the extremely tranquil setting, is the proximity to the Sea of Cortez and all the activities that come with the peaceful, glassy waters. The incredible fishing is one of the major reasons most people travel here, it is, after all, not a casual two or three hour drive for most tourists. Kayaking is also very popular in the area and quite a few of the motels and RV parks rent them out at reasonable rates. Fishing, diving, snorkeling or sightseeing trips, are easy to arrange. If possible, try to deal directly with the boat owner for the best possible rate.

There are sixteen islands in and around the bay so the snorkeling, diving and just plain exploring are usually every bit as good as the fishing. There are sea lion colonies on some of the islands. It is also a great place to take your jet skis with lots of “usually” glassy water to play on.  If you bring your own boat, there are a few places to launch. However, be warned…winds in the Bahia de Los Angeles area can whip up quickly and can be rather strong. Northerly winds, as well as a strong Westerly, can suddenly make the bay “a not so pretty” place. Caution is the key here. Check with the local fishermen at Guillermo’s, Casa Diaz, Dagget’s or any of the launching ramps. You may not want to leave your boat in the water overnight.  Visit our Bahia de los Angeles vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Bahia de los Angeles and the area beaches.

Punta La Gringa

Punta La Gringa is the north end of the beautiful Bahía de los Angeles (Bay of the Angels). It is a popular camping, fishing, and shell viewing area. Starfish and other seashell varieties may be seen and photographed, but not removed, per national law.  Both sand and gravel stone beaches found at La Gringa, and the sheltered bay makes it an ideal launch site for fishing boats and an anchorage. On the gulf shore to the east and outside the bay is a view to Smith Island (Isla Coronado), famous for the volcano on the north end. Visit our Bahia de los Angeles vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Bahia de los Angeles and the area beaches.

San Felipe Area Beaches

Where the desert meets the sea in eastern Baja California, you will find boisterous San Felipe. Situated between the dramatic Colorado Desert and waters of the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez), this once sleepy fishing village has emerged as one of Mexico’s fastest-growing resort towns.  As you would expect from a water-side location, a beach is never far away from San Felipe. For walking, jogging, strolling and swimming, San Felipe offers a wonderful selection of beautifully quiet and unspoiled beaches to enjoy.  Whether you are looking for solitude and communing with nature, or seek the best spot for finding colorful seashells or harvesting clams, San Felipe has the beach for you. Visit our San Felipe vacation guide,  and plan your beach vacation to San Felipe and area the area beaches.

South Beach

What essentially defines this place to visit, are its beaches with little waves, the warmth of its waters and the soft white sand that they possess. The beaches extend south of San Felipe, along more than 80 kilometers. You can go kayaking, swimming, diving and sport fishing in the vicinity of the island known as Roca Consag, in Rancho Percebú and Punta Estrella, where you can also camp.

Todos Santos Area Beaches

Todos Santos is one of the most appealing towns in all of Baja, maybe even all of Mexico. A quirky mix of locals, fishers, surfers and New Age spiritualists, the town of ‘All Saints’ has thus far escaped the rampant tourism of the other Cape towns, but still has all kinds of things to see and do.  Visit our Todos Santos Vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa Cerritos

This is one of the best family recreation areas in all of Baja, with a wide, shallow swimming beach and a popular surf break along a rocky point at the north end. The beach here is ideal for swimming, gently sloped and hip deep well out into the water. There are many activities to choose from on the beach from Surf board rentals & lessons to horseback riding to beach massages.  Simply put, fun for everyone in the family. Visit our Todos Santos Vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa San Pedrito

Located south of town, west at Km. 59, then 1.5 miles to the beach. Good palm beach for day camping, fishing, surfing and boogie boarding on a reef break. A large trailer park provides a restaurant and bathrooms. Day use fee is $3.00 Visit our Todos Santos Vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa Pescadero

Nestled between Las Palmas beach to the north and Cerritos beach to the south and a 5 minute walk from Pueblo Pescadero is Playa Pescadero.  This tranquil and expansive stretch of beach is perfect for beachcombing, sunset walks, shore cast fishing, and swimming (with caution).  To the north end of Pescadero beach is San Pedrito, a surf point that draws surfers from around the world when “surf’s up”. Very much a quite beach community, Playa Pescadero and its surroundings offer a relaxed and “chilled” environment enhanced by unpopulated beaches and farm to table restaurants. Visit our Todos Santos Vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa Los Palmas

Playa Las Palmas is a smaller quarter mile expansive beach bordered by a reed lagoon and protected by rock promontories on both sides. Groves of palm trees frame this gorgeous small beach located between Pescadero and Todos Santos.  There is a parking area about 200 yards from the beach. This is definitely one of the most picturesque sites on the Pacific Ocean side and well worth the drive.. This is an excellent area for hiking, swimming (with caution) and body surfing. Access to this beach is across private property but is allowed for day use only. Camping and fires are not permitted. Generally very few people use this isolated section of Pacific beach. Visit our Todos Santos Vacation guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

San Jose del Cabo Area Beaches

San José’s downtown is lovely, with adobe houses and jacaranda trees. Entrepreneurs have converted old homes into stylish restaurants and shops, and a very nice main plaza.  A 9-hole golf course and residential community are south of Centro (town center); farther south the ever-expanding Zona Hotelera (hotel zone) faces a long beach on the Sea of Cortez. Despite the development—and weekday traffic jams—San José is peaceful. If you want exciting nightlife and rowdy beaches, stay in Cabo San Lucas.  Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa Costa Azul

Located in a beautiful ocean cove known as Playa Acapulquito, (Old Man’s Beach), a surfer’s paradise and host to many surfing competitions, the privileged beach offers long rides and is ideal for long-boarders. Beginners can start with surf lessons before meeting up with the experts heading out to catch the waves, which are bigger in summer than in winter. The area is also great for snorkeling and swimming. You can rent surf boards and stand-up paddle boards at any of the surf shops in the area and set a time for lessons. If you don’t surf, and don’t want to learn, it is a great place to observe those who only have one thing in mind: Catch the Next Big One.   Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa El Estero

Located at the end of Hotel Row and fronting the San Jose del Cabo Estuary, this beach offers great bird watching.  The freshwater lagoon has over 350 species of wildlife and lush vegetation. Fed by underground aquifers, the river and lagoon are one of the few oases in the otherwise nearly desolate lower Baja peninsula. Swimming is not an option due to the strong undertow and waves. Kayaking in the lagoon is an option, depending on the water level.  Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Playa Hotelera

This beach offers great scenery, but is not recommended for swimming. Surf fishing is popular as are beach walks, especially at night, beach horseback riding, and beach volleyball. This stretch of beach is in front of the hotels lining the oceanfront of San Jose del Cabo starting at the Costa Azul Beach and continuing to the Estuary.  Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

