Aquarium of the World: San Jose Lagoon Estuary, Birds, and Baby Turtles on the Sea of Cortez
The Sea of Cortez truly lives up to its nickname, the Aquarium of the World. During our stay in San Jose del Cabo, we witnessed incredible biodiversity, from birds to baby turtles, several hundreds of species of fish, and even humpback whales.
A Routine Beach Walk Leads to a Surprise
We made it a routine to take walks along the beach of the Sea of Cortez, and on one of these strolls, we came across the beautiful San Jose Lagoon Estuary, also called Playa del Estero. We had not realized it was so close to our resort, and we actually had to check online to see that such a large estuary was within walking distance.
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The San Jose Lagoon Estuary – San Jose del Cabo
The Stunning San Jose Lagoon Estuary
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Egrets and ducks – San Jose Lagoon
This is where water from inland or freshwater sources meets the Sea of Cortez, creating a rich habitat for birds, turtles, and other wildlife. The water was dark blue, with green floating plants bordering the lagoon, giving it a serene, almost magical feeling. To one side of us stretched the calm waters of the lagoon, while on the other side lay the vast expanse of the Sea of Cortez. At the point where the lagoon curved, the sea
and the lagoon were separated by only a thin strip of land, and from there we could see both waters side by side, a view that was both stunning and unique. The lagoon was framed by the mountains in the distance, creating a perfect backdrop for photography.
A Haven for Birds
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Pelicans and gulls ready for flight along the Sea of Cortez
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Mexican ducks and ducklings on a tiny island in the San Jose Lagoon
During our visits, we saw hundreds of birds, pelicans gliding gracefully over the water, egrets standing still like statues, vultures with their bright red heads searching along the shoreline, and tiny least sandpipers darting in every direction. The flock of least sandpipers was incredible, hundreds of them flying in groups above our heads every minute. Every turn brought us a new excitement. We could hear the gentle sound of the waves lapping against the shore, and the calls of pelicans, doves, and least sandpipers flying so close overhead that it felt like we were right in the middle of their world. The mix of colors, movement, and life around the lagoon kept us captivated.
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A narrow strip of land separates the San Jose lagoon from the Sea of Cortez.
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Turkey Vulture at the San Jose Lagoon
Baby Turtles’ First Adventure
One evening, during a beach walk along the long stretch of sand, we were delighted to see baby turtles being released into the Sea of Cortez by a local conservatory. These little turtles were only about three hours old, and watching them crawl across the sand was so funny, many ended up upside down, shaking their tiny legs in every direction as they tried to reach the water.
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Newborn turtles being released into the Sea of Cortez
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Baby turtles – just 3 hours old
The waves kept flipping them, and some had to be gently redirected to the sea. Seeing these newborn turtles on their first adventure into the ocean was both heartwarming and amusing.
A Living Aquarium
The lagoon, birds, and turtles made the Sea of Cortez feel like a living aquarium. We also went snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas, in the Sea of Cortez, where we saw thousands of colorful fish swimming all around us. We were lucky enough to spot sea lions playing in the water, seagulls gliding above, and even a whale in the distance. You can also link back to our resort and beach experience in San Jose del Cabo to see how it all begins.
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