Snorkeling with whale sharks in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Flickr/Julie Edgley

Snorkeling with whale sharks in La Paz, Baja California Sur. Flickr/Julie Edgley

Whales, Sea Lions and Gray Whales: Adventures in La Paz.

The Sea of Cortez has been called the aquarium of the world. This three-part series for Go World Travel Magazine explores three different ways to experience its rich marine life up close.

Part 1: Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez
Part 2: Snorkeling with Sea Lions in the Sea of Cortez
Part 3: Humans and Gray Whales Meet at Magdalena Bay

Swimming with whale sharks.

Swimming with whale sharks. Flickr/ Olivier ROUX

Read part one: Swimming with Whale Sharks in the Sea of Cortez
From October to February, whale sharks visit the Sea of Cortez. Getting close to them is unforgettable. 

 

Snorkeling with sea lions in the Sea of Cortez.

Snorkeling with sea lions in the Sea of Cortez.

Read part two: Snorkeling with Sea Lions in the Sea of Cortez
The Sea of Cortez is rich with wildlife, including one of the largest sea lion colonies in Mexico. At Los Islotes, a small island at the northern end of Isla Espiritu Santo near La Paz, you can dive or snorkel with these playful creatures. 

 

Gray whales in Magdalena Bay in the Sea of Cortez. Photo by Janna Graber

Gray whales in Magdalena Bay in the Sea of Cortez. Photo by Janna Graber

Read part three: Humans and Gray Whales Meet at Magdalena Bay
In Mexico’s Magdalena Bay, the curiosity between humans and whales is mutual.