San Pedro Nolasco Island


San Pedro Nolasco Island, sometimes called Seal Island, is a small and rugged Mexican island in the Gulf of California. It is 4.2 km long by 1 km wide, and lies 15 km from the nearest point of the Mexican coast and about 28 km west of the resort town of San Carlos on the coast of the Sonoran Desert. The island is protected as a nature reserve and its coastal waters are well known as a sport fishing and diving site.

Flora and fauna

The island is home to an endemic cactus Echinocereus websterianus. Endemic fauna include the San Pedro Nolasco Island spinytail iguana and, formerly, Pemberton's deer mouse, a rodent which is now extinct. Large numbers of California sea lions frequent its surrounding waters and use the island as a haul-out.

Popular dive sites

Magdalena Bay

Magdalena Bay is a beautiful little protected cove on the southeast corner of the island. The water depths inside the bay are shallow, making it an excellent site for novice divers and snorkelers. Consistent water clarity and amazing bio-diversity offers even the most advanced divers an unforgettable experience. The gravel beach seems to be a favorite resting place with the sea lions. Large numbers of sea lion pups, guarded by a dominant male can be observed during the summer months.

Pelican Point

Transportation and island access

Arrangements for transportation to and from San Pedro Nolasco Island can be made through numerous charter boat operators and dive shops in nearby San Carlos. However, to go ashore at San Pedro Nolasco as well as most of the Islands in the Gulf of California a special permit must be purchased from the Mexican government. Such permits can be obtained at the local offices of the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas.