Jacques Cousteau Island

Cerralvo Island was renamed Jacques Cousteau Island, after the famous French oceanographer by that name. This very special island, which is surrounded by abundant sea life, is located about ten miles south of Isla Espiritu Santo, on the inside Sea of Cortez, (the Gulf of California.) Jacques Cousteau island is part of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. It is situated approximately about 35 nautical miles from the port of La Paz. La Paz is the gateway city to the inside sea. It is the capital of Baja Sur, which includes the tourist destination cities of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Los Barriles, Todos Santos, Loreto, and several other tourist destinations.

Jacques Cousteau island, although somewhat remote, is a target destination for adventurers, nature lovers, divers, snorkelers, and sports fishers. The island's crystal-clear waters boast a variety of colorful fish species, and game fish like yellowtail, tuna, and dorado. Seasonally, the western channel that separates it from the Baja Peninsula is alive with striped marlin, black marlin, and the gigantic blue marlin.

The island's rich underwater environment is home to sea lions, dolphins, and even whale sharks, making it a prime location for marine exploration. Aside from its marine life and beaches, the island is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species. Its ecosystem includes a variety of cacti, desert vegetation, and wildlife, such as jackrabbits, foxes, and even rattlesnakes. Visitors to the island can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, bird watching, nature photography, swimming, snorkeling, diving, and fishing.

The former Cerralvo Island boasts a rich history. The island was first inhabited by indigenous people, who left behind a variety of rock art and petroglyphs. Later, in the 16th century, the island was visited by Spanish explorers, who named it after Francisco de Cerralvo, who was then the Viceroy of New Spain, which would eventually become the country of Mexico.
Jacque Cousteau was instrumental in having Cerralvo Island preserved for future generations. It was one of his favorite dive locations worldwide. Due primarily for his unceasing effort to preserve all the islands within the inside Sea of Cortez in a natural state, the island was renamed in his honor.