The Ultimate Guide to Ensenada Grande Beach
Ensenada Grande Beach (Playa Ensenada Grande) is a secluded beach nestled in a picturesque cove on Baja California Sur’s Isla Partida.
The beach is one of the few places where visitors can step onto the charming uninhabited island, which is protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, along with neighboring Isla Espiritu Santo.
With shallow, turquoise-blue water, it’s no wonder that so many visitors to nearby La Paz take day trips to this gorgeous beach.
If you’re hoping to spend a day at Ensenada Grande Beach, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn how to visit.
👋🏽 Note from the author: Did this article impact the way you planned your trip? Have any questions? Please comment at the end of the article! It helps this blog grow and helps me know what types of articles to write more. 💛
🌵 My La Paz Favorites 👙
🐋 Swimming With Whale Sharks: La Paz is one of the best places to dive with whale sharks. Do not miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Best whale shark tour.
👙 Hot Springs and Waterfalls Day Trip: Get off the beaten track at the Santa Rita Hot Springs and Fox Canyon Waterfall south of La Paz.
🌅 Balandra Beach: Called Mexico’s most beautiful beach, Playa Balandra is 30 minutes north of town and is a must-visit spot! Exceptional Balandra hiking tour.
⛵️ Sea of Cortez & Isla Espiritu Santo Boat Tour: A trip to La Paz is not complete without a day on the Sea of Cortez! Embark on your own private yacht for the day or join a group tour to explore Isla Espiritu Santo.
🌴 Where to Stay: An oceanfront suite outside on the outskirts of town at Orchid House, a gorgeous boho suite with a view near downtown La Paz at Residence Las Flores, or an airy boutique room at The Mantarraya Outpost.
Overview of Ensenada Grande Beach
Playa Ensenada Grande is the most commonly visited beach on Isla Partida, but it still feels like a remote paradise.
Most of the island’s visitors travel from La Paz, Baja California Sur’s capital city, which is about an hour away via boat. While you can get a permit to visit Isla Partida on your own, most visitors book a day trip with a local tour company.
Most day trips also include a snorkeling experience at nearby Los Islotes, where there is a large sea lion colony. This is a once-in-a-lifetime ecotourism experience, and I highly recommend it.
If you do choose to swim with sea lions, be sure to admire them from a respectful distance and wear a wet suit. Trust me, the water is ice cold and a wet suit makes the experience far more enjoyable.
Back to Ensenada Grande Beach—most tours stop at the beach for lunch after the sea lion experience.
Though its called Playa Ensenada Grande, which means the big cove beach in Spanish, the beach itself is not that large, and visitors are prohibited from exploring the island beyond the beach.
Thankfully, there is plenty to explore along the shoreline and in the water. The cliffs surrounding the cover are stunning, and there is decent snorkeling along the edges of the beach.
Stunning desert landscapes on Isla Partida
Insider Tips for Isla Partida, Isla Espritu Santo, and Los Islotes Day Trips
1. Expect bees at Playa Ensenada Grande
It is normal to encounter swarms of bees at Playa Ensenada Grande. But don’t let this scare you away! The beach is so worth visiting.
The bees will try to eat anything sweet that you have with you. To keep them at a distance, you can put a few pieces of ripe fruit on the ground away from your spot. This will keep them busy and eliminate the amount of bees trying to taste your food.
If you are allergic to bee stings, consider the risk of visiting Ensenada Grande Beach.
2. Bring sun protection
Make sure to bring everything you need to protect your skin from the sun.
Sunscreen is a must, and I also recommend investing in a UPF sun shirt and sun hat for your trip to Baja California. I recently got my first sun shirt and I love it! It’s a great way to shield your skin from damaging rays without having to reapply sunscreen over and over again.
3. Bring something warm for the boat ride Back
While the sun is powerful, the boat ride back to La Paz can get chilly, especially if you’re wet.
Even if its hot out, be sure to bring a sweatshirt, puffy jacket, or something else warm for the boat ride back. You’ll thank me later!
4. Wear a wet suit (If you swim with Sea Lions)
If you choose to swim with sea lions, do yourself a favor and rent a wet suit. Most (but not all) tour companies have wet suits available for rent.
I made the mistake of going on a tour with a company that did not have wet suits, and I regretted it the moment I jumped in the ice cold water at Los Islotes.
I was so cold, it was really challenging to enjoy the experience, and it almost felt like I was going into shock. My husband and dad had a better experience than me, but still wish they had wet suits as well.
Unless you’re very comfortable spending extended periods of time in cold water, or have a lot of fat on your body, be sure to rent a wet suit.
5. Bring a Gopro (or Underwater Phone Case)
Swimming with sea lions is such a special experience that you’ll want to capture. I highly recommend investing in a GoPro if you like snorkeling.
My GoPro HERO11 is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made as a frequent traveler to Mexico. I use it all the time, and it is such an upgrade from my 10-year-old GoPro. The new one has screens on both sides and incredible photo quality. Alternatively, you can also get an underwater phone case.
