Isla Espíritu Santo

The archipelago off the coast of La Paz is the Galapagos of Baja, if not of all North America. Anchored by the island of Espiritu Santo, this UNESCO-protected biosphere reserve is teaming with flora and fauna. Manta rays propel themselves into the air, flapping as if to fly, and belly flop or backflip back into the water. Frigate birds—with red throats that can inflate like balloons to attract a mate— circle overhead. Dolphins, seasonal whales, blue-footed boobies, ring-tailed cats, and organ pipe cactus all call this volcanic landscape home. At its tip, the main event awaits: snorkeling with a colony of sea lions at Los Islotes. You’ll be overcome by sheer childish joy as these playful creatures swirl around you and each other.

The Isla Espiritú Santo and the adjacent Isla Partida (separated by a narrow isthmus which only appears at low tide) are desert islands, with no human residents. Even if there is no permanent human population here, the islands are rich in rare flora and fauna, so much so that the area was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1995. Considered a kayaker's paradise—it’s the best way to explore the island—travelers can spot ringtail cats, wild goats, endangered black-tailed jack rabbits (unique to the island), bats, ground squirrels, a wealth of seabirds, turkey vultures, and a wide variety of reptiles who come out towards evening when the desert sun goes down. White sand beaches on both islands are pristine havens for seabirds. Jacques Cousteau once said that the waters around these islands were the world's aquarium—they still teem with life including sharks, dolphins, whales, turtles, and rays. There's also a healthy sea lion colony on nearby Los Islotes, a great choice for snorkelers who like up close and personal encounters with local wildlife of the friendly, non-shark variety.