The Best Dive Sites in México

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Adventurers, Explorers

The Best Dive Sites in México
Written by Cabo Adventures

Established in 1994

Article Summary

Explore Mexico's top dive sites: Cabo San Lucas with Land's End and Neptune’s Finger, Cabo Pulmo National Park's vibrant reefs, Marietas Islands' marine wonders, and the Sea of Cortez's diverse sea life. Dive with Cabo Adventures for an unforgettable underwater experience!

In this blog, our travel experts cover the best diving sites accessible in Mexico's western coast!

From Puerto Vallarta to Cabo San Lucas you will find some of the best dive sites in the World. If you are looking for the best scuba diving in Mexico, make sure to book some water time at a couple of Cabo San Lucas dive sites. The establishment of the Los Cabos Wildlife Protection Area around 1973 has helped keep the western coast of Mexico clean, vibrant, and brimming with flora and fauna.

From the tip of the peninsula where sea and ocean meet, to the North Wall at the beginning of the bay, Cabo San Lucas scuba diving sites are some of the best you will experience.

Land's End at Cabo San Lucas

If you are ready for the best scuba in Mexico, it is time to head out with our Diving Tour at Land's End and the Arch. Located at the very southern tip of Baja California where the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez meet, Land's End is one of the most unique dive sites in all of Mexico.

You can have the unique experience of diving in two bodies of water at the same time. At Land's End, you may see barracuda and tuna, and you can frolic with the sea lions at their colony in the flat rock formation.

A scenic view of El Arco de Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, showcasing towering rock formations rising from the clear blue waters of the Pacific Ocean under a bright, clear sky. The famous arch is prominently featured, with vibrant turquoise waters surrounding the natural landmark.

The area is famous for its breathtaking rock formations, including the picturesque “El Arco” (“The Arch”), an enormous rock arch that divers can swim through, and the site of the “Lunderberg,” an American-German boat that shipwrecked mysteriously.

According to locals, on the 8th of February of 1954, a loud noise was heard near The Arch´s coasts, soon after some vestiges were washed up on the beaches, but no ship was ever found. Surprisingly, in 2014, after Odile´s hurricane aftermath, the lost ship was discovered. A perfect site for intrepid adventurers!

Neptune’s Finger

Included in our Land's End scuba diving excursion tour is the rock formation known as Neptune's Finger. In addition to the colorful and varied flora and fauna, this Cabo San Lucas dive site is also home to the largest sand falls of the Cabo San Lucas Marine Park.

North Wall

Ranging in depth from approximately 20 feet to 100 feet (6 meters - 30 meters), the North Wall's ability to accommodate scuba divers from beginning to advanced skill levels makes it one of the best scuba diving spots in Mexico.

During your scuba dive, you may have the pleasure of seeing pufferfish, moray eels, porcupine fish, and even seahorses floating gracefully by in the crystal clear Cabo San Lucas water.

Cabo Pulmo National Park

North of Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Pulmo National Park offers scenic scuba diving made for marine wildlife lovers. Rescued from overfishing and pollution during the latter half of the 20th century, Cabo Pulmo National Park is a living monument to the powers of preservation in action.

A pair of scuba divers exploring underwater near a large, tightly packed school of fish in the deep blue ocean. The fish form a swirling, dense formation, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating the divers and the aquatic life around them.

The park's coral reef (the oldest and northernmost coral reef in North America), once nearly destroyed, is now teaming with a diverse array of oceanic life spanning from small fish to large marine mammals.

The reef itself has many “fingers” of hard coral atop rock outcroppings that run parallel to the coast, each occurring in progressively deeper water offshore. These make truly amazing backdrops for dives ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced.
Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, Cabo Pulmo National Park is an underwater treasure that can't be missed. Dive into the waters of Cabo Pulmo National Park on our Cabo Pulmo Diving Tour here at Cabo Adventures, and experience all that this amazing site has to offer. From small fish to large marine mammals, you will enjoy your time at this Cabo San Lucas scuba diving site.

The Marieta Islands

Located just off the Bay of Banderas, and home of the famous coastal city Puerto Vallarta, divers will be pleased to discover a remote collection of islands located just where the bay meets the Pacific Ocean.

Two scuba divers exploring a vibrant coral reef, with one swimming through a rocky arch while the other is in the background. The scene is filled with colorful corals and marine life, set against the clear blue water of the ocean. Brightly colored fish swim around the divers, adding to the lively underwater environment.

