Espíritu Santo Island: A Natural Paradise in the Sea of Cortez
Full-Day Adventure on Espíritu Santo Island: Swim with Playful Sea Lions
The Espiritu Santo Island tour is one of the most incredible adventures requested by travellers who visit La Paz, and with good reason, since swimming with sea lions is one of the most incredible experiences that you can live in La Paz. This activity takes place all year long except during the months of June, July, and August, when it’s their reproductive season, and, as a conservation and safety measure, swimming with sea lions isn’t allowed. We suggest a full day of exploring on the island, swimming and interacting with sea lions and other marine life, and getting to know this incredible island with spectacular beaches and movie-worthy rock formations.
Description
Immerse yourself in the stunning beauty of Espiritu Santo Island with our full-day adventure tour. We’ll take you on a journey through crystal clear waters, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim with friendly sea lions and other fascinating marine life.
Our experienced guides will lead you through the island’s hidden coves and beaches, and you’ll be awed by the magnificent rock formations that make this island so unique.
And what’s more, our adventure includes a delicious lunch on one of the island’s pristine beaches, where you can relax and soak up the sun in between all the excitement. Whether you’re an experienced snorkeler or a first-timer, this adventure is perfect for everyone. So come join us and create memories that will last a lifetime!
Itinerary
The day starts at 9:00 am at the fiscal dock in La Paz. As long as the weather allows it, we will go to the sea lion colony of Los Islotes, approximately 75 minutes away by boat. On the way, with a bit of luck, we will see dolphins, sea turtles, or mobulas. Once there, we will swim with the sea lions (except during their reproductive season) for about 30–40 minutes and enjoy a rocky reef where we can find lots of corals, fish, or starfish.
Our navigation logs show that during the summer season (June to August), we achieve a 75% probability of dolphin sightings along the route. During the winter season, 50% of our expeditions record close encounters with migrating whales inside the bay.
Afterwards, we will have lunch at one of the incredible beaches of Espiritu Santo Island while enjoying the beautiful surrounding landscape. We can also take a short hike (if the day, conditions, and group allow) to get to know a little more of the Espiritu Santo Island, and rest on the beach for a while before heading back to La Paz.
We will be arriving around 3:00 pm.
Navigation Times and Operational Regulations (MTA Data)
Our vessels take exactly 1 hour and 20 minutes to navigate from the La Paz Main Pier to the sea lion colony at Los Islotes, maintaining an optimal and safe cruising speed.
- Swim Duration: Once on-site, a strict 45-minute window in the water is permitted in compliance with the Protected Natural Area’s official management plan.
- Safety Ratio: We strictly maintain a maximum of 1 certified guide for every 8 swimmers in the water.
Gallery
Duration: around 7 hours.
Requirements: Know how to swim, or feel comfortable floating and moving in the water with a life jacket. Respect the rules of the protected natural area.
Difficulty: It is not a day with difficult activities. It is important to consider that on the way some people get sick if there is some waves, and although there is usually no strong current in the water, it is essential to know how to move in the water and feel comfortable floating with a life jacket.
Minimum number of participants: 1 guest.
Included
Trained guide and captain.
Water, lunch and drinks on the beach.
Permits for the protected natural area.
Safety equipment on the boat, wetsuit (winter and spring), mask and fins.
Not Included
Alcoholic beverages.
Land transportation.
You must bring
Ecofriendly sunscreen (we have available to buy, if needed).
Hat and sunglasses.
Water bottle.
Swimming suit, comfortable shoes and waterproof wind jacket.
Towel.
Reviews
Roberto Matus
Perfect experience
A perfect experience. The transportation, the scenery, the sensations… of unsurpassable beauty. Mateo was a great host. Generous, with a lot of interesting information about the area and always attentive to our questions. The agency that offers this tour is undoubtedly impeccable. I highly recommend it.
Ana Karen Rodriguez Gonzalez
Excelent activity!
