Diving in Sea of Cortez

Some of the most excellent diving sites on the Sea of Cortez can be found around Loreto. Halfway up the eastern coast of the peninsula, Loreto is a gorgeous seaside community with an unsurpassed protected marine area to explore. Don’t miss Los Candeleros, underwater cliffs that shoot straight down to the rocky depths. La Paz has some more stellar sites in the Sea of Cortez, and is a favorite of the locals. Head to Los Islotes, where you can dive through an arch, swimming with sea lions and parrotfish. El Bajo attracts some of the best pelagic species in the area, including hammerheads and mobulas. In Cabo Pulmo National Park, El Cantil is a large reef with sheer walls that drop beyond sight. Here marco-lovers will rejoice in the nooks and crannies where all manner of nudibranchs, shrimps and crabs await. This area requires more than one dive to explore fully. Cabo San Lucas is home to Lands End where you’ll find the famous sand falls, a wonder to behold. Further offshore, the Gordo Banks, an underwater plateau, occasionally host scalloped hammerhead sharks. The Midriff Islands are more remote and accessible only by liveaboard. Bahia de los Angeles, in particular, is a hotbed for biodiversity both above and below the waves. Finally, San Carlos is home to black coral-covered seamounts called La Primera Gringa and La Segunda Gringa. Isla San Pedro is also of note. Here sea lions frolic on the eastern coast of the island. The site called South Point is known for schooling hammerheads between October and November. Only advanced divers should attempt a dive in the heavy currents on this side of San Pedro.