Nature reserve 34 km west of San Carlos
A rocky island west of San Carlos where you snorkel and dive with playful sea lions; a classic boat day trip.
San Pedro Nolasco is a steep, uninhabited island in the Gulf of California, about 28 kilometers west of San Carlos. It is only about 4 kilometers long and a kilometer wide, but it rises to over 300 meters, and its cliffs drop straight into deep, clear water.
The island is a nature reserve, and the reason most people come is the colony of California sea lions that hauls out on its rocks. Young sea lions often swim right up to snorkelers and divers, which makes it one of the favorite dive trips in Sonora; dive shops know around a dozen named sites around the island. Brown boobies and pelicans nest on the cliffs, and from winter into spring whales are sometimes seen on the crossing.
The island is also home to species found nowhere else: a spiny-tailed iguana and a small cactus, Echinocereus websterianus, both endemic to San Pedro Nolasco. Landing is restricted to protect them, so visits happen from the boat.
What to see and do
Snorkel or dive with the sea lions around the island's rocks.
Watch brown boobies and pelicans on the cliffs.
Look for dolphins and, in winter and spring, whales on the boat ride.
Try sport fishing in the waters around the island with a licensed charter.
Getting there
Boat trips leave from the marinas in San Carlos with local dive shops and charter operators; the crossing takes about 45 minutes each way. Going ashore needs a permit from CONANP, so trips stay on the water.
34 km west of San Carlos
Directions from San Carlos on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
Plan your trip
Places to stay in Isla San Pedro Nolasco
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Tours & activities
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Weather warm
Isla San Pedro Nolasco shares the climate of San Carlos, 34 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Apr, May, Nov.
Make San Carlos your base
Isla San Pedro Nolasco is an easy trip from San Carlos, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around San Carlos
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Estero El Soldado
· Nature reserve · 5 km away
A protected mangrove estuary between San Carlos and Guaymas, great for kayaking, paddleboarding, and birdwatching. -
Cañón del Nacapule
· Nature reserve · 6 km away
A palm-filled oasis canyon in the desert mountains just north of San Carlos, with spring-fed pools and a scrambly trail. -
Piedras Pintas
· Beach · 6 km away
A sheltered rocky cove west of San Carlos, popular for shore diving, snorkeling, and exploring tide pools. -
Mirador Escénico
· Viewpoint · 7 km away
A clifftop lookout west of San Carlos with sweeping views of Tetakawi, the bays, and the islands; the place to watch sunset. -
Playa Los Algodones
· Beach · 7 km away
San Carlos's long white-sand beach, backed by dunes you can sandboard, with calm water for swimming and water sports.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.