Diving in the Sea of Cortez – Mexico
Swim alongside whale sharks, dive with curious sea lions and discover the spectacular marine life of the Sea of Cortez. La Paz is a true paradise for divers and snorkelers seeking grand adventure and natural beauty.
Travel period
Features
Starting at
Diving trip to La Paz, Mexico
Did you know that Jacques Cousteau once called the Sea of Cortez the“aquarium of the world“? And rightly so. Nowhere else will you find such an abundance of marine life within a short distance of the coast. From the atmospheric Buceo Carey Dive Center in La Paz, you will discover the wonders of this special region at your own pace.
You’ll meet playful sea lions, float over colorful coral reefs, and in the right season, you can even snorkel with whale sharks that come into the bay just offshore.
Depending on your travel period, there are other special excursions available:
– Sardine run in Magdalena Bay (September – December): an explosion of fish, marlins and birds in action.
– Whale watching from the boat (January – March): admire majestic whales up close.
– Seafari in La Ventana: a snorkeling tour with a chance to see orcas, mobula and more (spring).
This trip is ideal for divers looking for freedom, nature and adventure. You will dive in small groups, with personal guidance, and set your own pace.
Best travel time – La Paz, Mexico
The best time to dive in La Paz is from September to November. During these months, the water is warm (27-30 °C), visibility is excellent (up to 30 meters) and the sea is usually calm. This is also the season when marine life is at its most spectacular: you can dive with playful sea lions, snorkel with whale sharks and in November is the sardine run.
Also in January through March, the diving is well worth it. The water is a little cooler then, but the chance to see whales and large schools of mobula makes up for a lot.
Average Temperatures
Wetsuit advice for diving in La Paz – Mexico
A 3 to 5 mm wetsuit is recommended for diving in La Paz, depending on your personal preference and the season. Water temperatures are usually between 26 and 28 degrees Celsius, which is relatively warm.
What will you experience on this diving vacation?
View itinerary here
Day 1 | The trip to La Paz in Mexico
Today begins your journey to La Paz, the capital of Baja California Sur in Mexico. Total travel time from Amsterdam is usually between 20 and 30 hours, depending on the route and airline chosen.
The most common routes to La Paz are via the United States or Mexico City.
La Paz is located on the west coast of Mexico, on the Gulf of California (also known as the Sea of Cortez). Known for its rich marine life, it is a popular destination for divers and nature lovers.
At EWDR, we are happy to help you find the most suitable flights to La Paz, tailored to your preferences and needs. Would you also like to discover the other side of Mexico and dive in the cenotes? We can also arrange this for you.
Day 2 | Arrival at Villa Carey
After arriving at La Paz airport, a cab will be waiting to take you directly to Villa Carey. The ride takes about 30 minutes. Once you arrive at Villa Carey, you will be warmly welcomed with an authentic Mexican buffet-style breakfast – a warm and flavorful start to your stay.
Afterwards there will be a welcome briefing, in which we will go over all practical matters and the program of the week. You will also receive a welcome pack with nice goodies, as a souvenir and useful items for during your trip.
Later in the day you can participate in a pleasant city tour of La Paz, where you will get to know the colorful city, its charming boulevard, markets and the best places to dine at night. Of course, there is also room to relax: take a refreshing dip in the pool, read a book in the shade or enjoy a cold drink on the terrace.
Day 3 to 9 | 6 days of diving in the Sea of Cortez
Ready to spend 6 days exploring the Sea of Cortez? Before you get there, start with a full continental breakfast waiting for you starting at 07:00. You’ll enjoy fresh bread, egg, cheese, ham, yogurt, fruit, cereal, fruit juice, coffee and tea.
At 07:30 you will be taken by one of the Carey vans to the dive center, just a few minutes drive away. There you will prepare your equipment and board the boat around 08:00. Navigation to the dive site takes an average of 1 hour.
There are 2 dives scheduled each day, which are always in the morning. The dives made are between 10 and 20 meters deep and last an average of 1 hour. Well known dive sites you are likely to visit are:
- Los Islotes: a dive site where you often encounter sea lions, large schools of fish, barracudas and coral.
- Fang Ming Wreck: a Chinese fishing vessel sunk as an artificial reef in 1999. The wreck is around 20-25 meters.
- La Reina: a rock formation north of Isla Cerralvo, with strong currents AND chance of big stuff.
You will make a total of 14 dives.
Between dives you will stay on board for the surface interval. After the second dive you will return to port and enjoy lunch on the beach: sandwich, fruit, cookies and non-alcoholic drinks.
Around 15:00 you will be back at Villa Carey and you can spend the afternoon as you wish. For example, take a dip in the pool, relax in the Jacuzzi, book a massage or explore La Paz.
