Where desert meets sea — and both thrive.
Loreto National Marine Park is home to everything from blue whales and dolphins to frigate birds, parrotfish, and coral gardens. Nutrient-rich currents fuel an explosion of life above and below the surface, while the surrounding desert shows off fossils, volcanic rock, and blooming cactus after rare rains.
Wildlife You Might See
The Gentle Giants
- Blue whales (seasonal, February–April)
- Fin, humpback, Bryde’s, and pilot whales
- Dolphins (common, bottlenose, spinner)
- Sea lions lounging on rocky outcrops
Color in Motion
- Colorful reef fish: angelfish, parrotfish, triggerfish
- Rays—manta, mobula, and spotted eagle rays
- Sea turtles and occasional hammerhead sightings
- Octopus, sea stars, and vibrant nudibranchs
The Sky Show
- Blue-footed boobies, pelicans, and frigatebirds
- Ospreys, herons, egrets, and shorebirds galore
- Magnificent frigatebirds circling thermals
Life on Land
- Desert iguanas and chuckwallas sunning on rocks
- Cactus wrens, hummingbirds, and curious lizards
- Occasional bighorn sheep on rugged island cliffs
Protecting What We Love
Loreto Bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 2004—acknowledging its role as one of the planet’s richest marine ecosystems.
Sea Kayak Baja Mexico operates under park permits and partners with local groups to support research, education, and sustainable tourism. Every paddle stroke here contributes to the ongoing story of conservation.
Paddle it. Protect it.
