Espíritu Santo Island

UNESCO-protected Gulf island with sea lion colonies, blue-footed boobies, and snorkelling

Espíritu Santo is a UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve island in the Gulf of California, about 30 kilometres north of La Paz. It is one of the finest snorkelling destinations in Mexico: sea lion colonies occupy several beaches and the animals are accustomed to human swimmers, coming to investigate and play around divers. The waters around the island hold manta rays, whale sharks (in autumn), dolphins, and a broad range of tropical fish.

Day trips by panga run from La Paz — the crossing takes about 45 minutes — and include time at the sea lion colony, snorkelling over the reef, and lunch on the beach. Camping is permitted on the island with a permit, and several operators offer multi-day kayaking trips around the island's coast. The northern beaches are the most dramatic: red volcanic rock against turquoise water, with booby and frigate bird colonies on the cliffs. The island is protected; no development is permitted.

things to do sight wildlife
A story
William Steinbeck and marine biologist Ed Ricketts collected marine specimens in the waters around Espíritu Santo during their 1940 voyage aboard the Western Flyer, described in Steinbeck's "The Log from the Sea of Cortez." Ricketts was struck by the extraordinary density of marine life in the Gulf, which he called the "Sea of Cortez" — a phrase that has stuck. The island's sea lion colony was here when they visited; it's here still.