Dive Conditions
Diving in the Sea of Cortez is all about sea lions and swimming with whale sharks. Cousteau called it "the world's aquarium" and Steinbeck dedicated a whole journal to it, sparking a lifelong curiosity in divers to explore its treasures. At 25 million years old, this deep gulf brims with critters and is thought to be one of the most diverse seas on the planet. Among its residents: the world's widest variety of dolphins and whales, rays, turtles, hammerheads and over 900 species of fish. Sea of Cortez scuba diving is a must if you love sea lions. These cute characters love tossing rocks and gazing at their own reflection in shiny surfaces - it's like playing with puppies, but underwater.
If big marine life tops your bucket list and you prefer land-based resorts, the best time to dive the Sea of Cortez is December-March. Waters are a cool 66°F/19°C during these months but pelagic action is red hot. This is an excellent time for whale watching, as it offers a great opportunity to spot majestic creatures such as humpback whales and blue whales.
July-December has the best visibility, stretching to 25m.
If you're after more remote sites, August-November is liveaboard season. At this time the Sea of Cortez is at its warmest (80°F/27°C) and you can get up close with whale sharks and hammerheads. Diving in the Sea of Cortez - particularly the far southern region - is still good in the low season of June/July but more remote sites may be off-limits. If you want to dive with the famous colony of sea lions near La Paz, go between September and May.
Northern Sea of Cortez - Puerto Peñasco and the northern Sea of Cortez experience higher daily temperatures and dramatically less rainfall than the south. From June through October, air temperatures skyrocket, and afternoon showers can be expected a few times each month. This is also the windy season, when surface conditions can be rough, especially at offshore dive sites. While the climate above water isn't entirely favorable, this is the very best time of year for diving in the north, and when most liveaboards offer trips. Divers can expect warm water, with temperatures as high as 26-28°C and stunning visibility topping out at over 30 meters.
Southern Sea of Cortez - Loreto and the southern Sea of Cortez experience less extreme heat than the north. And, the area receives dramatically more rain - though you’re still unlikely to see more than one or two short downpours during a week. The south also experiences a spike in wind speeds from January through April, sometimes bringing rough and choppy conditions and poor visibility on the surface. While the Sea of Cortez is absolutely a year-round diving destination, most liveaboards operate between May and October. Day diving is best during the rest of the year.
Diving at Rocky Point - In the sea’s far north, the dive sites around Rocky Point are a series of craggy coves, accessible by shore or boat. Most of these sites feature rocky bottoms and boulder fields encrusted with soft coral and swarmed by reef fish. You're also likely to spot species like lobsters, turtles, and moray eels here. From Rocky Point, day trips depart for Bird Island, home to a lively sea lion rookery and roosting sea birds. Slightly further afield, Puerto Lobos is home to excellent conditions for learning to dive, as well as a small wreck, more California sea lions, and tons of colorful reef fish!
Diving the Midriff Islands - Diving in the Midriff Islands is done exclusively via liveaboard and is often combined with exploration in Bahia de Los Angeles, known for its aggregation of whale sharks between June and December. Playful sea lions, schooling mobula rays, and migrating marine mammals of all kinds can be spotted here. The islands are well known for their wide variety of macro species as well, with seahorses, blennies, jawfish, and kaleidoscopic nudibranchs all found. Trips in this region typically include whale and wildlife watching on the surface in addition to diving.
Loreto diving - Most divers come to Loreto specifically to explore the C-54 Agustin Melgar wreck. This purposely-sunk retired minesweeper offers easy penetration routes as well as opportunities for advanced wreck and even technical training. But, the offshore islands here are worth diving as well, with plummeting walls and craggy rock canyons studded by coral and clouded by fish. You're also likely to spot turtles, sharks, and rays here, as well as large schools of snapper and barracuda.