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The Sea of Cortez
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Known for its shimmering turquoise waters,
The Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California, is a
spectacular, partially-enclosed sea that lies
between the Baja California Peninsula and the
Mainland of Mexico. Bordered by the states
of Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora
and Sinaloa, the Sea of Cortez in the east
separates Baja from the mainland portion of
Mexico, while the western shore is met with
the Pacific Ocean. To the south, The Sea of
Cortez laps up against La Paz, San Carlos
and San Jose del Cabo. To the north, two
remarkably different but inextricably-linked
worlds meet, as open desert suddenly spills
into a beautiful, sparkling coastline.
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The Sea of Cortez is unique in several ways:
it receives more sunlight than any other sea
(340-plus days of sunshine per year), it has
extreme depths of greater than 2 miles, and
it contains three distinct currents. The result
is an abundance of microscopic plankton,
the stable diet of marine life. Thus, in this
environmentally-preserved ecosystem,
the wealth of marine wildlife is unequalled
anywhere in the northern hemisphere. It
has been described as “Ferocious with life,”
by writer John Steinbeck, while legendary
diver Jacques Cousteau referred to the Sea of
Cortez as the “world’s aquarium.”
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In 2005, hundreds of islands in Mexico’s Sea
of Cortez were declared World Heritage Fund
sites by United Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as it is
home to one-third of the world’s whale and
dolphin species. The Sea of Cortez houses
twelve species of annual whales; including the
Blue Whale (the largest animal that inhabits
the planet), Humpback Whales and California
Gray Whales, who travel between 4,000 –
5,000 miles from the Arctic Sea to reach
the choice lagoons which have become their
annual birthing grounds.
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A naturalist’s delight both above and below the waters, the Sea of Cortez is a world-class
scuba-diving and deep-sea snorkeling destination. In this gigantic aquarium, you can swim
with the sea lions and see brightly-colored tropical fish of every size and description, starfish,
shellfish, sea urchins, seals, dolphins, large schools of manta rays, flying mobula, seahorses,
octopus, sea turtles, and so much more. With its abundance of sea life, it should come as
no surprise then, that the Sea of Cortez has long been a magnet for world-class sport fishing
enthusiasts, boasting many world records. It is home to the most sought-after and coveted
species such as Striped, Blue, and Black Marlin, Dorado, Roosterfish and Yellowtail.
Topside, the Sea of Cortez is equally a boater’s dream, replete with deserted islands, unspoiled
white sand beaches, secret coves and uninhabited islets, perfect for a sailing, cruising or
kayaking expedition. Enjoy a Baja fishing excursion or a whale-watching expedition, either
from your own boat, or join a charter. With over 8,000 miles of coastline to explore, the
sky’s the limit. From beachcombing to wildlife viewing of all kinds, there is never a shortage
of things to do in this off-the-beaten-path region of Mexico. Boating excursions and cruises,
kayaking around the Sea of Cortez islands or along the Baja coastline, cultural and historical
tours, sight-seeing and day trips into town, or from La Paz to many regional attractions,
these are just a few options. And for the bolder of the adventurous, enjoy wind surfing, wake
boarding and kite surfing. The list of possibilities is endless: camping, hiking, walking tours,
mountain biking and ATV tours are just some of the ways to enjoy the breathtaking landscape.
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