La Playita is a great location for swimming, fishing from the shore, watching the fishermen with their catch, and family gatherings with children. It is a long stretch of sandy beach with a roped-off area just outside the entrance to the Puerto Los Cabos marina. The natural open beach is perfect for swimming, skim-boarding, riding the waves or just enjoying the peaceful beach. There are well-maintained restrooms, covered palapas and fishing charters available. No food services are available on the beach, but there are several casual eateries in close proximity to the area. Follow the signs to La Playita/Puerto Los Cabos from Boulevard Mijares in downtown San Jose del Cabo.  Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

Palmilla Beach at Punta Palmilla

Those seeking calm waters, a family friendly area and a mile-long stretch of beach are welcome to Palmilla where you will be surrounded by oceanfront luxury homes, the world-famous One & Only Hotel resort and the world renowned Jack Nicklaus Ocean Nine golf course. On weekends, arrive early if you want a palapa or bring your own umbrella for shade. No services are available for food or sanitary facilities at present, but you can launch a kayak here, or rent a fishing panga or cruiser.  Pamilla Beach is a Blue Flag Beach.  Visit our San Jose Del Cabo Vacations guide, and plan your beach vacation to Todos Santos and the area beaches.

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29 Comments

I love traveling and beach destinations are my favorite. I’m so glad I found your site. So much information on beach getaways. Guess I have to plan a long vacation!

Yes you do Demi! Please let me know if you need any additional information to help with your planning 🙂

When I think of Mexico beaches are never top of my list. But reading your blog and looking at all the beautiful pictures i wonder why they are not more famous! So gorgeous this makes me want to pack my sunblock now. And so many beaches this is a beach bum heaven! Oh can I check if there’s like a best month to go? What are the rainy months to avoid?

August thru October are going to be the rainiest months. But, I have gone during this time and have had no rain. Thanks for looking!

Wow, just looking at those beautiful beaches makes me want to pack my suitcase and take the next flight to Mexico!!!

I have two young twin boys, and my husband and I are planning a family vacation.

We are thinking Mexico and after reading your post El Tesoro beach seems just a place we would like to go.

Any recommendations for accommodations?

All of the places are reasonable, but the best places to stay are:

Hyatt Place La Paz, Club El Moro, or La Concha Beach Resort with Hyatt at the top of the list 🙂

I wish I could go there some day. Very informative and great info.

You always show the best beaches on your site. My parents and kids went to Baja last summer. Due to a mishap in scheduling, I missed the trip. Reading your article and looking at the pictures, I’m kicking myself again for missing the trip. Doh! Maybe I’ll get a chance to go another year.

Yes, Renee you have to ! Awesome in the Baja!

Amazing site, lots of exiting and valuable information and makes me want to go on holiday even more now lol,

Only thing I noticed was a typo error on your about me page, 1. at the section just under you picture where you have wrote… ‘I want help you achieve’ i think it would sound better as… ‘I want to help you achieve’ 2. underneath that where you wrote… ‘as well as budget conscience vacations’ but maybe to try… ‘as well as budget conscious vacations’

They’re the only two things I noticed as an idea to improve lol

Loved everything about your site. and cant wait till I learn more to have an amazing completed site as well. Good luck on your journey

Thanks for the corrections! And for visiting my site 🙂

My wife and I are world travelers and thoroughly enjoy going to new places and experiencing new things. We have recently discussed our mutual desire to visit Baja California. We googled it and came across your site about Sea of Cortez Beaches. We will definitely be visiting this area on our trip there. Thank you so very much for the insightful information in your article!!!

You are very welcome! Thanks for visiting!

Oh these beaches look stunning! I prefer quiet beaches where you can go for lovely long romantic strolls, and I also love collecting shells. For swimming I like a calm shore, especially with my kids that can’t swim yet.

Yes, calm is always nice 🙂

Oh to be back on an island…specially in the Caribbean. I lived in San Juan Puerto Rico. I literally lived on the beach we would be out there so much.. I have so much more traveling to do.. this makes me want to start booking flights immediately. Loved the visuals and the article is super. Nice read and good job.

Thank you so much for your comments 🙂

WOW! You know your stuff thanks for all the info! I am amazed you have this much research I will send others your way when asking about Mexico. 🙂

Thanks Diane!

Wow, I have never been a beach person but the descriptions, pictures and all the info. I’ve just added the peninsula to my list of places I want to visit. La Pas sounds amazing and no the video wasn’t too long. I kept wishing I was there.

Thank you so much for reading Laura. The beach is so relaxing…more than just for the sunbather 🙂

I love learning about other beaches in the world. I look for different locations I would love to visit and add to my bucket list of beaches in the world. This website and post will help me in searching for my next adventure.

I’m glad Ken! I will keep adding new ones as I can 🙂

Wow! It’s really a sea of beaches… so many and each has its own uniqueness. Thank you for sharing. With your description, I can choose the one that best suits my needs. I enjoy the video, it’s informative.

Thank you Cheng. Yes, I agree that it is a great video. I’ve spent so little time in La Paz. I have to go back and spend more time there!

Wow! That’s a hell of a list! I’ve never been to Mexico but always wanted to. Seems like the entire peninsula is a beach. Thanks for giving us great info on each location so we can pick and choose what’s best for us. The images look so wonderful and relaxing…. ahhh…I need a vacation!

Nothing like the Baja of California 🙂

This location sounds divine! I am in a desperate need of a great vacation! I love your website!

Thank you so much Eloah! I have to say that it is divine 🙂

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• Baja’s Underwater Wonders: Snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez

Baja’s Underwater Wonders: Snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez

Home to a staggering number of fish and marine mammals, the Sea of Cortez is a paradise for snorkeling. It was described by Jacques Cousteau as the “world’s aquarium” and much of its area is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its crystal clear waters offer exceptional conditions for observing marine life, attracting everyone from tourists to world-renowned researchers. 

In this article, discover everything you need to know about snorkeling in the Sea of Cortez, from the best places to go to what you can expect to see. 

Best spots to snorkel in the Sea of Cortez

Cabo pulmo national park.

Located off the southeast coast of Baja is Cabo Pulmo National Park, which is easily accessible from the tourist gateway of Los Cabos. Backed by a rugged mountain range and fringed by pristine beaches, it encompasses one of the only hard coral reefs in North America. Its shallow waters have been protected as a marine park since 1995 and 10 years later, it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cabo Pulmo’s transparent waters offer exceptional snorkeling, with everything from giant groupers to sea turtles and stingrays regularly spotted. 

