A Concise Guide to SCUBA Diving in Cabo

Everything you need to know about diving in Cabo, from dive shops to marine life you can see.

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SCUBA Diving in Cabo may not be well-renowned but a variety of protected marine reserves and diverse ecosystems has resulted in a wealth of underwater life just waiting to be explored. If you’re planning a trip to Los Cabos and love the ocean, you’re going to want to add diving to your itinerary. There are several places in Cabo where you can enjoy diving and each has something unique to offer. We’ve amalgamated everything you need to know, from recommended dive shops to animals you might encounter underwater and when is best to go, in this guide to SCUBA diving in Cabo.

Is Cabo good for SCUBA diving?

SCUBA diving in Cabo is a remarkable experience and an unmissable activity for any ocean lover visiting Baja California Sur.

Where to SCUBA dive in Cabo

There are several places great for SCUBA diving in Cabo, each with its own pros and cons. We’ve broken down the main areas below:

Due to its crystal-clear waters, unparalleled marine life, and accessible dive sites, SCUBA diving is one of the best day trips from Cabo.

SCUBA Diving in Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is the larger and more popular of the two Cabo towns and has the most dive shops. Its location at the convergence of the Gulf of California (also called the Sea of Cortez) and the Pacific Ocean means it has direct access to the ocean.

There’s an array of marine life you can see here, including tropical fish, octopus, moray eels, seahorses, and nudibranchs, as well as sea lions, turtles, and sharks. It’s sometimes possible to encounter larger animals, such as whales in Cabo’s whale watching season in winter.

Diving in Cabo San Lucas is a great way to see the famous sandfalls, an underwater phenomenon where sand mimics waterfalls on the seabed.

On your surface interval, you might spot leaping mobula rays or migrating humpback whales.

Cabo San Lucas Marine Park

You don’t even need to leave Cabo San Lucas Bay to dive. The dive sites along Cabo’s cape to Land’s End have been protected since 1973 when the President of Mexico declared the Cabo San Lucas Marine Park.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the dive sites in Cabo San Lucas Marine Park are a quick 10-minute boat ride from the marina.

Conditions inside the bay are usually calm with no or little currents, while the end of the cape can be rougher due to swell from the Pacific Ocean. Visibility differs greatly depending on the season.

Cabo San Lucas Marine Park’s dive sites have interesting drop-offs to a deep canyon and underwater structures.

Pelican Rock is a popular snorkelling and diving site right next to Lover’s Beach. A pinnacle that protrudes above the surface, underwater you can see purple coral fans and a wealth of marine life, especially on the wall in front of the pinnacle.

Our experience diving in Cabo San Lucas

Dan got his PADI Open Water Certification in Cabo San Lucas and Lucy joined for his last couple of dives, having been previously certified on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

There are not loads of colourful coral reefs like in other destinations, but diving in Cabo has a certain charm. Dan had a couple of thrilling encounters with sea lions and Lucy fell in love with a curious porcupinefish that became her little shadow. We saw the iconic sandfalls, as well as tropical fish including pufferfish, garden eels, and moray eels.

Visibility in March was pretty terrible at about 5 metres. However, this was actually really interesting to learn in as it prepared Dan for more challenging conditions (and we really appreciated the stunning conditions in Cozumel later!).

The Tourist Corridor

The 20-mile (32 km) stretch of coastline between Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, known as the Tourist Corridor, is lined with sandy beaches, luxury beachfront hotels, and 5 amazing dive sites that are much quieter than in Cabo San Lucas Marine Park:

Dives here are mostly along the shoreline with a longer boat ride to get to than Cabo San Lucas. The surge can be stronger and, while many epic encounters with sharks and other marine animals can happen here, it’s also possible you get a day where there’s not much to see.

If you get lucky, you could see marine animals including hammerhead sharks and migrating rays. Humpback whales, spinner dolphins, and jumping mobula rays can be seen seasonally on the way to these sites.

Most dive trips to the Tourist Corridor leave from Cabo San Lucas Marina and are a 30 to 40-minute boat ride.

SCUBA Diving in San José del Cabo

There are 8 dive sites that can be accessed from San José del Cabo (not including the five sites in the Tourist Corridor) from Santa Maria Bay all the way to Punta Arena:

San José del Cabo often has calmer water and better visibility than Cabo San Lucas. You’re more likely to see animals like sharks and rays here too. But swell and surf can grow much stronger and the underwater landscape is less dramatic.

Gordo Banks

Gordo Banks is a sea mount with frequent shark and ray sightings, located about 8 miles (13 km) offshore from San José del Cabo Marina. It’s known for its hammerhead shark sightings. Other shark species spotted here include grey reef sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and whale sharks.

