Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

National park · Mexico

Bahía de Loreto National ParkParque Nacional Bahía de Loreto

Base in Loreto town and take a boat or kayak: a half-day island trip for beaches and snorkelling, or a full-day paddle to Danzante. Go Nov–Apr; summer heat and wind make it a skip.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO World Heritage 2005Ramsar wetlandSome areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

2,065 km²

approximate

Established

1996

Best months

Nov–Apr

UNESCO

World Heritage

Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
  • Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
  • Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
  • Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.

At a glance

Country
Mexico
Area
2,065 km²
Roughly 2,000 km² of sea plus five islands and a stretch of Baja shoreline; boundary figures vary by source (check).
Established
1996
Best months
Nov–Apr
Permits
For some areas

Bahía de Loreto National Park protects five desert islands and more than 2,000 km² of the Gulf of California off the coast of Baja California Sur, designated in 1996 and part of the UNESCO Gulf of California listing since 2005. The park is a marine environment rather than a trail network: there is no mainland hiking system, and almost everything you do here happens from a boat or a kayak launched at the Loreto marina. Coronados and Danzante are the short-trip islands, Carmen is the largest with reefs and a ghost town, Montserrat is mostly a fishing and dive destination, and Catalana is closed to landings. The bay holds more marine mammal species than anywhere else in Mexico, with blue, fin, humpback and gray whales passing through in winter and spring. Plan around wind and heat: mornings are calm, afternoons are not, and July to September is a skip.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO World Heritage · 2005Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California.
  • Ramsar wetlandListed wetland.

Size and age

2,065 km² · national park since 1996

Roughly 2,000 km² of sea plus five islands and a stretch of Baja shoreline; boundary figures vary by source (check).

Why go

  • Five desert islands inside one bay, each with its own beaches, cliffs and coves.
  • The Gulf of California here holds more marine mammal species than anywhere else in Mexico.
  • Sea kayakers can camp on uninhabited islands and paddle with dolphins and whales.
  • Reefs and drop-offs close to shore make it a real snorkel and dive destination, not just a boat ride.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanBest
  2. FebBest
  3. MarBest
  4. AprBest
  5. MayGo
  6. JunCaution
  7. JulAvoid
  8. AugAvoid
  9. SepAvoid
  10. OctGo
  11. NovBest
  12. DecBest
  • JanCool, calm, clearest water; whales present
  • FebPeak whale watching; mild days
  • MarWarm, calm; whale season tailing off
  • AprWarm water, light wind
  • MayHotter; wind picks up in the afternoon
  • JunHot; afternoon wind and chop
  • JulVery hot; storm and hurricane season starts
  • AugHottest month; boat trips often cancelled
  • SepPeak hurricane risk; operators may close
  • OctHeat eases; sea still warm
  • NovDry, mild, whales arriving
  • DecCool and clear; whale season underway

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Bahía de Loreto National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue, fin, humpback and gray whalesDec–Apr · Best odds in February and the first half of March; sightings are never guaranteed.yesyesyesyesnononononononoyes
Dolphins and porpoisesAll yearyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
OrcasNov–May · Occasional, not reliable.yesyesyesyesyesnononononoyesyes
Sea lions and island reptilesAll year · Several island species are endemic; keep your distance.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Jumbo squid spawning in the bayApr–Jun · Seasonal and variable (check).nononoyesyesyesnononononono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Loreto town

Walk or short taxi to the marina; boats and kayak launches leave from there.

5–10 min

From Loreto airport (LTO)

Taxi to town, then the marina.

15–20 min

From La Paz

Bus to Loreto, then the marina; driving the transpeninsular highway is the alternative.

5.5 h

Open the page →

From Baja California Sur

Region hub for Loreto, La Paz, Cabo and the peninsula's parks.

Zones and sectors

Zones of Bahía de Loreto National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Loreto Bay and the marinaThe launch point, nearshore reefs, paddleboard and kayak rentals.Open; boats hired at the marina.
Coronados IslandInactive volcano, white sand beaches, a steep north trail and a beach south trail.Open; landings on the beaches.
Danzante IslandSmall island close to the Baja coast with cliffs and steep terrain.Open; popular snorkel and kayak stop.
Carmen IslandLargest island, highest peaks, reefs for snorkelling and a ghost town on the east side.Open; camping on some beaches.
Montserrat IslandFishing near shore on the east side, deep water to the north.Open; mostly visited by fishing and dive boats.
Catalana IslandFurthest from the coast; undisturbed bird and sea mammal habitat.No landings permitted.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 7 approximate points in Bahía de Loreto National Park, north up1234567
Approximate island and town positions for orientation only; island coordinates are approximate.
  1. 1Loreto town and marina · Town≈26.011, -111.345Map ↗
  2. 2Loreto airport (LTO) · Ranger station≈25.989, -111.348Map ↗
  3. 3Danzante Island · Beach≈25.800, -111.250Map ↗
  4. 4Coronados Island · Summit≈26.100, -111.280Map ↗
  5. 5Carmen Island · Beach≈25.950, -111.180Map ↗
  6. 6Montserrat Island · Beach≈25.750, -111.220Map ↗
  7. 7Catalana Island · Beach≈25.980, -110.980Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