Isla Espiritu Santo  

A short boat ride from La Paz will take you to Isla Espiritu Santo , an uninhabited island that’s separated by a small channel from Isla Partida. Together, they are protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and provide a habitat for black jackrabbits, antelope squirrels, and a diverse array of birds. In the surrounding waters, you can snorkel with parrotfish, rainbow wrasse, and Moorish idols, as well as come face-to-face with dolphins, turtles, and sharks. Just off the northern tip of Isla Espiritu Santo is the famous sea lion colony of Los Islotes.

Loreto Bay National Marine Park

Further north is Loreto Bay National Marine Park , which encompasses more than 200,000 hectares in the Sea of Cortez. It is home to five large islands - Danzante, Carmen, Coronado, Montserrat, and Santa Catalina - plus several rocky islets, all of which are surrounded by crystal-clear waters that offer incredible snorkeling. In addition to tropical fish and sea turtles, humpback, gray, and blue whales also migrate through the area. 

Best time to snorkel in the Sea of Cortez

December to April is generally considered the best time to visit Baja California, with clear skies and daytime highs of between 60 and 80°F. During the winter months, the water temperatures are around 66 °F in the Sea of Cortez, which is sheltered from the strong sea breezes that can impact the Pacific coast of Baja. February is a great time to visit if you want to see whales, with gray, humpback and blue whales all frequenting the area. Mobula rays also congregate in the Sea of Cortez at this time of the year. 

By May, temperatures are on the rise and hovering between 80 and 90°F, with the southern part of Baja Peninsula hot and steamy. The water temperatures rise to around 75 °F in the summer months, with July to December usually offering the best visibility. If hurricanes do occur, they are most likely in September. October and November are the best months for observing whale sharks and enjoying the warm waters. 

Top marine animals to see in the Sea of Cortez 

With its unique climate and geographical features, the Sea of Cortez supports a rich marine life. Its underwater reefs are just as spectacular as Baja’s above-water landscapes and provide habitat for thousands of fish species. Around one-third of the world’s population of cetaceans can be spotted in the Sea of Cortez, including the critically endangered vaquita, while sea turtles and sea lions nest on some of its 900 islands.

Tropical fish

The Sea of Cortez is home to a diverse array of tropical fish, including butterflyfish, Moorish idols, and surgeonfish. During snorkeling trips, you can get up close to colorful parrotfish and bulbous pufferfish, as well as luminescent damselfish and island kelpfish. Bullseye, diamond, and round stingrays are also occasionally spotted, as are vibrant starfish and California sea cucumbers. Both hard and soft corals provide a habitat for fish, as does a colorful array of sponges and sea fans. 

Octopus 

Among the octopus species found in the Sea of Cortez are the common octopus and the California two-spot octopus, which features circular blue eyespots on each side of its head. It’s also home to the giant Pacific octopus, so-called because of its huge arm span that can reach more than four meters. Octopi are a particularly popular subject for underwater photographers and are fascinating to observe due to their movement, intelligence, and color transformation. 

Dolphins  

Around one-third of all the world’s cetaceans either live or migrate through the Sea of Cortez, with many of these being dolphins. The most abundant is the bottlenose dolphin, an exceptionally intelligent creature that can use tools and pass down cultural knowledge through the generations. Also spotted regularly is the long-beaked common dolphin, which is usually found in large and social groups of hundreds of individuals. They can be differentiated by their slender body and less-rounded head.

Endemic to the northern end of the Sea of Cortez is the vaquita, which is the smallest living species of cetacean. It is currently listed as “critically endangered” and is on the brink of extinction, with its decline in numbers largely due to bycatch from the fishing industry. Vaquitas are easily recognizable due to their small bodies and triangular dorsal fin and lack the distinguished beak of dolphins. While their bodies are mostly gray, they feature clear black patches around their lips and eyes. 

The Sea of Cortez boasts one of the most varied populations of whales in the world, with blue, humpback, and gray whales all regular visitors. From mid-December to mid-April, huge numbers of gray whales arrive in the Sea of Cortez, with the numbers usually at their peak in January. Blue whales are also more common in the cool winter months and tend to favor deeper waters and the islands around Loreto. Humpbacks can be spotted in winter, spring, and summer, and are often seen breaching and slapping the water with their tails. Bryde’s, sei, and fin whales also visit the Sea of Cortez, as do sperm whales and orcas. 

Whale sharks  

Whale sharks are the biggest fish in the ocean and among the most charismatic marine species found in the Sea of Cortez. Despite their immense size, they are relatively gentle animals, with many opportunities to swim and snorkel with them in the area. Whale sharks are instantly recognizable due to their flattened heads and white spots set against a dark blue background. As migratory species, they gather in large numbers in the Bahia de Los Angeles between May and November. 

The Sea of Cortez is home to one of the largest colonies of sea lions in Mexico at Los Islotes, which lies off the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo. It’s here that more than 500 California sea lions gather to breed and socialize, with both mature adults and playful pups inhabiting the rocky shoreline. California sea lions are highly intelligent and aren’t afraid to approach snorkelers or nibble on their fins. It’s for this reason that visiting Los Islotes is one of the amazing wildlife experiences in the Sea of Cortez. 

Sea turtles 

The Sea of Cortez provides a habitat for five different species of sea turtles - hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, green turtle, and olive ridley. All of these sea turtles are currently listed as “endangered”, which is why grassroots organizations in Baja California are working tirelessly to ensure their survival. Late August to early December is the best season for observing sea turtles when they come to lay their eggs on the Sea of Cortez shores. In addition to snorkeling with these magnificent creatures, you can participate in hatchling release programs and help a baby turtle on its journey into the wild. 

The only seahorse found in the Sea of Cortez is the Pacific seahorse, which can be found along the Pacific coastline from Baja California to Chile. While they are relatively common and one of the largest seahorses in existence, they are difficult to spot due to their remarkable camouflage abilities and are best observed at depths of more than 70 feet. Pacific seahorses are usually seen clinging to gorgonian sea fans and sea whips and range in color from green to brown and yellow. 

An underwater paradise

As you can see, the Sea of Cortez is an underwater paradise, with an incredible diversity of marine life to discover. It’s also home to several endangered species that find refuge in its waters. By supporting responsible tourism operations in Baja California, you’ll be helping to preserve these creatures and the organizations that work tirelessly for their long-term survival. 

Evolution of the Sea Kayak Paddle 

Kayakers without a sturdy paddle are essentially stranded, and the same holds true for our pioneering predecessors. For these seafaring hunters who relied on small, nimble boats to survive in the frigid Arctic, a broken paddle could mean the difference between life and death.

How to Read Tide Tables 101

Creature feature: Beluga whale

As the only member of the genus Delphinapterus, the beluga whale is a highly sociable cetacean that is truly one of a kind. It has been nicknamed the “sea canary” for its high-pitched squeaks and whistles, and is the only whale to regularly sport a stunning white coat.

