Dive Sites

La Reina – *suitable for diving and snorkeling

La Reina translates to “The Queen” and is a rocky islet located just off the northern tip of Isla Cerralvo.  It is home to a small colony of around 40 California sea lions that often be seen swimming around during a dive.

La Reina is well noted for its stunning rock formations including a submarine canyon that is carpeted with colourful sponge colonies and other invertebrate life.

This dive site is widely considered to be one of the best in La Paz, particularly from around mid-June to mid-October when an aggregation of migrating oceanic giant mantas often grace the surrounding waters. Seeing mantas on any one dive tour can not be guaranteed.

La Reina is approximately 90 minutes of travel time by boat from La Paz.

Los Islotes – *suitable for diving and snorkeling

This rocky pair of islets are located at the northern-most point of the Espiritu Santo Archipelago. Los Islotes is home to around 850 + California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), popular to wildlife tourism participants due to the puppy-like playful nature of the juveniles. Because Los Islotes is a no-fishing zone, the fish are present here in much of the abundance and diversity that Jacques Cousteau once described.

This site is suitable for both scuba divers and snorkelers because much of the marine life, including the sea lions, occupy shallow waters close to the rocks.

Los Islotes is around 60 – 80 minutes by boat from La Paz.

Swanne Reef – *suitable for diving and snorkeling

This shallow rocky reef habitat is located in the centre of the San Lorenzo Channel between La Paz and the Espiritu Santo Archipelago. Laying in around 10 metres of water at its deepest point, Swanne Reef or Swanne Rock is abundant with both vertebrate and invertebrate life. It is a popular fishing destination for California sea lions who like to float on the surface in-between diving down to feed in schools of fish. The reef’s crown falls just short of the surface making it easily accessible to snorkelers. At times, there can be currents though.

Fang Ming (shipwreck) – *suitable for diving only

The Fang Ming is a Chinese shipwreck laying in around 20-22 metres of water depending on tide phase. Following her seizure by the Mexican Authorities for attempting to smuggle illegal migrant workers into the United States, she became the very first intentionally sunken ship for an artificial reef in all of Latin America.

Two decades later, the Fang Ming has transformed into a sanctuary for marine life harbouring numerous species of fish, rays and sea turtles. This shipwreck is sheltered from much of the effects of winds and swells by Isla Espiritu Santo making it suitable for divers of all levels.

El Salvatierra (shipwreck) – *suitable for diving only

In the mid-1970’s the Salvatierra ferry met with Swanne Reef and consequently sank shortly after, settling in around 18-20 metres of water in the San Lorenzo channel.  Before she could be salvaged, Hurricane Liza hit La Paz tearing most of the housing from the deck of the stricken ship.

The Salvatierra remains to this day and has attracted an abundance of marine life that can be enjoyed by divers almost year-round.

Huge groupers and sea bass can often be seen in the shadows of the wreck. This marine oasis attracts all kinds of reef fish and is also an important location for the colonization of black coral.

San Rafaelito – *suitable for diving and snorkeling

This rocky islet is surrounded by healthy coral communities that support an abundance of marine life. Located just outside of the beautiful Balandra Bay National Park, San Rafaelito is home to a small breeding colony of around 40 or 50 California sea lions.

El Bajo – *suitable for advanced divers with enough dive experience.  Series of seamounts. Occasional sightings of pelagic sharks but not guaranteed.


Dive Site Quick Info

Los Islotes: Location – Espiritu Santo National Park. Max depth – 18 metres. Time from dock – 80 minutes. Dive level – all.

La Reina: Location – Isla Cerralvo. Max depth – 26 metres. Time from dock – 90 minutes. Dive level – all / advanced.

Swanne Reef/Rock :Location – San Lorenzo Channel. Max depth – 12 metres. Time from dock – 50 minutes. Dive level – all.

Fang Ming Shipwreck: Location – Espiritu Santo National Park. Max depth – 20 metres. Time from dock – 50 minutes. Dive level – all.

El Salvatierra Shipwreck: Location – San Lorenzo Channel. Max depth – 20 metres. Time from dock – 50 minutes. Dive level – all.

San Rafaelito: Location – La Paz Bay. Max depth – 16 metres. Time from dock – 35 minutes. Dive level – all.

Old Sea Lion Colony: Location – Espiritu Santo National Park. Max depth – 40 metres. Time from dock – 70 minutes. Dive level – all, advanced for deep dives.

El Bajo: Location – Espiritu Santo National Park. Max depth – 40 metres. Time from dock – 90 minutes. Dive level – advanced.

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