After a wonderful Christmas, we left Puerto Ballandra on Boxing Day and made our way from the west, around the northern tip of Isla Carmen and over to the east side of the island where we anchored off the ghost town of Bahia Salinas. That afternoon, we hopped in the dinghy and made our way to shore where we wandered through the remnants of the old commercial operation before heading to the salt pond. The salt pond stretched as far as the eye could see, with mounds of salt scattered around, creating a stunning sight that resembled snow from a distance. A new business is emerging in place of the old operation, featuring a large beachside palapa lodge constructed alongside the ruins of the salt operation and a quaint church. The lodge accommodates guests for hunting bighorn sheep and fishing outings.

There is a sunken fishing boat which can be found in the centre of the bay at Bahia Salinas and it has has evolved into an underwater habitat teeming with a variety of marine life. We anchored our sailboat just off the wreck site and eagerly swam over to discover its mysteries. It was an intriguing experience, keeping us on edge as we wondered what creatures might emerge from the depths of the wreck. This location proved to be an excellent opportunity for the kids to see and explore the wonders of the ocean and the land of the past.

Isla Carmen is almost 20 miles long and sits about 10 nautical miles from Loreto, just north of Isla Danzante, with a deep water passage in between the two. Watch out for Danzante Reef, a tricky underwater formation about 3 miles south-southeast of Punta Baja, lurking around 4 feet deep at low tide. This rugged island might look a bit barren, but after the summer rains, it comes alive with lush green grass and colorful wildflowers. Although Isla Carmen is part of Loreto Bay National Park, some areas are privately owned, and you need to get permission for hiking and access.