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• Baja California: A Living Sea & Desert Isles

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Sail with the World Leader in Small-Ship Expedition Cruising

• Sail with a Top Naturalist Expedition Team Gain a deep understanding of the natural history of Baja California and the Sea of Cortez as you travel with a veteran expedition team that includes an Expedition Leader and five naturalists, plus an undersea specialist, a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor, and a wellness specialist. The ship's naturalists are experts in Baja marine biology, evolutionary biology, ornithology and more. The daily schedule is flexible, so you can choose activities with the naturalists whose interests mirror your own. With just 62 guests aboard this small ship, that's a ratio of approximately one guide for every 10 guests.
• Gain Unmatched Access to Marine Life The Sea of Cortez holds the world's greatest marine biodiversity, and this voyage immerses you in it—literally! A full complement of exploratory tools (see #3 below) grants you varied vantage points, above and below the surface, on whales, dolphins, rays, sea lions, sea turtles, nesting birds and huge schools of fish. You won't find a trip that offers a more in-depth opportunity to explore a broad cross-section of this globally important body of water.
• Explore via Excursion Craft & Specialized Equipment The ship’s fleet of motorized expedition landing craft and tandem and single sea kayaks facilitates intimate exploration. Watch whales rise, sea turtles glide and birds congregate on shore, all at eye-level. Full snorkel gear, including wetsuits, is at your disposal so you can swim with sea lions and reef fish. Observe the deeper underwater world via HD video shot by our undersea specialist who shares footage from each day's dives on the plasma screens in the ship's lounge. Listen to whale songs via hydrophone, and observe whales underwater in real time via a bow-mounted camera that sends a live feed to the onboard screens. And up your photography game with tips from a Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor.
• Be a Part of Citizen Science Witness research conducted on board by National Geographic-supported scientists. Watch the crew lower scientific instruments that measure oxygen levels in the Sea of Cortez, with the goal of revealing changes in an ecologically important zone.
• Help Support Local Communities In 2004, Lindblad founded the Gulf of California Conservation Fund in partnership with the Mexican Nature Conservation Fund to raise funds for conservation projects. Lindblad’s contributions support a range of programs in Baja towns, from promoting lower-impact fishing to seabird research, marine conservation, sustainable tourism and social marketing for sustainable seafood.
• A Flexible Itinerary Keeps You Closer to Wildlife Flexibility is a hallmark of a Lindblad expedition cruise, and a nimble small ship makes it possible. Expedition landing craft are dropped to get close to whales, and the captain will change course to keep the ship among a pod of dolphins. Hike through forests of cacti or cruise near shore for close-up photos of plunge-diving pelicans and blue-footed boobies. The movements of wildlife are what determine our course!
• We’re Committed to the Planet Natural Habitat Adventures is a standard-setter in eco-conscious travel. We have been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007. And we continue to break innovative ground in adopting practices that help to protect our global environment. Because of our concern for the environment, we are pleased to partner with Lindblad Expeditions for our Adventure Cruises, a company that shares our values and commitment to the planet.

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Sea of Cortez

Table of Contents

Last Updated on 11/08/2023

Known by many different names, the Sea of Cortez separates the Baja California Peninsula from the mainland of Mexico. The Sea is known as the Gulf of California as well as the Mar de Cortes, the Mar Bermejo, or the Gulfo de California. While there are many different names, they all refer to this same body of water. When you look at just about any modern map the Sea of Cortez is usually listed as the Gulf of California.

The Sea of Cortez has been a body of water for about 5.3 million years ago, and the result was a redirection of the Colorado River. There are many rivers that flow into the sea including the Mayo, Fuerte, Sinaloa, Sonora, and the Yaqui.

The Sea of Cortez was something that started occurring more than 12 million years ago. While the actual Sea of Cortez wasn’t in existence 12 million years ago, it was during this time that the North American Plate shifted, laying the foundation. The sea could have extended as far down as Indio, California, but a huge delta was created by the Colorado River, which effectively blocks the sea from flooding both the Imperial Valley and the Mexicali Valley. Throughout the Sea of Cortez there is volcanism, for instance, with Isla of Tortuga where there is still volcanic activity occurring today.

While the Sea of Cortez is actually quite narrow it is home to a very extensive ecosystem. Many different creatures migrate to the sea each year. Some of the sea life that can be found are the humpback whale, California gray whale, manta ray, and the leatherback sea turtle.

The Sea of Cortez is also known for its commercial fishery offerings. In fact, there have been some commercial fisherman who have reported schools of tuna that have spanned more than 100 miles. Unlike a lot of waters where there are commercial fisheries, the Sea of Cortez appears to be stable, offering the ability for more fisheries to open up. While the wildlife appears to be stable there have been some changes, such as a reduction in flow from the Colorado River, which will eventually have a negative impact on fisheries.

The Sea of Cortez has more than 900 islands, with some of them being a bit bigger. Two of the larger islands are the Isla Angel de la Guarda and the Tiburon Island. It is around these islands that many different species of wildlife can be found. The islands are also the nesting grounds for many different marine mammals and seabirds. The Cortez waters are where many different species breed, feed, and nurse their young. Two of the leading markets are sardines and anchovies. While currently stable, there is some concern that the sea will eventually have problems in addition to some pollution including over fishing as well as bottom trolling, which damages shellfish and the basin.

Sea of Cortez: A Pristine Paradise Awaiting Discovery

Introduction to the sea of cortez.

Nestled between the Baja California Peninsula and Mexico’s mainland lies the Sea of Cortez , also known as the Gulf of California. This natural wonder is often hailed as “The World’s Aquarium” by the legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, owing to its incredibly diverse marine life. The Sea of Cortez is not only a habitat for thousands of species but also a magnificent destination for adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Biological Diversity and Conservation Efforts

The Sea of Cortez is a biodiversity hotspot , teeming with life. It’s home to over 900 varieties of fish, more than 2,000 species of marine invertebrates, and a plethora of marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and the vaquita – the world’s smallest and most endangered porpoise. Conservation efforts are paramount in this region to preserve its delicate ecosystems. Numerous sanctuaries and marine parks dot the coastline, safeguarding the future of countless species that call the Sea of Cortez home.

Unique Geological Features

The sea’s geology is as fascinating as its biology. The Gulf of California is one of the youngest seas on Earth, formed around five million years ago. Its spectacular underwater topography , including deep trenches and mid-ocean ridges, creates the ideal conditions for a rich marine habitat.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The cultural heritage surrounding the Sea of Cortez is rich with history and lore. Ancient civilizations, such as the Guaycura and Pericú, thrived along its shores. Today, the sea’s coast is dotted with charming towns and vibrant communities that reflect a blend of indigenous and colonial histories, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

Adventure and Recreational Activities

For thrill-seekers and leisure travelers alike, the Sea of Cortez provides a playground of endless possibilities. From scuba diving in the crystal-clear waters to exploring the desert landscape that meets the ocean, every corner of this region promises an adventure. Sailing, kayaking, and sport fishing are among the many activities that draw visitors from around the globe.

