Cabo San Lucas is home to a wide variety of marine wildlife, making it an ideal scuba diving and snorkeling destination. Learn more about the benefits of scuba diving in Cabo!
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. If you are seeking out that kind of a party, Cabo will not disappoint. However, this kind of atmosphere is really focused in on a few small areas. The lesser-known but even better attraction that Cabo offers is incredible world-class scuba diving opportunities.
The Waters of the Sea of Cortez
Some people get concerned about swimming in cold, murky water. There is no need to worry about that in the bays of Cabo. The waters there enjoy warm water all year long.
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. Even in the late winter months, you can still enjoy warm temperatures.
The coldest water temperatures are in January and February, and the visibility drops to 20 feet on the coldest days. 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.
By contrast, the water gets up to 86 degrees in the fall (August-November), and on the warmest days, you can see up to 90 feet deep in the water.
The Ocean Wildlife
The whales are just the beginning of the ocean wildlife you can see scuba diving in Cabo.
The North Wall near Land’s End is home to a variety of eels, stingrays, puffer, box, cornet, and trumpetfish. There are many seahorses and blennies as well. In the open water, you can often see large schools of fish, more massive rays, and sharks.
Pelican Rock has a school of snapper just outside its pinnacle. 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. This area is also home to seahorses, moray eels, octopuses, and blennies that feed around the reef.
Neptune’s Finger is a finger-like rock that reaches up into the sky from deep beneath the ocean. It is home to banded guitarfish and rays during the spring and schools of fish and sea fans throughout the year.
Land’s End is the place where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. It is home to sea lions, Comorans, vast schools of baitfish, pelagic fish, and more. Land’s End is a must-see for anyone interested in Marine wildlife.
The corridor offers opportunities for drift dives where you may find pelagic fish, sharks, and sometimes even whales.
Gordo Banks is where you will find hammerhead sharks. You may also see groups of jacks and snapper, large rays, and tuna swimming here.
Help for All Skill Levels
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 Land’s End. However, that can be equally as frightening to those who are amateur scuba divers.
Is there a way for divers of all levels to enjoy the beautiful ocean depths of Cabo?
Yes, there is. Scuba dives are offered at all the most popular and exciting sights. Those who are not ready for full scuba expeditions can enjoy snorkeling at several of these sites instead.
Three of the best snorkeling sites are Pelican’s Rock, which is a three-hour boat ride out, Santa Maria Bay, and Chileno Bay. These latter two locations are swimmable beaches, also easily accessed by boat.
The scuba diving locations are chosen according to how easy and how rewarding their experiences are. The sailing companies typically provide all the scuba and snorkel gear you will need. They also offer a certified scuba instructor or guide.
You can make these dives whether you are a certified or non-certified diver. Non-certified divers can take a PADI Discover Scuba Diving course with a certified open water scuba instructor. This course entails 15-20 minutes of short explanations of the necessary skills you need to learn before heading out on your scuba adventure. You have the option to leave first thing in the morning (for best visibility) or later in the afternoon (for warmer temperatures).
If you love the ocean and the wonderful wildlife it holds within Cabo is the place to go. 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.
