Discover the dive sites of La Paz: shallow reefs, sea lion colonies, shipwrecks and seamounts in the Sea of Cortez. This guide introduces the underwater landscapes of the region and helps you choose options suited to your certification and experience.
We select the sites for each trip according to the weather, ocean conditions, access restrictions and participants’ experience. Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed. The depths listed describe the sites; your dive depth is adapted to your certification, training and the guide’s assessment.
Maximum site depth: 40 meters. Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water or equivalent. Experience: Recommended for experienced divers due to potentially strong currents. Location: Espíritu Santo National Park.
El Bajo is a seamount off the coast of La Paz. Its underwater terrain offers a different experience from the shallow reefs of the area. Currents and ocean conditions influence the dive plan and the possibility of encountering pelagic wildlife.
Trips to El Bajo require a minimum of 4 participants and suitable weather and ocean conditions. Contact us to confirm availability.
Los Islotes — Sea Lions
Maximum site depth: 18 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent. Location: Isla Partida — Espíritu Santo National Park.
Los Islotes is home to a colony of California sea lions. Its underwater rock formations provide an environment to explore with a guide, with possible encounters with sea lions, tropical fish, turtles and other species.
Visits depend on access restrictions and ocean conditions. Your guide will explain how to observe the animals respectfully.
La Reina — Cerralvo Island
Maximum site depth: 26 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent for suitable profiles in shallow areas. Deeper dives: Require appropriate certification and training. Location: Cerralvo Island / Jacques Cousteau Island.
La Reina offers a rocky underwater landscape around Cerralvo Island. Its large schools of fish and variety of reef life make this site an interesting option for certified divers.
Depending on the season and conditions, encounters may include California sea lions, turtles and seasonal pelagic species.
Trips to La Reina require a minimum of 4 participants and suitable weather and ocean conditions. Contact us to confirm availability.
El Salvatierra Shipwreck
Maximum site depth: 20 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent for suitable profiles within your certification limits. Location: San Lorenzo Channel.
El Salvatierra is a sunken cargo ship that has become an artificial reef. Marine life around the wreck may include reef fish, black coral, groupers, sea bass and octopuses.
The dive route and depth depend on your certification, experience and the conditions of the day.
Fang Ming Shipwreck
Maximum site depth: 20 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent for suitable profiles within your certification limits. Location: Espíritu Santo National Park.
The Fang Ming provides shelter for different marine species and an opportunity to explore a shipwreck that has become an artificial reef. Encounters may include schools of fish, moray eels, rays, turtles and octopuses.
Your guide selects a route appropriate for your training and the conditions. Wreck penetration requires specific training and is not included in a standard recreational dive.
San Rafaelito
Maximum site depth: 16 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent for certified diving. Location: La Paz Bay.
San Rafaelito is a small rocky islet in La Paz Bay. Marine life may include California sea lions, corals, sponges and schools of tropical fish, such as angelfish, butterflyfish, trumpetfish and snappers.
For those who prefer to explore from the surface, we also offer snorkeling experiences. Access and wildlife encounters depend on local restrictions and the conditions of the day.
Swannee Reef / Swannee Rock
Maximum site depth: 12 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent. Location: San Lorenzo Channel.
Swannee Reef, also known as Swannee Rock, lies in the San Lorenzo Channel between La Paz and the Espíritu Santo Archipelago.
Its shallow underwater landscape offers opportunities to observe reef life. Encounters may include schools of tropical fish, turtles, rays, moray eels and occasional sea lions.
Old Sea Lion Colony
Maximum site depth: 40 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent for suitable profiles in shallow areas. Deeper dives: Require appropriate advanced training and certification. Location: Espíritu Santo National Park.
The old sea lion colony offers rocky underwater terrain and a variety of marine life. Encounters may include sea lions, octopuses, tropical fish and moray eels.
The depth range allows for different dive profiles. Your guide selects a route that suits your certification, experience and the conditions at the time.
Whale Island
Maximum site depth: 16–18 meters. Minimum certification: Open Water Diver or equivalent.
There are two main dive areas near Whale Island: La Cola and La Cabeza de la Ballena. La Cabeza is a shallow reef with a sandy bottom, coral formations and a variety of reef fish.
Encounters may include octopuses, lobsters, parrotfish, angelfish, eagle rays, mobula rays and sea lions.
Choose Your Diving Experience in La Paz
Tell us your dates, certification and recent diving experience. We will help you choose a suitable trip and explain which sites may be available during your visit.
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