Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, and Whale-Watching in Baja California Sur

 

 


As the ultimate sports destination, La Ventana Mexico lures adventure seekers to its sandy shores with the promise of consistent offshore winds and waves. While it’s only an hour away from the bustling, tequila-fueled resort strips in Cabo San Lucas, La Ventana feels authentic–a place with dusty, bumpy roads, framed by cacti and quiet beaches in lieu of mega-resorts and buffet lines.


In La Ventana, sun seekers, mountain bikers, surfers, SUP’ers, kayakers, kiteboarders, snorkelers, divers, and anglers load up their gear and head down to play in the surf, with a stunning backdrop of the Sea of Cortez and Jacques Cousteau Island.  

While I am writing this article, I can see whales playing in the bay of La Ventana - just from my large window room front at the Tango Azul vacation apartment.  From late December to the end of March lots of Blue, Fin, Humpback, Gray, Sperm, Brydes, Sei, and Mink Whales are coming to La Ventana Bay and the Sea of Cortez on the Eastern side of Baja California Sur.


Baja Underwater Expeditions / Cerralvo Divers

La Ventana - Isle Cerralvo Diving

From fall to early spring it is a kite surfing town with a small population of local fishermen and home to a gateway to Jacques Cousteau Island. The famous ocean explorer led many expeditions in this area and so the Mexican Government changed the name from Cerralvo Island in 2009 in honor of his conservation work. La Ventana: a kite surfing town with a small population of local fishermen and home to a gateway to Jacques Cousteau Island. The famous ocean explorer led many expeditions in this area and so the Mexican Government changed the name from Cerralvo Island in 2009 in honor of his conservation work. Many of the locals prefer to use its real name ‘Cerralvo’.


A huge dolphin population lives in the area too, and in the last few years, orcas encounters are becoming very popular! In one word, La Ventana is a truly magical place. Under the surface, a true multicolor paradise is waiting for all the divers that want something new to explore. Besides La Reina, very famous for the giant mantas, we can explore several unknown dive sites, all rich in marine life and beautiful coral formations.


Duration: 6 hours

Capacity: Min. 2 pax Max. 8 pax

Price: USD $180 for two tanks – USD $210 for three tanks  (100 USD = 95 Euros)

Includes:  Roundtrip transportation by boat, certified dive guide, 2 or 3 tanks

Complete diving equipment (fins, visor, regulator, vest, weights)

Lunch, fruits, and drinks


Phone +52 987 1171354 / +52 612 2127511
La Ventana - Calle Manzanillo y Corredor Isla, 8am - 5 pm

E-MAILinfo@bajaunderwaterexpeditions.com

https://bajaunderwaterexpeditions.com/Expeditions/la-ventana/


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Baja Wild Encounters 

They offer not only snorkel and scuba diving tours but also whale-watching tours.  Dive around the Southern Island in the Sea of Cortez, Isla Cerralvo also known as Jacques Cousteau Island.  Here we can see large Pelagic Fish, Sea Lions, Giant Oceanic Manta Rays from July to October, Mobula Rays, and adventure through small caves and swim-throughs.  Dive sites are available for all levels of divers.

3500 pesos (around USD$175) per Diver*, departure is around 8 am

Included are the boat, captain, guide, 2 tanks, weights, snacks, and water.


Whale Watching Day Trips and even Multi-Day trips are available at a request

Activity Days: 1 Day trip - 6 hours

Trip Cost: 3,000 Pesos (around USD$150) per person - Minimum of 4 people on tour, or cover cost of 4 people.


https://bajawildencounters.com/about


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Cabo Pulmo National Park

It is the national marine park on the east coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, spanning the distance between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape, approximately 3 hours south of La Paz. Cabo Pulmo is home to the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America. Estimated to be 20,000 years old, it is the northernmost coral reef in the eastern Pacific Ocean. The reef has a number of fingers of hard coral atop rock outcroppings that run parallel to the coast, occurring in progressively deeper water offshore. The area was designated a national park in 1995, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

Cabo Pulmo National Park is home to over 6,000 marine species. Principle among these is the famous sea lions of the area. In terms of other large species, the park is also home to humpback whales, sharks, and whale sharks. Huge groupers, turtles, and large schools of jacks are readily available. Tropical fish are abundant, and the occasional reef and bull shark can also be found close to prey. Underwater photographers will be amazed at the diversity of macro life found on this rare coral reef. 



Pulmo Ntl Park Scuba-Diving

Several coral reefs at Cabo Pulmo attract schools of rays, turtles, enormous groupers, large schools of jacks, porkfish, tropical fish, and even sharks every once in a while. 

Most of the dive sites are shallow (30-40 feet) and located only a 10-15 minute boat ride from shore. The shallow depth of the dives and easy contours of the bottom, allow long and very easy drift dives.


Duration: Approx. 3:30 hours

Includes: National park fee, 2 tanks, and lunch

Without Transportation - Price: USD$125 

With Round Trip Transportation - Price: $275 USD (100 USD = 95 Euros)

Rental Equipment: USD$ 35 


https://cabopulmotravel.com/scuba-diving-tours/


https://www.cabopulmo.com/diving





Diving in La Paz

Espiritu Santo Island – 2 tanks day trip

1 day USD$180 

Includes: Guide, taxes 16%, snacks, lunch, and drinks

Rental gear is free

They are a group of French-Mexican friends, who share their love for diving, the Sea of Cortez, and the protection of marine ecosystems. The owner Alexia is a French marine biologist. All the members of her team have many years of experience in diving and the sea of Cortez and around La Paz.

http://diveinlapaz.com/services/trips-dive/



Cabo San Lucas Marine Park Diving

Watch the unique Sand falls phenomenon, an underwater avalanche of sand

Dive with the playful sea lions next to the famous arch

Enjoy a tour around the Land’s End area: see Lover’s Beach, the Sea Lion’s Colony, the famous arch, and the Pacific

Experience a ride on our well-shaded, fully equipped, and custom-made dive boats

Dive in small groups with a PADI-certified Divemaster or instructor.  Daily 8 am and 1 pm, approx. 3:30 hrs

Includes: 2 tanks, a guide, weights, and drinking water

Price USD$125

Dive gear rental full set – $38

Nitrox tank up to 32% – $10


Phone +52-624-9800640

Blvd. Marina #7D Local 37 Int. Plaza Gali

https://www.mantacabo.com/trip/diving-in-cabo-reserve/
Video:

https://vimeo.com/147187290



Diving in Baja California Sur is excellent year-round but each season brings its own gems.  July to November has excellent visibility (25m). This season is also prime time for whale sharks (best chances in October/November) and offers the warmest water (73-85°F/23-30°C).

Cooler waters between December and March (64-68°F/18-20°C) bring different creatures.  Now is the best time to come face-to-face with humpback whales and mobula rays.  Whatever time of year you visit, your logbook will be pleasantly full after diving in Baja California Sur.

https://www.padi.com/diving-in/baja-california-sur

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Enjoy your time underwater, watching the marine animals flow by.



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