• -

Bilingual Marine Biology Summer Workshop for Kids – 2024

BILINGUAL MARINE BIOLOGY SUMMER WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

brought to you by La Paz Divers, a marine-biologist owned and managed dive centre in La Paz, BCS, Mexico

*for children aged 5-15.

It’s almost that time of year again for our hugely popular bilingual marine biology summer camp for kids.

This year, we decided to run a workshop over five consecutive days to cater to those that will be visiting La Paz for a short time.
The dates are 22-26 July 2024 from 09:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
The price for the complete 5 day program is $3,250 Pesos per child.
This five day workshop will then be repeated as a series over the following five Saturdays:
27 July, and 3, 10, 17, and 24 August 2024 from 09:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
The price for each workshop is $650 Pesos per child.
For both the consecutive 5 days program and the series, three of the days will be held at Playa Caimancito, one day at the mangroves of Conchalito, and the final day at Playa La Concha, exposing your kids to a range of ecosystems and wildlife.
Our program endeavors to deliver a fun and educational summer camp approach to enlighten your children about the  biodiversity of marine life in our region and the threats faced by marine ecosystems and their associated flora and fauna.
Our dedicated crew consists of language teachers, educators, marine biologists, and dive / snorkeling instructors that will guide your children to learn about the local marine environment with an emphasis on enjoying it safely and responsibly, as well as encouraging them to speak in their non-native language
Snorkeling and skin diving instruction will be offered to those interested, giving your children a window into a whole new world and the confidence to handle themselves in the ocean. As well as this, we will introduce the children to some of the equipment that a marine biologist may use to conduct their work including microscopes, water chemistry meters, fish and plankton nets, cameras, snorkel gear, scuba diving equipment, and more.

Species and animal group identification is hot on the agenda whereby the children will use our wildlife guides to identify plants and animals encountered during the workshops and learn about where and how these organisms live and what natural and human-made threats they may face

We provide all activities, shade for the beach, a cold water dispenser, and a cool box with ice for your use. Children are required to bring along their own lunch and snorkeling equipment.
Each child will be placed into a study group and each study group will be designated a marine-related topic to study in their own time. On the last day of the program, the parents/guardians of the children will be invited at around 11 AM to return and watch their children deliver a presentation about their topic. After that, it’s time for a beer and a few hotdogs before we wrap it up.
These workshops are very satisfying for our crew to work on because we can see how the kids are positively impacted.
Our team is working hard on the activities to make the program fun and engaging for your little (or not so little) ones.
To enrol you can call or WhatsApp +52 612 197 5824 or send an email to [email protected]
Limited spaces.


  • -

Bilingual Marine Biology Workshops for Adults – La Paz, Mexico – Series September 2023

Category : marine biology

Series: September 2023

Workshop 1: September 10 – Intro, Spanish for marine biology, Research designation, snorkel, underwater photography (Playa La Concha)
Price – $800 Pesos per student

Schedule:
09:00 – Arrival – sign liability release forms
09:15 – Welcome talk, ice-break, and aquatic safety
09:45 – introduction to marine biology
10:30 – Spanish class focusing on ocean related vocabulary
11:00 – Break
11:30 – Research assignment designation and preliminary research
12:00 – Snorkel and skin diving best practices and instruction. Basic underwater photography and species identification OR shore-based marine fauna collection, photography, and identification for non-swimmers
13:00 – Close

Workshop 2: September 22 – Coral gardening workshop (Pichilingue)
Price – $1,200 Pesos per student

Schedule:
09:00 – Briefing of activities
09:30 – A range of practical and dynamic activities about the biology of coral and their importance to our oceans and us.
11:00 – Break
11:30 – Coral gardening hands-on activities.
Includes the rental of mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, buoyancy aid.
13:00 – close

Workshop 3: September 23 – Data collection by kayak and analysis (Playa Saltito)
Price – $800 Pesos per student plus a food donation of non perishable items for impoverished families of La Paz

Schedule:
09:00 – Briefing of activities
09:30 – Sit-on kayak basic instruction and safety
10:00 – Marine plankton workshop and data collection by kayak (plankton trawling, water samples for basic analysis, visibility estimates
11:00 – Break
11:30 – Continue with data collection
12:30 – Microscopic analysis and identification of plankton found in the samples
13:00 – Close

Workshop 4: September 30 – Mangroves, mangrove inhabitants, and coastal birds (Conchalito mangroves – close to Fidepaz)
Price – $800 Pesos per student

Schedule:
09:00 – Briefing of activities
09:30 – An introduction to mangroves and their importance in ecology
10:00 – Locate and identify different mangrove species noting the zonation of the different species. Locate and identify marine critters.
11:00 – Break
11:30 – Coastal birds – a look at the most common birds found here and how their beak morphology directly relates to their method of feeding
12:00 – Locate and identify different coastal birds with the aid of binoculars and bird photography using a telephoto lens.
13:00 – Close

The students’ research presentations will be conducted at an agreed time and place after the workshop series. There is no charge for this final activity.

Full payment is required in advance so that we can confirm dates and activities with our team and our collaborators.

Click the following link to enroll https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDlsATj-bi3AK5X2JKYwVf1JHZC-zceg5QQ1a6yeHzXAxHLg/viewform?usp=sf_link


  • -

Learn to Scuba Dive in La Paz, Mexico

Category : dive courses , Diving

Discover the hidden beauty of the Sea of Cortez and learn to scuba dive in La Paz, Mexico with La Paz Divers

Scuba Diving in La PazDo you consider yourself an adventurer with a curiosity about marine life? Are you a person with a passion for the sea and underwater life and want to learn to dive in one of the most biodiverse places in the world? If the answer is yes, then you are in the right place, because here at La Paz Divers you can do both at the same time. Learning to scuba dive in La Paz will be an unparalleled experience, since it is located on the beautiful shores of the Gulf of California, AKA Sea of Cortez. This bountiful sea known as “the aquarium of the world”, as dubbed by Jacques Cousteau. La Paz is home to a large number of marine organisms and incredible landscapes. Come and get to know this mega-diverse area while you dive in it to appreciate its hidden beauty in more depth.

Scuba Diving in La PazAt La Paz Divers, we offer diving courses for any level and suitable for the whole family. If you know nothing about scuba diving and want to learn to dive, our PADI Discover Scuba Diving Program and PADI Open Water courses are perfect for you. If you’re already certified, no problem, you can continue your education here in La Paz and take your PADI Advanced Open Water course, PADI Rescue course, PADI Divemaster course, and more.

Click the link for more information about learning to dive in La Paz


  • -

Bilingual Marine Biology Spring Workshop for Kids

Back by popular demand!!

BILINGUAL MARINE BIOLOGY SPRING WORKSHOP FOR KIDS

It is with great pleasure to once again offer our bilingual marine biology workshop for kids in La Paz, Mexico.

After a hugely successful series of five Saturday workshops last summer, we are offering another five workshops every Saturday in April 2023 (1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th)
Our bilingual marine biology summer workshop for kids aims to provide a fun and informative summer camp-style program to educate your children about the amazing biodiversity of marine life that we are so lucky to have here, the threats that some species and habitats are facing, and what we can do to help protect them.
Our highly professional crew of teachers, marine biologists, and dive / snorkeling instructors will guide your children to learn about the local marine environment with an emphasis on enjoying it responsibly.
Professional snorkeling instruction will be offered to those interested, giving your children a window into a whole new world. We will also have a day of kayaking for science, and underwater photography.
We will conduct a total of five workshops to be held on Playa El Caimancito every Saturday starting on Saturday 1 April 2023 (last workshop is on Saturday 29 April) from 10 am – 3 pm.
The cost per workshop is $600 Pesos for each child.
PROMOTION: Register for all five workshops for just $2,500 Pesos!
Preregistration and prepayment is required.
We provide all activities, the use of snorkel gear, shade for the beach, refreshments, and a cool box for your use. Children are required to bring along their own lunch.
To enrol you can call or WhatsApp +52 612 197 5824 or send an email to [email protected]
Limited spaces.


  • -

Dive in La Paz with sea lions

Join La Paz Divers to dive in La Paz with sea lions

Diving in La Paz with sea lionsOne of the most fun and exciting places to dive in La Paz is at Los Islotes, a pair of islets located at the northern-tip of the Espiritu Santo National Park. This rock formation is located approximately 1:30 hrs from La Paz by boat and is home to a large colony of 850 + California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). These animals are popularly known as the pups of the sea, due to the curious and playful nature of the juveniles. On land, these animals may appear a little clumsy, but under the water, they are agile, graceful swimmers. Reaching speeds of up to 20 miles per hour, the sea lions will amaze you with their energy and maneuverability.

Book Now
Sea lions entertain themselves by swimming, splashing around, and playing with each other, objects, and animals that they encounter in their habitat. These pinnipeds commonly interact with people in the water, swimming close to take a second look and even playfully nibbling at the fins of divers and snorkelers.

Swim with sea lions in La PazSea lions are very vocal animals and will often seemingly argue with each other for hours as they negotiate for space to haul out on the rocks and bask in the sun.

Throughout your diving adventure, you will be accompanied by your marine biologist guide who will explain about the biology, life-history and conservation status of these amazing creatures.

The season for swimming and diving in La Paz with sea lions is from September to the end of May each year, since the breeding season of the sea lions starts in June and ends in August so in-water interactions are suspended for this critical time for the species.

There is a wide-range of diving in La Paz to be enjoyed including sea turtles on the Fang Ming shipwreck, seasonal manta sightings at La reina, and huge fish schools at Swanne rock.

Contact us

Book Now


  • -

Diving in La Paz

Diving in La Paz is a popular activity, drawing in visitors from far and wide to experience the amazing marine fauna of the Sea of Cortez.

If you are mulling over where to take your next dive trip, then look no further than diving in La Paz, Mexico, a coastal city that provides a great base for your dive adventure in the Sea of Cortez.

Inspired by the species diversity and abundance of the Sea of Cortez, Jacques-Yves Cousteau dubbed it “The World’s Aquarium” shortly after he started diving here in the 1950’s.

Originally called the Gulf of California, the Sea of Cortez crept into existence around five million years ago when tectonic activity gradually tore the Baja Peninsula away from mainland Mexico resulting in the creation of a unique sea and assemblage of marine organisms.

The Sea of Cortez is widely considered to be one of world’s most biologically-rich bodies of water, providing habitat to almost one thousand species of fish as well as numerous species of whales, dolphins, sharks, rays, sea turtles, and seals.

Follows is a guide to some of the most popular dive sites in La Paz.

La Paz Dive Sites

Los Islotes

This pair of rocky islets form the northern-most point of the land component of the Espiritu Santo National Park and is one of three no fishing zones within the Park. Los Islotes is famous for its huge population of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). The last government census conducted over the summer of 2021 identified 853 individuals. Playful juveniles often interact with divers and snorkelers making it one of the most popular sites for divers in La Paz.

Maximum depth ~ 18 m / 60′

La Reina

La Reina is a small islet located off the northern-point of Isla Cerralvo, AKA Jacques Cousteau Island. A small number of California sea lions have taken refuge here which is not surprising due to the biological richness of the site.

La Reina boasts some interesting rock formations including a submarine canyon whose vertical surfaces are carpeted in sea fans and colourful colonies of sponges.

When diving at La Reina there is the possibility of encountering oceanic giant manta rays (Mobula biostris) from July to October.

Maximum depth ~ 24 m / 80′

 

El Bajo

El Bajo consists of three seamounts located within the Espiritu Santo National Park around 30 minutes boat ride from Los Islotes. Divers come from all over the world for the possibility of observing pelagic sharks including the scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) and the silky shark (Carcharhinus falciformis). Even in the absence of sharks, El Bajo is a superb dive site abundant with marine life. You’d be hard-pushed to find a site with so many moray eels!

Maximum depth ~ 40 m / 130′

Swanne Rock

This submerged rock is located in the San Lorenzo Channel between La Paz and Espiritu Santo island. It is another hangout for the California sea lion most likely due to the abundance of prey items for them. The rock’s summit lays just below the surface making it great for snorkeling as well. Large schools of fish, including spotted-tailed grunts and Mexican goatfish, can be regularly observed here.

Maximum depth ~ 12 m / 40′

El Salvatierra (shipwreck)

The Salvatierra began its life in Chesapeake Bay serving in WWII as a ferry. Sometime after the war had ended, the ship was bought at an auction and brought through the Panama Channel to serve as a ferry between La Paz and Mazatlan.

In 1976 the Salvatierra met with Swanne Rock tearing open her hull and causing her to sink. The same year, Hurricane Lisa hit La Paz, tearing the decking from the Salvatierra and scattering her cargo of trucks across the sea floor making for an interesting dive site that habours much marine life including huge groupers and schooling fish.

Maximum depth ~ 20 m / 65′

Fang Ming (shipwreck)

The Fang Ming is a shipwreck of Chinese origin. In her last days she served to smuggle illegal immigrants from China to the United States. Consequently, in 1995, she was caught in the act and seized by Mexican authorities. In 1999 the Fang Ming became the first intentionally sunken ship for the purpose of creating an artificial reef in all of Latin America.

Today, the Fang Ming is abundant with marine life and has become for an important habitat for sea turtles, mainly the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) that come here to rest and be cleaned.

Maximum depth ~ 20 m / 65′

For prices for diving click here.

For dive courses click here.


Book Now