Isla Coronado is the island you see from the malecón: a perfect volcanic cone standing just north of town. Its south-western side hides a curve of white sand that drops into shallow, glass-clear turquoise water, and on the rocky north end a colony of California sea lions lives on the ledges. It is twenty minutes from the marina on Loreto Star, which is why it is the first place we take almost everyone.
The Beach
Coronado's beach faces south-west toward the Sierra de la Giganta, protected from the prevailing wind, so the water is usually flat and calm. It shelves gently, which makes it the best island in the park for families and for anyone who would rather wade than swim. We beach the boat, set up the shade tent, chairs and cooler, and the sand is yours. There is no shade of its own on the island and no services — that is the point — so everything you need comes with us.
The Sea Lions
The colony lives on the rocks at the northern tip. We anchor a little way off, you slip into the water with a mask, and the young ones come to investigate — spinning, blowing bubbles and mimicking you. The big bulls stay on the rocks and we keep a respectful distance from them. It is the single most memorable half hour of most people's Loreto trip.
Snorkeling and Wildlife
The rocky shoreline between the beach and the sea lions is the best easy reef in the park: king angelfish, Cortez rainbow wrasse, parrotfish, sergeant majors, rays on the sand and occasionally a turtle. Above the water the cliffs hold blue-footed boobies, frigatebirds and brown pelicans, and dolphins are common on the crossing.
How Long to Book
Four hours covers the crossing, the sea lions and a good stretch on the beach. Five or six lets you slow down, add a second snorkel spot or troll a couple of lines on the way out — yellowtail hold on the high spots off Coronado in winter and dorado run past it in summer.
