Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park consists of three bays, Las Barracas, Cabo Pulmo and Los Frailes. Most of the diving is done in Cabo Pulmo due to the unique concentration of coral reefs.
El Bajo: This reef is truly special and so close to the edge of the submarine canyon. It’s about 500 yards long and 30 yards wide and up to 50 feet deep. It runs south to north with sand on both sides. In the winter months a lot of stingrays come to reproduce in the sand. We also have a large community of garden eels that live here year round. The reef has 7 kinds of corals, hard and soft, as well as the largest concentration of fish, both resident and migratory.
I have seen green turtles, leatherbacks and the carey. May and June is the best time to see the biggest fish in the ocean, the phenomenal whale shark. Since it’s so close to the canyon I have seen oar fish, whales and dolphins. Ever since becoming a Marine Park the fish population has increased; even sharks come close to the coral reefs, especially near the Cantil (The Ledges). This Reef is the largest reef in Cabo Pulmo. It starts near the beach and it goes two miles out to sea, it is about 40 yards wide and shaped like fingers.
Crowned predominantly by hard coral in Cabo Pulmo (The Elegant Coral) as well as other species of hard and soft coral, just like rolling hills in the country side, the elegant coral heads fuse together, forming caves at the edge of the reef for the dog snapper to hide in, as well as all kinds of invertebrates. Over the last two years I have noticed an increase in the shark population such as the hammerhead, white tip reef shark and migratory ones like the manta ray, and amber jacks. The deepest spot is 50 feet and from the top to the reef it’s about 25 feet. This is a great site for all levels of SCUBA divers as well as good snorkeling.
Los Morros is a broken off reef almost right next to El Bajo. It’s very attractive due to the large concentration of fish. It’s about 400 yards long and 50 feet deep, and sometimes when there’s a very good current I like to dive the two sites consecutively, since they’re only about 20 yards apart.
We also have a shipwreck with a sandy bottom called El Vencedor. It is said that in 1981 it hit a coral reef and slowly sank. What once was a 100-foot wooden tuna boat is now a nice reef that is home to all kinds of marine life, such as the giant “jew fish,” as well as a large community of eels, puffers, garden eels and snappers. Every fall you’ll see the “caballito” (baited fish) that comes to reproduce here; its like fish soup! This dive site is great for all levels of divers.
For those divers that like the deep sea we have a dive site called the Profundo. It’s the deepest reef in this area: about 1000 yards long, 30 yards wide and 100 feet deep. There is very little coral, but it is host to a lot of the big fish like dog snapper, big groupers, and it’s the home for the “Tiburon Gata” (Nurse Shark). This is recommended only for the experienced divers.
El Islote (Rock Island): this dive site is one of the most fun and interesting sites due to the amount of sea fans and the variety of fish and life you can find on them. The boulder formations are great places for eels, pargos, octopus and the rare stone scorpion fish depending on the season, but there are times when the Big Eye Jacks come and hang here for a while; it’s like a fish parade. Depth is 60 feet, good for all levels and great photo opps!
Las Casitas: depth is 50 feet and it’s suitable for all levels. This place is the only one in the entire Park with huge rocks, caves and crevices, and inside the rocks are the most beautiful cup coral around. Also, it’s host to many different species of fish including the “frog fish” and I have occasionally seen Jew Fish. This fish weighs about 800 pounds and he/she likes to hang around inside the caves. The place is like a fish tank and on the sand you can see garden eels like no other place in the Baja.
The Seal Lyon Colony: depth is 60 feet, good for all levels. It’s fun to watch these beautiful mammals play. Spring being mating season is when they’re the most active. At times you’ll encounter young pups that love to play with you; although the mothers sometimes don’t like it, the fathers don’t to seem to care about it. I have played with them on occasion, they like to take your snorkel and play with it like a stick. You can also find all kinds of angelfish and other tropical fish around, and if you’re lucky, you may see pilot whales and sailfish. Come on down and get wet!
SEASONS:
Fall (Late September, October, November)
Water temperature in the 80s and visibility is up to 100 feet. It’s the migratory time of the year for species such as Whale Shark, Pacific Giant Manta Ray, all kinds of mammals, and pelagic fish such as wahoo and sail fish.
Winter (December, January, February)
Water temperature is in the 70s and visibility is under 100 feet due to the northeast winds, but marine life nevertheless is amazing. Migration of species such as Humpback whales, orcas, blue whales, grey whales, sperm whales, small mantas by the hundreds and pelagic fish such as yellow fin tuna and groupers.
Spring (March, April, May)
Water temperature is in the mid 60s and visibility is around 40 feet or even as low as 15 feet due to the large concentration of plankton, but the marine life is abundant with eagle rays, eels, octopus, and more. Everybody comes to reproduce so you can find all the species that inhabit the Sea of Cortez, including the Whale Shark.
Summer (June, July, August)
Water temperature is in the mid 80s and visibility is 100 feet+, although you never know as it can change as low as 5 feet depending on hurricanes, but it’s the most comfortable and fun time of the year for diving and great for photography of species such as the Jew fish and huge schools of pelagic fish. It’s also the eel mating time of the year. *
For Scuba & Snorkeling Expeditions and General Information about the Cabo National Park please call at 011521-(6241418655) or Email us at cabopulmonationalpark.com
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