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Gulf of California

Gulf of California
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The Islands and Protected Areas of the Gulf of California is a serial property including 244 islands and oceanic marine zones, described as "the world's aquarium".

This site in north-eastern Mexico is home to 39 percent of the world's total marine mammal species and a third of the world's marine cetacean species.

The protected area is located between Baja California and the Mexican State of Sonora. It encompasse the following protected zones:
- Upper Gulf and Colorado River Delta
- Islands of the Gulf
- Isla San Pedro Mártir
- El Vizcaíno Reserve
- Bahía de Loreto National Park
- Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
- Cabo San Lucas Reserve
- Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve
- Isla Isabel National Park
- Islas Marietas National Park
- Archipelago de San Lorenzo National Park

Year Decision Comments
2007ExtendedTo include the Islas Marietas National Park and the Archipelago de San Lorenzo National Park
2007Boundary changeTo include the Islas Marietas National Park and the Archipelago de San Lorenzo National Park
2005 Inscribed Reasons for inscription
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Reviews

Ashley Waddell (United States of America):
Visit the Gulf of California's crystal-clear waters and you'll thank God you learned to swim. You won't know which way to look as hundreds of fish species swim around you, going about their day in this sunny stretch of water.
Bring your sunscreen -- we were sunburned even through the t-shirts we wore snorkeling -- and watch out for sharks; this is prime habitat for both hammerheads and great whites. You'll be grateful you took the plunge, though, and we recommend camping on one of the islands rather than staying in La Paz or (God forbid) one of those tourist traps like Cabo San Lucas.
Date posted: June 2006


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