SCUBA Diving in Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo is a tiny village on the East Cape of Baja California Sur, approximately 60 miles (97 km) northeast of Cabo San Lucas. While it’s technically not part of Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo is an unmissable diving destination.

The town itself was built on pearl diving and fishing. In the 1980s, locals raised concerns about the condition of the reef and the depletion of fish stocks. After years of campaigning, Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park was established by the Mexican government in 1995.

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is a protected reserve known for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life. Since the creation of a protected park, there has been a 463% increase in marine life in Cabo Pulmo.

The reef at Cabo Pulmo is thought to be 20,000 years old. It lies in the Sea of Cortez, a marine ecosystem labelled by Jacques Cousteau as the ‘world’s aquarium’. Dives run along the reef, parallel to the coast, and are fairly shallow.

There are more than excellent 10 dive sites in Cabo Pulmo, including:

The park is home to over 800 species of marine life, including large schools of fish like big eye jacks, snappers, groupers, and porkfish, as well as rays, turtles, and sharks. Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is particularly popular with divers hoping to see bull sharks and manta rays.

When to go diving in Cabo

Diving in Cabo is great all year round but there are some factors, including weather and wildlife, that might influence when you go.

What is the best time of year to dive in Cabo?

June to October is the warmest season. Water temperatures sit at about 25 to 28°C (78-82°F) and the sea is calmest with the best visibility.

November to May has cooler water temperatures of 20 to 22°C (68-72°F), with slightly stronger currents.

What is the best month to dive in Cabo?

To narrow it down further, September, October, and November are the best months to dive in Cabo, when the waters are warmest and visibility is at its best. These months also coincide with several wildlife seasons, including whale sharks, turtles, and manta rays, and are great months to see sharks. The only downside is that there is more rain in these months and storms can mean cancelled trips. It’s best to have some flexibility in your itinerary in case you need to reschedule while you’re there.

Dive shops in Cabo

Cabo is home to numerous reputable dive shops, specialising in PADI training, technical diving, manta ray and shark encounters, and guided excursions. Here are the top-rated dive shops in Cabo that we shortlisted:

How much is SCUBA diving in Cabo?

Mexico is generally one of the cheapest places to dive in the world and Cabo is no different. It may be slightly more expensive than other destinations like Cozumel as it’s more touristy, but it’s still one of the cheapest places in the world that we’ve dived. For perspective, a 2-tank dive in Cabo is about half the price of a similar 2-tank dive in Hawaii and about 30% cheaper than Australia’s Gold Coast.

The cost of SCUBA diving in Cabo will vary depending on the company and tour you choose, the equipment they include, and the site you go to. We’ve compiled some average prices below.

Learning to dive in Cabo

Discover SCUBA Dive: about $140 USD for a 1-tank Intro Dive.

An Intro Dive is a beginner-friendly diving experience that gives you a taste of SCUBA diving and is a fun gift idea.

PADI courses in Cabo

PADI Open Water: about $350 to $500 USD.

PADI Advanced: about $450 USD.

PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) is a globally recognized SCUBA diving certification agency and a recommended body to get your certification with.

Other courses are available, including Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Enriched Air NITROX, Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigator, and Underwater Photography.

Qualified diving in Cabo

If you’re already certified, you’re probably looking to book diving with a company that can provide equipment, transportation, and a guide. Prices vary from dive shop to dive shop and each has its policies surrounding inclusions or extra charges for equipment. Typically, prices of diving in Cabo are:

Standard open water dive in Cabo San Lucas: about $120 USD for a 2-tank dive.

In-demand sites like Gordo Banks: about $150 USD for a 2-tank dive.

Night dive in Cabo San Lucas: about $120 USD for a 1-tank dive.

Private dive charters: Between $500 to $1,000 USD.

Refreshers in Cabo

A refresher updates your skills and knowledge and is mandatory with most shops if you’ve not dived in a while. Lucy did a dive refresher in Cabo before joining Dan for his last two PADI certification dives. In Cabo, the cost of a refresher is between $50 to $100 USD.

You can often get discounts on dives if you book multiple dives in one go, so it’s worth checking with the dive shop. Dive packages can also be an affordable way to dive in Cabo if you plan to do multiple dives during your stay.

How much is diving in Cabo Pulmo?

As a more remote destination, diving in Cabo Pulmo is more expensive than in Los Cabos. A day trip diving in Cabo Pulmo from Los Cabos is about $200 to $300 USD.

If you choose to stay in Cabo Pulmo, you’re looking at around $120 to $160 USD for a 2-tank dive.

What can you see diving in Cabo?

You never know what you may see diving in Cabo. Strict conservation regulations have allowed these ecosystems to flourish, resulting in a spectacular array of marine life.

The reef in Cabo

Cabo San Lucas’ reef features dramatic drop-offs near the iconic El Arco rock formation.

