These are some of the most popular
sites we visit. All are accessible by boat only.
LOS ISLOTES "THE COLONY"
DEPTH: 25 - 50ft (8 - 15m)
LEVEL: Novice
Situated half a mile north of Isla Espiritu Santo are Los Islotes, two large
rock islets one of which is a natural arch. Diving through the center of this
natural rock formation brimming with life one can expect to see dense shoals
of silver sardines, blue and gold King Angel Fish and yellow surgeon fish amongst
golden cup corals. These islets are home to a colony of over 200 Californian
Brown Sea lions. These inquisitive creatures take great interest in those visiting
their home. One can often turn to find the pups pulling at your fins, eager
to play, showing off and turning circles around our comparatively clumsy underwater
movements. The larger bulls become pugnacious and territorial during the mating
season in protection of their harem. Underwater circumnavigation of these islands
is invariably exciting and always visually diverse.
EL BAJO "MARISLA SEA MOUNT"
DEPTH: 60 - 100+ft (15 - 30+m)
LEVEL: Advanced Open Water
The seamount is located 8.2 miles, 032° degrees from Los Islotes. There
are three distinct underwater peaks arrayed along a three hundred yard line
running 120o - 300o, the northern most rising to within 83ft of the surface,
the central peak to within 52ft and the southern to within 69ft. The central
peak, with its shallow depths and relatively flattop, is the primary dive site
and anchoring location This is one of the premier dive sites in the world for
schooling Hammerhead sharks. Schools range from between six to hundreds travelling
in a clockwise direction around the seamount for unknown reasons. While schooling,
hammerheads are not aggressive, and reassuringly enough they actually appear
disinterested in divers. As a seamount El Bajo is home to an abundance of sea
life, mass schooling fish (amber jacks, tuna etc), octopus and the impressive
Panamic Green moray; a colony of over fifty can be found in a small canyon.
Aside from possible encounters with hammerheads frequent visitors to the seamount
include; whale sharks and giant pacific manta rays. NOTE: this is an Advanced
Open Water Dive.
NAKED LADY "LOS MUELLECITOS"
DEPTH: 20 - 70ft (12 - 25m)
LEVEL: Novice
This site is along the northernmost point of Isla Espiritu Santo, its main feature
is a long "wall" descending to 75ft (23 meters) we can see passing Mantas, several
species of Moray, octopus, gorgonians, colonial cup coral and large sea fans
to name but a few of the delights of this dive.
THE SALVATIERRA WRECK
DEPTH: 60ft (18m)
LEVEL: Novice
This site is the wreck of the cargo ferry "La Salvatierra" which sank in 1976
moments after striking the reef Swanee Rock (subsequently fitted with a warning
light). Of the hundreds of passengers not one life was lost and the insurance
company actually paid everyone for their losses.. 50 pesos each!
ROCAS LOBOS "SEA LION ROCKS"
DEPTH: 20 -100+ft (12 - 30+m)
LEVEL: Novice
A local dive site boasting a large number of coral heads, small caves and overhangs.
This is our popular night dive site, where on can see huge sleeping Parrot Fish
cocooned in their own mucus hiding their scent from potential predators and
upon waking, swim free of the cocoon. Once home of a colony of Sea Lions who
occasionally return to visit their old home. There's a multitude of fish life
and several species of ray buried in the surrounding sand.
GAVIOTA WRECKS
DEPTH: 45- 60ft (14 - 18m)
LEVEL: Novice
Just offshore Isla Gaviota (seagull Island) in the bay of La Paz we descend
to 45 - 60ft to explore 2 sunken wooded boats with some penetration, which becomes
home too much sea life. Anemones, Sergeant Majors and Lobster are among the
abundant sea life to be found in and around the wrecks and the surrounding coast
and its caves.
ROCAS TINTORERA "TIGERSHARK ROCKS"
DEPTH: 20 - 70ft (10 - 21m)
LEVEL: Novice
These small offshore rocks are the tips of a series of underwater rock columns.
Diving to 70ft we explore the huge rock formations and their life: morays, cabrilla,
Panama Graysby, Snapper, Octopus, King Angelfish, Parrotfish etc.
ISLA BALLENA "WHALE ISLAND"
DEPTH: 20 - 60ft (10 - 20m)
LEVEL: Novice
A small Island off the west coast of Isla Espiritu Santo featuring several dive-through
caves one of which has a pocket of air allowing divers to surface inside the
rock. Between the islands is a sand shelf containing a large "garden" of conger
eels - these peculiar creatures feed by extending their bodies vertically from
holes in the sea floor, swaying in the currents whilst waiting for passing morsels.
Schools of Rays and pods of Dolphins can be seen passing this tranquil dive
site.
FANG MING & LAPAS 03
DEPTH: 70ft (21m)
LEVEL: Novice
On the 18th November 1999, two Chinese metal vessels named Fang Ming and Lapas03,
of 56 meters and 36 meters of length respectively were sunk close to Isla Ballena.
These vessels were confiscated by the Mexican government for the illegal transportation
of immigrants, and remained in their possession until the golden opportunity
arose of taking advantage of the situation to create an artificial reef. Offering
full penetration diving over numerous levels, the wrecks offers the ideal setting
for indulging in a wreck diver specialty.
LA REYNA "THE QUEEN"
DEPTH: 80ft (25m)
LEVEL: Novice to intermediate
A rock islet just north of Isla Cerralvo with a lighthouse. This site is among
the most beautiful in the area. In depths of 80ft (25m) a large reef is found
populated by gorgonias of all types, brain corals, large schools of brightly
coloured tropical fish, rays, green, zebra & jewelled morays. This is a "must
dive" site! This dive is subject to current, but is home to over 8 giant pacific
manta rays.
LA REYNITA "THE LITTLE QUEEN"
DEPTH: 25ft - 100+ft (8 - 30+m)
LEVEL: Novice
This small rock pinnacle located on the west side of Isla Cerralvo has a constant
current in which schools of fish "hang" waiting for their dinner to pass. Large
groupers, sea fans, brain corals and conger garden eels are among the attractions,
which make this a favorite site.