Bahía de Loreto National Park, Marine national park in Baja California Sur, Mexico.
Bahía de Loreto National Park covers roughly 206,000 hectares across the Sea of Cortez, encompassing five uninhabited islands and numerous smaller islets scattered throughout. The park includes shallow coastal waters, underwater canyons, and deeper marine zones that support diverse habitats and species.
The Mexican government established the park as a protected marine area in 1996, followed by its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. This recognition reflected growing international concern for preserving one of the world's most biodiverse sea regions.
Local fishing communities have practiced their trade in these waters for centuries, with their knowledge of the sea deeply woven into the region's identity. Today, designated fishing zones allow them to continue their work while the park protects the marine ecosystem.
Visitors reach the park via tour operators based in Loreto, the nearest coastal town, which organize day trips and multi-day expeditions. The best time to visit depends on your interests, as different seasons offer different wildlife viewing opportunities.
Underwater canyons and terraces create pathways that guide whale populations through the park during their annual migration across the Pacific. These submerged landforms concentrate marine life in ways that make the journey one of nature's great spectacles.
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