Gulf of California Travel Guide

Today in Mexico: Lady of Guadalupe Day (12 Dec)

Trek Zone

National park

Facts and practical information

Nestled along the western coast of Mexico, the Gulf of California offers a breathtaking natural landscape and a plethora of exciting activities for travelers seeking adventure and relaxation. Located in the Baja California Sur region, this stunning gulf is a paradise for nature enthusiasts and water sports enthusiasts alike.

The Gulf of California is renowned for its unparalleled marine biodiversity, making it a haven for divers and snorkelers. The crystal-clear turquoise waters are teeming with vibrant coral reefs and an array of colorful marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Exploring the underwater world here is like stepping into a real-life aquarium.

For those who prefer staying above the water, the Gulf of California offers excellent opportunities for fishing and boating. Cast your line into the deep blue sea and try your luck at catching marlin, sailfish, or tuna. Alternatively, embark on a boat tour and cruise along the gulf's dramatic coastline, where rugged cliffs meet golden sandy beaches.

In addition to its marine wonders, the Gulf of California is home to several charming coastal towns. La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur, boasts a lively waterfront promenade lined with restaurants, cafes, and shops. Stroll along the Malecón and soak in the vibrant atmosphere as you enjoy a refreshing beverage or sample some delicious local seafood.

Further south, the town of Loreto offers a glimpse into Mexico's rich history and culture. Explore the historic center, where colonial architecture blends harmoniously with traditional Mexican design. Visit the Mission of Our Lady of Loreto, the first of its kind in the Californias, and learn about the town's important role in Spanish colonization.

Local name: Golfo de California Area: 61776.23 mi²Length: 699.66 miElevation: 3048 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 27°30'23"N, 112°0'0"W

Location

Baja California SurMexico

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Gulf of California Top Attractions

Gulf of California Attractions - What to See and Explore

Gulf of California offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: The Arch, Islas Marietas National Park, Cabo Pulmo National Park, San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Famous arch-shaped rock formation
The Arch
The Arch of Cabo San Lucas, known locally as El Arco, is a stunning natural landmark situated at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in Mexico. This distinctive rock formation majestically rises from the azure waters of the Gulf of California, where the...
Tourist locale for marine activities
Islas Marietas National Park
The Marieta Islands are a group of small uninhabited islands a few miles off the coast of the state of Nayarit, Mexico, located in federal waters approximately 7.9 kilometres southwest of the peninsula known as Punta de Mita, in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas.
Natural attraction • Protected area
Cabo Pulmo National Park
Cabo Pulmo National Park is a national marine park on the east coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, spanning the distance between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape, approximately 100 kilometres north of Cabo San Lucas in the Gulf of California.

Natural attraction • Protected area
San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park
San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park is a national park of Mexico located on San Lorenzo Island part of an archipelago in the Gulf of California off the eastern coast of Baja California.
Natural attraction • Protected area
Colorado River Delta
The Colorado River Delta is the region where the Colorado River flows into the Gulf of California in eastern Mexicali Municipality in the north of the state of Baja California in northwesternmost Mexico.
Area
Tortuga Island
Isla Tortuga is an island in the Gulf of California, created relatively recently in geologic terms by the volcanism associated with the East Pacific Rise. It lies east-northeast of the city of Santa Rosalía, in Mulegé Municipality. It has a surface area of 11.374 km².
26°0'39"N • 111°20'24"W
Eco Alianza Loreto A.C.
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Island
Isla Espíritu Santo
Isla Espíritu Santo is an island in the Gulf of California, off the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It is separated from Isla Partida by a narrow canal. Together, the islands are part of La Paz Municipality and are both a short boat trip from La Paz on the Baja California Peninsula.
Island
San Pedro Nolasco Island
San Pedro Nolasco Island, sometimes called Seal Island, is a small and rugged Mexican island in the Gulf of California. It is 4.2 km long by 1 km wide, and lies 15 km from the nearest point of the Mexican coast and about 28 km west of the resort town of San Carlos on the coast of the Sonoran Desert.
Island
Isla Tiburon
Tiburón Island is the largest island in the Gulf of California and the largest island in Mexico, with an area of 1,201 square kilometres. It was made a nature reserve in 1963 by President Adolfo López Mateos.
Island
Jacques Cousteau Island
Isla Cerralvo, as is commonly named, whose official name is Isla Jacques Cousteau, is an island located off the Cerralvo Canal coast near La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Island
San Esteban Island
San Esteban Island is a small island in the Gulf of California, Mexico, located to the southwest of Tiburón Island. It is part of the Municipality of Hermosillo in Sonora, and has a land area of 39.773 km², the 15th-largest island in Mexico.
Island
Isla Ángel de la Guarda
Isla Ángel de la Guarda, also called Archangel Island, is a large island in the Gulf of California east of Bahía de los Ángeles in northwestern Mexico, separated from the Baja California Peninsula by the Canal de Ballenas. It is the second largest of the eleven Midriff Islands or Islas Grandes.
Island
Isla Coronado
Isla Coronado, occasionally referred to as “Smith Island”, is just off the eastern shoreline of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula near Bahía de los Ángeles in the Gulf of California.
22°52'34"N • 109°53'35"W
Land's end
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22°52'34"N • 109°53'38"W
Los Frailes
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