La Paz

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La Paz Scuba Diving & Adventures

La Paz is surrounded by the Sea of Cortez and is one of the world’s most beautiful and diverse dive locations. From shallow coral reefs to deep seamounts, there is something for every type of diver in La Paz.

Jacques Cousteau famously called the Sea of Cortez “the world’s aquarium” as it is one of the best places to experience incredible marine life. Cousteau visited La Paz multiple times and even named one of the nearby islands after himself.

The Diverse Marine Life in Sea of Cortez, La Paz – The Aquarium of The World

Source: Divereport.com

The Sea of Cortez is home to unique species such as the mobula ray and the endemic Cortez angelfish. Divers can expect to see a diverse range of marine life on their dives including sea lions, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, many colorful fishes and corals. There are also several shipwrecks that can be explored by experienced divers.

Our Selected Dive Sites in La Paz

Sea of Cortez is so abundant in marine life, it literally feels as if you are diving in an aquarium. So pack your dive gear and head to La Paz for an unforgettable underwater Koox diving adventure. Here are our selected dive sites in La Paz:

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El Bajo Seamounts

Max depth – 40 meters
Min dive certification level: Advanced open water or 2 stars
It is an advanced dive, due to the strong currents, preferably for divers with enough experience.
📍Espiritu Santo National Park

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El Bajo is a submerged seamount located just off the coast of La Paz. It is known for its incredible diversity of marine life. The site also features beautiful coral formations and large boulders covered in colorful sponges and sea fans.
Here’s what you can expect to see during your dive in El Bajo:

  • giant manta rays (mobulas) from April till the end of November,
  • turtles,
  • hammerhead sharks,
  • humpback whales,
  • whale sharks,
  • sperm whales.

 

Los Islotes Sea Lions

Max depth – 18 meters
Min dive certification level: Open water diver or 1 star
📍Isla Partida – Espiritu Santo National Park

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los islotes sea lions

Los Islotes is a group of small rocky islands located just off the coast of La Paz. It is home to a colony of friendly and playful sea lions. The site also features beautiful underwater rock formations, tunnels, and swim-throughs, a fascinating underwater landscape. Los Islotes is a no-fishing zone, allowing you to explore the abundant untouched marine life, that once inspired Jacques Cousteau himself, who called the water the aquarium of the world.

Here’s what you can expect to see during your dive in Los Islotes:

  • California sea lions (Zalophus californianus),
  • colorful fish,
  • sea turtles,
  • and even whale sharks.

 

La Reina – Cerralvo Island

Max depth – 26 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍Isla Cerralvo / Jacques Coustau Island

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La Reina fish

La Reina is a beautiful dive site located just south of La Paz at Isla Cerralvo. It is known for its crystal clear waters and incredible visibility, up to 100 feet on a good day. The site is home to a variety of marine life, including large schools of jackfish, sea turtles, and reef sharks.

Here’s what you can expect to see during your dive in La Reina:

  • a small colony of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus),
  • colorful fish,
  • sea turtles,
  • stunning rock formations,
  • submarine canyon,
  • giant mantas from mid-June to mid-October.

 

Espiritu Santo Island

Max depth – 26 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍Isla Espiritu Santo

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A UNESCO World Heritage Site located just off the coast of La Paz. The island is known for its incredible biodiversity, including over 500 species of marine life. The dive sites around the island feature beautiful coral gardens, deep canyons, and underwater caves.

Here’s what you can expect to see during your dive in Espiritu Santo Island:

  • a small colony of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus),
  • colorful fish,
  • sea turtles,
  • coral gardens,
  • submarine canyon,
  • giant mantas from mid-June to mid-October,
  • whale sharks,
  • hammerhead sharks,
  • octopuses,
  • eels,
  • invertebrates and more.

 

El Salvatierra Shipwreck

Max depth – 20 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍San Lorenzo Channel

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Salvatierra Wreck fish

The Salvatierra Wreck is a sunken cargo ship and has since the 1970s become an artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine life.

Here’s what you can expect to see when you dive:

  • The Salvatierra Wreck,
  • colorful fish,
  • black coral,
  • big groupers,
  • sea bass,
  • octopuses.