Day 10 | Excursion to Magdalena Bay (Sardine Run or whale watching)
On this day you will take an excursion to Magdalena Bay. It depends on the season what there is to see. Should you go during the spectacular sardine run (which we recommend!), your day is going to look something like this:
Leave La Paz at 7:30 a.m. for a drive of about 2 hours and 20 minutes to a small fishing village on the coast. This remote community consists of about 200 residents and has no running water or electricity. We work with local fishermen here, who make their boats available for this special safari.
Upon arrival, you will board a canopied boat for a 5 to 6-hour marine safari. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will tell you all about the marine life in this area. Because the sardine bait balls move at lightning speed, you will snorkel instead of dive. You may encounter hunting marlins here, as well as turtles, sea lions, dolphins and sometimes even whales.
During the trip, delicious traditional burritos are served for lunch. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment or borrow it from the diving school. After the safari you will drive back to La Paz, a perfect opportunity to recover from all the impressions. Around 7 p.m. you will be back at your accommodation.
Day 11 & 12 | The journey back home
Today it is already time to say goodbye – or not yet? If you still haven’t had enough of Mexico’s underwater world, you can choose to extend your trip on the other side of the country. A simple domestic flight will take you to Playa del Carmen, where you can dive in the mysterious cenotes. These crystal-clear caves and underground rivers are among the most extraordinary diving sites in the world.
Want to make the return trip a little more accessible? We can also arrange a stay in Mexico City, or some other place where you can explore Mexican culture even more.
What is there to see in La Paz by season?
Check out the best excursions and marine life by season here
Diving with sea lions
One of the most special experiences in La Paz is diving with sea lions at Los Islotes – an impressive rock island group north of the city and home to a colony of more than 600 sea lions. These playful animals are known for their curious behavior and often approach divers on their own. The young animals in particular behave like underwater puppies: they dart around you, tug at your fins and challenge you to play with them.
Los Islotes is the place to experience this magical behavior up close. Just keep in mind that the colony is closed to divers during the breeding season (June through August) so that the animals can give birth and nurse their young in peace. From September 1, the area reopens and sea lion season is in full swing. The young animals are extra curious and playful then – perfect for an unforgettable diving experience.
Grey whale watching (January through March)
From January through March, Magdalena Bay turns into a veritable whale paradise. During this period, some 200 to 300 gray whales migrate annually from the icy waters of the Bering Strait to the warm, sheltered bays of Baja California Sur. Here they give birth to their young and prepare for the long journey home.
On a comfortable boat excursion, you get the chance to admire these impressive animals up close. Mothers with calves swim quietly past the boats, and sometimes they even come curiously closer. Although you are not allowed to enter the water, this unique encounter from the boat is already an unforgettable experience.
An absolute must for nature lovers and a wonderful addition to your trip during the winter season!
Snorkeling with orcas and devil rays (April to June)
A snorkeling excursion to La Ventana is a unique opportunity to encounter some of the world’s most spectacular marine animals in their natural habitat. From April through June, conditions are ideal for spotting orcas, which are regularly observed in the waters around La Ventana. You can also see mobula rays (also known as devil rays), which migrate in huge schools and sometimes jump out of the water in impressive leaps.
Sardine Run in Magdalena Bay (September through December)
One of the most spectacular experiences during your stay in La Paz is the day trip to Magdalena Bay, on the Pacific side of Baja California Sur. Here you will experience up close the Sardine Run, an impressive natural phenomenon where predators like marlins hunt large schools of sardines.
Leave La Paz at 7:30 a.m. for a drive of about 2 hours and 20 minutes to a small fishing village on the coast. This remote community consists of about 200 residents and has no running water or electricity. We work with local fishermen here, who make their boats available for this special safari.
Upon arrival, you will board a canopied boat for a 5 to 6 hour marine safari. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will tell you all about the marine life in this area. Because the sardine bait balls move at lightning speed, snorkeling is done instead of diving. You may encounter hunting marlins here, as well as turtles, sea lions, dolphins and sometimes even whales.
During the trip, delicious traditional burritos are served for lunch. You can bring your own snorkeling equipment or borrow it from the diving school. After the safari you will drive back to La Paz, a perfect opportunity to recover from all the impressions. Around 7 p.m. you will be back at your accommodation.
Snorkeling with whale sharks (October to April)
La Paz Bay is a magical place where nature is at its best. Between October and April it is bursting with plankton here, and that attracts great visitors: whale sharks. These gentle giants – sometimes up to 12 meters long – come here just off the coast to eat peacefully.
