In a light brown land with big rocks that emerge from the deep blue waters, good sunny days are spent with a hot temperature that is gonna attract you quicker to the water. The island is like a fist of natural art all put together to make people feel like they’re living in a dream, with a very light green water at the shore but it gets blue and darker as you look far away to the sea. Different animals live under the clear water and you can enjoy seeing them on their natural habitat in the most harmless way possible.
On desert mountains where the only flora is cactus, surrounded by quiet and totally calm turquoise bays, groups of rays and migrating orcas, the lonely island of Espiritu Santo is one of the best places for a sea-kayaking experience. Just about 32 km long, Espirítu Santo’s company, northern Isla Partida is connected through a series of isthmus. The islands are part of Sea of Cortes, which separates Mexico from Baja-peninsula. With friendly water and constant sunshine from October to May, you won’t overthink getting wet as you learn the kayak-capsize training.
How to get there
Espíritu Santo is located 29 km north from the coastal town La Paz, the island split from the mainland seven years ago due to an earthquake through San Andreas fault. Although it is still connected to the mainland underwater on a natural bridge, it feels like a perfect getaway that could be just miles away.
A trip to Espíritu Santo begins on a boat voyage aboard a motorized skiff, all the equipment you need to kayak are going to be on this boat. If you choose to have a trip with food most of this stay on board as you kayak weightless and without worries about carrying a tent or the food to the shore. Baja Outdoor Activities provides a variety of trips to Espiritu Santo, on fully catered trips food is provided and equipment is carried on the support boat.
Where to go kayaking
A perfect place to start kayaking is at Los Islotes, a place two islets away to the north of Isla Partida, which are covered in what the local guides certainly describe as ‘Mexican snow’ – but in reality, it’s just the droppings of the resident birds. Yet, the real attachment that caught everyone’s sight and attention are the colonies of sea lions that come down from California, you got high chances to meet with one of them when you snorkel through the waters.
Espíritu Santo is not civilized and is known for always being deserted and a place where no one lives but it is livid both above and below the clear water. You can look on one side of the kayak to spot 500 different species of vivid tropical fish, like the pufferfish with its big intimidating eyes and lips and the angelfish with its large bright yellow tail and blue body, you may want to go deeper and drop your anchor, put your snorkel mask and fins and dive into the scenery under you.
Swim with animals
If you’re lucky, you can have a close up to some of the sea’s largest animals, one-third of the world’s whales and dolphins visit or live in the Sea of Cortes. The best time to spot grey whales and humpbacks start in January all the way to March. Meanwhile, April and May are designated times for seeing blue, sperm and fin whales.
Breeding sea lions and odd sea turtles are most likely seen any time of the year. In the sky, you can see a lot of seabirds like the frigate bird with its black wings and a heart-shaped chest. The most interesting animals that catch kayakers’ attention are the Californian brown pelicans who fly through the air for the search of food and dive into the sea but when they rest, they stand still like statues on rocks.
Explore the island
The most treasuring nature gift is at Candelero, on the far south of the western side of Espiritu Santo, where everyone that visits the island camps. The most visited and beautiful beach of the island is enhanced with big soft red cliffs. A serrated ride separates the bay and a finger-like rock crowned with cactús makes the path into the water. Three small islets, makes a great place for a short paddle trip, all of them forming beautiful silhouettes that reflect on the water at dawn.
If you choose to continue paddling down towards Playa Ballena, climbing up a small mountain on the bay will lead you to a 5000-year old that protected the Pericue Indians, a tribe that lived once upon a time in Espiritu Santo.
Even with the silent and lonesome mood of this deserted island or the blowing dust through the shores of this island, you will surely have an experience that you never thought possible or existent when you sea-kayak around the great Espiritu Santo. Practice and make sure that your paddle techniques are good, that’s all you gonna need for this adventure.
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