The Sea of Cortez provides the diver with a dazzling array of marine life. It supports over 800 species of fish and thousands of invertebrate species. No wonder it is often referred to as the "World's Largest Fish Trap"! Here you will visit with comical Pufferfish, regal King Angel fish, and graceful Moorish Idols swimming amid walls blooming with delicate gorgonians, colorful sponges and swaying sea fans.
This exciting "under water world" is constantly inviting all divers to discover and explore. In fact, it is not uncommon to encounter marine mammals in this region. There is a California Sea Lion Rookery at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula. (A 10 minute boat ride from our Hacienda Beach location.) Oftentimes the sea lions will join you during your dive simply to frolic or perform underwater acrobatics in an effort to impress.
The California Grey Whales make their appearance each year in January and while we don't dive with these gentile giants, you can marvel at them during one of our "Whale Watching" excursions. Other life forms you could potentially meet during your adventure here with Cabo Acuadeportes might be Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Orcas, Dolphin Pods, Marlins, Sharks, Sailfish and an occasional Sea Turtle.
The conditions in the Sea of Cortez vary throughout the year. As a rule of thumb however you can count on the following:
January to May (Winter): The air temperatures will range between 70 & 80 degrees (Fahrenheit) while the water temperatures will be between 65 & 75 degrees with visibility around 30 to 60 feet.
June to December (our summer season): The air temperature is between 80 & 95 degrees, water between 80 & 90 degrees with visibility in the 50 to 150+ foot range. Excellent by any standard of diving.
The Sea of Cortez is a very "Prolific" and "Magical" place. We would love to, and look forward to, sharing our sea with you!
SEA OF CORTEZ
With over 850 species of reef fish, the Sea of Cortez is one of the most prolific bodies of water on earth. Known for encounters with large pelagics such as whalesharks and giant mantas, it is also one of the areas where hammerheads school. In addition to the largest living coral reef in the Sea, dive with enormous schools of reef fish found nowhere else in the world, four-foot stingrays, sea lions, sea turtles, 100 lb. grouper and many other unique experiences.
Dive Sites Around Cabo San Lucas Bay
The bay of Cabo San Lucas encompasses several unique dive sites. These dive sites were protected in 1973 by the President of Mexico when he declared them the second underwater national marine park after Cozumel. Inside the park it is forbidden to fish, spearfish or collect anything. All of the dive sites are within a quick 10 minute boat ride from the marina of Cabo San Lucas. The conditions inside the bay are usually always flat calm. When the weather is rough for other dive spots the dive sites inside Cabos San Lucas bay are still diveable.
Anegada Rock (Pelican Rock)
Level - Resort to Divemaster - Depth - 15 ft. to 130 ft. plus.
This area is ideal for resort courses as well as advanced divers. The reef starts at 15 ft. and gradually slopes to 60 ft. where it drops off a deep wall. The famous "Sandfalls" are located at the top of the submarine canyon in abut 90 ft. of water where sands "falls" off the face of the cliff.
On the edge of the Submarine Canyon that forms San Lucas Bay. Beautiful wall dive to small sandfall at around 90'. Large congregations of big and small tropicals. Slopes covered with gorgonians and gracefull sea fans. Not unusual to spot rays and big fish swimming out of nearby deeper water. Also an excellent night dive, The Bay of San Lucas is a National Marine Sanctuary so we take only pictures and leave only bubbles.
A calm protected site teeming with a wide variety of Tropicals and Invertebrates. This is also where some of the Sandfalls (Rivers of Sand) are located. The Sandfalls look like waterfalls but are composed entirely of sand. Pelican Rock is a must for all underwater photographers and videographers!
La Larga (Neptunes Finger)
Level - Open Water to Divemaster - Depth - 25 ft. to 130 ft. plus.
An interesting area consisting of rocky substrate covered with Hard and Soft Corals, Sea Fans, Sponges and Gorgonians. Another Sandfall occurs here and Tropicals abound. At times an occasional Pelagic (Tuna, Shark, Manta Ray, Turtle, etc.) may visit this area.
Neptunes Finger - 60' to 100' on a wall that goes 3000' in the Bay of San Lucas. Thick with gorgonians and sea fans, octopus, abundant tropicals, schools of barracuda and other pelagics. Largest of two famous sandfalls begins here at 100'.
Above water Neptune's Finger looks like a finger pointing up to the sky. Due north of the rock there is a sea mount at 20 ft. to 50 ft. depth separated from the rock by a small sandy channel. Following the channel to the west you find another sea mount at a depth of 45 ft. to 85 ft. East there is a chimney cave at South Wall. Look for big schools of fish.
60' to 120' Canyons. Rock outcrops giving way to steep vertical granite walls and rocky ledges at 100'. Thick with gorgonians and sea fans. Octopus, abundant tropicals, schooIs of barracuda and other pelagics. Largest of the two famous sandfalls begins here at 100'.
Las Cuevas (North Wall)
Level - Resort to Divemaster - Depth - 10 ft. to 130 ft. plus.
This dive site starts in a shallow sandy bottom that slopes off into deeper water with rock boulders appearing at around a depth of 40 ft. At a depth of 90 ft. a cliff face starts and continues east until it connects with the sandfalls. There is also a shallow reef at a depth of 12 ft. surrounded by sand which is a good area to do a safety stop. Look for garden eels in the sand flats.
Middle Wall
Level - Advanced to Divemaster - Depth - 75 ft. to 130 ft. plus.
