Diving among sea lions 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 from
Spectacular dives among sea lions in Mexico
Baja California is a unique region of Mexico, in part because of its dramatic mix of landscapes: from deserts and mountains to beaches and oases. It’s also a place where you’ll find a lot of extraordinary life underwater.
You dive here in the Sea of Cortez, a place described by Jacques Cousteau as the acquarium of the world. And that designation is justified, because nowhere else will you find such an abundance of marine life a short distance from shore. Here you dive among playful sea lions, swimming around you like puppies. In addition, there is much more to explore. Depending on the period of your trip, you might come face to face with whale sharks, snorkel among the baitballs of the sardine run, see thousands of mobula migrating, look for orcas or admire majestic whales up close. It is a destination that brings something new every season.
You will stay in the lively village of La Paz. An ideal location, because from here you can quickly get to the best dive sites. This trip is ideal for divers looking for freedom, nature and adventure. You dive in small groups, with personal guidance, and set your own pace.
Best travel time for a diving vacation to Baja California
The best time to dive in La Paz is from September to November. During these months, the water is warm and visibility is excellent (up to 30 meters). 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.
Other than that, it depends on what you want to see. Between January and March there is the whale migration. Between April and June, you have the opportunity to see large schools of mobula migrating and you can snorkel with orcas.
We do not recommend going between June and August because this is the sea lions’ breeding season. Their habitat is closed then and it is not possible to dive there.
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 & 2 | The trip to La Paz in Mexico
Today you will travel to Mexico! You will fly to La Paz, this is the capital of the state Baja California Sur. A flight to La Paz often has a layover in Mexico City and you are often about 17 to 22 hours away. Because of this, you will depart on day 1 and arrive on day 2.
La Paz is a laid-back city located directly on the azure Sea of Cortez. It is known for beautiful beaches, its lively promenade, desert-like surroundings and, of course, its dive sites. In fact, none other than Jacques Cousteau described the Sea of Cortez as“the aquarium of the world.
Upon arrival 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 receive a warm welcome and have the rest of the day to recover from the trip.
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 7:30 a.m., one of the Carey vans will take you to the dive center, just a few minutes’ drive away. There you will prepare your equipment and board the boat around 8:00 am. 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 lies 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, they are snorkeled rather than dived. You can encounter hunting marlins here, as well as turtles, sea lions, dolphins and sometimes even whales.
During the tour, delicious traditional burritos will be 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? Those who still haven’t had enough of Mexico’s underwater world can choose to extend the 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 dive 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. Please note that the colony is closed to divers during the breeding season (June to August) so that the animals can give birth and nurse their young in peace. As of Sept. 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 will have the chance to admire these impressive animals up close. Mothers with calves quietly swim past the boats, and sometimes they even approach curiously. 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 mobula whales (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 the Sardine Run up close, 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. However, 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, they are snorkeled rather than dived. You can encounter hunting marlins here, as well as turtles, sea lions, dolphins and sometimes even whales.
During the tour, delicious traditional burritos will be 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 Buceo Carey’s guides, you will take to the water for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion. Fortunately, the whale sharks actually come into the bay, and this excursion can be done in the afternoon, so after you’ve 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. 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. Got 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$ 2.696 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. Do you want the trip to be slightly different? More luxurious, shorter, longer? Give it to us. In many destinations, the diving programs can be expanded, for example, with tours or some excursions in between.
Want to know more about this trip? Get in touch with us!
Included in this diving trip, from US$ 2.696
- 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 & Administration fee
Excluding
- Flight from US$ 1.275
- 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$ 41 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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