hallboy
Contributor
i m thinking about diving around that place in October: would it be a good season? would it be bettre to dive from La paz ( and in that case from where?? Cantamar??) or to use a live aboard?
sea of Cortez in October
- Thread starter hallboy
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AZTinman
Contributor
I've never done dives in the La Paz area on the Baja side, but September-October diving in San Carlos on the mainland side has been exceptional. September-October visibility has been great (I've enjoyed 100'+ visibility there) since I started diving there three years ago. Water temps have been in the 80+ degree range. One of the dive shops I travel with usually plans its La Paz trips for dates in October.
Of course, all these things said, it's hard to predict ocean/sea conditions... there are never guarantees.
-AZTinman
Of course, all these things said, it's hard to predict ocean/sea conditions... there are never guarantees.
-AZTinman
Bopper
Contributor
I dove in La Paz in October. They get about 5 inches of rain a year, and I got about 2 inches of it on my second day there 
. But that was a "freak" thing according to the locals. I stayed at Costa Baja Resort and dove with Fun Baja, which operates out of the same marina where the Hotel is. People recommended both of these operators before I went, and that's why I chose them. They said they were the best in La Paz, and I was not disappointed. Would highly recommend both of them.
Fun Baja also just purchased a liveaboard boat that they cruise around this area. I've heard they have better prices than other liveaboards in southern Baja. But I haven't investigated. A liveaboard sounds like it might be a great (albeit more expensive) idea, considering that every day you go diving out of La Paz it takes about 1 - 1.5 hrs to get to the dive site (Cantamar boats would take even longer as they aren't as fast). And you'd have access to dive sites that people in La Paz wouldn't.
The diving was great, although Baja California is the only other place I've dove other than my local waters, so I'm not an expert in world class diving. Water was 82 degrees. Viz was 60 to 100 ft. The town of La Paz is not very interesting, though. In fact, Baja California is not a "rich" in culture as many other parts of Mexico, so you might be disappointed in this department if you were hoping for it. Other places of interest in southern Baja include Cabo Pulmo (a marine preserve), Cabo San Lucas, and Todos Santos. If you rent a car and you're adventurous, you might make a giant loop and visit all these places.
. But that was a "freak" thing according to the locals. I stayed at Costa Baja Resort and dove with Fun Baja, which operates out of the same marina where the Hotel is. People recommended both of these operators before I went, and that's why I chose them. They said they were the best in La Paz, and I was not disappointed. Would highly recommend both of them. Fun Baja also just purchased a liveaboard boat that they cruise around this area. I've heard they have better prices than other liveaboards in southern Baja. But I haven't investigated. A liveaboard sounds like it might be a great (albeit more expensive) idea, considering that every day you go diving out of La Paz it takes about 1 - 1.5 hrs to get to the dive site (Cantamar boats would take even longer as they aren't as fast). And you'd have access to dive sites that people in La Paz wouldn't.
The diving was great, although Baja California is the only other place I've dove other than my local waters, so I'm not an expert in world class diving. Water was 82 degrees. Viz was 60 to 100 ft. The town of La Paz is not very interesting, though. In fact, Baja California is not a "rich" in culture as many other parts of Mexico, so you might be disappointed in this department if you were hoping for it. Other places of interest in southern Baja include Cabo Pulmo (a marine preserve), Cabo San Lucas, and Todos Santos. If you rent a car and you're adventurous, you might make a giant loop and visit all these places.
koozemani
Contributor
In late oct. Water temps may start dropping. When they drop, they can drop quickly. I'm in aztinmans boat where I've only dove out of San Carlos.
I spent several winters working as a marine biologist/underwater videographer on a Lindblad Expeditions boat based out of La Paz. We dove the offshore islands and I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent down there. Personally, I didn't find water temps to be cold in Jan/Feb and dove in a 3mm shortie. Vis during those months was variable depending on wind storms.
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