Scuba Diving in Los Cabos and Baja Sur

Scuba Diving

One of the pioneers of diving in the area was none other than Jacques Cousteau, who explored the Sand Falls. Only 150 feet off Playa del Amor, this underwater sand river cascades off a steep drop-off into a deep abyss. In fact, this is one of several excellent diving or snorkeling spots close to the Cabo San Lucas shore. There are also fantastic coral-reef sites in the Corridor and north of San José.

Operators

All operators are based in Cabo San Lucas and offer essentially the same dives, at comparable prices. Generally, diving costs about $45 for one tank and $70 for two, including transportation. Equipment rental, dives in the Corridor, and night dives typically cost extra. Full-day trips to Gordo Banks and Cabo Pulmo cost about $125, including transportation, food, equipment, and two tanks. Most operators offer two- to four-day package deals.

Most dive shops have courses for noncertified divers; some may be offered through your hotel. Newly certified divers may go on local dives no more than 20 feet deep. Divers must show their C-card (diver certification card) before going on dives with reputable shops. Many operators offer widely recognized Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification courses.

Amigos del Mar (Blvd. Marina, Cabo San Lucas. near harbor fishing docks. 624/143-0505; 800/344-3349 in the U.S. www.amigosdelmar.com) is the oldest and most complete dive shop in the Los Cabos area. The staff is courteous and knowledgeable, and all guides speak English.

Cabo Acuadeportes (In front of now closed Hotel Hacienda, Playa Médano, Cabo San Lucas. 624/143-0117. Bahía Chileno, 16 km [9 mi] west of San José del Cabo, 16 km [9 mi] east of Cabo San Lucas) has boat dives from its shop on Playa Médano and boat and shore dives from its shop at Chileno Bay in the Corridor.

The Solmar V (Solmar Suites hotel, Blvd. Marina, Cabo San Lucas. 624/143-0022; 310/455-3600 in U.S. www.solmar.com) Solmar V, a luxury dive boat, takes weeklong trips to the islands of Socorro, San Benedicto, and Clarion, as well as to the coral reefs at Cabo Pulmo. Twelve cabins with private baths serve a maximum of 24 passengers.

Dive Sites

At all of the sites in Bahía San Lucas near El Arco you're likely to see colorful tropical fish traveling confidently in large schools. Yellow angelfish, green and blue parrotfish, red snappers, perfectly camouflaged stonefish, and long, slender needlefish share these waters. Divers regularly encounter stingrays, manta rays, and moray eels. The only problem with this location is the amount of boat traffic. The sound of motors penetrates deep into the water and can slightly mar the experience. The sea-lion colony at Cabo Pulmo makes for a fun dive most of the year -- except in summer, when these residents swim back out to sea. Neptune's Fingers (60-120 feet) is a long rock formation with abundant fish. About 150 feet off Playa del Amor, Pelican Rock (25-100 feet) is a calm, protected spot where you can look down on Sand Falls. The Point (15-80 feet) is a good spot for beginners who aren't ready to get too deep.

The Corridor has four popular diving sites. Bahía Santa Maria (20-60 feet) has water clear enough to see hard and soft corals, octopus, eels, and many tropical fish. Chileno Reef (10-80 feet) is a protected finger reef 1 km ( 1/2 mi) from Chileno Bay, with many invertebrates, including starfish, flower urchins, and hydroids. The Blow-Hole (60-100 feet) is known for diverse terrain -- massive boulders, rugged tunnels, shallow caverns, and deep rock cuts -- which house manta rays, sea turtles, and large schools of amberjacks and grouper. The Shipwreck (40-60 feet), an old Japanese fishing boat, is close to Cabo San Lucas, near the Misiones del Cabo hotel.

Three very unique diving spots can be found beyond the local area. The best spot for tropical fish and rays in the greater Los Cabos area is in the coral-reef system of the marine preserve at Cabo Pulmo (15-130 feet). The water is so clear that visibility can exceed 100 feet in summer. Expert divers head to Gordo Banks (100-130 feet), also known as the Wahoo Banks, which are 13 km (8 mi) off the coast of San José. The currents are too strong for less experienced divers. This is the spot for hammerhead sharks -- not generally aggressive with divers -- many species of tropical fish and rays, and, if you're lucky, dolphins. Fall is the best time to go. Well off the coast of La Paz (15-130 feet) you may find hammerhead and whale sharks.