Because of the successful status of Cabo Pulmo National Park, winter sees frequent visitors from the open ocean to El Bajo including rays and mobulas.
Because of the deep water found off the coast, winter sees frequent visitors from the open ocean to El Bajo including humpback and sperm whales.
Each fall season brings a few whale sharks to the dive site El Bajo. Sightings are not guaranteed, but your chances are better during these months.
At South Point of Isla San Pedro, you’ll find schooling hammerheads during the fall months. You’ll be impressed by the size of these sharks.
More than 400 sea lions call the Sea of Cortez home. You’ll find playful babies on most dives in the area, but Los Islotes is one favorite site.
August to November is the season for liveaboard diving in the Sea of Cortez. While the Pacific is cold, the Sea of Cortez is at its warmest so many boats change their itineraries during these months. The water is approximately 80°F (27°C) and these are the best months for hammerhead encounters in the region. Whale sharks can also occasionally be spotted in Cabo Pulmo National Park and in the Bay of La Paz in October.
The weather at this time transitions from hot and humid to cooler with a bit of rain. However, be aware, these months represent the highest risk of inclement weather. It’s a good idea to take out trip insurance if you plan to visit Mexico in the fall.
In addition, August to October is not as busy as the winter months in terms of tourism. You should be able to snag some good deals if you book far enough in advance.
Interested in diving in the Sea of Cortez by liveaboard? Book your Mexican diving holiday between August and October.
From December to March, divers can expect cooler temperatures in the Sea of Cortez. However uncomfortable it might be for humans, it’s balmy for pelagic species. If you are a pelagic fan, this is the best time to dive the Sea of Cortez.
This is also the best time to spot Humpback Whales, Grey Whales and Mobulas in the park, and you’ll find increased sea lion activity. Lucky divers might spot Bullseye Rays, Banded Guitarfish and Octopuses who climb from the depths due to the cold.
The topside weather is generally sunny with the occasional rain shower. Because this part of Mexico is significantly cooler than during the summer months, December to March is also considered the best time to vacation here. Because of this, the winter months are high season for general tourism, causing an increase in accommodation rates throughout the country.
June and July are offseason for both tourism and diving in the area. The seas become too rough for sailing and too warm to attract pelagic species. At this time, many liveaboards remain in dock and divers are limited to land-based operations. The diving in the far southern region of the Sea of Cortez is still good and you’ll find excellent deals at this time of year. However, you will have to battle the hot and humid summer weather. If you’d prefer to look elsewhere, try Caribbean diving for a change. The diving season on the east side of Mexico is year-round.
Home to a plethora of pelagic species, the Sea of Cortez is sure to give you numerous noteworthy encounters for your logbook. Whale sharks are frequently encountered during the spring and fall months, as well as many cetacean species, including humpback whales, grey whales, pilot whales, blue whales, killer whales and huge pods of dolphins. Schools of breaching mobulas appear during the winter months and the occasional manta ray or hammerhead shark may also be seen.
Year-round, energetic sea lions may excite any diver and are found throughout almost all regions. The rocky reefs in the sea are also home to a huge variety of smaller creatures such as jawfish, seahorses, nudibranchs, crabs and octopuses.
For better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode.
