Five islands lie off Loreto, protected by Bahia de Loreto National Park, created in 1996: roughly 780 square miles of sea, listed as a World Heritage Site along with the rest of the islands of the Gulf of California. They are not interchangeable. Each one is good for something different, and choosing well changes the whole day.
Isla Coronado
Best for: a first trip, families, easy snorkeling, beach time.
Distance: about twenty minutes by boat.
An extinct volcano with a white sand beach on its south face and water that stays waist-deep for a long way out. There are reef fish two strokes from shore and a sea lion colony at the north point. If you only have one morning on the water, this is the island. It is also the best option with kids, as we explain in Loreto with kids.
Isla del Carmen
Best for: landscape, history, whale watching, fishing.
Distance: about thirty minutes.
The largest of the group: nearly twenty miles long, with cliffs and canyons dropping into the sea. It still holds the ruins of a twentieth-century salt works, with houses, a pier and rail tracks you can still make out. On the far side the bottom falls away hundreds of feet, which is why blue whale trips happen here.
Isla Danzante
Best for: kayaking, wall snorkeling, diving.
Distance: about forty minutes, across from Puerto Escondido.
Narrow, elongated and full of coves. Its west coast is almost always sheltered from the wind, which makes it the best place to paddle: cliffs, caves at water level and rocky bottoms covered in sea fans. See the kayaking guide.
Isla Montserrat
Best for: a full day, solitude, snorkeling with high visibility.
Distance: around an hour.
Less visited because of the distance, which is exactly its appeal. It has pale gravel beaches, very clear water and a stretch of rocky reef that is excellent for snorkeling. It calls for good weather and a full-day trip.
Isla Santa Catalina
Best for: naturalists, advanced diving, expeditions.
Distance: several hours by boat.
The most remote and the most unusual: it has endemic species, among them a giant barrel cactus and a rattleless rattlesnake. It is visited on special trips and only in favorable sea conditions. This is not a half-morning outing.
How to choose
- Half a day and a first visit: Coronado.
- Kayaking or snorkeling along walls: Danzante.
- Whales, fishing or big scenery: Del Carmen.
- A full day with no one around: Montserrat.
- Diving and extreme nature: Santa Catalina.
Park rules
Every trip has to go out with an authorized operator, who handles the park access wristband. Inside, the rules are simple and non-negotiable: pack out all trash, take no wildlife or shells, do not feed animals, respect bird nesting areas and use mineral sunscreen. They are the reason the water is still what it is.
How to book
Trips are reserved at the front desk or through experiences a day ahead, and we pack a lunch to go. When you get back, the restaurant serves until mid-afternoon and the beach club stays open for the rest of the day.
What wildlife you see in the park
Bahia de Loreto National Park protects one of the most biologically diverse stretches of sea in Mexico. On any given trip you are likely to see sea lions, dolphins in large groups, mobula rays launching out of the water and birds working baitballs: pelicans, blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds.
Underwater, the rocky reef concentrates Cortez angelfish, damselfish, parrotfish, moray eels and sardine schools dense enough to block the light. With luck, green sea turtles and whale sharks appear, the latter more often in the fall. Winter adds the whales, and the islands hold seabird colonies whose nesting areas are closed to visitors for exactly that reason.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the most beautiful island in Loreto?
Coronado wins on beach and turquoise water; Danzante on its cliff-lined coast. They are the two most visited.
Can you camp on the islands?
There are authorized camping areas, with a permit from the park arranged in advance. It is not a free-for-all.
How long is a typical trip?
Four to five hours for Coronado or Danzante; a full day for Montserrat.
Are there facilities on the islands?
On most, there is no water, food, shade or restrooms. You bring everything in and take everything out.
Can you visit year-round?
Yes, weather permitting. In winter, north winds can shut down boating on some days.
