Snorkeling Espiritu Santo Island: sea lions and Balandra Beach

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.96 (101 reviews) 97% rated it 5 stars

Travelers' pick

1/8

Duration6h 30m

GroupUp to 18

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Swim alongside sea lions, then walk the shallow turquoise shallows of Balandra at sunset

A six-and-a-half-hour snorkeling tour of Espiritu Santo Island departs from marinas close to the island, cutting sailing time and giving you more hours on the water and sand. You snorkel with sea lions for 30 minutes under guide supervision, spend free time on an unspoilt beach with umbrellas and fresh food, and finish at Balandra as the light turns gold. Certified guides lead in English or Spanish; pickup is included, and children from age one are welcome.

6h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Espiritu Santo Island full day tour

Visit San Gabriel Bay and learn history
Brief visit to Bahia El Candelero and La Máscara
Snorkel with sea lions at Isla Espiritu Santo
Relax and eat at Playa Ensenada Grande or Playa La Partida
Stop and explore Balandra Beach at sunset

The Experience

The day starts from a marina closer to the island than the standard departure points, which means less time on the boat getting there and more time actually in the water and on the beaches. You'll visit San Gabriel Bay first, where the guide walks you through the history of pearl cultivation and points out the magnificent frigate nests—a spot built for photos and the stories behind them. From there the boat moves to Bahía El Candelero and a brief stop at La Máscara, where you hear the legends of the archipelago while standing in front of the actual landscape.

The snorkeling happens in the reefs around Isla Espiritu Santo, where you'll swim alongside sea lions for 30 minutes—the maximum time allowed to protect the colony. A guide stays with you the whole time. After that, you get free time on either Playa Ensenada Grande or Playa La Partida, two of the quietest corners of the island. The boat crew sets up umbrellas and blankets on the sand, and you get included Punta Baja-style food prepared fresh—fish ceviche, horse mackerel salad, fruit, cookies and a turkey sandwich—plus drinks throughout. Satellite Wi-Fi runs on board if you want to share photos or stay connected.

The tour closes at Balandra, one of the most photographed beaches in the world. You walk down into the shallow turquoise water and explore the natural rock formations. It's the moment the whole day has been building toward, and it's designed to give you time to just stand there and take it in without rushing.

What’s included

Snorkeling equipment.
certified guide in English or Spanish.
pickup from nearby marinas.
use of umbrellas and blankets on the beach.
fish ceviche, horse mackerel salad, fruit, cookies and turkey sandwich.
soft drinks and bottled water.
satellite Wi-Fi on board.
entry to the protected natural area.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Punta Baja Tours

Is this one for you?Small groups work best here—the tour is built around staying unhurried and keeping crowds off the beaches, so you're not competing with dozens of other snorkelers at the sea lion reef or hundreds of people at Balandra. If you want to snorkel with wildlife and end the day in a quiet place instead of a busy tourist beach, this one delivers both without the rush.