Sea of Cortez:The Sea of Cortez is, "one of the most productive and diverse marine nurseries on earth," as stated by the Scripps Institute of Oceanography in San Diego, California. The Sea of Cortez is home to 900 species of vertebrates and over 2,000 invertebrate marine species at last count making it biologically the richest body of water on earth. What we see:Scuba diving in Baja California Sur provides a unique look into the amazing diversity of Baja's Cape Region. The waters off Cabo San Lucas, Cabo Pulmo, San Jose del Cabo and La Paz give the diver an opportunity to witness thousands of species of life. On any given day divers are treated to experiences with California Sea Lions, Mobula Rays, Giant Pacific Mantas, four species of Sea Turtles, Whale Sharks, Grouper, Yellow-Fin Tuna, Pargo, Common Dolphins, Hammerhead Sharks, Reef Sharks, giant schools of Mackerel, Jacks and scores of colorful tropical fish. You will also find countless varieties of indigenous Corals, Sea Fans, Gorgonians and other amazing invertebrate life. Endangered Sea:Although the Sea of Cortez is currently rich in a multitude of Sea life the Sea is constantly under the threat of devestation by commercial over-fishing. Gill-netting and International long-liners have almost whiped out populations of the Giant Pacific Manta, Vaquita Dolphin and Totuava. Populations of Porpoises, Common Dolphins, Sea Lions, Hammerhead Sharks and other indigenous species are currently under the same threat. It is estimated that 17 species of Marine life in Baja have declined 60 to 90% in less than 10 years. Shrimp Trawlers tear the bottom of the Ocean by dragging their nets across the Ocean floor. Literally killing up to 10 lbs. of life for every 1 lb. of shrimp they catch. Species such as the Sea Cucumber, Bay Scallop, Sardine, Shrimp, Sea Turtle, Marlin, Grouper, Yellow-Fin Tuna, Yellow-Tail, Sting Ray and several species of Shark are rapidly on their way to the endangered species list. Please respect all Sport Fishing limits while fishing in Baja and never disturb Sea Turtles or their eggs on the coast of Baja California. There are five species of Sea Turtle in Baja California, the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, Western Ridley and Loggerhead, all five are on the endangered species list. The Loggerhead migrates 6,500 miles from the Japanese Island of Kyushu to the Sea of Cortez. Please help us protect all the amazing life the Sea of Cortez has to offer for many generations to come. Find us:Blue Adventures is located in the Marina Cabo Plaza Condominiums overlooking the Marina Cabo San Lucas in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas. The Marina Cabo Plaza is next door to the new, luxury Cabo Hacienda Development and the Marina Fiesta Hotel. Our boats are located on dock "A" and the "Fundadores" or "Founders" dock in front of our shop. Click here for maps and specific directions to our shop in Cabo San Lucas.
|
Eco-Adventure Services |
| Dive Sites | Points of Interest |
| 1 - The North Wall 2 - The Great Sand Fall 3 - Pelican's Rock 4 - The Middle Wall 5 - The South Wall 6 - Neptune's Finger 7 - The Sea Lion Colony 8 - Land's End 9 - The Shipwreck |
A - The Marina Cabo San Lucas B - The Bay of Cabo San Lucas, Bahia Cabo San Lucas C - Lover's Beach D - The Arch E - The Pirate's Cave F - Divorce Beach, no swimming, dangerous under-tows G - Solmar Beach, no Swimming, dangerous under-tows H - The Pedregal |
Dive Sites in the Cabo San Lucas Marine Preserve
click here for current rates for local scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas
click here for an underwater map of the Cabo San Lucas Marina Preserve
1. The North Wall, 10' to 120'; The North Wall is an excellent dive site for beginners as well as advanced divers. In the shallows you will find a sandy bottom perfect for diving classes. This area gradually slopes off to 30' where the wall drops dramatically hundreds of feet below you. Tremendous amounts of life can be found along the top ridge of the wall ranging from 30' to 50'. Large coral heads, moray eels, tropical fish, octopus, hermit crabs, urchins, cone-head crabs, lobster, sting rays and scores of other surprises can be found waiting in the shadows.
2. The Great Sand Fall, 15' to 140'; The Sand Fall is literally a large area under the surface that slopes dramatically to a canyon starting at 90' Sand gathers on the slope and eventually begins to slide down under the force of it's own weight. The effect is that of a water fall, however, it is actually sand sliding down to depths up to 400'. The Sand Fall was explored by Jacque Costeau and the Calypso 40 years ago and has retained it's splendor. You will find over 300 species of tropical marine life in and around the falls. A must do dive site for all visiting scuba divers.
