When most people think of La Paz, Balandra Beach usually gets all the attention. And while it absolutely deserves the hype, don’t overlook Isla Espiritu Santo.

Just an hour off the coast of La Paz, this protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is one of the most beautiful places you can visit in Baja California Sur. Between the crystal-clear waters of the Sea of Cortez, playful sea lions, secluded beaches, and dramatic desert landscapes, it’s easy to see why it’s often called the “Jewel of the Sea of Cortez.”

We planned our trip to La Paz knowing this would be one of our must-do experiences, and it somehow still exceeded my expectations. Our day included snorkeling with sea lions at Los Islotes, relaxing on Playa Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida (voted one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico), and cruising through some of the most unbelievably blue water I’ve ever seen.

If you’re spending a few days in La Paz, Isla Espiritu Santo is absolutely worth dedicating a full day to!

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Quick Deets: Day Trip to Isla Espiritu Santo

HOW LONG IS THE TOUR?
- Approximately 6–7 hours.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
- Most tours range from $100–$135 USD per person, depending on the company and season.
WHAT’S INCLUED?
- Boat transportation
- Snorkeling equipment
- Lunch (usually fresh ceviche)
- Guide
CAN YOU BRING ALCOHOL?
- Yes! Most tours don’t provide alcohol, but they’ll happily store your drinks in the onboard cooler.
IS THERE A BATHROOM?
- Yes, there is a bathroom onboard.
WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING?
- Reef-safe sunscreen
- Hat & sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Beach towel
- Light sweatshirt for the ride back
- Waterproof camera or GoPro if you have one
TEETS TIP: If you tend to get cold in the water, I’d recommend renting a wetsuit. The Sea of Cortez is beautiful, but it’s definitely chilly, especially outside of summer.

How to Visit Isla Espiritu Santo

The only way to visit Isla Espiritu Santo is by joining a guided boat tour from La Paz. Since the island is part of a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, access is limited to licensed tour operators, making a day tour the easiest (and really only) way to experience it.

Most tours depart from the La Paz Malecón and take about an hour to reach the island. Along the way, you’ll cruise through the beautiful waters of the Sea of Cortez before arriving at one of Baja California Sur’s most incredible natural destinations.

After looking through several different tour options, we ended up booking the Adventure to Espiritu Santo Island: Snorkel with Sea Lions & Beach Tour—and I’d absolutely recommend it.

This tour checked every box we were looking for in a Isla Espiritu Santo boat tour. It included snorkeling with the sea lions at Los Islotes, time to relax at Playa Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida, snorkeling equipment, a fresh ceviche lunch on the beach, and a knowledgeable local guide who made the entire day feel easy and stress-free.

One thing I really appreciated was that the day never felt rushed. We had plenty of time at each stop, the boat was a comfortable size (groups are capped at 10 people), and our guides were constantly pointing out wildlife and sharing interesting facts about the islands throughout the trip.

The tour also departs directly from the La Paz Malecón, making it an easy meeting point if you’re staying downtown. We met right next to the La Perla (Pearl) Sculpture, boarded the boat, and were on our way.

If you’re looking for an easy way to experience the highlights of Isla Espiritu Santo, this is the exact tour we booked—and the one I’d recommend to friends visiting La Paz.

→ Book the same Isla Espiritu Santo tour we took here.

What to Expect on the Tour

Most Isla Espiritu Santo tours last around six to seven hours and follow a similar itinerary.

After meeting your guide along the La Paz Malecón, you’ll board the boat and begin the scenic ride across the Sea of Cortez. Your first major stop is Los Islotes, where you’ll snorkel alongside the resident sea lions before continuing to Playa Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida for lunch, swimming, and time to relax.

The exact timing of each stop can vary depending on weather, water conditions, and wildlife sightings—which honestly makes the experience even better. If your captain spots dolphins or whales along the way, don’t be surprised if they slow down so everyone can enjoy the moment.

One thing I loved about this tour is that every stop felt completely different. Between the wildlife encounters, snorkeling, and relaxing on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico, the day never felt repetitive.

Our Experience Visiting Isla Espiritu Santo

Cruise Across the Sea of Cortez

The boat ride is honestly part of the experience.

As we left the La Paz Malecón behind, we cruised north along the coastline toward Isla Espiritu Santo, passing rugged desert mountains, hidden coves, and even Balandra Beach from the water. Our guide shared some history and info about all of the scenery we passed by.

