Isla Coronados boat trip

No whale season needed for this one. Coronados is an uninhabited volcanic island in Loreto Bay National Park, and the boats from Loreto circle it, pull up by the sea lion colony, then stop for snorkelling in clear water. Pelicans, gulls and petrels use the rocks, blue-footed boobies turn up, and dolphins and turtles are often seen on the way out.

It takes about four hours with hotel pickup, and most trips include snorkel gear, drinks and a light lunch; some run in the morning and others in the late afternoon so the ride back catches the sunset. The island has a light-sand beach, and sixteen species of reptile live ashore, two of them rattlesnakes. It is part of the park, so a park bracelet is needed and boats usually supply it. Swimming with the sea lions is not always allowed.