Diving in Cabo Pulmo

Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is worldwide known as one of the most unique and stunning places to dive in the world, due to its greatest marine biodiversity richness.

The UNESCO Natural heritage it’s the perfect place for those passionate divers, marine biology geeks, underwater photographers, or just for those people seeking an adventurous experience! Diving in Cabo Pulmo it’s undoubtedly an exciting experience that you mustn’t miss in Baja.

Either you are an experimented diver or you want to give it a try for the first time, this is the best place!

This Marine Protected Area (MPA) hosts a variety of sea life round year, such as sea turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, eels, the famous school of jacks, as well as our seasonal guests like the humpback whales and out unmissable coolest residents the bull sharks!

Among diving in Cabo Pulmo underwater wonders are several species of sharks, either as residents or transients. One of the most noticeable is the increasingly an increasingly constant presence of bull sharks on the wreck "El Vencedor", which is already a spectacular dive site due to its number and variety of fish residents.

Depending on the season, there are a number of Pulmo sites where bull sharks may be observed mating, resting or hunting, but the most dependable site for observing these magnificent animals while diving is “El Vencedor”.

The increased numbers of these predators in the Park’s waters is relatively recent, another fruit of the Cabo Pulmo community’s conservation efforts for the reef.

Also, one of the most outstanding attractions of Pulmo`s waters are shoals of jacks that become so abundant that the schools can block the passage of sunlight and be a “cloud” of fish extending from the water surface to the seabed. This “jack tornado” phenomenon is present throughout most of the year.

Seasons in Cabo Pulmo

What to see? What to expect?

Due to the great location and dynamic oceanography, diving in Cabo Pulmo is full of marine life and surprises all round year! Water temperatures fluctuate between a balmy 29°C from June to November and get frigid 18°C from January-March.

During these chilly months, cold thermoclines encourage algae to bloom, attracting a variety of marine life such as humpback whales (that come to give birth and mate), the fascinating mobula rays, random sightings of orcas that feed on rays, as well as the high richness of sharks like blacktips (that visit us only in winter) and of course our resident lemon sharks and bull sharks (that are more abundant during December-May).

Although from April to June, visibility is lower and water temperature still low, we can spot bigger aggregations of bull sharks while diving and we have the great advantage that all diving sites are open.

In July, water temperature starts warming up and the following summer months are around 24°C-30°C/75F-86F (at this time we stop wearing wetsuits); visibility improves significantly (12-27mts/40-90feet) and we can enjoy long periods of calm weather.

Water conditions are at their best during October-December, which is the reason why it is considered the peak season. Visibility is about 18- 27mts/60-90feet and water temperature is between 27°C-30°C/ 80.6F- 86F. We have great chances to witness the mobula ray ́s (aka devil ray) migration, as well the first sightings of humpback whales that come to our warmer waters to nurse their calves! In addition, you ́ll have the opportunity to see all the park's legendary wildlife.

Make note that on peak season Cabo Pulmo has a limited number of boats allowed to explore the park per day and closes it ́s dive sites after capacity is filled. Due to this, please be sure to reserve in advance and keep in mind divers might have to wait a day or two for permits to visit the park’s most in-demand sites!

Undoubtedly diving in Cabo Pulmo figures prominently in the list of underwater jewels of the world and consequently those of Mexico.