3. Pelican's Rock, 15' to 120'; Pelican's Rock is almost the perfect dive site. Your dive will begin in 15' of water over a sandy bottom. When the group is ready we drop down the face of the wall up to 90' to deep hidden pinnacle rocks. The depth creates almost perfect visibility and provides a glimpse at pristine fan corals and gorgonians on the underwater edge of the Cabo Bay. For intermediate divers we stop at 50' to 70' and explore the base of the main pinnacle, then, spiral upward to shallow water for a safe return to our boat waiting above. This area is home to the same multitude of life found at the Sand Falls and the North Wall; including Mexican Parrot fish, Porcupine fish, Box Puffer fish, Mexican Clown Fish, Octopus, Goat Fish, Surgeon Fish, Yellow Snapper, Buttercups, etc... In addition, we often witness Eagle Rays, Schools of Mantas, Sea Lions, White-Tip Reef Sharks, Sea Turtles and an occasional Whale Shark lurking along the face of the deep wall.
4. The Middle Wall, 100'; The Middle Wall is a deep site for advanced divers only. This area provides a look at pristine fan corals, gorgonians and large schools of fish deep along the wall. It is common to see large grouper, sea bass, yellow snapper and countless other species here.
5. The South Wall, 90' to 120'; This wall is deep and only for advanced divers. The depth provides a look at the amazing geology of the Cabo Bay. Very similar to the Middle Wall, it is home to large amounts of marine life and pristine coral formations.
6. Neptune's Finger, 30' to 120'; Neptune's Finger is located off the edge of Lover's Beach and is a great spot for exploring the deep ridge along the edge of the Cabo Bay. The ridge starts at about 80' and drops to over 600'. This is a good location for watching passing schools of Manta Rays, exploring small Sand Falls and enjoying the macro life present in the shallows along the rocks that create the finger. Countless species of life can be witnessed here. This is a deep dive, advanced certification is required.
7. The Sea Lion Colony, 20' to 45'; The Sea Lions are playful and very active creatures. A diving trip to Cabo San Lucas is not complete without a trip to see them at play. The females are very friendly and often seem to show off, swimming in circles and spirals in front of divers. The larger males seem to keep more to themselves, but are incredible to watch as they hunt down bait schools in the near-by waters.
8. Land's End, 45' to 80'; Land's End is the place where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific. Large bait schools can be found here sometimes the size of a football field. Mackerel, Mexican Barracudas, Sardines and other species congregate here attracting Sea Lions, Bonita, Yellow-Fin Tuna, Roosterfish and other predators seeking easy hunting. The walls are encrusted with tube-like corals, fans and gorgonians. Large Mantas pass by periodically. This is a must do dive site and our personal favorite.
9. The Shipwreck, 50' to 70'; This is a small shipwreck and does get smaller every year with the erosion of the Salt rich Sea of Cortez and constant motion of the Pacific current. We often add this as a stop on our dives at Land's End or the Sea Lion colony. Large schools of fish and Sea Lions are the main attraction.
Dive Sites in the Corridor to San Jose del Cabo
click here for current rates for scuba diving in the corridor to San Jose del Cabo
1. Whales' Head, 30' to 60'; Whale's head lies just outside the Bay of Cabo San Lucas. This area is great for lobster, crab, giant Porcupine Puffer fish, large Sting Rays, Bat Rays and other types of Marine life. An easy dive for beginners with lots to see.
2. Twin Dolphin, 30? to 50'; The Twin Dolphin is a maze of large boulders covering the bottom of the Ocean that creates an intricate maze of canyons and channels. Large Grouper, Sting Rays, Urchins, Coral heads and passing Pelagics can be found here.
3. Santa Maria Canyon, 30' to 70'; the Santa maria Canyon starts just outside Santa Maria Cove on the way to San Jose. This is an underwater maze of large boulders and crevices streching out from the western edge of the small bay. Large coral heads, fans, gorgonians and a large concentration of tropical fish can be found here. In the summer months schools of Mantas can be seen jumping from the water just outside the Cove.
4. The Blow Hole, 30' to 90'; The Blowhole is a fine site just beyond the Santa Maria Cove. The dive begins with an eighty foot drop to the bottom where a maze of rock and coral conceal an abundance of Marine life. At the bottom it is common to witness schools of Puffer fish, Buttercups, Mexican Parrot fish and the like. This is an excellent spot for attempting to catch a glimpse of whales passing by in the winter months.