San José del Cabo’s reef extends along the Tourist Corridor and encompasses the protected marine sanctuary at Santa Maria and the submerged reef of Gordo Banks.

Cabo Pulmo’s ancient, finger-shaped reef is shallow and close to shore but full of vibrant marine life.

At each site, you may encounter colourful coral formations, sea fans, and brain coral, as well as rocky structures, canyons, and swim-throughs.

Marine life in Cabo

Cabo’s marine life is incredibly diverse. Species you may see diving include:

Where to stay when diving in Cabo

If you’re looking for diving accommodation in Cabo, some dive shops like Dive Cabo offer accommodation that can be included in diving packages. Otherwise, there’s a whole host of beautiful accommodations in Los Cabos from budget apartments to luxury resorts, so there’s something for every budget. Here are our top picks:

What to pack to dive in Cabo

To ensure an enjoyable diving experience in Cabo, it’s essential to pack the right gear. Don’t forget to pack your:

What to know before diving in Cabo

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable dive in Cabo’s impressive underwater world, here are some tips to know before you go:

Cabo SCUBA Diving FAQs

Hopefully, you’re now well-equipped to enjoy diving in Cabo but we’ve listed some frequently asked questions below in case you have any remaining queries.

Is there good SCUBA diving in Cabo?

There’s some really great diving in Cabo. From Cabo San Lucas Marine Park to Cabo Pulmo, Cabo has some of the best diving in Baja California Sur.

How good is diving in Cabo?

The quality of the diving depends on when you go. You can time your diving with wildlife and weather to ensure you have the best chance of an amazing experience. The visibility and coral are not as impressive as in some other parts of Mexico like Cozumel. However, there are some unique things to look out for such as the famous sandfalls, as well as larger animals such as sea lions.

Does Cabo have whale sharks?

Yes, it’s possible to see whale sharks in Cabo. These gentle giants migrate to the area’s nutrient-rich waters from October to May. You may get lucky and see one on a dive but they’re more commonly found in La Paz where you can snorkel with them.

Is Cabo known for sharks?

Cabo is a great place to see sharks, including grey reef, blacktip reef, hammerhead, bull, lemon, mako, blue, silky, and occasionally tiger sharks. Most shark species in Cabo are harmless to humans and attacks are incredibly rare.

What time of year are sharks in Cabo?

June to September is a good time to see sharks in Cabo, while species including mako, blue and silky can be seen from May to October. Whale sharks are found here between October and April.

Is the ocean water in Cabo cold?

The ocean water temperature in Cabo varies depending on when you are visiting. June to October are the warmest months, ideal for snorkelling and diving. November to May are cooler months, suitable for divers who prefer colder water.

How warm is the water in Cabo to SCUBA?

The water temperature in Cabo varies throughout the year:

• Winter (Dec-Feb): 20-22°C (68-72°F)
• Spring (Mar-May): 21-23°C (70-74°F)
• Summer (Jun-Aug): 25-28°C (78-82°F)
• Fall (Sep-Nov): 23-25°C (74-78°F)

Do you need a wetsuit to dive in Cabo?

In Cabo, a wetsuit is recommended for diving, depending on the time of year and personal preference. Most dive shops will be able to provide a suitable wetsuit if you don’t have your own.

Are there reefs in Cabo?

Yes, Cabo San Lucas is home to numerous vibrant reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and diving. Some notable reefs can be found in Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Gordo Banks Reef, Pelican Rock, and Santa Maria Bay.

How deep is the dive at Gordo Banks?

Gordo Banks has a maximum depth of 36 metres (120 ft), an average depth of 18 to 24 metres (60-80 ft), and the shallowest part is 9 metres (30 ft), making it great for beginner and advanced divers alike.

How deep is Pelican Rock, Cabo?

Pelican Rock has a maximum depth of 18 to 24 metres (60-80 ft), an average depth of 12-15 metres (40-50 ft), and the shallowest point is 6-9 metres (20-30 ft), making it great for divers getting certified.

Is Baja California good for SCUBA diving?

Baja California is a world-renowned destination for SCUBA diving. Other notable places for diving on the Baja peninsula include La Paz, Loreto, and Ensenada.

Is diving better in La Paz or Cabo?

Both La Paz and Cabo offer exceptional diving experiences but they cater to different preferences. La Paz is great for calmer water, clearer visibility, and encounters with sea lions and rays. Cabo is home to more vibrant reefs with the potential to see bigger pelagic species.

Read next:

10 Tips for Taking a Boat Tour in Cabo

How to Get Around Cabo: 10 Modes of Transport

An Ethical Guide to Humpback Whale Watching in Cabo

The 18 Best Beachfront Hotels in Cabo

The 15 Best Day Trips from Cabo

Los Cabos Travel Guide: Cabo San Lucas Vs San José del Cabo

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