Get to know Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto (Loreto Bay National Park)

Natural treasure of Baja California Sur

Loreto, in Baja California Sur, is a destination of natural beauty both on land and at sea. To confirm this, it’s enough to know that the Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto (Loreto Bay National Park), a World Heritage Site and the natural reserve, houses 80% of Pacific Ocean marine life. This gigantic marine park consists of five main islands of volcanic origin, where various activities can be carried out.

Isla Danzante (Dancing Island) it’s only four square kilometers (about 1.5 square miles), enough to be surrounded by full-of-marine life turquoise waters to be seen with a mask and snorkel. There are sea lions, dolphins and fish of all sizes and colors. It is also a black coral bank and has the famous “Islote luna de miel” (honeymoon islet), with a large-white sand carpet.

Isla del Carmen functions as a private natural reserve, which includes houses, sports centers, even a church and cemetery, built during 1984 salt deposits exploitation period. Currently, the island is uninhabited and has been designated as a zone of wildlife conservation.

Isla Coronado (Coronado Island) is the idyllic place for boat trips for a picnic on its ivory-colored sand, walking among its cliffs to find caves and lagoons, and snorkeling or diving. The island originated from a volcanic cone and has become home to flying fish, dolphins, and sea lions.

Deserted beaches and cliffs are the main characteristic of Isla Montserrat—the magnet that attracts hundreds of photographers from all over the world, who seek the best landscapes of Loreto and Mar de Cortés.

Isla Santa Catalina (Santa Catalina Island) has the ideal conditions for camping and enjoying its serene waves beaches. It’s also a strategic point to observe the blue-footed booby, whose species inhabit very few parts of the world, such as the Galapagos.