Boat tripsEasy3–4 hHalf-day boat to Coronados or DanzanteBeach stop, snorkelling and a look at the cliffs; the cheapest way to see the park.Booking: Book at the Loreto marina or through your hotel
SnorkellingEasyHalf daySnorkel the Carmen Island reefsRocky reef with colourful fish; go in the morning before the wind.
TrailsModerate4–6 hSea-kayak day to DanzantePaddle across open water; wind can build fast after midday.Booking: Guided or rental with a briefing
TrailsHard3–5 daysMulti-day kayak and camp on the islandsCamp on uninhabited beaches, carry all water and food, leave no trace.Booking: Outfitter required
WildlifeEasyHalf or full dayWhale watching in the bayBlue, fin, humpback and gray whales pass through; no operator can promise a sighting.
DivingModerateHalf dayScuba the subsurface cliffs and canyonsReefs, drop-offs and canyons; some sites suit experienced divers only.Booking: Dive shop in Loreto
TrailsModerate1–2 hCoronados Island trailsNorth trail is steep with lava formations; the south trail follows the beaches.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

MXN ranges · check
Fees for Bahía de Loreto National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry (boat or kayak day trip)MXN 100–200personFederal protected-area wristband, usually collected by the operator; 2026 estimate (check).
Half-day island boat tourMXN 900–1,500personSnorkel gear and park band often included; 2026 estimate (check).
Full-day boat tour with lunchMXN 1,500–2,500 (≈ US$85–140)person2026 estimate (check).
Guided sea-kayak day tripMXN 1,800–3,000 (≈ US$100–170)person2026 estimate (check).
Multi-day kayak and camp tripMXN 6,000–12,000 (≈ US$350–650)personPer person for 3–5 days, gear and food included; 2026 estimate (check).
Scuba dive trip (two tanks)MXN 2,500–4,000 (≈ US$140–250)person2026 estimate (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry band permit or guide

Buy through your boat or kayak operator, or at the park office in Loreto; keep it on you on the islands.

Island camping permit or guide

Arrange with a Loreto outfitter; camping is allowed only on some beaches and islands, and rules change (check).

Fishing permit or guide

Recreational fishing needs a Mexican sport-fishing licence and must follow park zones and protected-species rules.

Catalana Island landing no permit

Boats are not permitted to stop; it is the least visited island and a bird and marine mammal refuge.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Sunscreen
Chemical sunblock is banned in most Mexican marine protected areas; wear a rash guard and use reef-safe product only where allowed.
Wildlife distance
Do not chase, touch or swim after whales, dolphins or sea lions; let the operator keep the legal distance.
Catalana Island
No boat landings; it is a refuge island.
Fishing
Licence required; protected species and closed zones are enforced.
Camping
Only on permitted beaches and islands, with leave-no-trace practice; check current zones before you go.check
Shells and coral
Do not take shells, coral or any marine life; several shellfish species here are protected.

Where to stay

Near the park

Loreto town

Hotels, hostels and posadas of every level, minutes from the marina.

In the park

Island beach camping

Permitted beaches on some islands, arranged through a Loreto outfitter; no facilities.

Safety

Heat and sun high

Avoid July–September; carry more water than you think you need, wear a hat and cover up.

Wind and chop on open crossings medium

Paddle or boat in the morning; afternoon wind can make the return crossing hard.

Hurricanes medium

From July to October check forecasts; boats and tours stop when warnings are raised.

Remote islands medium

No fresh water, shade or phone signal on most islands; go with a guide and a working radio.

Accessibility

  • Boat tours from the Loreto marina suit most mobility levels; boarding needs a short step down into the boat.
  • The island trails on Coronados and the kayak crossings are rough and not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Use reef-safe sunscreen or none at all; chemicals damage the reefs.
  • Book operators who keep the legal distance from whales and do not chase dolphins.
  • Carry out all rubbish from island beaches, including food scraps.
  • Do not buy shells, dried sea life or coral souvenirs.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Bahía de Loreto?

The federal park band is roughly MXN 100–200 per person (2026 estimate), usually collected by your boat or kayak operator. The trip itself is the real cost: a half-day island boat tour runs about MXN 900–1,500 per person, a full day with lunch MXN 1,500–2,500, and a guided kayak day MXN 1,800–3,000. Confirm current prices with the operator before you pay.

What are the best hikes in Bahía de Loreto?

There is no mainland trail network — walking here means island trails and beach landings. On Coronados Island the north trail climbs over steep cliffs and lava formations, while the south trail follows white sand beaches with swimming stops. Both take 1–2 hours and are reached by boat. The other islands are mostly explored by kayak, snorkel or on foot along the shore.

When is the best time to visit Bahía de Loreto?

November to April. December to February is cool and calm with the best whale watching, and February plus the first half of March is when whales, including mothers with calves, are most often seen. July to September is very hot with hurricane risk and many trips cancelled; October and November are a good shoulder season.

Can I see whales without a tour?

Rarely. The whales are mostly offshore around the islands, so a boat or kayak trip is the practical way. Sightings are never guaranteed, but blue, fin, humpback and gray whales pass through the bay in winter and spring.

Do I need a guide to kayak to the islands?

Not legally for a day paddle, but the crossings are open water with wind and no shelter, so a guided trip or a rental with a proper briefing is the sensible choice. Multi-day camping trips on the islands should be arranged through a Loreto outfitter.

Is there anything to do in Loreto itself?

Yes — the town is the base for the park, with the marina, dive shops, kayak outfitters and restaurants. Most visitors stay in Loreto and go out to the islands by day.

Related

Travel to Mexico La Paz

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Sources