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Isla María Madre
Island in the Pacific Ocean off the Islas Marías
The largest of the Islas Marías, and the only one of the four that visitors may land on. Visits are run by the Mexican Navy, on its ships from Mazatlán or San Blas, and stay at Puerto Balleto from Friday to Sunday.
Near Isla María Madre
Islas Marías
An archipelago in the Pacific some 100 km off the coast of Nayarit: four islands and a few large rocks, a biosphere reserve since 2000. A federal prison until 2019, the islands now take visitors on María Madre alone, on trips the Mexican Navy runs.
Isla San Juanito
The smallest of the four Islas Marías, off the north-west end of María Madre. It is part of the biosphere reserve and closed to visitors: of the four islands, only María Madre may be visited.
Isla María Magdalena
The second-largest of the Islas Marías, south-east of María Madre. It is part of the biosphere reserve and closed to visitors: of the four islands, only María Madre may be visited.
Isla María Cleofas
The southernmost of the four Islas Marías. It is part of the biosphere reserve and closed to visitors: of the four islands, only María Madre may be visited.
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About Isla María Madre
The Navy's trips
María Madre is the only island of the Islas Marías Biosphere Reserve open to visitors. The Mexican Navy carries them, on its ships from Mazatlán or San Blas or on its aircraft, and guides them on the island. By CONANP's timetable a trip arrives at Puerto Balleto on Friday at 17:00 and sails again on Sunday at 11:00, and entry costs 750 pesos. We have not found that a private yacht may land or anchor here, so the island is not a day out on a charter.
The reserve
A presidential decree of 27 November 2000 made the four islands and their sea a biosphere reserve, and UNESCO named it a biosphere reserve in 2010. The islands held a federal prison from 1905 until 2019.