The tour is amazing, the guide is a marine biologist, so she explains in detail about Espiritu Santo Island. The ceviche was delicious. We had an incredible time.
Jessica de Abásolo
Great Day in Espiritu Santo Island!!
We really enjoyed the activity!! Andrea and Alexis were lovely and attentive to us at all times. Superb organization from the first contact with Karen and during the excursion. We will repeat and recommend!! Excellent!!
ALVARO ZENIFF MENDOZA MUÑOZ
Fantastic experience
Incredible experience, fantastic service from the crew, it felt like we were with old friends. 100% recommended.
Mariana González
Espiritu Santo Island tour!!
An incredible experience!! The guides take you to beautiful places on the island, and we also had a delicious ceviche. Highly recommended
Espiritu Santo Island: A Protected Natural Area and UNESCO World Heritage Site
Get ready to discover a hidden paradise in the Sea of Cortez!
Isla Espiritu Santo is a natural jewel that will take your breath away with its impressive beauty. With white-sand beaches, towering cliffs, and crystal-clear waters, this island is home to a wide variety of marine and terrestrial life.
From snorkeling to hiking and dolphin or whale watching, there is so much to see and do on Espiritu Santo Island.
Get ready to discover the wonders that await you in this Mexican treasure!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Espiritu Santo Island?
Espiritu Santo Island is located in the Gulf of California, off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The island is about 20 miles north of the city of La Paz.
What is the best season to travel to Isla Espiritu Santo?
The best time to visit Espíritu Santo Island is from October to May, which is considered the high season. During this period, the weather is usually warm and dry, with good visibility, making it perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and other water activities.
If you don’t mind very hot temperatures, you can also visit Espíritu Santo Island from June to September. Just keep in mind that it’s sea lion mating season, so snorkeling at Los Islotes is not allowed during this time.
What is the minimum age requirement to participate in this adventure?
There is no official minimum age to participate in the Espiritu Santo Island Tour, but we recommend that children be at least 6 years old to safely enjoy the water activities. However, there are important considerations for infants:
Children 3 years old or younger join free of charge, but they must bring their own life jacket and food. Please note that our traveler’s insurance does not cover minors. The itinerary cannot be modified if an infant becomes uncomfortable, as we must respect the experience of the entire group.
What is the exact duration and itinerary of the tour?
The tour spans approximately 6.5 hours. Check-in is at 9:00 AM at The Pearl Sculpture, located on the right-hand side of the Fiscal Pier (Muelle Fiscal) on the La Paz Malecón. After a full day exploring the island, we return to the marina at approximately 3:30 PM.
Is snorkeling equipment and other necessary gear provided?
Yes, we provide premium Cressi equipment for all our guests. This includes high-quality wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, and life vests to ensure maximum comfort and safety in the water. If you have your own personal gear, you are also welcome to bring it.
Is the CONANP National Park fee included in the price?
Yes. The National Park entrance fee (CONANP wristband) is already included in the total tour price for both Mexican and international visitors. You will not be asked for any additional or hidden payments at the marina.
Is food included in the Espiritu Santo Island Tour?
Yes, we will enjoy snacks and water during the boat rides, and for lunch, we will stop at a pristine beach to have ceviche or baguettes.
What is the booking and cancelation policy?
For day tours, a 40% deposit of the total payment is required to complete or secure the booking if the reservation is made more than 7 days in advance. If the reservation is made with less than 7 days notice, full payment is required.
For packages that include multiple activities, a 40% deposit of the total payment is required to complete or secure the booking if the reservation is made more than 60 days in advance. If the reservation is made with less than 60 days notice, full payment is required.
If we cancel the activity due to “unforeseen circumstances” such as weather, mechanical difficulties, or insufficient participants, you will receive a 100% refund. For all cancellations requested by clients, any amounts paid in advance are non-refundable and non-transferable.
We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance to cover unforeseen personal emergencies, such as illness or accidents.