Need help about Sea of Cortez

[TSandM]

We went to Loreto in June, and it was my first experience diving in the Sea of Cortez. I had high hopes for the viz, which weren't fulfilled -- at worst, we had about 10 feet, and at best, probably 30. But the density and variety of fish life was absolutely mind-boggling, and all through the week-long trip, I wished the viz had been just a bit better, so that I could have gotten a photograph or two of the astonishing schools we encountered.

Even in the mediocre viz, we had a fantastic time. We found one colorful species of nudibranch after another; we amused ourselves photographing blennies, and rays, and scorpionfish, and all kinds of more or less sedentary species.

I would go back in a heartbeat. Even in what I understand was unusually poor viz for the sites, we had an absolute ball.

 

[koozemani]

here's some more pics

 

[koozemani]

I don't know how that one pic ended up different. I was trying to delete it.

 

[Katja]

Thanks for all your answers - and especially thanks to Koozemani for more details. Just what I need

It sounds like you do different dive sites depending on whether you stay in La Paz/Cabo San Lucas/San Jose (which is the Baja site of the peninsular right?)
or San Carlos (which is the mainland, right?). Is that correct?

 

[drbill]

I worked as a marine biologist/underwater videographer on an eco-cruise line (Lindlblad) out of La Paz for several winters. The Sea of Cortez is much different from Asian diving (which I absolutely love). It is not as "spectacular" or diverse as Asia, but as a marine biologist it was an interesting challenge to piece together the ecosystem elements and links. I enjoy the challenge of diving in different regions and habitats and trying to piece together the parts of the puzzle.

The islands offshore of La Paz and Loreto are indeed intersting, and these do include the sea lion rookery at Los Islotes. You also have Cabo Pulmo near Cabo San Lucas (the northernmost coral reef community on our hemisphere's coast.

If you do try the Sea of Cortez, go with an open mind to see what IT has to offer rather than compare it to other locxations. Also, read Steinbeck and Ricketts' Log from the Sea of Cortez as an interesting pre-visit (or during trip) read.

 

[Katja]

Hi Dr. Bill,

Thanks for your details.
Honestly - I know that I'm very spoiled when it comes to great diving, and since I earlier have dove in Cuba, Belize and other parts of Mexico I don't expect spectacular diving in Sea of Cortez. But since the diving looks a little price (compared to what I'm used to) I just wanna make sure that I get to see the best possible sites (and I know that very subjective) ) So better do some research )

 

[Scubagolf]

See my trip report on our week in Loreto in Oct 2012.
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/435912-trip-report-loreto-baja-sept-30-oct-6-2012-a.html

 

[Laurie S.]

There are many, many dive sites at San Carlos and the dive operators do go to a good variety of them. I also have dived at La Paz and Cabo and they don't come close to the wonderful diving we have at San Carlos.

If you come to San Carlos, please let me know and we'll take you out on my boat. We go to all the dive sites that the dive shops don't and they are awesome! My fiancé runs the dive program at Hotel Paradiso and has been teaching for 36 years. He knows all the good diving down there. :cool2:


Here are some more pictures of the general area, it is quite beautiful!

 

[beaverdivers]

I've been diving in the most of SE Asian, so I'd like to try something new.
I had Sea of Cortez on my list for end of July/start of august.

If you are up for adventurous diving w/ variable conditions, then the Sea of Cortez is the ticket.

Give Cabo Pulmo a go.

Or if you can do a Live-a-board, try the Rocio del Mar.

 

[Baja Dive]

Hello Divers, According to Jacques Cousteau who built a home here in South Baja (Cabo Pulmo) the southern tip of Baja Is like no outher Dive site in the world. There are over 600 species of tropical marine life here in this area.He was also the one who discovered the Sand Falls here at lands end over 50 years ago and gave the area the nick name the worlds Aquarium.I have not dove all the great sites of the world but I have been in Baja since 1984 and operating Baja Dive since 1989 six years in Ensenada and 18 years here in Cabo San Lucas. While north Baja has some good cold water Diving its best Diving is in the winter months because of the low vis. in summer due plankton blooms.Diving up north cant even begin to compair to the Diving here in Cabo. Why? Summer vis here is 75 to 100 feet with water temp.s in the low 80s.Winter vis can be low because we have a winter plankton bloom but that brings the Whale Shark and all the other species of Whales here to have there babys.Water Temp. today is 68 degrees. The rest all of the marine life here never leaves.
Sometimes there are so many fish you cant see the Divers in you group. Check some of our photos in the Mexico fourm under(Baja Dive report).
Safe Diving to all.
Dee