Salt Flats of Mexico: An Unusual Oasis in the Desert

Flying into our airstrip at San Ignacio Lagoon, your eyes are drawn to a dazzling white expanse stretching to the horizon — one of the salt flats of Mexico. Gleaming under the Baja sun and framed by rugged mesas, they create a surreal, almost dreamlike landscape in the heart of the desert. It’s here, on Baja California Sur’s Pacific Coast, that you’ll find one of nature’s spectacles. Mike Lever, President of Nautilus Dive Adventures, shares why this glistening wonder is not to be missed…

Salt Flats of Mexico: Salina El Cuarenta

Nestled under a towering mountain range, the Salina el Cuarenta salt flats appear to be in the wrong biosphere. Many of the flats are light brown in colour.  Some are more of a taupe or cream colour.  And some are an amazing brilliant white. The flats are huge, extending for miles in every direction and perfectly flat. The north side of the lagoon is my favourite place to go ashore. The white sand beach and small dunes are as soft as talcum powder, and my favourite spot is bounded by mangroves on one side, a 20-metre band of green vegetation and then light-coloured taupe salt flats as far as you can see, all the way to the steep sided mesas. The salt turns to white several miles away.

…Last time I was there, we were greeted by three coyotes and flocks of birds, including herons, ospreys, and beautiful white egrets. The place felt like it was teeming with life and had a wonderful, calm energy.  I was very glad of the opportunity to walk out into the flats under the desert sun and absorb the absolute stillness and beauty of it.”

What Is a Salt Flat?

Salt flats, or salt pans, are vast expanses of land where salts and minerals gleam white under the desert sun. They form in basins without natural drainage where occasional water and rainfall collect, but can only escape through evaporation. Over thousands of years, minerals concentrate and crystallize at the surface, building the striking salt crusts we see today. The result is a landscape that resembles an endless, shimmering ice rink in the middle of the desert.

The most famous flats in San Ignacio are the Salinas. Located on the south side of the lagoon, brilliant white in colour, and nestled against the distant mesas. As your eyes adjust to the dazzling brightness, you’ll begin to notice hexagonal-like patterns stretching across the surface. These geometric patterns form as the salt crust expands and contracts with cycles of heat, evaporation, and desiccation. It’s a natural phenomenon that slowly sculpts this otherworldly landscape.

Off-the-Beaten Track Adventure

It’s not easy to get to these flats but it’s worth it. Last time I was there, we left camp in our 4×4 truck and drove through the local fishing village. Then, out along a bumpy, dirt road for 25 teeth-rattling minutes. The whole time looking out for a tiny wooden sign, painted white and faintly lettered “salinas” with an arrow… I’m not quite sure where we would have ended up if we had missed the sign! Was the drive worth it? Absolutely! Pristine beautiful white salt flats as the far as the eye can see. We walked around for quite a while and didn’t want to leave. The best part was that I got to bring a bag of genuine mineral salt home for our kitchen.

Camera, Lights, Action!

Insider tip: bring a camera! The aesthetic of these salt flats makes them a wonderful destination for avid photographers. Albeit tricky due to the harsh lighting, it will really test your skills in getting that perfect shot. With stunning sunrises and sunsets, plus a rugged mountain range backdrop. Capturing this otherworldly place in all its glory will be a gratifying experience. Not to mention, the undisturbed view of the millions of stars above when visiting during the night.

If you’re looking for an alternative activity, a dream photoshoot location, or even just some salt for your tequila… Why not check out Salina el Cuarenta to add to your Baja Expeditions adventure!

Interested in visiting the Salt Flats of Mexico? Join our wilderness glamping expedition to San Ignacio Lagoon, and meet the world’s friendliest gray whales. Explore the cactus-studded desert in search of coyotes, and marvel at the white, gleaming salt flats of Salina el Cuarenta.

Image credit: David Serradell