Sustainable Tourism

As tourism continues to grow, sustainable practices are essential to ensure that the Sea of Cortez remains unspoiled for future generations. We are committed to promoting responsible tourism that emphasizes environmental stewardship and supports local communities.

Culinary Delights by the Sea

The Sea of Cortez is not just a feast for the eyes but also for the palate. The region is renowned for its seafood cuisine , with fresh catches daily that offer a taste of the sea’s bounty. From succulent shrimp to the finest chocolate clams, the local gastronomy is a culinary adventure in itself.

Climate and Best Times to Visit

The climate here is as varied as its marine life. With warm, sunny days most of the year, the Sea of Cortez invites visitors in every season. However, to experience the sea at its most vibrant, visiting between late spring and early fall is ideal when the water temperatures are perfect for marine exploration.

Preserving the Jewel of the Baja Peninsula

Our commitment to preserving the natural beauty of the Sea of Cortez is unwavering. We advocate for the protection of its ecosystems, support research and conservation initiatives, and educate our visitors on the importance of environmental conservation.

Conclusion: A Call to Experience the Wonders of the Sea of Cortez

The Sea of Cortez is a destination that offers more than just a picturesque escape; it’s a journey into the heart of nature’s most extraordinary creations. We invite you to dive into the azure waters, explore the vibrant underwater world, and embrace the serenity of this untouched paradise.

Blane Perun

Explorer - Photographer - Diver

Blane Perun has 2148 posts and counting. See all posts by Blane Perun

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Saving the Wonders of the Sea of Cortez

December 17, 2012.

By Tim Folger, for OnEarth Magazine

Night has fallen on the Sea of Cortez, and it’s so dark I can barely see my three companions, even though they’re just a few feet away. We’re camping on a sandy cove on the craggy western shore of Espíritu Santo Island, an uninhabited nature reserve near the southeastern end of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula. Tonight we have the entire island to ourselves, all 40 sere square miles of it. Eroded volcanic cliffs rise steeply behind us; small waves break gently on the beach — above it all, a vault of stars. A perfect desert-island idyll; no one disturbs our solitude. And that’s not good.

“Every semester I come here to camp with my students,” says Carlos Sánchez Ortiz, who is sitting on a plastic cooler, his feet stretched out in sand that’s still warm on this late August night. “Only once in 20 years has PROFEPA checked on us.”

PROFEPA — short for Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente — is Mexico’s environmental protection agency; its conscientious but overstretched agents oversee the country’s national parks and other natural refuges. “They found us here one night last year and asked for our camping permits,” says Sánchez Ortiz, a professor of marine biology at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur in La Paz. “It was 11 o’clock, and I told them I was glad to see them, because this island needs protection. I asked them how many times they came here, and they told me once a week, or sometimes just once a month, because the funding from Mexico City had disappeared. If you look at a map of the Sea of Cortez, you’ll see that many natural areas are listed as protected. But there is almost no enforcement.”

Espíritu Santo is but one of more than 900 islands in the Sea of Cortez. The sea itself — also known as the Gulf of California — extends some 750 miles, from the dried-up Colorado River delta in the north to the resort city of Cabo San Lucas at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. During the past two decades the Mexican government has created 11 marine protected areas in the Sea of Cortez. The intention was to promote sustainable fishing practices: gill nets and trawling are banned, and a few small areas have been designated as no-take zones, where fishing is completely prohibited, at least in theory. In practice, the laws are largely ignored.

The Sea of Cortez is the world’s youngest sea, having formed 5.6 million years ago when part of the tectonic plate beneath the Pacific Ocean broke away from North America.  It is one of the most biologically diverse bodies of water on earth. Jacques Cousteau, the famed French diver and ocean explorer, called it the world’s aquarium. Rare and spectacular marine mammals breed and feed here, including the largest animal that has ever existed — the blue whale — and the smallest member of the marine cetacean family and one of the most endangered, the four-foot-long vaquita, Phocoena sinus . Only 200 or so of these porpoises remain in the wild, all in the northern end of the Sea of Cortez. Nearly a thousand species of fish dwell here, and at least 5,000 invertebrate species — no one knows the true number. Hundreds of bird species nest on the sea’s islands. Some biologists think that the region’s 6,000 recorded species might fall short of the actual total by as much as 30 percent.

For all that remarkable diversity, the Sea of Cortez is a sea in decline. Cousteau might also have called it Mexico’s fish market. Every year fishermen take more than 500,000 tons of seafood from the sea, representing about half of Mexico’s fishing economy. (The Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific account for the rest.) That annual catch counts only the fish brought to market; estimates of unwanted bycatch of fish and marine mammals range wildly, from one million tons to three million tons. The destruction began in the 1930s, when the arrival of outboard motors and gill nets transformed fishing here.

Shrimp trawlers do the most damage. For every pound of wild shrimp caught, trawlers kill as much as 40 pounds of bycatch. Using nets weighted with heavy chains that dig as much as a foot into the sea floor, the trawlers scrape virtually any seabed shallower than 300 feet, dredging the bottom year after year in a maritime version of clear-cutting. The wild shrimp fishery in the northern Sea of Cortez has virtually collapsed. In the last several decades, five species of sea turtle have all but disappeared from these waters.

Thousands of illegal vessels are in operation throughout the gulf, and poaching is common. Honest fishermen struggle to make a living, as I learn when two fishing boats pull up on the beach at Espíritu Santo just as we’re breaking camp on an overcast morning.

Five men arrive in the two pangas , high-bowed, narrow-beamed fiberglass boats popular with Sea of Cortez fishermen. They’re here seeking shelter from the rain that threatens to start at any moment. They’ve barely pulled their pangas onto the beach when the storm hits; warm sheets of rain send us all running for cover beneath a rock overhang at the base of a cliff.

While the rain merges with the sea, one of the men tells us that he’s been fishing in this area for 30 years, since he was a boy, and complains that he now needs a pocketful of permits to fish where he’s always fished. He obeys the law and avoids the protected areas, and as a result his catches are far smaller than they used to be. Before the protected areas were established, he would typically net more than 200 pounds of fish in a couple of days. Now it takes a week. In any case, he says, the protected areas are plagued by illegal fishing, which usually takes place at night. He tells us he knows many fishermen who break the law. Some of them are family members and neighbors. He would never report them, he says, because they’re just trying to make a living. The other four men agree.

