LOS ISLOTES

“THE COLONY” Situated half a mile north of Isla Espiritu Santo are Los Islotes, two large rock islets one of which is a natural arch. Diving through the center of this natural rock formation brimming with life one can expect to see dense shoals of silver sardines, blue and gold King Angel Fish and yellow surgeon fish amongst golden cup corals. These islets are home to a colony of over 200 Californian Brown Sea lions. These inquisitive creatures take great interest in those visiting their home. One can often turn to find the pups pulling at your fins, eager to play, showing off and turning circles around our comparatively clumsy underwater movements. The larger bulls become pugnacious and territorial during the mating season in protection of their harem. Underwater circumnavigation of these islands is invariably exciting and always visually diverse.

EL BAJO

“MARISLA SEA MOUNT” The seamount is located 8.2 miles from Los Islotes. There are three distinct underwater peaks, the northern most rising to within 83ft of the surface, the central peak to within 52ft and the southern to within 69ft. The central peak, with its shallow depths and relatively flattop, is the primary dive site and anchoring location This is one of the premier dive sites in the world for schooling Hammerhead sharks. Schools range from between six to hundreds traveling in a clockwise direction around the seamount for unknown reasons. While schooling, hammerheads are not aggressive, and reassuringly enough they actually appear disinterested in divers. As a seamount El Bajo is home to an abundance of sea life, mass schooling fish (amber jacks, tuna etc), octopus and the impressive Panamic Green moray; a colony of over fifty can be found in a small canyon. Aside from possible encounters with hammerheads, frequent visitors to the seamount include; whale sharks and giant pacific manta rays.

ROCAS LOBOS

“SEA LION ROCKS” A local dive site boasting a large number of coral heads, small caves and overhangs. This is a popular night dive site, where on can see huge sleeping Parrot Fish cocooned in their own mucus hiding their scent from potential predators and upon waking, swim free of the cocoon. Once home of a colony of Sea Lions who occasionally return to visit their old home. There’s a multitude of fish life and several species of ray buried in the surrounding sand.

GAVIOTA WRECKS

Just offshore Isla Gaviota (seagull Island) in the bay of La Paz you dive to 45 – 60ft to explore 2 sunken wooded boats with some penetration, which becomes home too much sea life. Anemones, Sergeant Majors and Lobster are among the abundant sea life to be found in and around the wrecks and the surrounding coast and its caves.

THE SALVATIERRA WRECK

This site is the wreck of the cargo ferry “La Salvatierra” which sank in 1976 moments after striking the reef Swanee Rock (subsequently fitted with a warning light). Of the hundreds of passengers not one life was lost and the insurance company actually paid everyone for their losse

ISLA BALLENA

“WHALE ISLAND” A small Island off the west coast of Isla Espiritu Santo featuring several dive-through caves one of which has a pocket of air allowing divers to surface inside the rock. Between the islands is a sand shelf containing a large “garden” of conger eels – these peculiar creatures feed by extending their bodies vertically from holes in the sea floor, swaying in the currents whilst waiting for passing morsels. Schools of Rays and pods of Dolphins can be seen passing this tranquil dive site.

Explore Your Destination

Your vacation to La Paz is sure to consist of plenty of fun and excitement, but how about adding a touch of adventure as well? For those who can’t shake that adrenaline bug, consider booking exciting excursions, such as zip-lining, setting sail on a catamaran cruise or snorkeling and diving, to make the most out of your party destination.