Isla Santa Catalina
The most remote island in the Loreto Bay Marine Park, known for giant barrel cacti found nowhere else in the world and for its rattlesnakes. It is a top diving destination.
Isla Santa Catalina lies about 65 km from Loreto, a boat trip of roughly two hours. The island is home to the endemic giant barrel cactus (Ferocactus diguetii) and the Santa Catalina rattlesnake, which lacks a rattle. These species have earned the island the nickname 'the Galápagos of the Gulf of California'. Visibility in the surrounding waters is high, making it a popular dive site for seeing schools of fish, sea lions and rays. It can only be reached on full-day diving or expedition tours, which cost about US$150–200 per person, and it is heavily affected by weather.
Opening hours
Full-day tours 07:00–17:00 (weather permitting)
Nearby sights
- Loreto Bay National Park & Blue Whale Watching
- Isla Danzante
- Isla del Carmen
- Playa Juncalito
- Tabor Canyon
- Malecón de Loreto
- Mission of Our Lady of Loreto
- Museum of the Jesuit Missions