A must-visit during your vacation in Los Cabos, Espiritu Santo Island is a natural sanctuary located 15 miles (25 km) outside of La Paz. Called the world’s richest aquarium, this UNESCO-protected natural park is home to a colony of more than 300 sea lions. Even more, there are manta rays, dolphins, whale sharks and sea turtles. Additionally, during the Cabo whale season, the world’s largest mammals make their way here in winter. So visit Espiritu Santo Island for an unforgettable encounter with nature, and add it to your list of best family activities in Los Cabos.
Where is Espiritu Santo Island?
This amazing island is in the state of Baja California Sur, a region deep in cultural heritage and breathtaking natural wonders. With pristine golden sand beaches, perfect weather year round and the warmth and hospitality of the locals, being in Baja California always makes you feel like you’re in paradise. And there are many hand-picked tours and activities in Los Cabos to show you a universe of natural gorgeousness.
Although this wonderful region of Mexico has attracted tourists from the United States for decades, the area of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo once boasted nothing more than a few wooden houses along the coastline. Today, more and more people are coming to enjoy Baja’s rich marine life. And a great place to see it is at Espiritu Santo Island.
Visitors to the island are captivated by the intense contracts between the desert terrain and the Sea of Cortez, the wind-shaped mountains, and the blue turquoise bays. Together with Isla Partida, which connects with Espiritu Santo via a small isthmus. UNESCO declared these awe-inspiring islands to be part of a Biosphere Reserve since 1995.
How to Get to Espiritu Santo Island
Just a short boat ride from La Paz, this natural sanctuary is part of the Sea of Cortes which Jacques Cousteau once famously described as “the world’s aquarium” and the “Galapagos of North America.” In fact, the Sea of Cortez hosts almost 900 different fish species, and more species of whales and dolphins can be found here than anywhere else on the entire planet!
As for Espiritu Santo Island, well it’s just home to a colony of more than 300 sea lions as well as numerous manta rays, dolphins sea turtles, and depending on the time of year, gray whales, and the world’s biggest fish: whale sharks! Learn more about swimming with whale sharks in Los Cabos from our previous article!
Let Amstar Guide You in Los Cabos
Come to Espiritu Santo Island near Los Cabos on an excursion that takes you snorkeling or scuba diving with sea lions. You will also have time to take some pictures and relax on a gorgeous beach. Remember to bring an underwater camera if you have one! Or choose from the catalog of boat tours available in Los Cabos.
Contact Amstar to organize everything about your next trip to Baja California, including pre-booking your transfer from Los Cabos Airport to your resort. Or come have an unforgettable meeting or event with Amstar’s award-winning team. And come experience the natural beauty of Espiritu Santo Island and all the other jewels near Cabo!
—This is an update of the original April 2014 post.
