Visit Seal Island in San Carlos

San Pedro Nolasco Island is situated in the Sea of Cortez, about 17 miles west of the beautiful Mexican beach town of San Carlos. Its nickname, “Seal Island,” is a bit of a misnomer: There are no seals to be found on or near the island. The name is actually a reference to the population of sea lions that can often be seen soaking up some sun on its rocky shores or swimming and playing in the water nearby. Like all of the islands located in the Sea of Cortez, this one is a protected sanctuary. To go ashore, special permission must be granted. Most of the fun, though, is in the waters around the island.

It only takes an hour or two to reach Seal Island from San Carlos, and it’s a popular destination for tourists, especially those who want to swim and frolic with the sea lions. Past visitors have said that young animals are more than willing to show off underwater for human spectators. Visit San Carlos, Mexico, and you, too, can have the unique experience of swimming with the sea lions.

There are a number of companies in San Carlos that can take you to Seal Island, and many of these companies will also provide you with diving, snorkeling, or fishing gear. On the southeast end of the island, you can find a little cove called Magdalena Bay, an ideal place for divers to swim and play with the sea lions. The clear, shallow water offers swimmers and snorkelers amazing views of the bay’s varied sea life. In addition to the sea lions, you may catch glimpses of giant hawkfish, octopuses, starfish, and yellowtail, to name just a few of the species typically found there. You may even be visited by a pod of dolphins!

You don’t have to snorkel or dive to enjoy the sights of Seal Island and Magdalena Bay. If you don’t like to swim, you can observe the sea lions and their merrymaking from the comfort of your boat; many tourists have reported that that is a rewarding experience as well.

You don’t have miss out just because you’ve never been diving before. In fact, that’s all the more reason to give it a shot! Make your San Carlos vacation all about trying new things. Many of the dive shops that offer boat and diving tours to Seal Island also offer training from instructors who have been certified by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. After you’ve received training, you can feel confident and safe when you dive with the sea lions and other inhabitants of Seal Island.

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