If you can, I’d recommend grabbing a seat along the outside of the boat. You’ll have the best views, and you’ll be much more likely to spot wildlife along the way.

We ended up getting incredibly lucky!

Not long into the ride, we found ourselves surrounded by what felt like thousands of dolphins swimming and jumping alongside the boat. I’ve never seen so many dolphins at once in my life! It was one of those travel moments you simply can’t plan for. Everyone onboard went completely quiet as we watched them race through the water with Isla Espíritu Santo in the distance.

By the time we reached the island, it already felt like we’d had an unforgettable day.

Snorkel with Sea Lions at Los Islotes

This was the part of the Isla Espiritu Santo tour I had been looking forward to the most.

Once we reached Los Islotes, we geared up and spent about 30 minutes snorkeling around the sea lion colony. Before getting in the water, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Would the sea lions actually come close? Would the water be clear enough?

It ended up being even better than I could have ever imagined!

The younger sea lions were incredibly playful and curious, often swimming right past us, while the larger males (who can get up to 1,000lbs!) mostly kept their distance. Between the sea lions, colorful fish, coral, and rocky underwater formations, there was constantly something to look at.

Our guide even led us through a small sea cave while pointing out different marine life along the way.

One thing I wasn’t prepared for was how cold the water was. If you’re visiting outside the hottest months—or you just don’t love cold water—I’d definitely recommend renting a wetsuit.

Just remember that this is their home. Your guide will explain all of the safety rules beforehand, but always give the sea lions plenty of space and let them decide if they want to come closer.

Relax at Playa Ensenada Grande

After snorkeling, we continued to Playa Ensenada Grande on Isla Partida for lunch and a few hours to relax.

Honestly, this beach completely lived up to the hype. After seeing it in person, I totally understand why Playa Ensenada Grande is often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.

We anchored just offshore before walking through knee-deep, crystal-clear water to reach the beach. Between the bright white sand, turquoise water, and dramatic desert cliffs surrounding the bay, it almost didn’t feel real.

Since the beach is only accessible by boat, it felt incredibly peaceful during our visit. There was only one other tour group there that day, so it almost felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.

While everyone relaxed on the beach, our guides prepared fresh ceviche for lunch. It was served build-your-own style, and it honestly ended up being one of my favorite meals from the trip. We definitely went back for seconds.

This ended up being my favorite part of the day.

After a busy morning snorkeling and exploring, it was so nice to simply sit in the sand, crack open a beer, and soak in the scenery. I could have happily spent the rest of the afternoon here.

Heading back

After a full day explore Isla Espiritu Santo, we made our way back toward La Paz, thinking the highlights of the day were behind us.

Then our captain spotted a gray whale in the distance.

We spent about 30 minutes slowly circling the area, hoping to catch another glimpse before eventually watching it surface one more time. Whale sightings aren’t guaranteed—and from what our guide told us, they’re actually pretty uncommon in this area—but it was another reminder of just how incredible the wildlife is in the Sea of Cortez.

As the sun started getting lower in the sky, we cruised back into the La Paz Malecón feeling completely exhausted in the best way possible.

We wrapped up the day with dinner and drinks overlooking the water, already talking about everything we’d experienced. Between the dolphins, snorkeling with sea lions, the crystal-clear beaches, and an unexpected whale sighting, it ended up being one of those travel days we’ll be talking about for a long time.

Is the Isla Espiritu Santo Tour Worth It?

Definitely!

If I were planning another trip to La Paz, this would still be one of the first things I’d book.

Sure, snorkeling with sea lions is the headline, but it’s everything else that makes the day so memorable. The boat ride itself is beautiful, the wildlife is incredible, and spending the afternoon on Playa Ensenada Grande is something you simply can’t experience without getting out on the water.

Looking back, this wasn’t just one of my favorite things we did in La Paz—it ended up being one of my favorite experiences from our entire Baja California Sur trip. From the unexpected dolphin encounter and snorkeling with playful sea lions to relaxing on one of Mexico’s most beautiful beaches, every part of the day felt completely different from the last.

If you’re spending a few days in La Paz, I’d absolutely make room for this tour. It’s one of those experiences you’ll be talking about long after you get home.

Wondering how to fit this boat day into your trip? Check out my 3-Day La Paz Itinerary for how we planned our days, with beach time, favorite food stops, and more adventures on the water!