These are the Marietas Islands, home to some of the best scuba diving tours Mexico has to offer.

Just under the surface, the islands show their true colors. Spectacular marine flora and fauna thrive along the slopes of a breathtaking underwater mountain range. Escape the crowds for a dive site unlike any other on our Marieta Islands Scuba Dive experience.

The Marietas Islands Scuba Dive Tour (offered through our sister company Vallarta Adventures) will take you on a two-tank dive where you can cruise along with a beautiful underwater mountain range and view the rainbows of color from fish and flora.

On top of that, during the whale season in Puerto Vallarta, which goes from mid-December to the end of March, you have great chances to watch Humpback Whales on your way to your dive site at Marietas Islands.

A majestic humpback whale breaching the ocean's surface, its massive body partially out of the water with one fin extended. The whale creates a splash against the deep blue sea, set against a clear sky. This dynamic scene captures the power and grace of this magnificent marine mammal.

Even though the Scuba Diving excursion to Marietas Islands does not include a visit to the famous Hidden Beach, you can take a specific tour that will take you there comfortably on a fast inflatable boat, from where you will jump to the water and swim -with a snorkel mask, to this iconic place. Visiting Hidden Beach at the Marietas Islands can be a life-changing experience for some, so don't miss the opportunity while staying in Puerto Vallarta.

A picturesque view of the Hidden Beach (Playa del Amor) located in the Marietas Islands, Mexico. The beach is enclosed by a circular crater-like formation with lush green grass on top, and its pristine sand meets clear turquoise water. Two people are walking along the shoreline, enjoying the secluded and serene environment.

The Sea of Cortez

The west coast of Mexico is actually home to two separate coastlines. The westernmost is located along the Pacific Ocean; the other is located on the Sea of Cortez. Nestled between the Baja California peninsula and the mainland of Mexico, the Sea of Cortez (also called “the Gulf of California”) is known for its calm waters and an incredible array of marine life, including colorful corals.

An underwater scene showcasing a vibrant coral reef with a variety of colorful corals and marine life. Purple sea fans, red sponges, and other corals adorn the rocky reef, creating a beautiful and diverse ecosystem. The clear blue water provides a stunning backdrop, highlighting the intricate details and lively colors of the reef.

Like Cabo Pulmo National Park, the Sea of Cortez was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected from overfishing—making it a location where you can experience some of the best diving in Mexico.

Sea of Cortez is also known for its great colony of sea lions which makes it one of the only places in the world where you can swim with sea lions in their natural environment, and the activity is also perfect to be practiced just with snorkeling gear. Visit the Sea of Cortez from October to June to swim with sea lions.

A snorkeler swimming underwater alongside a playful sea lion. The snorkeler, wearing a mask and snorkel, observes the sea lion as it glides gracefully over a rocky seabed. The clear, shimmering water reveals the marine life and vibrant underwater landscape below.

Those looking for calm dive sites near Cabo San Lucas, teeming with a myriad of marine life will find no shortage of amazing mammals, fish, and other animals in the Sea of Cortez.

Learn to scuba dive in Cabo

A scuba diving instructor guiding a student underwater, both equipped with diving gear. The instructor is giving a hand signal, possibly for communication or instruction, while the student attentively listens and maintains buoyancy. The underwater setting is clear, with various aquatic elements visible in the background.

If there are people who want to learn to dive in your group, they can make the most of their vacations by learning how to scuba dive at Cabo. The course will take a couple of days of practice, on a pool first, and then in the ocean, plus some theory reading. The good news is that they can take the reading part and the written tests at home, and once they get to scuba diving in Cabo itself, they will continue practicing, making the whole process easier and faster.

Scuba Diving with Cabo Adventures

Ready to go scuba diving? Mexico has many options to offer. For the best dives at the best locations, there is no better place to book than right here at Cabo Adventures. With centers in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo, our award-winning team proudly leads dives at some of the top sites across Mexico.

A pair of scuba divers exploring underwater near a large, tightly packed school of fish in the deep blue ocean. The fish form a swirling, dense formation, creating a mesmerizing underwater scene. Sunlight filters through the water, illuminating the divers and the aquatic life around them.

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, you'll find that we have a myriad of expeditions tailored to meet your needs. Explore our site to learn more about our many dives, and book with our team

Published on June 21, 2024

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