Sánchez Ortiz confirms the fisherman’s assessment. Almost without exception, he says, the protected areas in the Sea of Cortez are not rebounding. For the past 14 years, he and his students have been making careful surveys of crucial habitats here, counting the number of species in selected areas almost yard by yard. The data are grim. Recovery efforts, hamstrung by lack of enforcement, have largely failed.  “In almost all the Sea of Cortez, even where it is protected, the sizes and numbers of fish today are less than 10 years ago,” he says.

The Mercado Municipal bustles on a steamy August morning in La Paz. As electric fans whirl overhead and music blares from radios, dozens of workers chop and clean recently deceased denizens of the Sea of Cortez, prepping them for the day’s shoppers.

“You can trace the history of the sea in this market. It is one of the oldest in La Paz,” Sánchez Ortiz tells me as we walk the market’s ocher tiled floors, passing green plastic bins filled with ice and fish. “Twenty years ago you would see mostly yellow snapper and leopard grouper. They are the best to eat. Now they sell more sand perch, tilefish, and others that used to be thrown back.” And all the fish in the market are much smaller than they used to be — the average length of caught fish has decreased by more than 17 inches in the past 20 years. As we pass a glistening display of yellow snappers, none exceeding a foot in length, Sánchez Ortiz pauses, spreads his hands about three feet apart, and says, “I used to see them this big.”

The market is dominated by fish that wouldn’t have appeared on anyone’s plate 10 or 20 years ago. “You can see from looking at the fish here that we’re going deeper into the sea to catch them and fishing further down the food web,” says Octavio Aburto Oropeza, a 39-year-old marine biologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego. He is also an accomplished photographer, and has spent many hours underwater capturing images of exquisite beauty in the Sea of Cortez. A native of Mexico City, he came to La Paz in 1990 to study marine biology at the university here; at the time, it was the only campus in Mexico with a full-fledged program. He became one of Sánchez Ortiz’s students, and they still collaborate frequently. In 2009 they were part of a research team that conducted an extensive survey of the Sea of Cortez, documenting the effects of overfishing and habitat loss. Fish have completely disappeared from some reefs in the northern part of the sea. The absence of grazing fish may explain why bacteria now cover the reefs, a phenomenon referred to by one of the researchers as the rise of the slime.

For much of the past decade, Aburto Oropeza has been working with scientists in the United States and Mexico to identify habitats that are crucial for the long-term viability of fisheries in the Sea of Cortez. His research suggests a practical and economical conservation strategy: to save the sea, and the livelihoods of those who depend on its bounty, it might be enough to protect — with effective enforcement — a few key clearly defined areas.

Among those essential habitats are mangrove swamps. The Sea of Cortez marks the northernmost extent of mangroves on the Pacific side of the Americas. Mangroves thrive in shallow tidal lagoons, their stilt-like roots often permanently submerged. As a result of evaporation, tidal shallows can have higher salt concentrations than the sea itself. To survive in this arboricidal environment, mangroves have evolved some unique adaptations: their leaves exude excess salt crystals, and some species have snorkel roots, which grow up through the mud to obtain oxygen. At least a third of all the fish and shellfish caught by small-scale fishermen here spend part of their life cycle in the sheltering, rooty embrace of mangrove swamps. The trees also reduce coastal erosion and storm damage, although that fact seems to have been lost on the developers, cattle ranchers, and shrimp farmers who are cutting them down. (Farmed shrimp are typically raised in large rectangular pens, with networks of dikes. Mangroves are destroyed to make room for the pens and dikes, and to make the pens accessible.) Since the 1970s, parts of the Sea of Cortez have lost more than a quarter of their mangrove forests, and nationwide the rate of destruction has accelerated, with some 2 percent of the remaining mangroves across Mexico now being cleared each year.

There’s a large mangrove swamp just 20 miles northeast of La Paz, but Sánchez Ortiz and Aburto Oropeza suggest a roundabout route so that I can see some of the coastal development in the region. We drive southeast and cross the mile-high granite peaks of the Sierra de la Laguna range. Descending to the coast, we pass large homes set in hills above the azure sea; an 18-hole golf course gleams greenly against parched brown headlands. The homes and course are part of a gated community called Bahía de los Sueños, or Bay of Dreams, where many American retirees spend the winter. Aburto Oropeza tells me that the developers chose not to use the bay’s original name, Ensenada de los Muertos, or Cove of the Dead, as it has been called since the late eighteenth century, when some Chinese sailors are said to have died of yellow fever there. We search in vain for a road that will give us better views of the coast, but all the side roads are private, and in some cases guarded. “Twenty years ago this area was pristine,” says Aburto Oropeza. “You could drive on these roads to nice beaches.”

Sánchez Ortiz has arranged for one of the university’s pangas to meet us on the beach near the small town of El Sargento. After boarding the boat, we cruise north along the coast toward the mangrove swamp. It’s a hot, languid afternoon. White-sand beaches backed by umber cliffs cut with plunging, rocky arroyos mark the boundary between desert and sea. There’s not much development visible on this stretch of the coast; the beaches are empty.

“This is the Baja I remember from years ago,” says Aburto Oropeza, as we relax beneath the panga’s blue awning. A short while later the reverie ends when we spot three men in a small skiff. They’re shirtless beneath the scorching sun, working hard, pulling in a net. A fourth man is underwater, breathing from a long hose attached to an air compressor, a practice that has come to be known as hookah diving. “This is very bad,” says Aburto Oropeza, as we pass the fishermen.

Hookah diving is illegal and dangerous — divers frequently succumb to the bends. Despite the risks, though, it has spread rapidly in the Sea of Cortez in the past decade. Hookah divers sometimes spend hours walking along the sea floor, usually near reefs, spearing fish and scooping up shellfish that nets alone can’t reach. Unlike the hookah fishermen we’ve spotted, who are breaking the law in broad daylight, most of these divers work at night, when fish seek shelter and rest in the reefs. The practice amounts to a desperate assault on the last refuges of many species.

Leaving the fishermen in our wake, we soon round the headlands northeast of La Paz and enter Bahía Balandra, the site of a 350-acre mangrove swamp. “Many of the top predator species in the reefs come from the mangroves,” says Aburto Oropeza. The mangroves serve as a nursery for yellow snappers, blue crabs, and other commercially valuable species. After dropping anchor, Sánchez Ortiz, Aburto Oropeza, and I don snorkeling gear and slip into the warm, still water of the swamp.

