This national park encompasses several islands in the Sea of Cortez near La Paz, including Espíritu Santo, La Partida, and Los Islotes. Los Islotes is home to a friendly colony of California sea lions who enthusiastically interact with snorkelers. The park is a key section of the 'Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California' UNESCO World Heritage site.
Parque Nacional Archipiélago Espíritu Santo protects a cluster of islands in the Bahía de La Paz, in Baja California Sur, some 25km north of the city. The park covers Isla Espíritu Santo and Isla Partida — joined at low water by a narrow sandbar — together with the small satellite rocks of Los Islotes, La Ballena and El Gallo, and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California. The islands are uninhabited and undeveloped, with visitor numbers, landing sites and permitted activities all controlled by CONANP, the national protected areas commission.
The defining site is Los Islotes, two guano-covered rocks at the archipelago's northern end holding a colony of several hundred California sea lions. Juvenile animals are habituated to snorkellers and interact freely, twisting and diving around swimmers in shallow, clear water — the single most-photographed wildlife encounter in the region. The rocks also carry nesting blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds. Elsewhere the coastline is cut into deep bays on the western side, where layered rhyolite cliffs in pink, ochre and rust rise directly from turquoise water, and beaches such as Ensenada Grande and Playa Bonanza offer calm swimming and shore snorkelling.
Access is by boat from La Paz, a crossing of 45 minutes to an hour and a half depending on the departure point. A full-day trip runs about $80-120 USD per person plus a park fee of roughly $10 per adult and $5 per child, with snorkel gear and lunch included. Multi-day kayak-camping trips are permitted at designated beaches through licensed operators only.
In-water access at Los Islotes closes each year during sea lion pupping season, generally from around June through August, though boats may still view the colony. Water temperature drops to around 20°C between December and March, and a wetsuit is worth taking then. Only reef-safe sunscreen is allowed, drones are prohibited, and everything brought ashore must be carried out — there are no facilities on any island.
Good to know
- Hours
- Accessible by tour boat year-round
- Best time
- morning
- Best for
- snorkelers, marine life enthusiasts, families
Location
Parque Nacional Archipiélago Espíritu Santo, BCS
24.5167, -110.3500 View on map
Highlights
- Snorkel with several hundred California sea lions at the Los Islotes colony
- Paddle or swim beneath layered rhyolite cliffs in pink, ochre and rust on the western bays
- Cross the low-tide sandbar linking Isla Espíritu Santo to Isla Partida
- Swim from Ensenada Grande and Playa Bonanza, among the most highly rated beaches in Mexico
- See nesting blue-footed boobies and frigatebirds on the offshore rocks
Tips for visiting
- Los Islotes sea lion colony is a highlight
- Bring a wetsuit October-December
- Snorkel equipment usually included in tours
When to visit
October through May brings calm seas and the most reliable crossings, with warm water from September to November and cooler 20°C conditions requiring a wetsuit between December and March. Morning departures around 8am consistently find the flattest water before the afternoon breeze.
Accessibility
The islands have no docks, paths, toilets or built facilities of any kind, and all landings are wet exits from a panga directly onto sand. Boarding in La Paz is from a marina dock but still requires a step down into the boat, so the park is not accessible to wheelchair users or those with significant mobility limitations. Snorkelling at Los Islotes requires entering deep water directly from the boat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit take?
A standard day trip from La Paz runs eight to ten hours including the boat crossing, two beach stops, lunch and the snorkel at Los Islotes. Licensed operators also run multi-day kayak-camping trips at designated beaches.
What does entry cost?
The national park fee is roughly $10 USD per adult and $5 per child, paid in addition to a tour price of about $80-120 USD. Fees are collected by the operator and support park management.
Is swimming with the sea lions possible year-round?
No. In-water access at Los Islotes closes during the pupping season, usually from around June through August, to protect mothers and pups. Boats may still approach and view the colony during the closure.
Is it worth it for kids?
Confident swimmers from about eight upward get the most from the sea lion snorkel, and children's park fees are reduced. The day is long and the crossing can be choppy, so families with very young children often prefer Balandra Beach closer to La Paz.