Isla Coronado (Isla Smith)
Bahia de los Angeles, Baja California, Mexico
Isla Coronado, also called Isla Smith on some charts, is an uninhabited island about 5.5 km long, crowned by a volcanic cone at its north end, off Bahia de los Angeles in Baja California, Mexico. The sandy beaches around its lagoon are the most protected. The best camping is on the west side, near the islet of Isla Mitlan.
An uninhabited volcanic island with protected sandy beaches, though the crossing and the lack of any services need planning.
How we score beachesPaddlers often launch from Punta La Gringa, the closest point to the island. Camp on the west side near Isla Mitlan, and bring water.
No road access. Cross by kayak or boat from Punta La Gringa or the village harbor.
Arrival is by boat onto sand with no facilities. The most protected beaches are around the island's lagoon.
Whale sharks arrive from roughly June to December, with the best viewing from August through November, though sightings are never guaranteed. Summers are very hot, and the water warms to the high 20s Celsius.
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