5. Chileno Bay, 30' to 70'; Chileno Bay provides hard corals in shallow waters up to about 20'. Beyond these areas lie a unique rocky reef extending up to a half mile off the beach. In the shadows lie large Morays, Puffer fish, Mexican Parrot fish and other species typical of Los Cabos. The Bay is a 30 minute boat ride from the Marina in Cabo San Lucas.
Diving at Gordo Banks
click here for current rates for the Gordo Banks diving adventure
1. Gordo Banks, 85' to 140'; The Gordo Banks is legendary for schools of Hammerhead sharks, Giant Pacific Mantas and Whale Sharks. The three deep sea mounts attract bait fish and predators of all types seeking the refuge of the underwater structures to assist in managing the harsh currents of the open Ocean. These dives are for advanced scuba divers only and we require diving in small groups with the supervision of a professional diver. Advanced certification and a minimum of 100 logged dives is required for participation in these expeditions.
Dive Sites at the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
click here for current rates for diving in the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park
The Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park is an excellent adventure for divers of all skill levels. In optimum conditions, visibility reaches 140' or more and the water temperature peaks near 90 degrees. The Bay is home to one of the largest living coral reef systems in the Sea of Cortez. Pelagics frequent the area; Whale Sharks, Giant Pacific Mantas, Nurse Sharks, Tiger Sharks, huge schools of Eagle Rays and occasionally Hammerheads are found here. However, know that it is not the only living coral reef in the area as many have called it. Living hard coral reefs can be found off Isla Espiritu Santos in La Paz, Chileno Bay near Cabo San Lucas, the Cabo San Lucas Marine Preserve, Gordo Banks, The Bahia Los Angeles on the Northern Coast of the Sea of Cortez and countless other locations across the Pacific coast of Mexico from Ensenada to Huatulco. We highly recommend a trip to Cabo Pulmo, but be aware that conditions can change rapidly and diving in the area is seasonal. Try to plan your trips for months of May through December, and always check conditions the day before your trip. The winter months bring high winds and poor visibility making any dive potentially trecherous.
1. El Cantil, 30' to 45'; El Cantil or "the Canyons" is a system of underwater canyons and crevices streching several hundred yards across the Bay at Cabo Pulmo. A multitude of Corals, Fans, Gorgonians, Urchins and scores of Marine life find their homes here. Large Grouper, Schools of Goat Fish, Sturgeon fish and countless varities of small tropical fish are swimming here daily. Sitings of Mantas, Whale Sharks, Nurse Sharks and even Tiger Sharks have been reported.
2. El Bajo, 40' to 60'; This is the favorite dive site of most travelers to Cabo Pulmo. The boat ride is nor more than 10 minutes out to the reef. We enter into the drifting current and glide over a pristine coral reef of only 55'. Large Groupers, Amberjacks, schools of Big Eyed Jacks, Yellow Snapper and every fish you can think of are frequently sighted here. Schools of Mantas are known to move gracefully across the sands on either side of the reef. Swim into the current to prolong your dive and remember this is a National Park. Gloves, Knives and touching anything are strictly prohibited.
3. El Moro, 40' to 60'; El Moro is another fine section of the section reef at Cabo Pulmo. Running parallel to El Bajo many of the same features and Marine life are found here that you will witness at El Bajo. Remember to look into the cracks and crevices to see large lurking Grouper, giant Green Moray Eels and other life.
4. El Islote, 40' to 60'; The lonely island is a pinnnacle rock standing on the south end of the Cabo Pulmo Bay. The site is a good location to witness corals, fans, Sea Lions, schooling fish and all other forms of life common to the Sea of Cortez.
5. Las Casitas, 25' to 40'; The little houses is a system of caves in shallow waters at the south end of the Bay. The unique geological formations are interesting. Of course you will witness the same corals, fans, tropical fish and Pelagics common to the area.
PADI Scuba Diving Classes in Cabo San Lucas, by reservation
click here for current rates for scuba diving classes
Blue Adventures staffs full-time PADI diving Instructors and conducts diving classes daily in Spanish, English, Italian, French, German and Portuguese. Whether you are an experienced diver or a first-time beginner who has never see a scuba tank up close we can further your diving knowledge and experience. The basic course in the PADI system of diving instruction is the Open Water Diver certification. Blue Adventures is happy to provide this course and a variety of specialties and advanced learning experiences. If you have no experience, we invite you participate in the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program and see first hand all the splendor the underwater world has to offer. All courses are given in Cabo San Lucas. We understand your vacation time is valuable and endevour to be flexible in all scheduling of classrom and Ocean diving requirements. Please contact us for further information or refer to our PADI diving classes link for more specific information on learning to understand the amazing Ocean world via scuba diving.