The water is only a few feet deep; our fins stir up silty clouds as we glide slowly along the outer fringe of the mangrove forest. Underwater, the mangroves’ algae-covered roots are thick and furry and form an almost impenetrable living labyrinth. Small schools of  mojarra — slender, silvery fish an inch or two long — swim placidly past my face. When I come up for air, Sánchez Ortiz tells me to push and pull myself as far as I can into the roots. “You should be able to see some yellow snappers here,” he says. He’s right. In the gauzy green light among the roots, a few juvenile snappers dart away from me; they’re bright yellow, maybe four inches long. They began life far offshore, hatching from eggs near the many seamounts — underwater mountains whose peaks don’t breach the surface — in the Sea of Cortez. They’ll spend 10 months to a year in this tidal nursery, feasting on crabs, oysters, and mojarra before heading back out to sea. Without the mangroves, there would be no yellow snappers, many shellfish would vanish, and the fishing economy of the Sea of Cortez would be crippled.

“How much is one hectare of mangrove ecosystem worth?” Aburto Oropeza asks. Four years ago, in a  paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , he and several colleagues gave a precise answer to that question. They studied 13 fishing grounds in the Sea of Cortez and found that the number of fish caught in each area depended on the size of the closest mangrove swamp. “We used a huge database from the national commission of fisheries and aquaculture and some data about mangrove coverage using satellite images,” Aburto Oropeza tells me.

The study was the first to assess the economic value of the country’s mangrove forests. Aburto Oropeza hopes that studies like this, which document the economic benefits of conservation practices, will persuade the government to outlaw highly destructive enterprises that purport to benefit the economy. What is lost, after all, by chopping down a few acres of trees in a swamp? “We were able to calculate that one hectare of mangroves produces about $37,500 worth of fish and shellfish per year,” says Aburto Oropeza. “Every year all these mangroves produce something like 11,000 tons of fishery products for the region. And that represents nearly $19 million a year for the fishing communities of the Sea of Cortez. Now the challenge is to find the political will to protect these resources.”

Perhaps the biggest problem confronting the current conservation effort is that the 11 existing protected areas of the Sea of Cortez are too large to patrol with limited resources. “I was at a meeting in the Yucatán recently where one of the top fisheries scientists for the Mexican government estimated that more than half of all the fish captured in Mexico are captured illegally,” says Rick Brusca, a marine biologist who recently retired as director of conservation at the  Arizona–Sonora Desert Museum , in Tucson. “That pretty much sums it up. And I don’t know if the prospects will improve anytime soon.”

Over breakfast one morning in La Paz, I discuss the problem of enforcing Mexico’s environmental regulations with Aburto Oropeza and Carlos Navarro, a wildlife photographer. Aburto Oropeza believes there is an effective way to protect some of the sea’s most important fisheries that would also bring economic benefits. Many species of fish in the Sea of Cortez — and elsewhere in the world — reproduce by forming what scientists call spawning aggregations. A more apt term might be  fish orgies . Tens of thousands of fish might swim for hundreds of miles to gather in dense, swirling eddies of courtship and sex, releasing clouds of eggs and sperm. The aggregations are often linked with rising tides and occur during new and full moons at a variety of favored locations, depending on the species — river mouths, seamounts, or reefs.

One fish that spawns in aggregations is the Gulf corvina,  Cynoscion othonopterus. Every spring, millions of them flock to the northernmost end of the Sea of Cortez, where the Colorado River emptied into the sea before it was dried up by the thirst of American farms and cities. They spawn during the full and new moons of February, March, and April, just before the strongest tides. After each spawning orgy, the fish depart with the tides, returning two weeks later to spawn again.

“Fishermen know where to go,” says Aburto Oropeza. Over the course of the whole season, they catch as much as 4,500 tons of corvina. Starting in the 1950s, the exploitation of spawning aggregations led to the fish’s commercial extinction; it took 40 years for the species to recover, a recovery perhaps aided by the overfishing of sharks, the chief predator of corvina. Now the corvina aggregations are being plundered once again.

“It’s a recipe for collapse,” says Aburto Oropeza. “There are 10 species that are the most important commercial species for small-scale fishermen in Baja Sur [the southern part of the Sea of Cortez], and eight of them form spawning aggregations.”

He sketches a bar graph on a napkin. “Look,” he says. “This is the annual catch, and this is the percentage of the catch that is related to spawning aggregations.” Fishermen in the Sea of Cortez work year round, but they earn the bulk of their income during the spawning aggregations, when they pull in about 60 percent of their annual catch of these eight species in just three months.

Aburto Oropeza says that in addition to the enforcement problem, the criteria for the sea’s protected areas are too broad and ill-defined to be effective. “The stated goals for the protected areas are to promote research and education and sustainable fisheries,” he says. But the government needs to enact more specific and better-informed policies. The first priority should be the protection of spawning aggregations. Most of the spawning sites are known, and because they are located in small areas, enforcement would be possible. “If you made spawning aggregations part of marine reserves,” he says, “the scenario in the Sea of Cortez would be completely different.”

“If you have only a handful of inspectors, have those inspectors there for those few spawning days,” says Navarro. “It’s a no-brainer.”

If the spawning aggregations and mangroves can be protected, the Sea of Cortez might yet be saved, and the disappearance of species halted. To give me a sense of what has already been lost, Navarro tells a story about an old photographer friend. “He was one of the first to photograph El Bajo, a seamount about an hour from here,” he says.  “In 1980 he was looking for hammerhead sharks to photograph. He told me that when he got near El Bajo, he saw a big dark shape floating on the water, like an oil slick. When he got closer, he realized it was a solid concentration of whale sharks, marlin, and manta rays, with their fins sticking out of the water. He saw hammerheads, but there were so many other fish he could barely see them from the surface. I was in the same spot in February [2011]. I saw one medium-size grouper and that’s it. No whale sharks, no manta rays.”

About a hundred miles southeast of La Paz, near the small coastal village of Cabo Pulmo, there are sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and other species in numbers not seen anywhere else in the Sea of Cortez. That wasn’t the case 13 years ago. In 1999, Aburto Oropeza, working with several colleagues, surveyed the number of species in the waters off Cabo Pulmo. A 27-square-mile marine protected area had been established there four years earlier, and the researchers wanted to see if the area had started to recover. It hadn’t. The total species count hadn’t changed significantly since the park’s creation.

Aburto Oropeza returned to Cabo Pulmo 10 years later for a follow-up study. This time, he was astonished by the changes. “It is incredible, the recovery there,” he says. “In only 10 years the increase in biomass has broken any of the records that we know of in the peer-reviewed literature. The total biomass has increased 460 percent. In terms of top predators, it has increased 1,000 percent in just 10 years. In the past four years we’ve even seen tiger sharks and bull sharks return. Cabo Pulmo is now one of the best marine reserves in the world in terms of biomass of fish per hectare.” (Most of the world’s marine protected areas are far smaller than Cabo Pulmo; the average size is less than four square miles.)

