Isla Espiritu Santo

Isla Espiritu Santo is a magical Mexican island in the beautiful Sea of Cortez, by Mexico’s Baja California, best accessed from the attractive beach town of La Paz  – itself nothing like the “tourist corridor” found further south in Baja, way more Mexicano in feel…) and worth visiting in its own right.

The Sea of Cortez, also known as the Gulf of California, is a body of water located between the Baja California Peninsula and the mainland. Known as the “world’s aquarium” for its incredible biodiversity, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for activities like whale watching, snorkeling, and diving.

Within these wondrous waters lies the Isla Espiritu Santo–a blissfully remote destination despite its relative accessibility (it is just a 90 minute boat ride from the port in La Paz). Glamping is the only accommodation option here. OK, I tell a lie – there is camping too, but glamping is the lowest I am willing to go. The glampsites are not allowed to leave any trace of their existence on the island should they be packed at a moment’s notice, so low-impact eco-awareness is a primary part of their functionality and not just an afterthought.

Waking-up to calm, crystal clear waters and just the gentle sounds of the chirping birds and the lulling, lapping waves is everything one wants from a calm start to the day… Then after a tasty, hearty breakfast, made by your local chef, head out on your stand-up paddleboard, kayak or simply swim in that sublime sea…

Our local friends arrange an adventure to meet the locally famed Cuevas brothers – Juan and Felipe – 4th generation shark hunters who have turned their unique marine life knowledge and tracking skills into a wildlife protection program. With them, one heads out to spot hammerheads, swim with sea lions, night snorkel in bioluminescence, and meet the large population of Eastern Pacific Hawksbill Turtles in the mangroves near their home that first inspired their journey into conservation.