La Paz is the gateway to the wonders of the Sea of Cortez, an ocean playground filled with natural wonders both above and beneath the surface. Prominent figures like Jacques Cousteau and John Steinbeck were captivated by their journeys to this diverse environment that is said to be one of planet’s most intricate and explorable ecosystems.
Also known as the Gulf of California, this sea separates Baja California from mainland Mexico and stretches for more than 700 miles from San Felipe to Los Cabos where its waters blend with the Pacific Ocean. Pristine beaches, desert landscapes and turquoise lagoons draw visitors and locals alike to this region of sublime splendor, world-renown for its eco-tourism opportunities.
Kayakers paddle in secluded coves alongside rising cliffs and islands, like Espíritu Santo, home to sea lion rookeries, bird colonies and indigenous flora found nowhere else on earth. Divers plunge the depths to glide alongside giant manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins and tropical fish in the fringing reefs. This extraordinary locale is also the place to spot unusual species such as hammerhead sharks and the massive whale shark, which can weigh up to 20 tons.
Sport fishing is king in these bountiful waters and anglers reel in massive marlin and sailfish. In winter, endangered leatherback turtles lay their eggs on the beaches and migratory gray whales come to mate and bear their young in Magdalena Bay.
