How to Visit Isla Espíritu Santo from La Paz

A complete guide to Espíritu Santo National Park: the Galapagos of the Sea of Cortez near Baja’s capital La Paz.

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Espíritu Santo Island (Isla Espíritu Santo) is a remote, wild, and unspoiled paradise near La Paz, the vibrant capital of Baja California Sur. Nestled in the heart of Isla Espíritu Santo National Park, this unique island is known for its rich biodiversity and largely untouched natural beauty, making it a popular eco-tourism destination. Boasting remote islands, unspoiled beaches, and crystal-clear waters, Isla Espíritu Santo is perfect for a variety of relaxing activities including snorkelling, diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Not to mention the epic wildlife watching opportunities, including swimming with playful sea lions. In this post, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about visiting Isla Espíritu Santo, including things to do, the best tours, and how to get here.

About Isla Espíritu Santo

Isla Espíritu Santo is a large, uninhabited island off the east coast of the Baja California peninsula near the city of La Paz. A protected reserve, the surrounding area is renowned for its natural beauty, with white sandy beaches, dusty-pink cardon cacti-strewn mountains, volcanic rock formations, and crystal-clear waters.

Espíritu Santo is the 12th largest island in Mexico at 31 square miles (80 square km). It is part of an archipelago with other, smaller islands that also boast pristine beaches and azure waters.

Isla Espíritu Santo is separated from its neighbouring island, Isla Partida, by a narrow canal. It’s sometimes possible to wade across the strait between the islands at low tide.

Isla Espíritu Santo has received several recognitions for its conservation efforts over the years. The island is part of the larger protected area of the Gulf of California (Golfo de California), also called the Sea of Cortez. A Biosphere Reserve between Baja California and the Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico, the Gulf of California is home to 240 protected islands, including the archipelago of Espíritu Santo.

The island is part of the Isla Espiritu Santo National Park (Archipiélago Espíritu Santo National Park), which was established in 2007 to protect local ecosystems.

Isla Espíritu Santo History

Espíritu Santo literally translates to ‘Holy Spirit’ and it’s not hard to see why locals may have revered the area’s stunning landscapes as spiritual. Isla Espiritu Santo National Park has been voted as the home of some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

The island itself was created by a series of violent earthquakes and volcanic activity many years ago. Today, much of its geology is made up of volcanic ash and lava.

Evidence of human presence on the island has been discovered and dates back about 9,000 years.

The island became particularly note-worthy in the 1500s when its oyster beds were discovered and pearl mining began. By the 1900s, these oyster beds were completely depleted and destroyed due to unmanaged overfishing and disease. A small pearl farm was built on Isla Espiritu Santo in an attempt to artificially farm pearls but was destroyed during the Mexican Revolution.

In the 1990s, a real estate developer intended to build a large casino on Isla Espiritu Santo. A group of conservations led by Tim Means, founder of Baja Expeditions, rallied together to jointly purchase the land with Mexican funders, American funders via the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund. It was donated back to Mexico and is commemorated by a famous sculpture of a dove on La Paz’s malecón.

Where is Isla Espíritu Santo?

Isla Espíritu Santo lies about 16 miles (26 km) northeast of the port city of La Paz. It is located in the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez), on the east side of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur.

Isla Espíritu Santo Map

We’ve pinned the location of Isla Espíritu Santo and its relation to La Paz on the map below.

How to get to Isla Espíritu Santo

Isla Espíritu Santo is only reachable by boat. Most boats in La Paz used to get to Isla Espíritu Santo are ‘pangas‘, a small kind of fishing vessel.

The easiest way to get to Isla Espíritu Santo is on a boat tour with a licensed company.

Isla Espiritu Santo National Park Pass

As a protected area, visits must have a permit from CONANP (the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas), which is part of Mexico’s environment ministry SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources). This makes it difficult to visit on your own but not impossible.

Permits can be bought in person at the La Paz CONANP office. Permits take the form of a paper bracelet that must be worn when in the park. They cost 150 pesos (~$7 USD) a day.

Most people receive their permit by booking a tour. Most tours include the bracelet as part of the cost or mention to bring the extra fee with you on the day. Then, your guide will provide you with your bracelet before you enter the national park.