Private Scuba Diving Boat Charters, by advanced reservation
click here for current rates for private boat charters
Blue Adventures is proud to announce our partnership with the Picante Sport Fishing fleet. We are now able to offer exclusive, private charters on the brand new, Picantito Fleet for use in snorkeling and scuba diving adventures. The Picantitos are small, 26' center console blue water boats manufactured by Shamrock for ocean exploration. The Picantitos provide perfect space for small groups and families of up to four divers for five hour excursions to dive sites located in Cabo San Lucas, the Corridor to San Jose and the infamous Gordo Banks. The Picantitos are diesel powered, provide a local captain, swim platform, shade canopy, head and a diving guide fluent in Spanish and English. Please contact us today for charter information on the Picantito Fleet.
Live Aboard diving expeditions, FIRST - Sunseeker 75
Click here for more information on this amazing yacht charter.
Twelve hour, single-day and multi-day trips up to seven days are available on board the FIRST 75. The FIRST is a super-luxury Sunseeker 75 docked in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This is the ultimate diving vacation for groups of up to eight divers.
Sailing Excursions, by advanced reservation
click here for current rates for sailing excursions
Sailing charters are available daily from the Marina Cabo San Lucas. Three mono-hull boats are slipped on dock "A" of the Marina Cabo San Lucas for use by clients of Blue Adventures. These boats are staffed by a local family of sailors who take their work to heart. Catering, snacks and an open bar are provided for every tour. On board, you will find snorkeling gear, towels and every other detail required to provide the ultimate sailing adventure. For luxury tours the Manta 54' Catamarran is available (inquire for rates). The Manta is the finest sailing craft in Cabo San Lucas. A private chef, full catering, hostess and open bar is provided on every tour for up to fourteen guests. Blue Adventures will ensure the sailing experience of a life-time for those interested in experiencing the majesty of a silent glide across the beautiful Mexican shores of Baja California Sur. Find the joy of life, charter a sailing excursion today!
the new Hunter 34
Whale Watching Adventures, December through April
click here for current rates for whale watching tours
The Pacific Ocean off the cape of Cabo San Lucas supports populations of Blue, Gray, Sperm, Minke, Fin, Humpback, Goose-Beaked, Drawf Sperm, False Killer, Killer and Pilot Whales. The life span of a Blue Whale is up to two hundred years. Every year the migration of the Gray Whale brings these incredible creatures over 12,000 miles from the coast of Alaska to the shores of Baja California. Typically, December through April we are able to provide consistant whale watching expeditions. It is common to spot pods of up to twenty whales at a time. To see a breaching whale is a truly humbling experience. They are able to force up to 10 tons of their weight thirty to forty feet into the air and make it seem as if it is raining without a cloud in the sky. They create rainbows in the clear sunshine. Often we witness a mother whale and her newborn calf breaching together in unison as the mother teachers her young how to feed. On these tours it is possible to witness pods of up to 10,000 Common, Pacific White-Sided, Bottle-Nosed, Spotted, Risso, Spinner and Striped Dolphins. Please contact us today to schedule an experience that will touch your soul!
Snorkeling Trips, daily 9am and 1pm
click here for current rates for snorkeling excursions
Private snorkeling tours are offered daily in Cabo San Lucas for groups of up to 10 passengers. Blue Adventures also provides tours to the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park, Chileno Bay and Santa Maria Cove by reservation. Passengers are provided with full snorkeling gear, an English speaking guide, bottled water and the time to explore the underwater world to their heart's content. In Cabo San Lucas, stops are made at Pelican's Rock, Lover's Beach, the famous Arch, Pirates Cave and the Sea Lion Colony. The Cabo San Lucas Marine Preserve is home to hundreds of species of aquatic life, and breath-taking natural beauty above the water-line. Make your reservations today for one of our snorkeling excursions!
Sunset Cruises, by advanced reservation
click here for current rates for sunset cruises
Blue Adventures offers private sunset cruises daily by reservation on a variety of boats. Sailing charters are avaialble ranging from 28' mono-hulls to the 45' Manta Catamarran. Our Chaparral Sunesta can comfortably handle up to ten passengers for cruises out to Cabo's famous Arch and around into the Pacific to witness the sun setting peacefully over the vast Ocean. We offer appetizers and a full-open bar on the sail boat charters and bottled water on the sunesta. You are welcome to bring along anything you would like on your tour. Our sunset cruises are perfect for romantic get-aways and special occasions for the young at heart. We hope to see you soon in Cabo San Lucas!
|
Copyright 2007. Excursiones Cabo Oceanico, SA de CV. All Rights Reserved. cabo.blue@yahoo.com 
 |