A guide to diving in Baja California

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Baja California, a rugged and diverse peninsula in Mexico, offers some of the most sought-after diving experiences in the world. Its rich marine environments range from tranquil bays with turquoise waters to vibrant coral reefs and deep underwater canyons rich in marine megafauna. This guide will take you through the top destinations for diving in Baja California and the incredible dive encounters that awaits.

Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo is a UNESCO World Heritage site and Mexico’s first marine reserve. It boasts one of the most diverse marine ecosystems in the region and is a stunning area to visit. It is famous for having large schools of jacks, snappers, pelagic fish, and healthy coral formations that provide habitat for various reef fish and invertebrates.

This beautiful dive destination is far off the beaten path; it lies at the end of a long unsealed road that winds through cactus-covered landscapes and past azure-colored bays

When to visit:

May to November is the peak diving season at Cabo Pulmo, with water temperatures ranging from 23-28°C (73-82°F). This period coincides with the peak of marine life activity in Cabo Pulmo.

Experience level:

Cabo Pulmo is suitable for all experience levels. The dive conditions are generally easy but there are sometimes strong currents, waves, and surf launches to get to the dive sites. A Waves, Tides, and Currents certification is recommended to get more confident with those conditions.

La Paz

La Paz, the capital city of Baja California Sur, is a gateway to some of the most spectacular diving in the Sea of Cortez. Known as the “Aquarium of the World” by Jacques Cousteau, the Sea of Cortez offers diverse marine environments, from rich coral reefs to deep underwater canyons that host marine megafauna.

The coral reefs around La Paz are home to a vibrant array of tropical fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. The clear waters and healthy reefs provide excellent conditions for underwater photography. Further afield, you can encounter La Paz’s most famous marine life; schooling mobula rays, orcas, whale sharks, whales, and sea lions.

Espiritu Santo Island is a must-visit for sea lion enthusiasts; Los Islotes is famous for its large sea lion colony. There you can dive and snorkel with sea lions and playful pups at a shallow rocky reef.

El Bajo near Cerralvo Island is renowned for its underwater pinnacles and is known for sightings of large pelagics, including hammerhead sharks and manta rays, particularly during the spring and summer months. This area is ideal for experienced divers looking to explore deeper waters and encounter larger fish.

When to visit:

The best time to go diving at La Paz depends on the marine life you want to see. For whale sharks and sea lions, visit from November to April. Manta rays are seen from May to October, whilst schooling hammerheads, orcas, and mobula rays are spotted from April to July.

Experience level:

The vast bay of La Paz has calm, warm waters suitable for all dive experience levels. It is a very sheltered bay and offers excellent dive and snorkeling conditions.

Magdalena Bay

For something completely different, head west to Magdalena Bay. This bay is a hidden gem that few divers know about. There are dive sites to enjoy at Magdalena Bay but the real highlight is experiencing Mexico’s sardine run.

Millions of sardines migrate up the coast past Magdalena Bay each year and form huge bait balls. These constantly moving bait balls attract an impressive array of pelagics and marine megafauna. Watching marlin and dorado hunting the sardines is a breathtaking experience and they are often joined by sea lions, a variety of sharks, dolphins, and even humpback and fin whales.

When to visit:

Visit from October to December for the sardine run.

Experience level:

The sardine run is suitable for snorkelers and freedivers. You need to be comfortable in open-ocean conditions with swell and expect long days on the water enjoying the action.

Cabo San Lucas

Diving in Cabo San Lucas offers something for everyone, with easy dive sites close to shore and more thrilling experiences a little further out to sea. One of the most renowned dive sites is Gordo Banks, located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) offshore. This site is famous for its deep waters and strong currents, which attract large pelagic species. Divers at Gordo Banks often encounter hammerhead sharks, as well as the occasional whale shark and manta rays.

Another notable site is Land’s End, known for its iconic Arch Rock formation and diverse marine ecosystem. Here, you can explore vibrant coral reefs and rocky outcrops teeming with tropical fish, plus sea lions, and occasional larger species like rays and sharks.

Pelican Rock offers a more sheltered dive experience, with calm waters and excellent visibility. It’s ideal for spotting a variety of reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and playful sea lions.

When to visit:

Cabo San Lucas is a bustling town and a year-round diving destination, with warm water temperatures ranging from 22-28°C (72-82°F) and good visibility. During the winter months (December to April), you are likely to spot humpback whales as they migrate along the coast.

Experience level:

Cabo San Lucas diving is suitable for all experience levels.

The Socorro Islands

Join a liveaboard at Cabo San Lucas and after a 30-hour ocean crossing you will reach one of the most remote dive destinations on Earth; the Socorro Islands. These remarkable volcanic islands are famous for their pelagic life and impressive diving.

Each island has its dive highlights but the giant oceanic manta rays steal the show. They are seen at many of the dive sites and often interact with divers, hovering in their stream of bubbles and gliding by at close range.

As well as mantas, the Socorro Islands host numerous sharks, including hammerheads, whale sharks, and tiger sharks, plus bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, and schooling pelagic fish.

When to visit:

The Socorro Islands’ peak diving season is from November to May.

Experience level:

Diving at the Socorro Islands is challenging and best suited to experienced divers. That said, you do get new divers on the dive boats and there is plenty for them to enjoy. To get the most out of the Socorro Islands, you need to be comfortable with blue-water diving, safety stops without a reference point or guideline, have excellent buoyancy skills, and be comfortable in swell, currents, and surge. If you are happy with that, this destination promises some of the best diving of your lifetime !

What else does Baja California have to offer?

As well as world-class diving, Baja California is a great place to relax and enjoy some beach time, sunshine, and fantastic food. The locals are very friendly, there is a diverse array of culinary and cultural experiences to enjoy, and the beaches are beautiful. This peninsula is also famous for its whale watching, particularly gray whales, humpback whales, sperm whales, and blue whales.

Kathryn Curzon, a shark conservationist and dive travel writer for SSI (Scuba Schools International), wrote this article.