The gorgeous teal water of Ensenada Grande Beach
Top Rated Ensenada Grande Beach Tours
Ecomigrations Sea Lion, Whale Shark, and Beach Experience
★★★★★ 4.5/5 Stars out of 35+ reviews
Leaves from La Paz, Mexico
This is the tour I would take if I were to do it again. The trip includes swimming with sea lions at Los Isoltes, relaxing at Ensenada Grande Beach, and swimming with whale sharks. It is operated by a local ecotourism company and includes wet suits.
“Highly recommend the sea lion and whale shark tour from Eco Migrations. Our friendly and knowledgeable guide led us through an amazing day with lots of up-close wildlife encounters, while always prioritizing the well-being of the animals. Incredibly fun, educational, safe, and smoothly run. Don’t miss out!”
Review from Evan on Google
Luxury Yacht Cruise to Balandra Beach & Isla Espiritu Santo
★★★★★ 5/5 Stars out of 18+ reviews
Leaves from La Paz, Mexico
Rent a private yacht and explore the Sea of Cortez, including remote beaches like Playa Ensenada Grande. If you’re looking for a luxurious experience with a group of friends, this is it!
“My friends and I rented this yacht for a birthday and our experience was just absolutely incredible. Lester waited for us in the marina and saved us a parking spot right next to the entrance. The crew was amazing, they were always asking us if we were okay or if we needed another drink or more food. They made ceviche and also went down to the ocean to get us fresh oysters! They set up a little table with the cake and helped us sing happy birthday. Lester was great, the crew was great. 100% recommended.”
Review from Daniela on Viator
Where to Stay in La Paz
🌊 Orchid House: My top choice. This gorgeous boutique 5 star hotel is the place to stay for a La Paz honeymoon, anniversary, or other romantic getaway. The property perfectly blends luxury with the rustic desert landscapes of Baja Sur, overlooking the turquoise blue Sea of Cortez. It’s located a short drive north of downtown La Paz. Check Orchid House’s nightly prices.
🌺 Residence Las Flores: My favorite hotel near the La Paz Malecon. This highly-rated boutique hotel in downtown La Paz is teeming with unique charm, and is known for its friendly staff and inviting atmosphere. I love their suites that have outdoor hot tubs with a view of the sea. Check Residence Las Flores nightly prices.
🚠 The Mantarraya Outpost: This charming downtown La Paz bed and breakfast reminds me of hotels in Tulum and Oaxaca, with its minimalist yet boho design. The property features a beautiful pool and daily breakfast. Check Mantarraya Outpost nightly prices.
The Best Things to do in La Paz
☀️ La Paz beach hopping: La Paz is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Balandra Beach is the most famous, but I have a full guide to the best beaches in La Paz if you want some more places to sunbathe and swim.
👟 Wander along the La Paz Malecón: La Paz’s waterfront boardwalk is the place to be in La Paz. People watch, mingle with locals, and walk (or cycle) for miles beside the turquoise blue Sea of Cortez.
🐋 Go diving with whale sharks: If you visit La Paz during whale shark season, don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get in the water with the ocean’s largest fish! This whale shark tour led by a marine biologist is the best way to do it!
👙 Take a day trip to Santiago’s waterfalls and hot springs: Just over an hour south of La Paz you’ll find my two favorite Baja hidden gems, the Santa Rita Hot Springs and Fox Canyon Waterfall.
🛥 Join a Sea of Cortez boat tour: Whether you hire your own private yacht for the day or join a group boat tour, make sure you get on the water and explore all the Sea of Cortez has to offer!
Getting Around Baja California Sur
🚙 Renting a car: The most convenient way to get around Baja California Sur since public transportation is lacking. You can compare rental prices from various rental companies here. Just beware that stop signs are treated more like yield signs and the overall driving experience can be a little nerve-wracking.
🚍 Bus: A few private bus lines operate between La Paz and Cabo. I’ve had good experiences riding between downtown La Paz and the Cabo airport with EcoToursBaja, but booking on their website can be a little confusing!
🚌 Tours: You can get to some popular attractions around Baja California Sur on guided tours. Browse La Paz tours here to see if there is one that goes where you want to go!
🚕 Uber, Didi, and Taxi: The best way to get around La Paz. Uber is most popular amongst tourists, but Didi is another rideshare app that is typically cheaper and often has more drivers. I recommend having both apps on your phone. You can also take local taxis, but be sure to ask for the price before you get in the car.
Final Thoughts: Ensenada Grande Beach
A visit to Ensenada Grande Beach gives you a glimpse of the abundant natural beauty and biodiversity of Baja California’s protected islands. If you’re looking for a unique experience on a visit to La Paz, be sure to plan a visit to this beach.
And if you’re planning an upcoming Baja trip, be sure to take a look at my other La Paz Mexico travel guides so you don’t miss my favorite hidden gems!
