Part of the Cedros Island experience is appreciating the flora of the area, including its widlflowers.

Nonetheless, one of the purest reasons to visit the Cedros Island region is really quite simple; it's spectacular and unspoiled natural environment. A plethora of desert plants, many of which are endemic, punctuate the landscape in the arid climate at lower elevations, while aggregations of oak and the native Cedros pine sit atop the mountains at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet, where the primary source of water is the fog-borne moisture that is common to the island. Native animal groups also include specialized species of mule deer, rabbit, pack rat and horned lizard that are also endemic to the island.

Sixteen miles west of Cedros Island lies the San Benitos Island group that is made up of three islands and accounts for nearly 900 hectares. A lighthouse dating back to 1934 overlooks western San Benitos Island.

The island offers the greatest diversion of species and topography, and also has one of the islands' most interesting hiking trails, which circumnavigates the island from the fishing village to the lighthouse on the western side. Although there are no full time residents on San Benitos Islands, up to 70 people live in a small fishing camp on the west island during the duration of the abalone season.

Elephant seals enjoy the privacy of Cedros and San Benito islands.

During their respective breeding seasons, expansive colonies of elephant seals and sea lions fill almost every inch of beach on San Benitos Islands. The east island is the only breeding colony of the rare Guadalupe fur seal outside of Guadalupe Island. On the soft terrain, there are literally thousands of holes where species like storm petrels, auklets, shearwaters and murrelets nest.

The total population of this group of birds is estimated to be over 2.5 million. And, in 1999, an effort to eliminate the European rabbits introduced to these islands in the 1990s was successful.

Because of this effort, many species of plants, including endemics, are returning from the seed bank, or surviving roots. Without a doubt, the Cedros/Benitos archipelago represents one of the most prolific havens for terrestrial wildlife and marine species this side of the Galapagos Islands off the west coast off South America.

One thing is certain; whether you visit this magical region as an angler or an eco-tourist, you are bound to encounter a beautifully fascinating outdoor experience in one of Baja's most unique coastal island venues.

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