How long is the boat ride to Isla Espiritu Santo?

The journey to Isla Espiritu Santo is only a 1-hour boat ride off the coast of La Paz. Most tours leave from Marina de La Paz.

On a good day, the journey may take as little as 45 minutes. On days with larger swells, the journey can take up to 90 minutes and seasickness medication may be recommended if you’re prone to feeling unwell when out in the open ocean.

The Best Isla Espíritu Santo Tours

There are a variety of activities in Isla Espíritu Santo on offer, from exploring the island to discovering the underwater world.

There are several types of tours that you can take to Isla Espíritu Santo National Park, each offering a different way to experience the landscapes and wildlife around the islands.

The tour we did with La Paz VIP Tours, the All Islands Tour, started with swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes. We enjoyed a picnic lunch on a secluded beach on Isla Espíritu Santo. While most operators choose Ensenada Grande, La Paz VIP Tours prefer the quieter Candelero or Corralito beaches.

Then, it’s up to the group whether you enjoy a short walk on the island or go snorkelling in another coral area or over the C-59 wreck. We opted for another snorkel session over the most beautiful, colourful corals and saw a variety of tropical fish. The tour finished off with a stop at San Gabriel Bay to see the Magnificent Frigates nesting area and the site of the first pearl farm in the world.

La Paz VIP Tours also offers an amazing swim with whale sharks tour. This gives you the chance to swim alongside the largest species of fish in the world!

Taking a combination tour like this is a great way to experience multiple ocean adventures in one day. Many tours include a visit to Isla Espíritu Santo, as well as other attractions in the region.

If you have limited time, join a Whale Sharks, Sea Lions at Los Islotes, and Isla Espíritu Santo Tour to experience all the highlights in one day.

The Best Things to Do in Isla Espíritu Santo

With unspoiled beaches, sandy bays, aquamarine waters, and rugged mountain landscapes, there’s no shortage of exciting things to do in Isla Espíritu Santo National Park. Here are some of the best activities on offer:

Exploring Isla Espíritu Santo is the most popular thing to do in the national park. Land-based activities like hiking, picnicking on the beach, and beachcombing are great ways to bask in the natural beauty of the island. Water activities like snorkelling, SCUBA diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding are also great ways to experience the stunning turquoise waters that surround Isla Espíritu Santo.

Swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes is another popular activity that visitors to Isla Espíritu Santo can enjoy – more on this below.

Isla Espíritu Santo Day Trip

Espíritu Santo Island is most commonly visited as a day trip from La Paz.

We’ve broken up the most popular ways to experience Isla Espíritu Santo on a day trip in the next couple of sections.

Snorkelling Isla Espíritu Santo

With clear turquoise waters, colourful coral reefs, and diverse marine life, Isla Espíritu Santo is perfect for snorkelling. Scientists have identified 9 species of coral here, as well as unique topography.

Visitors can enjoy a variety of underwater landscapes, including sea cliffs, submarine canyons, kelp forests, and marine terraces, with a wealth of animals including tropical fish like angelfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, and butterflyfish, as well as larger species like rays and sharks.

A few of the most popular snorkel spots in Isla Espíritu Santo include:

Swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes

Los Islotes on Isla Lobes is located off the northern tip of Isla Espíritu Santo. A rocky peninsula, this area is home to the largest sea lion colony in the Sea of Cortez, with over 600 sea lions on and around the island. California sea lions use this area as a breeding and haul-out site and swimming with them is permitted between mid-October to the end of May each year.

Sea lions are curious by nature and swimming with sea lions at Los Islotes in a responsibly managed environment is a magical experience. Once in the water, you can witness sea lions swimming around and under you and displaying acrobatic movements. Pups are particularly curious and may approach you or even nibble on your snorkelling gear.

Diving Isla Espíritu Santo

With frequent visibility of up to 30 metres (100 feet), Isla Espíritu Santo is perfect for SCUBA diving and gives diving in Cabo a run for its money. The national park has more than 18 dive sites, four of which contain shipwrecks.

A few of the most popular diving sites in Isla Espíritu Santo include:

The best time to dive at Espíritu Santo Island is from November to April, during the cooler months when the seas are calmer, and visibility is best.

