La Paz Divers
is a scuba diving center and dive tour operator based in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. It is owned and managed by marine biologist, Jay Gittens.
We provide La Paz diving adventures and snorkel tours with a focus on the Espiritu Santo National Park and neighbouring islands and islets.
In addition, La Paz Divers offers PADI dive courses and programs including; –
- PADI Discover Scuba Diving (this is not a certification course but a program to try out diving)
- PADI Open Water Diver
- PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
- PADI Rescue Diver
- Emergency First Response (CPR/primary care/secondary care/ O2 administration)
- PADI Nitrox Diver (speciality certification)
- PADI Divemaster (first professional level)
Our instructors and divemasters here at La Paz Divers are certified PADI professionals with a high level of education and professional training. Our boat captains are local, highly-experienced and licensed operators with the necessary permits and expertise for working in marine parks and around threatened species. Where possible, we contribute to the conservation of the species and habitats that we visit through awareness, education and collaborative research.
La Paz Divers adopts strict ecotourism and conservation principles to minimize the negative impact on our environment resulting from our activities.
Meet the Crew
Jay (Jason) David Gittens
is the founder of La Paz Divers and Whale Shark Diaries. He is a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor and Master of Marine Biology originating from London, UK.
After graduating in 2010, Jay moved permanently to Baja, Mexico, settling in La Paz full-time since the year 2013.
Aside from diving and teaching dive courses, he is passionate about using underwater photography and social media to help raise awareness about threatened species and the beauty and fragility of our ocean ecosystems.
Jay’s typical day may include guiding dive or snorkel tours, teaching scuba, staffing the shop, admin, and time with family.
Jose David Rivera-Salguero
is a marine biologist from Bogotá, Colombia, and an SDI Divemaster. He is passionate about sharks, marine ecosystems, and conservation.
For his undergraduate thesis, Jose studied a potential nursery areas for three shark species—blacktip (Carcharhinus limbatus), blacknose (Carcharhinus acronotus), and bonnethead (Sphyrna tiburo)—along the west-central coast of Florida, identifying critical habitats and patterns of juvenile occurrence.
Jose moved to La Paz, Mexico in January 2025 and currently works as a dive and snorkel guide at La Paz Divers. He is pursuing a master’s degree in Marine Resource Management at CICIMAR, where his research focuses on population genetics of the silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus).
Jose has experience teaching in highschool and is passionate about education. An enthusiast of photography—especially underwater—a committed reef protector, cat lover, and lifelong Nintendo fan.
Maru (María Laura) Marcías
is a biologist and science communicator from Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a PADI open water scuba instructor and staff member of La Paz Divers and Whale Shark Diaries.
Passionate about whales, Maru met the gray whales during a trip to Mexico, fell in love and moved to La Paz to take her master’s degree in marine sciences. Her research focuses on the relationship between ecotourism and conservation with charismatic species such as whales and whale sharks. Her main goal is to contribute to the conservation of the oceans through research, science communication, and environmental education.
Maru uses her knowledge to increase environmental awareness and enrich people’s experience in the water.
Guri Sejzer
was born in Israel and moved with his family to Argentina at the age of 10 where he grew up. Among his many varied interests (drawing, electromechanics, martial arts, open water swimming, SCUBA diving, …) Guri decided to develop his passion for lifesaving and public safety, professionally.
Since 2004, Guri has been providing professional services as a lifeguard in the ocean, rivers and lakes and on occasions at pools as well, internationally. He is not only a career open water lifeguard, but also a public safety diver, a non-deco commercial diver, a dive master, a swiftwater rescue technician and a CPR/AED/O2/First-Aid instructor, among other credentials he holds. Guri moved to La Paz, Mexico in 2011 which has been his home base ever since.
Being the founder of GLC Aquatic Safety Dept. (ASD), Guri provides services at public beaches, private resorts, clubs, camps, yachts, marine expedition vessels, private events, sport events and special operations, ASD also provides film set water safety.
Guri teaches all of our EFR® courses (CPR & AED; Primary Care; Secondary Care; Care for Children, Airborne Pathogen Awareness) here at La Paz Divers.
Wen (Wendy Venegas)
is a marine biologist from Mexico City who relocated to La Paz to fulfill her dream of studying and encountering marine life. Fascinated by cephalopods, she is currently researching pelagic and deep-sea octopuses. Driven by her passion for science communication, she aims to raise public awareness about marine conservation. Wen holds an SSI Open Water certification and aspires to become a PADI Divemaster in the future. Her duties include staffing the dive shop, social media marketing, and guiding snorkel tours.
Visit our shop
Business hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday: 09:00 – 13:00
Sunday diving only. No retail.
La Paz Divers
Mariano Abasolo #2635 – entre Antonio Navarro y Manuel Encinas
Barrio Manglito
La Paz
23060