Together with the guides of Buceo Carey, you will take to the water for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. The good fortune is that the whale sharks actually come into the bay, and this excursion can be done in the afternoon, so after you have already done the dives.
The accommodation
The stay and surroundings
Villa Carey
Villa Carey is located just outside the center of La Paz, in a quiet spot overlooking the bay and mountains. You’re far enough from the city to unwind, but close enough to be on the beach or promenade in minutes. The small-scale accommodation is surrounded by tropical plants and shaded seating areas. At the center is a pool with adjacent Jacuzzi – a popular spot to cool off or relax under the stars at night.
Rooms are simple but comfortable, with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a desk with European and American outlets, and a private bathroom. Some have sea views or access to a balcony or terrace. There is ample space to dry dive equipment.
At night, there is a friendly atmosphere: guests gather on the terrace, share diving stories and enjoy drinks or barbecue. Nearby is Buceo Carey’s diving school, and within walking distance you’ll find local eateries and stores.
Have breakfast outside on the terrace or in the common room, with a simple fresh breakfast. Although there is no restaurant, informal dinners or barbecues are regularly organized – often spontaneous and fun with other guests.
Buceo Carey
Buceo Carey is a professional and small-scale diving school on the coast of La Paz. Thanks to its central location, almost all the famous dive sites of the Sea of Cortez are easily accessible. The diving school is just a few minutes’ drive from Villa Carey and the city center.
Buceo Carey has modern facilities, including spacious storage areas for your equipment, rinse stations and locker rooms. The team consists of experienced, multilingual instructors and guides who put personal attention and safety first. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making you feel right at home here.
The service of the team is excellent: you can just leave your diving equipment in the dive center and the team washes everything after the dives.
La Paz, Mexico
La Paz is an atmospheric city on the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. Unlike the crowded beach towns of Mexico, you will find a friendly, local atmosphere here. Residents have a strong connection to the sea, which is central to daily life.
The city is compact and colorful, with a relaxed pace, pleasant markets and excellent seafood restaurants. But it’s the sunsets that stay with you most of all. As the sun disappears behind the mountains, the sky colors in spectacular shades of orange, pink and purple.
And don’t forget to sample the local flavors. In La Paz, culinary life revolves around fresh seafood. Be sure to try a traditional taco gobernador with grilled shrimp, or a ceviche of local fish with lime and cilantro. Getting thirsty? End your day with an ice-cold clamato con cerveza, or a glass of mezcal as the sun slowly sinks behind the mountains.
Travel costs
What is included
This trip to La Paz is available from US$ 2.655 per person based on two people in one room.
A number of things are included by default in this travel package. All prices quoted are per person unless otherwise stated. Prices are subject to price changes or changing exchange rates.
EWDR is a specialist in customization. Would you like the trip to be just a little different? More luxurious, shorter, longer? Let us know. In many destinations the diving programs can be extended with round trips or some excursions in between.
Want to know more about this trip? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 3.420
- 9 nights at Villa Carey
- Stay on a bed and breakfast basis
- 12 boat dives in La Paz
- 1 excursion to Magdalena Bay (whale or sardine run)
- Lunch and non-alcoholic beverages on dive days
- City tour in La Paz on arrival day
- Nitrox and lead
- Access to national park / protected areas
- Return transfers
- VZR, Calamity Fund & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight from US$ 1.256
- Visa costs
- Dinner
✈︎ The quoted (international) flight prices are indicative prices and based on departures from Europe. However, we can arrange flights from any location worldwide. Booking your own flights is of course also possible.
Optional
- Rental dive equipment US$ 40 per day
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Frequently asked questions about La Paz
Diving general
In La Paz, you make exclusively boat dives. Most dive sites are relatively shallow (between 10 and 20 meters) and no dives are made where there is a lot of current. This makes the dives suitable for both beginners and advanced divers.
The dive sites are about an hour by boat.
Making a night dive is not possible because there is no dive site near the beach.
No, there is no house reef. All dives are made by boat.
No, you cannot take courses at Buceo Carey. The instructors focus entirely on guiding the divers.
Yes indeed, these are very close together. For convenience, though, there is a transfer van waiting for you every morning to take you to the dive center. This takes about 2 minutes.
Diving equipment
The standard tanks are INT. If you have your own DIN regulator, the diving school has free adapters available.
No, the diving school only has 12L tanks.
If you bring your own side-mount equipment, you can use it without any problems.
The use of nitrox is included.
Complete diving equipment costs €35 per day.
You bring your gear to the dive center on the first day. Here you can leave them throughout your stay. The team at Buceo Carey will wash it for you every day. In addition, there is even a separate rinsing station for cameras.
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