Hiking Isla Espíritu Santo

There are no extensive trail networks on Isla Espíritu Santo like you might find in larger national parks, but the island offers several scenic hikes that allow you to explore its diverse landscapes.

To preserve the island’s natural beauty, hiking is only allowed on specially marked trails.

Isla Espíritu Santo Beaches

With sprawling expanses of golden sand, shallow bays of crystal-clear water, and an abundance of marine life, Isla Espíritu Santo’s beaches are some of the best in the world, giving the beautiful Balandra Beach a run for its money.

Here are a few of the most beautiful beaches in Isla Espíritu Santo National Park:

Isla Espíritu Santo Wildlife

Isla Espíritu Santo is a haven for wildlife watching, due to its location within the Sea of Cortez. Once called “the aquarium of the world” by explorer, oceanographer, and marine conservationist Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez is home to a wealth of marine life, as well as a variety of land-based species that have flourished on the islands.

Isla Espíritu Santo’s natural environment is carefully protected, with a focus on preserving both land-based and marine ecosystems to safeguard its biodiversity.

Fishing within the national park is regulated, allowing an abundance of marine life to thrive, from tropical fish and moray eels to sea turtles and rays.

Ongoing conservation efforts help to protect threatened or endangered animals. Isla Espíritu Santo is the only known place in the world where you can see a black jackrabbit and Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel.

What animals are on Isla Espiritu Santo?

A wide variety of species can be found around Isla Espíritu Santo, including sea lions, turtles, dolphins, sharks, rays, orcas, and migratory whales.

The ocean here is one of the best places for whale watching in Mexico, with grey, blue, and humpback whales migrating to these warm waters every winter.

Isla Espíritu Santo is one of the best places to observe the endangered California sea lion. These cheeky sea-puppies are often seen lounging on the rocks or swimming in the waters around the island.

Tropical fish including parrotfish, angelfish, trumpetfish, Moorish idols, and rainbow wrasse can be seen snorkelling and diving, while pelagic species including mackerel, mahi mahi, and tuna, are also found here.

Isla Espíritu Santo is particularly great for birdwatching with several nesting sites around the island. Species you can see include brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds, blue-footed boobies, red-billed tropicbirds, pelicans, cormorants, ibis, great blue herons, snowy egrets, ospreys, turkey vultures, and hummingbirds.

Frigatebird Nesting Sanctuary

The Magnificent Frigatebird and the Lesser’s Frigatebird are prominent residents of Isla Espíritu Santo. Known for their long, pointed wings and distinctive, forked tails, frigatebirds’ most notable feature is the male’s red throat pouch, which inflates during mating displays to attract females.

You can see frigatebirds on Isla Espíritu Santo as they nest and breed in large colonies on the island. They are usually found on the northern cliffs and rocky outcroppings, where they are sheltered from predators and can easily access the surrounding waters for food. They are also often spotted in the mangrove areas by San Gabriel Bay (Bahía de San Gabriel).

Rules for visiting Isla Espíritu Santo

As a protected reserve, there are some rules that all visitors to Isla Espíritu Santo need to follow to ensure the conservation of the natural landscapes and wildlife that call it home for generations to come. The following activities are prohibited:

Where to stay near Isla Espíritu Santo

There are no developed accommodation options on the island. The most popular place to stay to visit Isla Espíritu Santo is in the closest city of La Paz.

There’s a large variety of hotels in La Paz from budget apartments to luxury resorts, so there’s something for every budget. We’ve shortlisted the best accommodations below.

Isla Espíritu Santo Camping

Camping on Isla Espíritu Santo is permitted in certain areas under strict conditions and is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the island.

Sea Kayak Adventures offers kayaking and camping trips to Isla Espíritu Santo National Park that offer you the chance to explore remote islands, enjoy pristine beaches, and witness diverse marine and wildlife.

There are two glamping sites on Isla Espiritu Santo, giving visitors all the comforts of home in a rustic camp setting right on the beach.

Baja Camp – Nestled in Cadelero Bay, Baja Camp is a unique glamping experience managed by Baja Expeditions.

Camp Cecil – A luxury tent camp on Isla Espíritu Santo, Camp Cecil has been featured in National Geographic, the London Times, Conde Nast Traveler, and more.

