Questions about Cabo Pulmo, La Paz, and Gordo Banks

[ABLAB]

Planning a Baja trip in August primarily to dive Cabo Pulmo and La Paz (for the giant mantas. August is apparently a prime month for the dive site La Reina where they gather) and seals/sea lions. Also, giving Gordo Banks a serious look. Not really interested in Cabo San Lucas as a trip destination and have heard Gordo Banks is really hit or miss. Also, have heard and read that the local (corridor and marine park) diving there can be overcrowded and expensive with not much to see. So, would be going to Cabo for the sole purpose diving Gordo Banks.

Any one have any experience with Gordo Banks and Cabo local diving in August?

Is there anything to do in Cabo Pulmo at night? Traveling solo so trying to decide if I should make Cabo Pulmo a day trip or an overnight?

Anyone have any experience diving La Paz? Will two days (4-6 dives) of diving be enough to get a good taste of the diving there?

Any other suggestions for diving anywhere else between Cabo and La Paz?

Fyi, AOW, 45 dives, nitrox certified, and have done a couple of shark dives.

Thanks all.

 

[Living4Experiences]

I don't have recent experience with these sites, but I quit diving in Mexico for a few reasons. The main one is the camera housing tax scam. If you have a camera bigger than a GoPro, be prepared to get extorted for up to hundreds of dollars. Don't use diver-branded luggage because you'll be a target by customs for the extortion. Don't look like a diver with your clothing. The worse your luggage looks and the more ragged you look with your clothes will keep you from being noticed.

 

[ABLAB]

Appreciate the tip. I'll only be carrying a go pro hero camera and housing.

 

[mightymouse1504]

Hi

I recently did a similar trip in Nov 2024. A few tips, suggestions;
- I also arrived in CSL. I found it to be trashy, touristy trap for partying. I didn't bother with Gordo Banks, as feedback was its too hit and miss
- I went straight for Pulmo. I hired a car, super easy and drove myself. The drive is pretty, however the last hour is all on a rocky dirt road, so go slow, have a full tank of petrol and be safe.
- Pulmo is a really cool little diving town, but nothing else to do. I enjoyed it
- Can book accommodation through the dive shops. A tip here... try not to book your dives with a day trip operator waiting on people coming from CSL. People often get delayed, and then the winds pick up and your dive may be cancelled
- 2 days in Pulmo was enough
- I then drove myself to La Paz. Again nice easy drive
DM me are any other questions

 

[Cornbread O'Malley]

I recently did a similar trip in Nov 2024. A few tips, suggestions;
- I also arrived in CSL. I found it to be trashy, touristy trap for partying. I didn't bother with Gordo Banks, as feedback was its too hit and miss
- I went straight for Pulmo. I hired a car, super easy and drove myself. The drive is pretty, however the last hour is all on a rocky dirt road, so go slow, have a full tank of petrol and be safe.
- Pulmo is a really cool little diving town, but nothing else to do. I enjoyed it
- Can book accommodation through the dive shops. A tip here... try not to book your dives with a day trip operator waiting on people coming from CSL. People often get delayed, and then the winds pick up and your dive may be cancelled
- 2 days in Pulmo was enough
- I then drove myself to La Paz. Again nice easy drive
DM me are any other questions

Thanks for the info! I also have that area as a destination for diving. Can you provide some more insight into the La Paz area?

 

[mightymouse1504]

La Paz is a large city, lots to do, great restaurants etc. My main focus was Whale Sharks and the operators are professional and efficient. It's all very straight forward and a well managed environment for the animals. I could have spent few days diving there but had to make my way back south to board LOB for Socorro. I would book accom near the water

 

[Chavodel8en]

I only did two dives from La Paz, but they were good. One issue is that June thru August the sea lion colony/rookery at Los Islotes will be off limits - they do that to allow for pupping. This is a very popular dive from La Paz.

La Paz itself is a cute town, with lots of great food, especially seafood. Whale shark snorkeling is also not avail in August

 

[ABLAB]

Yeah, I was told that by the operators I contacted. They also said there will be sea lions out in the open water during those months but wont be as prevalent. Once I learned that giant mantas congregate off LaPaz in August I was all in. So, that's the main reason I'm planning La Paz and icing on the cake to have cool town to spend a few days in.

 

[Alex B9]

How many dives/days would you recommend in La Paz during April or May?