Massive 35,000 acre island ideal for Resort or Game Fishing This uninhabited, privately owned island is located off the east coast of Baja in the Sea of Cortez. It is approximately 60 miles east of a large city with airport. The island is 16 miles long, with an area of approximately 35,000 acres (14,000 hectares). Like most of the Baja peninsula it consists of arid desert vegetation and habitat. The landscape features a mountainous ridgeline and peaks with altitudes of up to 2100 ft. The ridgeline runs north-south, with streams draining east to west to coves and beaches along the Sea of Cortez. The ridgeline runs closer to the east shore, with high bluffs and steep cliffs overlooking the Sea of Cortez. The west coast consists of intermittent headlands, with westerly draining streams flowing into beaches and sandy points. The island is blessed with continuous spring-time climate, balmy nights and gentle breezes. FISHING The island is surely an angler's dream. Nature lovers delight in the beautiful and breathtaking views surrounding the region. It is surrounded by abundant sea life. The sea drops off to 300 fathoms within a mile on the channel side and down to 800 fathoms off the east side, provide the necessary ocean currents and the sea habitat for big-game fishing. The Sea of Cortez is renowned for its big game fishing. The waters around the island are rich with Golden Grouper, Broadbill Swordfish, Marlin, Sailfish, and other big game fish. To the north of the island is a vast area of coral reef suited for diving. The clear waters provide extraordinary visibility of up to 30 meters. Virtually all of the big game fish that migrate into the Sea of Cortez swim past the island. The ocean teems with life. Most of the traffic, sea-life and otherwise, travels through the Channel by the island on its journey up and down the Sea of Cortez. Local fishing operations do a wide-open business during the warmer months when migrating dorado, tuna, roosterfish, and billfish come up the channel between the Baja mainland and the island to mingle with the resident pargo, leopard grouper, and other reef species. AREA Besides fishing, the nearby city offers Old World charm, and a stately yet vibrant Mexican lifestyle found nowhere else in Baja. This charming city is large enough so tourists can really "get lost" and mingle with the friendly Mexican population. Most activities are centered around the beautiful waterfront malecon that is lighted at night, and during the summer months this boulevard offers strollers a pleasant place to meet friends and enjoy a taco or an ice cream cone from the famous shop near the municipal pier. It's a great place to walk the cobblestone streets, sit on a bench, or cruise the narrow alleys looking for bargains in the multitude of shops where few tourists go. There city is surrounded by sweeping vistas, limpid seas, remote islands and silent little bays, visited by no one in particular, and it is this marvelous mix of the old and the new that make Baja California the world-class tourist fishing destination that it has become today. And all this only a couple of hours from LAX. POTENTIAL With one of the best, most consistent climates in the world, development of an exclusive resort would appeal to tourists from around the world. The island has been classified as a National Treasure, but it is privately owned and can be sold. However, there are some restrictions as to what you can do with the Island. Major development is out of the question although a helicopter landing pad is fine, a small marina with dock is fine, several homes built environmentally correct or ecologically natural with eco tourism in mind. This island would not be suitable for high impact development, golf course etc. The best type of architecture would be buildings using local materials such as stone, palm, bamboo, saltillo tiles wood etc. for guests that fit into the natural environment. A slope analysis was performed to identify the natural areas with relatively steep slopes and those with gentler slopes that will allow development. The southerly portion of the island offers the most potential, and is in area approximately the size of the nearby city. Development of the island will require installation of a power generating plant, a desalination plant for drinking water, and a sewage treatment facility for reclamation and re-use of treated effluent for irrigation of golf courses and greenbelts. Solar energy should also be a consideration in the development of The island. In addition, there is the possibility of using deep water temperature difference to supplement the generation of electricity. The developer should consider joint venturing or coordination with cruise lines to make this island a regular stop on their voyage of the Mexican Riviera. The future approval of gaming and casinos by the Federal government should also be an important component in the development of the island. GETTING THERE The island is located just 30km by sea or road from the city with major airport, and all tourism amenities. Every year, Baja fishing waters become increasingly accessible as more and more people drive south on the Mexican peninsula's 1,070-mile Transpeninsular Highway or fly down to the international airports at Loreto, La Paz, and Los Cabos.