7 reasons why you should take a diving trip to La Paz
La Paz, located in southern Baja California in Mexico, is a destination that surprises divers time and again. The combination of rugged coastlines, the rich Sea of Cortez and impressive marine life makes this area unique. Every season there is something new to experience: from curious sea lions to migrating whale sharks. In this blog, we give you 7 reasons why La Paz should absolutely be on your diving radar.
1. Diving with sea lions
One of the most special experiences in La Paz is diving with sea lions at Los Islotes – an imposing rock island group north of the city and home to a colony of more than 400 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.
2. The sardine run
From November to March, a spectacular natural phenomenon takes place in the waters around La Paz: the sardine run. Millions of sardines swim densely along the shore, followed by an impressive company of predators, including dolphins, sharks and pelagic fish such as mobula. It is a true spectacle of movement and action, with the predators chasing the densely packed sardines and the water literally seeming to come alive.
3. Mobula migration
Annually between November and May is the mobula migration, when large schools of mobulas converge in the Sea of Cortez. During this period you can see hundreds of mobulas swimming at once, their movements syncretic and impressive. Sometimes they even jump out of the water, a spectacular sight. You can also enter the water during this period to snorkel and see them from the water.
4. Snorkeling with orcas
In La Paz, you can have a unique experience: snorkeling with orcas. The best period is from April to June, with a peak in May, when they can often be seen around Cerralvo Island and Isla San José. During organized ocean safaris, you may encounter large schools of mobula and dolphins in addition to orcas. These excursions are accompanied by experienced guides so you can observe the animals safely and respectfully. Orcas are wild predators, so distance and guidelines are essential. For adventurous nature lovers, La Paz thus offers an unforgettable and breathtaking underwater adventure in the Gulf of California.
5. Whale shark migration
The whale shark also comes seasonally to La Paz. See that it really is a magical place? Between October and April it is bursting with plankton here, and that attracts big visitors: whale sharks. These gentle giants – sometimes up to 12 meters long – come here just off the coast to eat peacefully.
You are not allowed to dive with the whale sharks, but you can enter the water to snorkel on the surface. Whale sharks swim bygaangs slowly, so you have ale time to admire them.
6. Whale migration
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.
7. The aquarium of the world
Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez near La Paz the “Aquarium of the World” because of its incredible biodiversity, which he discovered during his expeditions in the 1960s. He saw it as a place of breathtaking beauty and wealth of marine life, including whale sharks, sea lions, dolphins and many other species. Cousteau also warned of the effects of development and stressed the importance of protection to preserve this unique ecosystem.
About La Paz
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.
Our trip to La Paz
Exactly how your trip will look depends, of course, on the period in which you go. However, it is important, for example, to take into account the mating season of the sea lions in the summer. During this period the area is closed to give the animals all the peace and quiet. So diving with the sea lions is not possible then. The best is to make the trip either during the sardine run, where you can also dive with sea lions and snorkel with whales, or during the en mobula migration where you also have a chance to see orcas.
Still in doubt? Feel free to tell us your wishes and we will look for the trip that best suits your needs.
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