Espíritu Santo is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising six islands north of La Paz and accessible by a short boat ride. Here, I was able to snorkel with sea lions in the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez. I swam alongside juvenile sea lions and watched them play as the adults lazily sunbathed on nearby rocks. A fun fact I learned is that sea lions mark their territorial boundaries by blowing bubbles.

I also encountered whale sharks. I have always assumed that swimming with sharks is basically asking for trouble, but these gentle giants feed on zooplankton, and their “teeth” are akin to little toothbrush bristles, which they use to filter their food out of the water. A few times I found myself floating directly above a huge whale shark — definitely an experience for the books. 

The locals take stewardship of their native marine animals, as well as their land-based flora and coral reefs, very seriously, making Espíritu Santo a breathtaking place to explore the biodiversity of the Baja California Peninsula. 

The pristine beauty of Balandra Beach 

Sometimes called “Mexico’s most beautiful beach,” Balandra Beach was once earmarked for resort development, but a decade ago, a group of locals banded together and successfully petitioned the state government to designate Balandra Bay a Natural Protected Area. And thank goodness, because Balandra lives up to its reputation in every way. The sand is so fluffy and white, it makes me think of walking in flour. Locals and tourists alike can be found kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding on the calm, shallow waters, or posing for photos with the Hongo de Balandra (Balandra “mushroom”), a strange rock formation shaped by erosion. You can also take a short hike up to a lookout for an incredible view of the bay. 

The food