Camping on your own on Isla Espíritu Santo is a more primitive and rustic experience as the island has no amenities such as restrooms, food services, or electricity. If you wish to pitch your tent, this is what you need to know:

• You can only stay in designated camping areas.
• You need to get an Espíritu Santo Island Camping permit from CONANP.
• Bahía de San Gabriel, Playa Ensenada Grande, and Playa La Raz are the three most popular campsites.
• Take everything you bring into the park away with you.

When to visit Isla Espíritu Santo

The best time to visit Isla Espíritu Santo is during the cooler months from October to April. This also coincides with whale shark season in La Paz, and the peak of the whale watching season in Baja California Sur between December to February.

Temperatures at this time range from 15°C to 27°C (60°F to 80°F ) with consistent sunshine.

Isla Espíritu Santo experiences four seasons:

What to pack for Isla Espíritu Santo

To ensure an enjoyable experience in Isla Espíritu Santo National Park, it’s important to pack the right gear. Don’t forget to pack your:

Isla Espíritu Santo FAQs

We’ve covered some frequently asked questions about Isla Espíritu Santo below in case there’s anything else you need to know before you go.

What is Isla Espíritu Santo known for?

Isla Espíritu Santo is an ecologically significant island near La Paz, known for its stunning landscapes, biodiversity, and rich marine life. The island is part of the Isla Espíritu Santo Archipelago, renowned for its natural beauty, and part of a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Particularly of note is the ea lion colony at Los Islotes, the largest in the Sea of Cortez, that visitors can swim with. Other popular activities include hiking, snorkelling, kayaking, and camping.

Is Isla Espíritu Santo worth it?

Yes! A trip to Isla Espíritu Santo is absolutely worth it. With sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and colourful coral reefs, Isla Espíritu Santo is one of the most beautiful places in Baja and now one of the best day trips from La Paz.

Can you go to Isla Espíritu Santo?

Yes, Isla Espíritu Santo from La Paz. The island can only be reached by boat but it’s easy to book a tour that goes out to the island.

How do you get to Isla Espiritu Santo?

You can easily access Isla Espíritu Santo on a day trip from La Paz. Some companies include transfers from your hotel to and from the boat while other trips start at a central meeting point. There are also a handful of tours that include transportation from and to Cabo if you wish to visit from further afield.

How do I get to Espíritu Santo Island from La Paz?

The best way to visit Isla Espíritu Santo from La Paz is on a tour. Most boat tours leave from La Paz Marina where you meet your local guide while others meet at the company’s office. Some companies also include transportation from your accommodation.

Where is Espiritu Santo Island located?

Isla Espíritu Santo is located in the Gulf of California, off the east coast of the Baja California peninsula. The closest city is La Paz.

What is the island off the coast of La Paz?

There are several islands off the coast of La Paz, the most notable of which is Isla Espíritu Santo. It neighbours the smaller Isla Partida. The Isla Espíritu Santo Archipelago also contains a number of smaller islets, of which only four are named: Isla Lobos, Isla Ballena, Isla Gallo, and Isla Gallina.

What is the water temperature in Isla Espiritu Santo?

The water temperature around Isla Espíritu Santo varies throughout the year. Generally, the ocean here has warm waters, making it a popular destination for snorkelling, diving, and other water activities.

Here’s a breakdown of the average water temperatures by season:

• Winter (December to February): About 18°C to 21°C (64°F to 70°F).
• Spring (March to May): About 20°C to 24°C (68°F to 75°F).
• Summer (June to August): About 24°C to 28°C (75°F to 82°F).
• Fall (September to November): About 23°C to 27°C (73°F to 81°F).

What is the meaning of Espiritu Santo?

Espíritu Santo is Spanish for ‘Holy Spirit’, a term commonly used in Christian theology to refer to the third person of the Holy Trinity (along with God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ). Isla Espíritu Santo was named by the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés in the early 16th century. The name likely reflects the island’s spiritual or symbolic significance due to its serene and majestic natural beauty, which might have evoked a sense of holiness or reverence.

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A Complete Guide to Visiting Balandra Beach

How to Ethically Swim with Whale Sharks in La Paz

How to Snorkel or Dive with Sea Lions in La Paz

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