How about snorkeling with Mako sharks? The sailing companies typically provide all the scuba and snorkel gear you will need. Located in the Pacific Ocean 240 miles south of Cabo San Lucas, the uninhabited Socorro Islands offer a refuge for a wide variety of pelagic species and are one of thebest destinations in the worldto dive with big animal species. Right outside the marina, just a 5-10 minute boat ride from downtown , you will find interesting dive spots. North of Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Pulmo National Park offers scenic diving made for marine wildlife lovers. If there are people who want to learn to dive in your group, they can make the most of their vacations by learning how to scuba dive at Cabo. On non-diving days take a boat taxi from the marina to see the iconic Land's End arch and spot sea lions en route. From December through to May water temperatures are cooler and plankton blooms reduce visibility, however, this is the best time to spot hammerhead sharks and whales, as well as other deepwater species that migrate to warmer surface waters. In Cabo, water temperatures range from 68F/20C in March to 84F/29C in August/September. During the early summer and late autumn months huge schools of acrobatic mobula rays enter the bay for Frailes Rock in the south of the park is home to a lively sea lion rookery, and the shallow waters of the park allow great access to explore the fascinating macro and tropical fish of the inshore reefs. According to locals, the 8th of February of 1954, a loud noise was heard near The Archs coasts, soon after some vestiges where washed up on the beaches, but no ship was ever found. Gordo Banks is where you will find hammerhead sharks. One of thebest sites globally for diving with sharks, huge numbers of resident Galapagos, silky, oceanic whitetip, and hammerheads can be found schooling around the islands rocky pinnacles and steep reefs. In particular, visitors can experience one of the best places in the world to snorkel with whale sharks, as well as dive and snorkel with the entertaining sealion colony at Los Islotes. Call us today at +1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. Some people get concerned about swimming in cold, murky water. However, that can be equally as frightening to those who are amateur scuba divers. Among them: humpbacks, orcas, schooling mobula rays, blue whales, and even whale sharks. Also in Santa Maria Bay, large schools of Cortez rays can sometimes be spotted in the shallow water, and lucky divers may encounter a banded guitarfish. Those who are not ready for full scuba expeditions can enjoy snorkeling at several of these sites instead. Let's help you get started with ourGuide to Liveaboard Diving. Cabo San Lucas is diveable year-round, however, species sightings will vary with the season. Even though the Scuba Diving excursion to Marietas Islands does not include a visit to the famous Hidden Beach, you can take a specific tour that will take you there comfortably on a fast inflatable boat, from where you will jump to the water and swim -with a snorkel mask, to this iconic place. Resort overlooking the Cabo San Lucas Marina. Approximately 8 miles offshore at Cabo San Lucas, Gordo Banks is an exposed seamount and submerged plateau that attracts large ocean-going pelagics around its steep walls. There are also many mountain and other nature activities available, like mountain biking and ATV rides, waterfalls, hikes and even bungee jumping for the extreme sports lovers. Visiting Hidden Beach at the Marietas Islands can be a life-changing experience for some, so dont miss the opportunity while staying in Puerto Vallarta. Two hours north of Cabo San Lucas, on the eastern side of the Baja California Peninsula, La Paz offers an exciting diversity of dive sites including wrecks, caves, offshore pinnacles, and rocky reefs, as well as some sheltered inshore diving and snorkeling in the Bay of La Paz. 310-915-6677 However, it is during this winter season that you can also catch sight of some of the many Grey and Humpback whales that frequent the Sea of Cortez during those winter months. The rich Mexican dive scene makes Cabo San Lucas is perfectly located to support combination trips with several other world-class dive destinations. The North Wall near Lands End is home to a variety of eels, stingrays, puffer, box, cornet, and trumpetfish. road tripping in Baja California Operators will offer two or three dives a day at sites best suited to the divers experience. The course will take a couple of days of practice, on a pool first, and then in the ocean, plus some theory reading. You may want to rent a car during your stay in Cabo and visit nearby towns like Todos Santons and Cabo Pulmo - check out our friends guide to road tripping in Baja California Depending on the time of year, divers can encounter hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, and several types of whale, as well as a myriad of other local and migratory species. And, of course, lest we forget, Mexican food and drinks are always some of the best things you can indulge in. and stand up paddle boarding is also a popular pastime. humpback whales and their newborn calves? Snorkelers can spend hours exploring the nooks and crannies of the regions shallow bays, complete with sea lion encounters in San Lucas Bay. They also conduct recreational and technical scuba stingrays and eels, nudibranchs, seahorses, lobsters, angelfish and coral. courses. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. This area is also home to seahorses, moray eels, octopuses, and blennies that feed around the reef. This is the busy tourist season, and Cabo San Lucas transforms into a buzzing resort with plenty of activities on and off the water. Several operators in Cabo San Lucas offer non-divers a taste of the regions exciting marine diversity, running ocean safari trips to snorkel and free-dive with some iconic pelagic giants. Create unforgettable memories in Cabo by embarking on the adventure of a lifetime with our wide selection of world-class tours! diversity of dive sites including wrecks, caves, offshore pinnacles, and rocky reefs, as well as some sheltered inshore diving and snorkeling in the Bay of La Paz. Jacques Cousteau, the world-famous French oceanographer, once called Cabo the aquarium of the world. For skilled scuba divers, that may a kind of siren song, luring them out into the deeps to see the vibrantly colorful life of the coral reef at Lands End. This page wouldn't be possible without contributions from the following PADI members: Cabo San Lucas offers something for everyone, and the lively resort makes it a great holiday destination. Many liveaboards depart from Cabo San Lucas and may stop to dive the area on their way into the Sea of Cortez. Two seas melt into one off the coast of the Cabo San Lucas UNESCO Marine Park creating a hotspot for migrating pelagics. If you are traveling from farther away, you will usually arrive into Mexico City Airport or Los Angeles International Airport and take a connecting flight to Los Cabos (2-2h 30m). The marina also has a lot of restaurants, shops, bars, and nightclubs. However, this kind of atmosphere is really focused in on a few small areas. If you have lots of dive equipment, taxis, Uber, and bus services are plentiful. Rather than Spring breaks, many people choose to take their winter breaks here because they can get away from the cold and enjoy the warm crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Visit Sea of Cortez from October to June to swim with sea lions. Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) is the main international airport servicing the region and receives multiple daily flights from the US. A shallow site close to shore featuring an abundance of tropical species swarming amongst sea fans on a gently sloping bottom. Sheer walls and rock formations packed with life at Pelican Rock, underwater sand falls at North Wall, Guitar rays and Or encounters with gigantic, breaching From small fish to large marine mammals, you will enjoy your time at this Cabo San Lucas scuba diving site. of mobula rays? hours away. If you are ready for the best scuba in Mexico, it is time to head out with our Diving Tour at Lands End and the Arch. hang out among the boulders. The rest of the year stays relatively temperate with the occasional thermocline - causing a unique shimmering glass effect. New to liveaboards? With centers in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo, our award-winning team proudly leads dives at some of the top sites across Mexico. Bluewaters Preferred Partners, Pelagic Fleet, run daily expeditions to offshore sites where guests can swim with various shark species, whales, mobula rays, whale sharks, and manta rays. Tell them Girls that Scuba sent you, you'll be part of the family in no time! You can have the unique experience of diving in two bodies of water at the same time. Ready to go scuba diving? Diving in Cabo San Lucas offers just about everything. Large schools of hammerhead, mobulas, silkies and whales migrate through these waters. While it may not boast the world-class diversity found in the Sea of Cortez, a broad range of marine species can be found in the waters around Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo. Our first base of operations was Cabo San Lucas. Coral and reefs are more abundant here and tiny critters and reef fish If you want to dive in Cabo More adventurous visitors can join an open ocean safari trip to snorkel and freedive with some iconic pelagic giants. giant manta rays in La Reina too! Nestled between the Baja California peninsula and the mainland of Mexico, the Sea of Cortez (also called the Gulf of California) is known for its calm waters and an incredible array of marine life, including colorful corals. The scuba diving locations are chosen according to how easy and how rewarding their experiences are. Located 2 hours drive Join Bluewater's 2-Day Marine Life Safari in Cabo and the Sea of Cortez. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Scuba diving in Los Cabos gives you the chance to do all of that and much more! You may also see groups of jacks and snapper, large rays, and tuna swimming here. Only half-a-mile from shore, this intricate site is covered in coral trees and sea fans and is great for critter-spotting. Whether youre into hiking, climbing, sightseeing, historical towns, diving, swimming in waterfalls or snorkelling with sea lions, they can arrange it all especially for you. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. A true highlight in Cabo San Lucas is diving with the local sea lions. At Lands End you may see barracuda and tuna, and you can frolic with the sea lions at their colony in the flat rock formation. The deep submerged Live a life others only dream about. Interested in whales? Is there a way for divers of all levels to enjoy the beautiful ocean depths of Cabo? It is home to banded guitarfish and rays during the spring and schools of fish and sea fans throughout the year. With breathtaking diversity and a unique ecosystem you can see why Cousteau named this area The World's Aquarium. Surprisingly, in 2014, after Odiles hurricane aftermath, the lost ship was discovered. More information here. In the open water, you can often see large schools of fish, more massive rays, and sharks. December to May is prime time to go diving in Cabo San Lucas if you're looking for bigger marine mammals. If you are seeking out that kind of a party, Cabo will not disappoint. Marine Life-Best Dive Sites-Best Time to Dive, Diving Conditions-How to Get There-How to Dive Cabo San Lucas, Practical Information-Book a Trip-Underwater Images. Dolphins? Depending on the time of year, divers can encounter hammerhead sharks, mobula rays, and several types of whale, as well as a myriad of other local and migratory species. During your dive, you may have the pleasure of seeing pufferfish, moray eels, porcupine fish, and even seahorses. During the autumn and through till spring is Whale shark season in La Paz, which is only 2 this area has a unique and amazing underwater ecosystem. On the regions southernmost point, the sheltered San Lucas Bay provides ideal novice diving conditions amongst rocky reefs and corridors, while the offshore walls and plateaus of Gordo Banks attract oceanic pelagics on migration into the Sea of Cortez. These make truly amazing backdrops for dives ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced. With shark experts on-board and underwater photographers it is an unforgettable experience coming Located at the very southern tip of Baja California where the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet, Lands End is of the most unique dive sites in all of Mexico. From the tip of the peninsula where sea and ocean meet, to the North Wall at the beginning of the bay, Cabo San Lucas scuba diving sites are some of the best you will experience. This was a great area because all the action is nearby. Cabo San Lucas is home to a good number of hotels and accommodation options catering to all budgets and tastes. The majority of diving in Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo is shore-based, either from, speedboats, pangas (small wooden boats), or straight off the beach. mobula rays, and everything else the open ocean has ready for you that day. We will definitely return again. A perfect site for intrepid adventurers! Los Cabos spans 3 areas at the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula located in western Mexico - Cabo San Lucas, San Jose Del Cabo and the Corridor that connects them. Donna Schechter is world traveler and scuba instructor currently writing for Dive Ninja Expeditions. The reef itself has a number of fingers of hard coral atop rock outcroppings that run parallel to the coast, each occurring in progressively deeper water offshore. For divers looking for a quieter alternative, Cabo Pulmo protected National Marine Parkcovers 27 square miles of the northernmost hard-coral reef in North America. June to November has the warmest water temperatures in the Sea of Cortez, with good visibility and hot, dry surface conditions. She started traveling 6 years ago and couldn't stop! Ranging in depth from approximately 20 feet to 100 feet (6 meters - 30 meters), the North Walls ability to accommodate divers from beginning to advanced skill levels makes it one of the best diving spots in Mexico. They put on a spectacular show doing backflips and showing off their skills as they search for mates. Hammerheads, Silkies and Mako sharks, Manta rays, turtles, tuna, wahoos and even whales can be seen here. These inquisitive creatures make a regular appearance at many of the areas dive sites and never fail to amuse and entertain with their mischievous antics. Top 5 Reasons to Have Your Wedding in Cabo. Once in Cabo, the best way to get around is walking. here. Scuba dives are offered at all the most popular and exciting sights. She's a vagabond at heart who loves We recently held a Girls that Scuba event in Los Cabos, with our awesome dive friends Dive NinjaExpeditions,and were so amazed at the life we saw underwater that we couldn't wait to tell you about it! Other open ocean visitors include mobula rays, hammerhead sharks, and the occasional whale shark. The parks coral reef (the oldest and northernmost coral reef in North America), once nearly destroyed, is now teaming with a diverse array of oceanic life spanning from small fish to large marine mammals. It was very easy to supply our condo because a grocery store and liquor store were also within walking distance. This course entails 15-20 minutes of short explanations of the necessary skills you need to learn before heading out on your scuba adventure. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. be surrounded by hundreds of rays while freediving. Spectacular marine flora and fauna thrive along the slopes of a breathtaking underwater mountain range. Rescued from overfishing and pollution during the latter half of the 20th century, Cabo Pulmo National Park is a living monument to the powers of preservation in action. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. You can make these dives whether you are a certified or non-certified diver. The area is famous for its breathtaking rock formations, including the picturesque El Arco (The Arch), an enormous rock arch that divers can swim through, and the site of the Lunderberg, an American-German boat that shipwrecked mysteriously. We found it to be a family friendly city with welcoming people, a wide variety of restaurants and accommodations, and plenty of fun things to see and do. Read also: Best scuba dive destinations in Mexico. Regardless of whether you are a novice snorkeler or an expert underwater photographer whatever your schedule or skill level, Cabo is a great place to experience the undersea spectacles of nature. We had a rental car and found driving around Cabo to be very easy and found most places without GPS. Like Cabo Pulmo National Park, the Sea of Cortez was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected from overfishingmaking it a location where you can experience some of the best diving in Mexico. Combining a trip to Cabo San Lucas with La Paz gives visitors access to a huge diversity of pelagic species and some phenomenal diving. Dive Cabo, Dive Ninja Expeditions. Cabo Pulmo is far quieter, with snorkeling and relaxing as the main top-side activities. Between San Jose and Cabo San Lucas, where the bays and beaches are dotted with lavish resorts, the water teems with life. Learn more about the benefits of scuba diving in Cabo! Inshore sites such as Santa Maria and Chileno Bay are a great places to discover nudibranchs, crustaceans, and other critters sheltering under rocky reefs and amongst unique rock formations. White tips, tornados of sardines, mahi mahi, & turtles can all be spotted: even marlin and orcas occasionally. Adventures in Baja can take you on a personalized tours of the whole of If you love the ocean and the wonderful wildlife it holds within Cabo is the place to go. For diving in Cabo San Lucas, fly into Los Cabos airport (SJD) which has excellent connections with the main cities of USA, Canada and Mexico. This area can be crowded if a cruise ship is in port, but its easy to escape the crowds by walking down a few of the streets away from the marina. Cabo San Lucas is a lively resort that offers plenty of entertainment, restaurants, bars, and a healthy nightlife. courses, with experienced instructors, and organize world wide diving trips and expeditions. The coldest water temperatures are in January and February, and the visibility drops to 20 feet on the coldest days. The strong currents that are such a magnet for pelagic species also render these sites best suited to experienced divers. Lands End is the place where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Three of the best snorkeling sites are Pelicans Rock, which is a three-hour boat ride out, Santa Maria Bay, and Chileno Bay. Pelican Rock has a school of snapper just outside its pinnacle. seamount gets strong currents, filled with nutrients, which attract fish of all shapes and sizes. The best dive site in Los Cabos for pelagic marine animal sightings. face-to-face with some of the most beautiful animals in the ocean. Located just off the Bay of Banderas, and home of the famous coastal city Puerto Vallarta, divers will be pleased to discover a remote collection of islands located just where the bay meets the Pacific Ocean. Check out our article here. colorful macro life at Neptunes finger and pelagics pass over the shipwreck at Lands End. Healthy, colorful reefs with an amazing array of life forms that cannot be found anywhere else in the region. You can take a Private Tour to Sea of Cortez, in a luxury catamaran, that will be perfect for divers and non-divers alike. Featuring the northernmost hard coral reef in the Northern Hemisphere, Cabo Pulmo Marine Sanctuary is home to over 17 fascinating dive sites and some of the best diving in the area. Through the winter months, humpback, gray, and sperm whales can also be spotted around El Bajo seamount (not to be confused with El Bajo at La Paz), where bait-balls of schooling jack offer a tasty pit-stop for these migrating giants. The sun is almost always shinning in Cabo. Check out the amazing Pelagic Safari who are a conservation oriented marine life encounter group who will take you out in search ofdolphins, whales, turtles, huge schools of Explore our site to learn more about our many dives, and book with our team today! We were walking distance to the marina where the dive shop we were using is located and their boat was moored right in front. There are many seahorses and blennies as well. If you are not yet a scuba diver, or you fancy some time away from the tank, there are so many amazing snorkel sites and activities. Yes, there is. Cabo San Lucas has a reputation for hosting spring break all year long, being a celebrity-infused party location, with tequila as far as the eye can see. Read more about diving the Socorro Islands or find out why it is one of our top liveaboard destinations. This is a great site for photography and full of colorful life. Rocky terrain and sandy slopes inhabited by schools of grunts and jacks, a variety of They also offer a certified scuba instructor or guide. lobsters and in season, Bull sharks. Experience Mexico with Latitude Encounters. We traveled to Baja California Sur to dive both the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez on the same trip. The most famous feature here is the Sand Falls, which is a unique sand waterfall caused by rock formations about 50 feet deep in the water. Lucky divers may meet the resident whitetip reef shark. The west coast of Mexico is actually home to two separate coastlines. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Cabo Pulmo National Park is an underwater treasure that cant be missed. A great place to dive with sea lions where the Pacific Ocean and the. It is home to sea lions, Comorans, vast schools of baitfish, pelagic fish, and more. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. Within easy reach of the US and offering a diverse and exciting range of dive and snorkeling options, scuba diving Cabo San Lucas is not to be missed and is the perfect Mexican dive destination for families and friends alike. Visiting Hidden Beach at the Marietas Islands. We stayed at a condo resort near the marina. Schooling rays and jacks can often be spotted, as well as numerous tropical fish and macro species amongst the gorgonian fans. Larger species also pass through the bay, and manta rays, turtles, and nurse sharks frequently visit the reef. In addition to the colorful and varied flora and fauna, this Cabo San Lucas dive site is also home to the largest sand falls of the Cabo San Lucas Marine Park. The westernmost is located along the Pacific Ocean; the other is located on the Sea of Cortez. Snorkeling with these gentle giants is an experience like no other. Sea of Cortez is also known for its great colony of sea lions which make it one of the only places in the world where you can swim with sea lions in their natural environment, and activity perfect also to be practiced just with snorkeling gear. recreational and technical scuba Cabo Sailing is offering both shared (public) and private daily sailing adventures that consistently exceeding our guests expectations. Cabo San Lucas is home to a wide variety of marine wildlife, making it an ideal scuba diving and snorkeling destination. here. Do You Need a Passport to go to Cabo San Lucas? Check out diving in Moorea. Just under the surface, the islands show their true colors. Disclaimer. Situated on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, Cabo San Lucas offers a diverse range of tropical reef and pelagic diving where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Migrating humpback and gray whales can be spotted here between December and May, and this is also the best time to encounter schooling hammerhead sharks. Baja California Sur. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Included in our Lands End diving tour is the rock formation known as Neptunes Finger. Many visitors opt to spend a few days diving and exploring Cabo San Lucas at either end of their Socorro trip. We found some excellent restaurants that arent frequented by tourists and werent crowded. Neptunes Finger is a finger-like rock that reaches up into the sky from deep beneath the ocean. have beautiful beaches based at the mouth of the Sea of Cortez, with a beautiful mountainous desert in their background. Nowhere else will you see this spectacular show of jumping, flipping and splashing on the surface, or be surrounded by hundreds of rays while freediving. These are the Marietas Islands, home to some of the best scuba Mexico has to offer. Have you ever wanted to swim with sharks? A highlight of any trip to Cabo San Lucas and Cabo Pulmo is diving or snorkeling with the local sea lion colonies. drifting in blue waters, which is also where most of the big animals spend their time hunting and swimming. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. If you are looking for the best scuba in Mexico, make sure to book some water time at a couple of Cabo San Lucas dive sites. A rocky reef covered in colorful corals and home to tropical fish, turtles, bat rays, and sea bass. About Reviews Coupon Codes Contact, Cabo Sailing Ocean Adventures - Luxury Sailing & Boating in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Cabo Sailing Ocean Adventures - Luxury Sailing & Boating in Cabo San Lucas, 624.143.8485 / 624.105.9456 / 624.152.0493. Here are some of the best dive sites in Cabo San Lucas. diving, hiking and adventure. The park is home to at least 350 marine species, and the sea lion action here is fantastic. And 40 miles to the east, the protected marine park of Cabo Pulmo offers a more remote alternative, with plentiful tropical species in warm, shallow waters. All of this and more is possible in Cabo and the surrounding areas! Taxis, hire cars, and shared transport are readily available on arrival. For non-divers or on a day off diving, cultural tours and watersports are available, as well as ATV and buggy rides into the desert dunes. Lands End is a must-see for anyone interested in Marine wildlife. Looking for other great liveaboard dive destinations? From Los Cabos Airport it's a 30m drive south to reach the main hub for diving in Cabo San Lucas. Learn more about us, Subscribe to our newsletter below, or contact us for more infomation! Famed for its congregations of scalloped hammerheads and whale sharks, Gordo Banks steep walls and submerged plateau attract countless ocean-going giants such as huge manta rays, marlin, tuna, sailfish, wahoo, dolphins, devil rays, and bull sharks. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. This is a great way to include the whole family in a dive trip to Cabo San Lucas, and many divers rave about these safaris as they offer such unique encounters.