“What that example shows is that the basic productivity of the sea hasn’t been destroyed,” says Sánchez Ortiz. “Our guess is that if you give a place five or 10 years, it will come back.”

The changes are due largely to the efforts of the villagers themselves, many of whom belong to a single extended family, the Castro Luceros. Fearing that their once bountiful fishing grounds were being destroyed by overfishing — and indeed that any fishing in the area might not be sustainable — the villagers began petitioning the federal government more than 20 years ago to establish a marine reserve at Cabo Pulmo. The government eventually granted their request in 1995, setting aside 35 percent of the park as a no-take zone, where all fishing is prohibited, and banning gill nets, trawling, and long lines in the remainder of the park. Many in the village thought the no-take zone was too small and decided on their own to enforce a no-take policy throughout the whole park. The villagers now regularly patrol the waters in their pangas to guard against poaching. Overnight, the hundred or so members of a century-old fishing community voluntarily gave up their way of life. The plan was to remake the village into an ecotourism destination.

“For the first five years it was very hard for our families, because we used to do commercial fishing,” says Paco Castro Lucero, as we stand near his family’s dive shop on the beach at Cabo Pulmo. “Not many people knew about this place, so only a few people came here for snorkeling and diving.” There was no guarantee of success, but the family’s patriarch, Don Jesús Castro, a former pearl diver who died in 2005 at the age of 106, was a fervent conservationist who convinced the community to persevere.

As the reefs off Cabo Pulmo began to recover, word of the wonders to be seen there spread to Cabo San Lucas, the big resort city only 60 miles away. Today there are at least five locally owned ecotourist businesses in the village, and their employees earn much more than the norm for Mexico. “We estimate that ecotourism in the Cabo Pulmo park has an economic benefit for the area of around $700,000 per year,” says Aburto Oropeza.

What remains to be seen, however, is whether this remarkable success can be repeated elsewhere in the Sea of Cortez. Cabo Pulmo is distinctive in many ways. The village is small and socially cohesive, and close enough to two major cities — La Paz and Cabo San Lucas — to make ecotourism a viable alternative to fishing. In addition, it has the sea’s most spectacular coral growths. Few other fishing towns, however well-intentioned, will be able to accomplish much on their own.

“We need policies that can ensure that people who now depend solely on fishing for a living will have some alternative,” says Miguel Cisneros, the former head of Mexico’s National Fisheries Institute. “In some places, there are no opportunities for young people. They go to kindergarten if they’re lucky, maybe elementary school. There is nothing else to do but fish. We need to provide the basic elements — education and alternative livelihoods. Some people don’t even know or understand that there are regulations in place by which they should abide.”

Meanwhile, the future of Cabo Pulmo itself is uncertain. A Spanish company, Hansa Urbana, has plans to build a huge resort just north of Cabo Pulmo. The proposed development, Cabo Cortés, would comprise more than 13,000 homes, more than 30,000 hotel rooms, and a marina for nearly 500 yachts. Construction hasn’t yet started, but the Mexican government has tentatively approved large parts of the plan. A number of environmental groups, both local and international, including NRDC, have been trying to stop the development.

“Basically the developers are proposing to build, in a 15-year period, a large city, another Cancún,” says Aburto Oropeza. “Losing this battle would mean more coastal development without any plans for coherent sustainability of the natural resources in the area. Winning this battle would represent a change where successful stories like Cabo Pulmo might happen in other areas.”

For now, the view from Cabo Pulmo must look much as it did decades ago: a five-mile-long stretch of beach bordered on the north and south by rocky points and surrounded by the peaks of the Sierra de la Lagunas. It’s another blisteringly hot day, so with encouragement from various members of the Castro Lucero family, I rent some snorkeling gear and head into the water with José Cota Nieto, one of Sánchez Ortiz’s grad students. We explore the reefs for two dreamlike hours and see hundreds of fish: spectacular moorish idols, with yellow and black stripes on their narrow flanks; puffer fish, their dark blue bodies covered with white spots; trigger fish; leopard groupers; seahorses. At one point I’m startled by an object the size of a small table that suddenly appears beside me — a sea turtle, a ridley sea turtle, I think. I surface to get Cota Nieto’s attention; I want him to see it. But when we dive again, the turtle has vanished.

This story was originally published by OnEarth magazine .

Photographs by Octavio Aburto Oropeza. 

Tim Folger, an OnEarth contributing editor, has been writing about science and the environment for more than 20 years. In 2007 he won the American Institute of Physics science writing award. His work has appeared in Discover, National Geographic, Scientific American, and other magazines.

2 thoughts on “ Saving the Wonders of the Sea of Cortez ”

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Very helpful and Great information, we appreciate advise especially coming from a professional. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

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Tourism project for the Sea of Cortez region will be promoted

• April 24, 2023

MÉXICO » News » April, 2023 »  Tourism project for the Sea of Cortez region will be promoted

Published by Camila Ayala Espinosa on April 23, 2023

State authorities from Baja California , Baja California Sur , Sonora , Sinaloa , and Nayarit in Mexico have signed the Sea of Cortez Alliance agreement. The aim is to create a new regional tourism project supported by the federal government, additional to what is being developed in the south-southeast with the Mayan Train.

The agreement seeks to determine the bases for tourism coordination between the Federation and the state governments of this region of the country. A regional tourism development program will be prepared that will include the generation of new infrastructure, the use of current tourist products, and the creation of databases and statistics focused on the area. The three guiding principles are sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusion.

The federal government will also support with technical advice, the integration of specialized routes in sports, gastronomic, cultural, and nature tourism. Among the projects that are going to be carried out are new routes for cruise ships that must pass through the states and will connect directly with the US coast. The federal Ministry of Tourism noted that the five states that make up the Sea of Cortez represent 10.3% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 9.4% of the national Tourism GDP. In addition, the participation of its tourist activity in the regional economy is 7.9 percent.

The governor of Sinaloa, Rubén Rocha Moya, said, “We are around the Sea of Cortez, which is the Aquarium of the World. We not only have sun and beach, we have the Magical Towns and we have adventure tourism, historical tourism. So tourism brings us together, there are many things in common, so we don’t need to invent anything in the region.”

The federal government and state governments are seeking to materialize a new regional tourism project for the country, where the priority is the Sea of Cortez. The governor of Sonora, Alfonso Durazo Montaño, said that during the meetings of the Tianguis, both the Conago and the Asetur had as a priority issue the generation of a project to detonate tourism in Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, and Nayarit. “They are a series of actions in which we can work together, in a coordinated manner, to take full advantage of the tourist potential of the Sea of Cortez, which as you know is called the Aquarium of the World,” he said.

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• Capital Cities

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States Of Mexico

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