Wildlife· Isla Espíritu Santo· Mexico
Bahía San Gabriel Lagoon and Frigatebird Rookery
24° 26.4′ N · 110° 22.2′ W · approximate
Behind the long beach of Bahía San Gabriel a narrow channel leads to the mangrove-fringed lagoon, where thousands of magnificent frigatebirds nest - best seen sitting quietly in a kayak or dinghy.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: the enclosed water body mapped (from Bing imagery) in OpenStreetMap at the back of Bahía San Gabriel. Geoff Schultz (s/v BlueJacket, May 2011) found 'a Frigate bird rookery inhabited by thousands of nesting birds' with chicks in the nests and watched from the dinghy; he noted water flowing through a point where the way in 'gets really narrow'. Bahía San Gabriel is part of Restricted Use Subzone 1 (a core zone): small boats and low-impact tourism are permitted, large boats may not anchor and fishing of any kind is prohibited; Club Cruceros says the entire bay is closed to yacht anchoring. Visit by kayak or dinghy from a nearby anchorage, keep 50 m (164 ft) from bird colonies as the park rules require, and enter the lagoon on a rising tide. Park bracelet or annual passport required.
Best for
Birdwatching by kayak
Nearby
- Fang Ming Wreck0.6 NM away
- Bahía San Gabriel (Isla Espíritu Santo)0.8 NM away
- Ensenada La Gallina (Isla Espíritu Santo)1 NM away
- San Gabriel Pearl Farm Ruins1.3 NM away
- Caleta El Gallo1.6 NM away
- Isla Gallo and Gallina Snorkel1.8 NM away
- Ensenada de la Dispensa (Espíritu Santo South End)1.9 NM away
- Ensenada de la Ballena2.1 NM away