The largest island for sale in the World: Its surface area is 182,962km2(70,642sqmi),the sixth-largest island in Mexico.

The coast and islands of the Baja California Peninsula in the sea of Cortez, Mexico, are among the most beautiful and captivating regions in the world. Not only for its secluded coves and wide sandy beaches or its crystal warm waters and breathe taking landscape, but also, for its diversity of land and sea flora and fauna.

In this context and located 50 miles north of La Paz and 50 miles south of Loreto is Isla San José, the biggest in the state and one of the very few private islands in Mexico, this since 1887. The historical use of Isla San José is a documented fact: first, as home to the Pericú Indians, later came the commercial exploitation of oyster pearls, it also had military and trading outposts, mining for gold and silver, the extraction of organic dyeing tints, solar salt production, hunting, commercial shore fishing, fisherman’s camps and a couple of cattle ranches. This different uses of the island have always been linked to the historical economic growth of Baja California Sur and its inhabitants.

Today, a more responsible use for the island is required to insure its long term sustainability. The challenge has been to establish a balance between conservation and economic growth. After careful planning, the owners established a strategic plan that allocates 98% of the property for an Ecopark and 2% for tourist development and infrastructure. The development of 2% of the property does not put in jeopardy the species of flora and fauna of the island, since they are all well represented in the rest of the property and most of the Baja peninsula.

The Isla San José project has as one of its regional objectives, the establishment of an “Ecotourism Nautical Corridor” between “La Paz” and “Loreto”, to help consolidate this region as a single ecotourism integrated destination; the establishment of a marina and a cruise ship dock in Isla San José will provide, to nautical tourism in the sea of Cortez, a strategic technical support and alternative services. It will also shorten distances and increase security for navigation in the island regions. At present, the existing and potential pleasure crafts do not have the range to travel from “La Paz” to “Loreto” (180 km/ 111 mi), so this infrastructure will also help increase tourism & ecological cruises, benefiting the entire region.

The Ecopark can accomplish various goals: to safeguard the natural environment of the property; to develop programs that enhance knowledge and awareness for the preservation of the natural resources of this and other islands; to establish a synergy between ecology, geology and science with tourism, this not only to produce information, but to generate economic resources for conservation, restoration and the reproduction of priority species of the Island, and, finally to establish areas where academic and research institutes, national and foreign, can set up facilities for field studies and research.

Priority actions for the Ecopark include: the identification and evaluation of sites of interest, i.e.: ecologic, geologic, historic, panoramic views or recreational, as well, as nautical, diving, kayaking or fishing sites; to implement measures to guide and regulate their use and enjoyment; to establish trails to the sites, their capacities, as well as, signs and directions; to identify flora on trails in order to provide information and implement their protection; to establish rest areas, observation stops and services on the trails, as well as areas for camping, its capacities and services. In addition, establish areas for access control, monitoring and security.

Other priority programs are: the establishments of a “Technical Scientific Advisory Board”, to monitor, supervise and advise the actions and programs of the Ecopark; to establish an ecologic and economic management program; to generate strategic alliances and agreements with research and academic institutions for the development of flora and fauna reproduction programs; to set up a program specifically design to promote the participation of the local population; and to establish a management program to eradicate the goat population.

Activities and services will include, to name a few only: guided day or overnight trips to the interior or beaches of the island, with food and camping equipment; guided photo safari day or overnight trips, on foot or on horse back; guided field trips for observation of birds and land or sea mammals; guided geology and ecology day or overnight trips; guided astronomic over night trips; guided boat trips to islets and keys (this includes a glass bottom boat); guided snorkeling, kayaking or fishing with the local fisherman day trips; fieldtrips for the collection of rocks, minerals and fossil for a museum; special conference, seminars or scientific events; special conservation programs (Amigos de Isla San José Membership Club); tourist and student participation in scientific research programs. The instruction handbook for tour guides and operators will be done with the participation of the scientific and academic communities; also the edition of a booklet with the Rules and Regulations for visitors, as well as for employees.

The necessary economic resources to make this project feasible will come from the development of infrastructure for the interpretation of nature (Theme Parks) and from infrastructure for tourism, as well as, from tourist activities and services. The object of the “Theme Parks” is to establish areas within the Ecopark where visitors that don’t have too much time (day trips or cruise ships), can enjoy and observe the natural beauty on specific sites and to interact with out affecting the environment; also, places where they can receive information and develop a better conservation experience. The Theme Parks are planed as windows or natural museums; they also act as filters that reduce the desire and the pressure of visitors to explore on their own and randomly, this or other islands in the sea of Cortez.

The tourist infrastructure in only 2% of the property includes: five strategic sites for visitors lodging facilities (Spanish style cabins) with up to 60 units per site; four concealed along the 83.5 kilometers (52 Mi) of coast line and only one in the interior. Besides there are five exclusive areas assigned for villas or houses on the beach and five inland, between 25 and 30 per site, also carefully concealed and away from any critical conservation zones. A marina and airstrip are planed in the old salt flats.

This is a responsible and professional project, planed to be developing in a 15 year period. Other Countries with similar Islands resource have been able to find the mechanisms to benefit from them and generate well being, jobs and the resources to protect and conserve them. This is how the development and protection of the Galapagos Islands has come about, generating important revenue for Ecuador, the same happens in the Caribbean, Polynesian, Hawaiian and the Channel Islands of California, where some are national parks, some are for military use and one, Catalina, privately owned, is partly developed (13%) and contributing to the California Economy. Today, a grand project to develop some of the Islands of Croatia (1,187) is underway and the Islands in the Mediterranean substantially support the European economy. The sea of Cortez has more than 925, Islands, Islets and Keys. Of this, 147 are in the State of Baja California Sur. Isla San José the largest, can definitely contribute to the economic and sustainable development of the region, generating well being to its inhabitants.

The Isla San José project represents a unique opportunity to consolidate regional economic development in the La Paz- Loreto region, offering new and organized spectacular attractions and activities. This will help launch and guarantee sound and much needed economic and social development in this unique and unspoiled region. The synergy generated by this plan will open new job opportunities for local fisherman and real and exiting options for students and the scientific community.

The fundamental objective of the Isla San José Project is to explore under new terms of cooperation among the public and private sector, a sustainable regional development, one that will allow the coexisting between socio-economic development and the conservation of the environment. The Project provides a responsible and feasible alternative, with an economic incentive to conserve, protect and restore areas that would otherwise be impossible to safeguard and protect for future generations.