Isla Danzante is the island for people who have already done Coronado, or who want somewhere wilder. It is long and thin, cut with small coves on its western side, and its rock is folded into arches and ledges where the snorkeling is over boulder reef full of fish. The best-known stop, Honeymoon Cove, is a pair of tiny pocket beaches inside a turquoise inlet that you can only reach by boat or kayak.
The Run South
Danzante sits off Puerto Escondido, about 25 kilometres south of Loreto, so the crossing on Loreto Star is a scenic 40 to 50 minutes down the coast with the Sierra de la Giganta rising straight out of the water beside you. It is a beautiful ride in its own right, and in winter it passes through prime whale water.
Honeymoon Cove
Two small beaches face each other across a narrow inlet of impossibly blue water on the island's north-west corner. There is room for one or two boats, which is why we like to get there early. Swim across the cove, snorkel the rocks at its mouth, or scramble up the ridge behind the beach for the view over the whole southern park.
Arches and Reef
The western shore is a string of arches, caves and drop-offs. The snorkeling here is different from Coronado — deeper water, boulder reef, bigger schools of fish and a chance of rays and turtles under the ledges. It suits confident swimmers; life jackets are on board for anyone who wants to float over it instead.
How Long to Book
Danzante needs five hours at a minimum because of the run; six is comfortable and lets you add a second cove or a stop at one of the mainland beaches on the way back. It pairs well with fishing: the drop-offs along the island hold cabrilla and snapper.
