San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park

San Lorenzo Marine Archipelago National Park comprises five islands with rocky shores situated in the Gulf of California near Ensenada. The protected area covers roughly 50,000 hectares where desert landscapes meet ocean waters.

The Mexican government established this marine area as a national park in 2005 to protect its ocean biodiversity and island ecosystems. The designation reflected increasing concern for preserving this unique environment.

The islands serve as a living laboratory where researchers observe how desert and ocean environments interact in the Gulf of California. Visitors can witness how these two distinct ecosystems meet and influence each other.

Visitors access the archipelago by boat from ports in Baja California, with guided tours running throughout the year. Weather conditions affect accessibility, so checking conditions beforehand helps plan the visit.

Rasa Island hosts about 95 percent of the world's population of Heermann's gulls and elegant terns. This makes it one of the most critical nesting sites globally for these two bird species.

Location: Baja California

Inception: April 25, 2005

Part of: Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California

GPS coordinates: 28.77250,-112.99750

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48