Beach 14 km northeast of Loreto
The closest island to Loreto: a volcanic cone with a white-sand beach, turquoise water and a colony of sea lions.
Isla Coronado is the island you see from Loreto's malecón, a dark volcanic cone about 280 meters high sitting roughly 11 kilometers to the northeast. It is the shortest boat trip in the Bay of Loreto National Park and the most popular day out from town.
On the island's sheltered side a long beach of white sand slopes into shallow turquoise water, a startling contrast with the black lava rock behind it. Boats anchor off the beach so visitors can swim, snorkel among the rocks and spend a few hours on the sand. The island has no services, so tours bring shade, food and drinks.
Most trips stop at the rocks where California sea lions haul out and bark at passing boats, and the ride out often turns up dolphins, and in winter and spring, whales.
What to see and do
Swim and relax on the white-sand beach on the island's sheltered side.
Snorkel among the rocks at either end of the beach.
Visit the sea lion colony by boat.
Watch for dolphins, and in season whales, on the crossing.
Getting there
Half-day and full-day boat tours leave from Loreto's marina and malecón; the crossing takes roughly half an hour, depending on the boat and the sea. Kayakers sometimes paddle over from the coast north of town in calm weather, but winter north winds make the channel rough. The park fee is usually included in the tour.
14 km northeast of Loreto
Directions from Loreto on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Isla Coronado
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Tours & activities
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Photos
Weather warm
Isla Coronado shares the climate of Loreto, 14 km away. The best months to visit are Jan, Apr, May, Nov.
Make Loreto your base
Isla Coronado is an easy trip from Loreto, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Loreto
-
Isla del Carmen
· Nature reserve · 18 km away
The bay's largest island, with quiet coves and the ruins of an old salt works at Bahía Salinas. -
Puerto Escondido
· Town · 23 km away
A nearly enclosed natural harbor and marina south of Loreto, set below the cliffs of the Sierra de la Giganta. -
Parque Nacional Bahía de Loreto
· Nature reserve · 24 km away
The marine national park right off Loreto's malecón: five desert islands, whales in winter and clear water for snorkeling and kayaking. -
Misión San Javier
· Landmark · 26 km away
A remote Jesuit mission in the Sierra de la Giganta, with a fine 18th-century stone church and a centuries-old olive tree. -
Isla Danzante
· Nature reserve · 27 km away
A small, rugged island off Puerto Escondido, loved by kayakers for its sheltered coves and good snorkeling. -
Agua Verde
· Town · 62 km away
A remote fishing village with turquoise coves at the end of a rough mountain dirt road; best with a high-clearance vehicle.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.