La Paz, Mexico is a land of stunning contrasts, where reddish limestone cliffs soar above crystalline turquoise seas and golden sunsets burnish deserts dotted with sentinel-like cardon cactus, elephant trees and thorny chollas. Nowhere is this beauty more astonishing than Espiritu Santo Island, a protected nature preserve at the northern tip of the Bay of La Paz in Baja California’s Sea of Cortez.

Corralito Beach on Espiritu Santo Island near La Paz, Mexico

On this island paradise, where cliffs meet sea and sky meets desert, astonishingly beautiful beaches have formed. Some of the better known include Punta Lupona, Playa Dispense, Playa San Gabriel, Ensenada de Pescadores, Candelero, Playa Ballena, Mesteno, and Playa Partido, but I was destined for a lesser known cove that the locals call Corralito Beach. I hopped out of the boat into thigh-high water, waded to shore, and climbed to the upper edge of the beach. As the boat vanished into the distance I surveyed my surroundings. Not a soul was to be seen and the only evidence of civilization was a flimsy shelter on a distant spit of sand, used occasionally by fishermen who camp on the island.

Rocky arms wrapped around the precious cove; on the left, a volcanic massif glittered in shades of black and red, while a limb of cactus-strewn desert jutted on the right. Between the two swept an exquisite white beach of powdery sand unmarred by footprints other than my own. Beyond the blinding white sand stretched the most gorgeous turquoise sea I have ever seen, with a coral reef within easy swimming distance.

The view from Corralito Beach on Espiritu Santo Island

I spent the better part of an hour snorkeling the reef before splaying on the beach to soak up some rays while enjoying a delicious box lunch. I was sad when the boat returned to pick me up, but happy to learn that camping is possible with a permit. Someday I will return with cooler, tent and sleeping bag and stay until I have had my fill of the amazing serenity at Corralito Beach.

Photo Credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels