Discover the Best La Paz Dive Sites with La Paz Divers
La Paz is home to some of the most fascinating and biodiverse diving locations in the Sea of Cortez. At La Paz Divers, we offer access to a wide variety of La Paz dive sites. Each offers something unique for divers of all levels. From playful sea lions and mystifying shipwrecks to massive schools of fish and macro marine life, every dive here is memorable.
Signature La Paz dive sites
Los Islotes – *suitable for diving and snorkeling
Los Islotes ranks among the most iconic dive sites in La Paz. These two rocky islets sit at the northern tip of the Espiritu Santo Archipelago and buzz with marine life. Over 900 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) make their home here, and the playful juveniles—often compared to underwater puppies—make the site a favorite among wildlife enthusiasts. Thanks to its protected no-fishing status, Los Islotes still boasts the vibrant fish populations and biodiversity that once inspired Jacques Cousteau to call this region “the world’s aquarium.”
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.
La Reina – *suitable for diving and snorkeling
La Reina, meaning “The Queen” in Spanish, is a rocky islet just off the northern tip of Isla Cerralvo. This remote site hosts a resident colony of around 40 California sea lions, often seen gliding effortlessly through the water alongside divers.
Beneath the surface, La Reina stuns with dramatic rock formations, including a submerged canyon blanketed in vibrant sponges and a rich variety of invertebrates. These features make it a favorite among divers seeking both scenic beauty and marine biodiversity.
Widely regarded as one of the best La Paz dive sites, La Reina truly comes alive between mid-June and mid-October, when oceanic giant mantas migrate through the area. While manta sightings aren’t guaranteed on every dive, encountering one of these graceful giants is always an unforgettable experience.
Reaching La Reina takes approximately 90 minutes by boat from La Paz, but the journey is well worth the reward.
Swanne Reef – *suitable for diving and snorkeling
Swanee Reef is a shallow, rocky reef nestled in the heart of the San Lorenzo Channel, between La Paz and the Espiritu Santo Archipelago. With a maximum depth of about 12 meters, this vibrant site bursts with both vertebrate and invertebrate marine life.
California sea lions often visit Swanee Reef to hunt, diving through schools of fish before surfacing to rest and float. The reef’s crown rises just below the water’s surface, making it an excellent spot for snorkelers as well as divers. While generally calm, the area can experience tidal currents at certain times—adding a little extra excitement to your exploration.
Fang Ming (shipwreck) – *suitable for diving only
The Fang Ming rests in 20 to 22 meters of water, depending on the tide, and offers one of La Paz’s most compelling wreck dives. Mexican authorities seized this Chinese vessel in the 1990s after it attempted to smuggle undocumented migrants into the United States. Rather than letting it decay, officials sank the ship—creating Latin America’s very first artificial reef from an intentionally sunken vessel.
More than two decades later, the Fang Ming now thrives as a marine sanctuary. Schools of fish, rays, and sea turtles have made the wreck their home, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem. Sheltered by Isla Espiritu Santo, the site remains protected from most winds and swells, making it an ideal dive for beginners and experienced divers alike.
El Salvatierra (shipwreck) – *suitable for diving only
In the mid-1970s, the Salvatierra ferry collided with Swanee Reef and sank shortly after, settling at a depth of 18 to 20 meters in the San Lorenzo Channel. Before crews could salvage the vessel, Hurricane Liza struck La Paz, ripping most of the ferry’s upper structures from its deck.
Today, the Salvatierra still rests on the seafloor, now serving as a thriving artificial reef. Divers can explore this site almost year-round, surrounded by a rich variety of marine life.
Massive groupers and sea bass often lurk in the shadows of the wreck, while schools of reef fish dart through its open spaces. Black coral has also colonized parts of the structure, making this sunken ferry not just a dive site—but a vital habitat within the local marine ecosystem.
San Rafaelito – *suitable for diving and snorkeling
This rocky islet teems with healthy coral communities that support a rich variety of marine life. Just outside the stunning Balandra Bay, San Rafaelito hosts a small non-breeding colony of 40 to 50 California sea lions that are often seen lounging on the rocks or darting playfully through the water.
El Bajo – *suitable for advanced divers with enough dive experience.
El Bajo is comprised of a series of three seamounts. The main attraction of El Bajo is the possibility of pelagic shark sightings including hammerheads and silky sharks. Due to its depths and often challenging conditions, El Bajo requires an advanced open water diver certification.