 

Fang Ming Shipwreck

Max depth – 20 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍Espiritu Santo National Park

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Fang Ming is the very first intentionally sunken ship in all of Latin America. The artificial reef was created by the sinking of a Chinese cargo ship in 1999. The ship has now become a home for a variety of marine life, including octopuses, eels, and schools of fish. The site is popular with divers of all levels and offers excellent visibility.

Here’s what you can expect to see when you dive here:

  • The Fang Ming Shipwreck,
  • schools of fish,
  • eels,
  • rays,
  • sea turtles,
  • octopuses.

 

San Rafaelito

Max depth – 16 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍La Paz Bay

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San Rafaelito is a small rocky island located just a few minutes by boat from La Paz.

Here’s what you can expect to see when you dive here:

  • a small colony of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus)
  • colorful corals and sponges,
  • schools of tropics fish
  • angelfish,
  • butterflyfish,
  • trumpetfish,
  • a big school of yellowtail snappers.

 

Swanne Reef / Rock

Max depth – 12 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star
📍San Lorenzo Channel

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Swanne Reef, also known as Swanne Rock, is a rocky reef habitat located in the San Lorenzo Channel between La Paz and the Espiritu Santo Archipelago. Snorkelers can easily access the reef’s crown, which is just below the surface, but should be aware of potential currents. California sea lions are often spotted in the area.

Here’s what you can expect to see when you dive here:

  • schools of tropics fish,
  • sea turtles,
  • rays,
  • eels.

 

Old Sea Lion Colony

Max depth – 40 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star / Advanced for deep dives
📍Espiritu Santo National Park

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The old sea lion colony is located in Espiritu Santo National Park, Sea of Cortez, off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. You can expect to see a variety of marine life when scuba diving there. The sea lions are the main attraction, as they are playful and curious, often swimming right up to divers.

Here’s what you can expect to see when you dive here:

  • sea lions,
  • octopuses
  • tropical fish,
  • eels.

 

Whale Island

Max depth – 16 meters
Min dive certification level: Open Water Diver or 1 star

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There are 2 main dive spots near Whale Island: la Cola and la Cabeza de la Ballena: Whale’s Tail and Whale’s Head. Whale’s Head is a shallow reef dive with a sandy bottom, it offers a stunning display of coral growth and a diverse array of reef fish. If you’re really fortunate, you may even catch a glimpse of majestic humpback whales, or you may hear their songs during certain times of the year.

Underwater wildlife encounters are plentiful:

  • octopuses,
  • lobsters
  • tropical fish: parrotfish, angelfish, and more,
  • eagle rays,
  • mantas,
  • corals,
  • playful sea lions.

 

Scuba Diving in La Paz Price Duration Get this tour
2 Open Water Dives – Sea of Cortez 249USD 8am – 1:30pm Book Now
Discover Scuba Diving: 2 try dives 239USD 8am – 2pm Book Now
Open Water Diver Course – 18m 449 – 599USD 3 days / 5 dives Book Now
Advanced Open Water Diver Course – 30m 599USD 3 days / 5 dives Book Now

Get a Quote View All Tours

1-4 people in small groups – every day
Open water certification is required for diving
For non-certified divers we offer Discover SCUBA diving – 2 try dives in Sao Bene
For private tours, please contact us, so we can provide an exclusive offer for you.
Prices include:
Roundtrip from our dive shop in La Paz, boat ride to the dive spots and back
Full dive gear set rental, tanks and torches
Certified Divemaster Guide
Water to refill your own bottle
Healthy snacks
Prices are fixed, regardless of the number of people in the group.

 

Where to find us in La Paz?

We are located at Manzana F Lote 1 Puerto De, Av. Pichilingue, 23208 La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, really close to where the Baja Ferries are – close to Club Cantamar Dive & Snorkel Center.

📞 Contact us at +52 984 141 5502
or Contact us on WhatsApp

🤿See Whale Sharks & 🌴 Explore the Cenotes & 🐊Croc Dive 🐢Akumal & 🐟Try Spearfishing or 🏝 Dive & Snorkel with Sea Lions in La Paz🌵