This dive really starts in 75 ft. of water after following a sandy canyon down to the edge of the cliff face. The rocky cliff face continues to the west until it connects with the sandfalls at depths from 80 ft. to 100 ft. The cliff face continues east a little deeper until it connects with La Larga. Look for big fish swimming by the bluff.
Wall dive to a maximum depth of 100'. Large schools of fish, sea fans, lobsters, green moray eels, etc.
La Punta (The Point, Land's End, The Pinnacle and Sea Lion Rookery)
Level - Open water to Divemaster - Depth - 20 ft. to 85 ft.
This dive site is unique because you dive in both the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean on the Same dive. For this reason there can be strong currents and thermals. Look for sea lions, turtles and the occasional huge sea bass. Marauding schools of gamefish are brought in by large schools of baitfish such as sardines and greenjacks. Pelagics such as whale sharks and mantas also spotted in this area. Also moray eels, octopus and tropicals.The flat rock inside is home to a small colony of California sea lions which dive in and play with the divers. A shipwrech is Southeast of the rock.
This site tends to appeal to the more advanced diver due to the currents sometimes present. It is however an excellent location to encounter various Pelagics. This is also where the California Sea Lions frolic and play. Here you will also encounter Tropicals and Temperate fish.
The Sand Falls
Level - Advanced to Divemaster - Depth - 90 ft. to 95 ft.
On the edge of the Submarine Canyon that forms San Lucas Bay. This is a beautiful wall dive to a depth of 90'. Large congregation of tropicals. Slopes covered with gorgonians and graceful sea fans. Not unusual to spot rays and big fish swimming out of nearby deeper water. Also an excellent night dive.
El Golfito
Level - Advanced to Divemaster - Depth - 120 ft. to 130 ft. plus
This dive site is the only one entirely in the Pacific Ocean. The strong currents and deep depth make the dive for advanced divers only. The bottom terrain is mostly rocky fingers in the sand with a few scattered boulders. The rocky fingers are covered with sea fans. Look for any blue water fish during your long safety stop.
Dive Sites Along the Tourist Corridor
Chileno Reef (10 to 50 feet) - This is a beautiful, protected finger reef that starts right at the shores of Chileno Beach and extends out into the bay for about a half of a mile. The reef harbors a broad assortment of Tropicals and Eels. Invertebrates like Starfish, Flower Urchins and Hydroids are very common as well. It is also a very appealing site to the beginning diver or snorkeler. Here you will experience very shallow and calm waters.
Chileno Reef - 40' to 80' of depth on a reef that stands 1/2 mile from shore - covered with sea fans, sometimes we get to see mantas, large sea bass, sea turtles, nurse sharks, etc.
Santa Maria Bay (20 to 60 feet) - Here you find yourself in a calm little bay teeming with marine life. It is a photographers dream come true! Hard Corals, Soft Corals, Sea Rods, Octopus, Eels, and Tropicals of every hue call Santa Maria Cove home. Here you truly swim in a rainbow sea!
Santa Maria - 40' to 70' reef in the Sea of Cortez with a large marine life, such as sea turtles, sea bass, bat rays, etc.
The Blow-hole (60 to 100 feet) - Massive boulders, rugged tunnels and deep rock-cuts form the backdrop of this spectacular and exciting dive. Manta Rays, Sea Turtles, schools of Jacks and Grouper are common inhabitants here. Magnificent marine life abounds within the many grottos and shallow caverns formed by the coral and rock of the Blow-Hole!
The Blow Hole - 40' to 100', the backside of a huge rock forms a wall covered in gorgonians. Small nurse sharks and guitar fish sometimes inhabit the area, along with a few large grouper and an occasional bat ray or eagle ray. The site gets its name from a small blowhole on shore.
THE BLOWHOLE
40' to l00'.The backside of a huge rock forms a wall covered in gorgonians. Small nurse sharks and guitarfish sometimes inhabit the area, along with a few large grouper and the occasional bat ray or eagle ray. The site gets its name from a small blowhole on shore. ADM
Dive Sites Along the East Cape Area
Cabo Pulmo Is the only coral reef on the western side of North America, -- it is the most unique marine phenoma in the entire Sea of Cortez. Rich in marine life and an experience not to be missed. This National Marine Sanctuary is located two hours driving time from Cabo. LED
CABO PULMO
Not enough can be said about Cabo Pulmo! The only living coral reef on the western side of North America. It is the most unique marine phenomena in the entire Sea of Cortez. Rich in marine life and an experience not to be missed. A National Marine Sanctuary. A 2 hour drive from Cabo San Lucas. Very remote. ADM
Gordo Banks Rivals Cabo Pulmo and san Lucas Bay's Submarine Canyon among the prime dive sites in the area. Seven miles off the coast of San Jose Del Cabo; the top of this seamount lies under 110' to 120' of water. Hammerheads, mantas, whale sharks, schools of tuna, bait fish, gamefish, etc. LED
GORDA BANKS
Rivals Cabo Pulmo and San Lucas Bay Submarine Canyon among the prime dive sites in the area. Eight miles off the coast of San Jose Del Cabo, the top of this seamount lies under 110' - 130' of water. This is an advanced dive, only for the most experienced divers, due to the depth and currents that sometimes occur. Plenty of action in the first few feet of the water column, whirlpools of jacks, scores of schooling hammerheads, solitary bull sharks, malnta rays and even the huge whale sharks encountered by fortunate divers. ADM
